Title: Phantasy Star (Part One)
Author: KaiserDragon8
Game Series: Phantasy Star III Generations of Doom
Summary: This story follows the story of Rhys, his son, and his grandson, in their journeys to save their homeland. Game-based, first fic.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Phantasy Star series in any way, shape, or form and am making no money off of this. I am just a nerd taking my nerdiness to an entirely new level. Don't sue me. *watches moths escape from wallet*
Warnings: I am not a writer. This is my first attempt at a real full-fledged story. So please be kind, and feel free to comment on my style to help me improve. To all those who have played this game, I took the most logical marriage route. That was just the way it turned out, so don't kill me for it. Also, some parts of the writing were taken directly from the game, so if they sound weird at all it's probably from the game. (i.e. the prologue and the interludes) This is going to be a three-part story in the end – I have it all written, but still wringing it through the editing process. So again, any thoughts are awesome!
Thank you, and enjoy!
Prologue
The legends of the past
Shape our lives and
Those of our children.
One such legend is of a
Struggle that almost
Destroyed our world.
The names of Orakio and
Laya echo down through
The years, still inspiring
Love and hatred even
Now, 1000 years after
Their tragic deaths.
Their conflict wiped out
Civilization and left
The survivors in a world
Of mutated creatures and
Warring pockets of men.
Into this shattered
World you are thrust, to
Live or die by your
Sword and your wits…
Chapter 1
Marriage
Rhys, the prince of Landen, walked through the forest outside town. He always walked this path when he needed to think. Today is a special day, he is getting married. While he walked, he remembered his first encounter with his bride to be, Maia.
It was early in the morning three months ago. He was walking the beach, and the ocean soothed his mind. He had an argument with his father, Rusl, the king, earlier. They argued over who Rhys would marry, but Rhys couldn't find anyone to spend eternity with. But soon events took a turn for the better. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a woman on the beach. As he approached, he noticed she was unconscious and not breathing. He immediately began to revive her. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her dark blue hair shone in the morning sun. She wore a simple white dress ruined by the ocean waves. Soon she coughed up water and opened her eyes.
"Thank goodness! Are you all right?" Rhys asked
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you." She said as she sat up.
"How did you wind up on the beach?"
"I… I don't know…" she couldn't remember.
"Do you remember anything at all?" Rhys began to get worried.
"No… I can't."
"A name? Do you remember your name?"
"Maia, my name is Maia."
"Maia. A good name. My name is Rhys. I am the prince of Landen, this country you're in. Come with me to the castle, and we'll get you a warm bath and new clothes." He took her by the hand and they went to the castle.
Rhys then made it his duty to help her in any way he could. He tried over and over to see if she remembered anything before waking up on the beach. The most he learned was that she was on a ship on the sea and there was a massive storm, then blackness.
The more time he spent with her, the more attached he became. He became very protective of her. Rhys fell in love, and Maia retuned it. She has, on more than one occasion, expressed her appreciation for all the help he's been. He soon asked her to marry, and she accepted. He swore to protect her and help her learn who she is.
He collected his thoughts, and a smile came to his face. A breeze arose and his blue hair swayed. He pulled his cloak around him for warmth.
"I'm getting married today. Heh… never would have guessed it would happen to me. I should head back to town."
When he arrived, all the townsfolk greeted him with warm thoughts.
"Congratulations, Prince Rhys!"
"She's a lucky one!"
"Good luck Rhys!"
He smiled at all of them as he made his way to the castle. When he made it through the gates he began to search for Maia. Marriages always took Place in the throne room. He soon found himself in front of her door. With a deep breath, he opened the door.
"Maia… you look beautiful." He embraced her in his arms. Her dark blue hair was tied back to reveal the whole of her face. Her blue eyes pierced like arrows, and her pure white silk dress fit her without fault.
"Rhys, I am honored you wish to marry me. Maybe one day, one day soon, we will find out who I really am, together."
They stood embraced for what seemed like years, then Rhys took her by the hand and led her to the throne room.
They stood before the doors, awaiting the time to enter. The trumpets sounded, the doors opened, and they slowly made their way to the front. They reached the throne, turned toward each other, and smiled.
"I Rhys, do take thee, Maia to be my-"
Suddenly the earth began to shake, and then crashing through the ceiling flew a great black dragon. Rhys immediately drew his sword and stepped in front of Maia.
"I swore to protect you, and I will Maia!"
The dragon glared at Rhys with his piercing red eyes. He wants Maia, everyone can see it.
The dragon bellowed, "Filthy Orakians! Maia will never be yours!"
With that he charged Rhys. He held his ground. He will keep his promise he made to Maia. He will protect her. No matter what. Time slowed as the dragon attacked. He picked up and threw the helpless prince. Maia's scream pierced the sky at the sight of Rhys. The dragon did not care and carried her away.
"Rhys!!!"
"M…Maia…" he reached, even knowing he couldn't reach her outstretched hand.
He slowly got to his feet and sheathed his sword. He solemnly walked to the front of the throne room.
"I will take the army and destroy Laya's clan!"
Cheers arose from the assembled soldiers.
"Don't be a fool Rhys," his father said, "No one has seen a Layan for 1000 years. Starting a war is not a rational thing to do. Cool off in the dungeon for a while."
"What?! No, father!" two soldiers grasped him by the arms. "I will search for her father! You cannot stop me! I will find her and bring her back! I swear it!"
These are the last words heard from Rhys when he was led from the throne room. The two soldiers led him into the dungeon and threw him in a cell. The prince of Landen thrown in jail by his own father, like a common criminal. He sat in the corner of the cell for days. On the third day he heard a knock at the door. Very confused, he got up and looked. There was a woman there, who whispered to him:
"I'm Lena, I'll help you escape. I saw the wedding and trust me I'm here to help."
She opened the door and led him out of the dungeon.
"Now arm yourself well and go find Maia!" with that, the woman left Rhys. He left Landen and began his search for Maia. Where to begin he knew not, only that he must start. Knowing he cannot return to Landen, Rhys traveled south to the nearest town, known as Yaata. He began his journey there.
It took Rhys an entire day to reach Yaata from Landen. He arrived at the inn at sunset. Very weary, he got a room. He lay on his bed and fell asleep instantly. That night he dreamed of Maia and the dragon.
"Why was the dragon after Maia?"
"Filthy Orakians?"
"Is Maya a Layan?"
Morning came all too soon. Rhys got up and decided to talk to people in the town and find out what they knew. Leaving the inn he walked down the paced road asking people if they had seen Maia. No one had seen anything. There was talk, however, of a man who stole a sapphire and is hiding in a cave on an island to the south. There was an old man in the village who owned a ship, so Rhys went to talk to him. Maybe this man in the cave knows something about Maia. Rhys found the old man sitting on a bench in the middle of the village square.
"Hello," Rhys said.
"Hello there," said the old man.
"I have heard you own a boat. I need you to take me to that island to the south."
"Ha ha, you are not the first to ask that," the old man chuckled, "I only take people who own cyborgs. I'm a superstitious old man, and cyborgs are good luck. So unless you own a cyborg, I can't help you."
Rhys thought, 'Cyborgs? I though those only existed in stories. Maybe they are real after all. I need to get to that island whatever the cost!'
"Do you know where I can get one?"
"Ha ha ha! If I knew that, I'd have one! Ha ha ha…"
"Thank you," Rhys lied, and walked away.
Rhys began inquiring the villagers about cyborgs, but to no avail. He knew of another town to the south east called Ilan. Maybe someone there would know. So he ventured to Ilan. It was not quite as far as Yaata was from Landen. He reached Ilan by midday. He immediately went to the inn to talk to the travelers. Only one man knew something.
"I was traveling in the northern forest and I saw one of Laya's people! The woman never blinked!"
"Layan! She might know about Maia."
So Rhys got a room at the inn and set out for the northern forest at dawn. He arrived at the forest during midday and began looking for this Layan. Hours passed and nothing. He began to get tired and with luck found a lake. He sat down and quenched his thirst. But when he looked up he saw a woman there. This woman had long red hair and was wearing a full length red dress. She had claws on her hands and looked ready to fight anything that came near.
"Who are-" Rhys stuttered.
"I have been waiting for you prince, for 1000 years. I am a cyborg, designation Mieu type. I am here to serve you. Only a direct descendant of Orakio can control me. Please allow me to travel with you." She bowed.
"Mieu? You've waited 1000 years for me?"
"Yes. Orakio told me to wait for him, and here you are. A direct descendant."
"Mieu I would very much appreciate your company."
Rhys was no longer alone on his search for Maia. A cyborg of stories was his traveling companion. Now he could get to that southern island and talk to that thief. As they left the forest, Rhys heard a rustle behind him. He drew his sword and got ready. A huge bear-like creature came crashing out of the woods. Rhys was distracted by the size and got slashed on his chest by this creature. He fell to his knees, not knowing what else to do. He couldn't muster his strength to combat the beast. But Mieu was there to serve him.
"Mieu! Protect… me…"
With only a nod she attacked. She used her claws on her hands as if they were a part of her. The beast felled easily. Rhys didn't see this, however. He was unconscious from blood loss. Mieu quickly reacted. She closed her eyes and put her hands on his wound. She focused her energy and there was a bright flash. Rhys opened his eyes and looked at his chest. The wound was gone!
"Mieu? What did you do?"
"Prince Rhys, I am a cyborg. I have the ability of magic. I can cure your wounds, poison, even death. But not infinitely. I have limits and I need to regain strength as you do."
"You saved my life Mieu, how can I ever repay you?"
"There is no need for restitution prince. I am here to serve you. Orakio told me to, and I will obey.
"Thank you Mieu."
The two companions traveled back to Yaata. They rested at the inn, for tomorrow they would be on their way to the cave.
Chapter 2
The Cave
The night was restless. Rhys couldn't stop thinking about Maia. She filled his every thought. Where was she? Is she all right? These thoughts haunted Rhys. He would make the Layans Pay. Soon morning came, and Rhys was ready to depart for the cave. The two companions left the inn and found the ship master.
"Good morning sir," Rhys greeted.
"Good morning to you, I see you found a cyborg. Ha ha, good work lad. Welcome aboard!"
The three walked to the port and were soon off to the island. Along the way the old man pointed out a local legend.
"See that palace down there in the muck? Our oldest legend says the evil Dark Force is sealed there by the very sword of Orakio."
"Really?" asked Rhys.
"Dark… Force…" Mieu was deep in thought.
They left that palace in the water and continued to the island. They soon arrived. Disembarking, the boat master told them he would wait for them to come back and he would return to Yaata. Thanking the man, Rhys and Mieu departed for the cave.
"Mieu, do you know anything about Dark Force? I noticed you went quiet when the old man mentioned it." Rhys asked.
"N-no… nothing…"
She had a secret. Rhys was sure of it. But he didn't bother with it now. There were more important matters at hand. They had arrived at the mouth of the cave.
"Are you ready, Mieu?"
"Let's go, Rhys."
They entered the cave. There were torches hanging on the wall and Rhys grabbed one.
"Someone is here. We'll take this torch and find him." Rhys said.
The cave was rounded at the top, about the height of two people standing on top of each other with room to spare. The walls were lined with claw marks. There were monsters in this cave; battles took place frequently.
"Be wary Mieu. We don't know what to expect." Rhys cautioned.
"I will, prince."
To himself, Rhys muttered, "I must find this man. I need to know if Maia is ok. I know he will help me. Maia…"
Rhys drew his sword and the walked on through the cave. They were walking for hours to no avail. They continued on… Rhys was determined to find this man. Soon they saw a light in the distance.
"Someone is there!" Rhys exclaimed.
"Be warned Rhys, I see multiple figures. It is no man…" Mieu said cryptically.
Rhys could see it now. Three beasts were sitting around the fire. It was the bear-like creatures from the forest.
Rhys whispered, "We'll sneak up and ambush them. We might make it with the element of surprise."
Putting the torch out, Rhys and Mieu began to sneak up on the creatures. At the last possible moment, Rhys leapt forward and stabbed one of them in the back, killing it instantly. Mieu had gone around to a second one and split its spine in two. The third roared and charged Mieu. Rhys, seeing this, stepped forward and impaled the charging beast. They had won.
Out of the darkness came a figure of a man. He had green long hair tied back in a ponytail and wielded a quarter staff. He wore a simple brown tunic and a white cape.
Clapping, he said, "Well done travelers! These beasts, called Moos, took over my camp two days ago. I hade been about to reclaim it, but you saved me the trouble. My thanks to you. My name is Lyle."
"Lyle, are you the man who stole the sapphire?" Rhys demanded.
"Stole? No, I didn't steal the sapphire. I have had the sapphire for a while now. Do you need it…" he trailed off, wanting a name.
"Rhys, prince of Landen."
"Rhys. Ha ha, a prince. Here, take it. I have no use for it anyways."
"Really? That simple?" Rhys took the sapphire from Lyle's hand.
"Think of it as a present. Ha ha!" Lyle turned to leave.
"Wait! Do you know anything about a woman named Maia?"
"No, can't say that I do. A woman, eh? I'd love to help you Rhys, but I have some other business to take care of. See you around Rhys!" he bowed and walked away.
"What a peculiar man…" Mieu thought aloud.
"I agree. Let's go Mieu. Maia isn't here. Back to Yaata."
Rhys and Mieu began the long journey out of the cave. It didn't take nearly as long to exit as it was to find Lyle. They only needed to backtrack. When they finally made it out, it was sunset. The old man waited like he said he would and all three of them sailed back to Yaata.
Back in town Rhys and Mieu went to the inn. Rhys talked with new travelers to see if these ones knew anything about Maia. No luck. She seemed to have disappeared completely. With hopes fading, Rhys went to his room to get some sleep. When morning came Rhys went to the common room to talk again. He heard an interesting thing. There was a cave to the east that no one could get through. Many tried but got lost and ended up outside the cave. Rhys couldn't think what else to do, so he and Mieu set out for the eastern cave. They traveled for most of the day, but they finally made it to the cave.
"Mieu, there is nothing to lose. Let's go in." Rhys said.
They entered and almost immediately the sapphire that Lyle had given him glowed with an almost enchanting light. The cave lit up. But something was not right… they were not standing on ground. They were standing on what seemed to be a metal catwalk. There were machines below whirring and moving.
"What is this?!" Rhys exclaimed, "This is no ordinary cave."
"Rhys, this is the pathway to a new land. Be not alarmed, just travel to the end." Mieu explained.
Rhys walked with total amazement. What were these things? Why metal? From the outside it looked like a normal cave. Soon they reached the end of the cave and ventured out into this new land, not knowing what to expect. Rhys' determination was never higher to find Maia. This new land was covered in snow and ice. Soon after exiting the cave, Mieu spotted a village. New people to ask about Maia.
Upon entering some woman greeted them very darkly,
"Leave Rysel now travelers! There is no food, no warmth. This never-ending winter struck without warning two years ago, and we've lost our fish. A fishing village with no fish! We're all doomed to die in this winter…"
A never-ending winter? Rhys could do nothing to help, but he felt he should. He began to ask about Maia, but no one cared. They were all too desperate to survive this winter. Heeding the woman's advice, Rhys and Mieu left Rysel.
Traveling south, the only way to go, they ran into a decimated city. Rhys began to look for anything that could lead him to Maia. He eventually ended up at the church. Entering, he searched. For a time, nothing showed up, but he soon found a trap door. Calling for Mieu, he knew he must enter. She arrived and looked at the passage beneath the church.
"A new land awaits Rhys. Let's go find Maia."
And they entered. It was the same mechanical passage way as the last one. Still stunned that such a thing existed, he walked on. Reaching the end he felt a sudden heat wave. Leaving the cave, they found themselves in the middle of a desert.
"Mieu, what do you know of these passages and these new lands?" Rhys asked.
"Only that all the lands are connected. The lands are all one, in a sense." Mieu replied.
"Where do we go from here? I see no villages and we could easily die here…"
"Just walk Rhys. I know we will be safe."
Trusting in Mieu, they walked on. It was not long when they saw a figure on the horizon. Glad to see someone, Rhys approached this figure. It was a cyborg that looked like Mieu. But her face was decaying from the wear of the desert.
"Hello. Do you know of any nearby villages?' Rhys asked.
"Have you seen Orakio? It's been 1000 years, but I'd know his black sword anywhere!" she responded.
"No I haven't. Do you know of any nearby villages though?" Rhys repeated.
"Have you seen Orakio? It's been 1000 years, but I'd know his black sword anywhere!" she responded again.
"Rhys, she's crazy. Let's just move on." Mieu stated.
"Okay Mieu, we'll find a village soon." Rhys was optimistic.
They continued on, leaving this broken cyborg to wander the desert. Losing hope, Rhys continued on. But hopes rose, far in the distance he spotted a village.
"Mieu! A village! Let's go!" Rhys was happy to see civilization in the desert. Gathering the strength he had left he marched to the village. Upon arriving he beheld a site. The village was full of cyborgs. One introduced himself and the village.
"Welcome travelers! We rarely get human visitors in this village of Hazatak. Stay long!"
Very confused and yet excited, Rhys and Mieu entered the inn. Overhearing conversation, Rhys learned that the weather in the previous land was haywire. Someone needed to fix the weather controls. Not really understanding, Rhys went to his room. But as soon as he entered, a cyborg grabbed his arm.
"You! You must help the frozen land. The cyborg in the cave waits for a man with blue hair. You must get him and go to the weather control tower in the southeast and fix it! Only Wren can do it, and he waits for you traveler!"
With this, the cyborg left Rhys. Searching for Maia would have to wait. He would go to the cave in the morning to find Wren.
Chapter 3
Wren
The sun rose in the morning, hot as ever in the desert, and Rhys and Mieu left Hazatak. Another cyborg approached them and gave directions earlier. They were headed west. The desert would test Rhys, to see if he was strong enough to save Maia in the end.
As they walked the desert, Rhys had time to think. His thoughts were of Maia. He blamed himself for her being taken by the dragon.
"If only I were stronger… she would be with me now, and we would be happy in Landen… Maia, forgive me!"
He walked blindly on, and these thoughts haunted him. Only Mieu shaking him brought him back to reality. She was yelling his name.
"Rhys! Look! Draw your sword, danger is ahead!"
Dazed, he looked. He saw a huge man, no, not a man. This creature was too big. He was at least twelve feet tall. It was painted read and blue, and a stick was imbedded in its head.
"Rhys, a giant blocks our path. What do we do?"
Rhys had no answer…
"Rhys!" Mieu yelled.
"We can't go around?"
"If you want to lose your bearings, yes we can. But those suffering people need us. No mistakes." Mieu explained.
"Then we fight."
Drawing his sword, he charged the giant. A little shocked at the little man, the giant was stunned. Rhys took advantage of this and sliced open the back of his leg. Mieu followed by climbing up the back of the giant. He roared and reached for Mieu, but her speed was too much. She quickly reached his head and dug her claws in. the beast let out one more roar and collapsed.
"I don't like the sound of that roar…" Rhys said.
"It could've called for others, we better hurry to the cave. I see some mountains over there," pointing west, "The cave is at the base of a mountain. Hurry Rhys!"
Quickly getting to his feet he and Mieu run for the mountain. Looking over his shoulder as he ran, Rhys saw more giants approaching the fallen brother. They all roared and saw Rhys running, and began chasing him.
"Mieu, they've spotted us! Run!"
Having only covered just over half the distance, they would need a miracle to reach the cave in time. Pulling everything he had, Rhys ran for his life. The giants quickly closing in, Rhys loses himself.
"Run! I must run! Maia!"
They reached the mountains, but couldn't see the cave.
"Mieu! Where is it?"
"Over here Rhys! Quickly!" Mieu had found the cave.
Rhys ran into the cave, pulling Mieu along. They were safe, for now. They needed to find Wren, while still alive. The cave had some sort of bugs crawling on the ceiling. They shed light. Light enough to see ahead. Rhys began to move forward, towards the infinite black. Knowing not which way to go, he walked. Through the dimly blue lit cave. Luckily Mieu was there with him, else he would lose all sanity.
For what seemed like days, they walked.
"Where could Wren be?" Rhys wondered.
He continued his blind walk.
"Wren… where could…" Rhys was losing it.
His feet dragged on. He was losing himself in the black of the cave. He had to keep walking, for Maia…
"Keep walking Rhys, keep…"
He fell, no energy, no purpose. Why? Before blacking out he saw a figure step out of the darkness, and then the black swallowed him.
"Maia!" Rhys had shot up in his bed.
"Good, you're awake." Mieu said, relieved.
"How did I end up here?" Rhys asked.
"Wren," Mieu said.
Rhys looked around and saw him. He was wearing all black. Black pants, shoes, tunic. Even his hair was black, all save his white skin.
"Wren, thank you. I owe you my life." Rhys said.
"I am a Wren type cyborg," Wren explained, "here to serve you. Orakio sent me. I am a technical systems and combat specialist."
"How did we get out of the cave?"
"I had developed an object. I call it the "Escapipe". It transports the user and anyone near him out of the cave. I held onto it to help my new master." Wren bowed.
"Thank you, Wren. We need to fix the weather. Are you up to it?" Rhys asked.
"Of course. Whatever you ask, Prince Rhys."
Rhys had a third companion now. They soon were ready to head to the weather control tower. Wren knew where to go and they arrived quickly. Upon entering, Rhys recognized it. The structure was much the same as the path between lands. He had gotten used to machines, as new as they were to him. But something happened Rhys did not expect. As they rounded a corner, his eyes fell on Lyle.
"Lyle! What are you doing here?" Rhys asked.
"Ah, Rhys, fancy meeting you here. I'm trying to fix my homeland. It's completely frozen over! I must help them. Hey, your Wren cyborg can fix it! Let me travel with you, and in return you help my people!"
"Deal. I would love your company Lyle." Rhys agreed.
Lyle the mysterious man with green hair and a quarter staff, joined Rhys.
"Wren, where is the weather control?" Rhys asked.
"Not too much farther. Follow me." Wren replied.
Having followed Wren they found the controls. Wren approached it and began working. After a few minutes he was done.
"Rhys, come with me and see my beautiful homeland." Lyle said.
"Lyle, I would love to." Rhys smiled back.
The trek back through the desert and cave took a few days, but they soon emerged to see the beautiful, lush-green forests. The snow had all melted away and Rysel was saved. Returning to the village, they were greeted with welcome.
"Welcome to Rysel! This fishing village now back on its feet! Thank you for saving us!"
An old man approached Rhys and said,
"Lad, thank you. Anytime you need to, you can use my ship to travel across the sea. There are some villages across on an island. I hear one of them recently got their princess back. She has the prettiest blue hair! You have to see it sometime. Ha ha."
"Maia! She is across the ocean! Soon I will see her again! We will use that offer sir. We will leave in the morning." Rhys said.
Rhys had found out where Maia was. He would soon be reunited with his bride.
Chapter 4
Across the Ocean
Rhys woke with the sun the next morning. He was eager to sail. He was eager to find Maia. The four companions went to the ship as quickly as they could, and soon they were off. By midday they reached the island. They immediately saw two villages. The ship master told them that these two villages, Agoe and Shusoran, battled each other, as one was Orakian and one Layan. Right now there was an uneasy truce between them. So Rhys, Mieu, Wren and Lyle decided to go to Shusoran, Lyle was eager to go, for an unknown reason.
Entering the town there was no one to be found; they were all gone. Lyle seemed depressed by this. Not knowing what to do, they waited. Lyle paced very nervously.
"Where is everyone?" he asked.
"Killed in battle maybe?" Rhys said.
"Not likely. They are too strong for that…"
Lyle still paced, and a silence befell the party. Suddenly Lyle exclaimed:
"I've got it! We'll go to the castle! I know a secret entrance through the city there."
Lyle led the way to a fountain in the far corner of the village. He got on his hands and knees and started moving stones out of the way. Soon everyone saw a set of stairs, leading to a dungeon.
"This leads to the castle, follow me." Lyle said.
The party followed him down the stairs. Lyle grabbed a torch from the wall and walked on. The dungeon was made of blue stone, the light from the torch seemed to reflect from the stones. There were many twists and turns, but luckily Lyle knew where to go. They soon emerged in the middle of the castle.
"It's good to be home…" Lyle muttered.
"What was that?" Rhys asked.
"Oh, nothing. Let's carry on. Maia could be here."
Still following Lyle, as he oddly enough knew where to go. He stopped suddenly and Rhys soon knew why.
"Lena!" Rhys exclaimed.
"At last I've found her." Lyle said.
"What?"
"I'm sorry Rhys. This is where I leave your company."
Lyle walked toward Lena.
"Lyle, wait!" cried Rhys.
Lyle conversed with Lena, but couldn't hear the words. He himself confronted Lyle. He turned staff in hand, ready to fight.
"Rhys, let's see you really fight!"
"What are you doing Lyle?"
"Draw your sword and fight!"
"Why?"
"Just do it!!!"
Rhys complied. He drew his sword and got in a battle stance. Lyle smiled and leapt for Rhys, staff spinning. Rhys deflected each blow with ease. But he couldn't strike back. Lyle was his friend. He couldn't bring himself to hurt him.
"I won't hurt you Lyle." Rhys said in between swings
"Why not?" Taunted Lyle.
Rhys drops his sword, "Because you are my friend, Lyle. I won't hurt you."
Lyle stopped his assault.
"Rhys…" Lyle thought for a minute, "You are strong Rhys. Not in strength, in heart. You are a great man. Someone here wishes to speak with you."
Lyle stepped aside for Lena.
"Lena, what are you doing here?" Rhys asked.
"Testing you Rhys." Lena responded.
"Testing? What do you mean?"
"Are you truly ready to claim Maia?"
"Of course I am! I've been ready from the beginning!"
"No you weren't. Alone you could not do it. You need your friends as much as your skill. You learned that, and now you are ready to claim your bride. But first, we need to do a little back tracking. You need the moonstone and the moon tear, which myself and Lyle have. You must take these deep into the weather control system tower and place them in the device to move the moon in place to create a land bridge to Maia. Let's go!" Lena explained.
As they left the castle, an unusual thing happened. A servant walked up to Lyle and said:
"Prince Lyle! Good to see you safe at home." Bowed and returned to work.
"Prince?!" Rhys was shocked.
"Yes Rhys, I am the prince of Shusoran. I'm sorry I did not tell you before. I couldn't let others know I was a prince. Don't think less of me." Lyle said.
"Lyle, I couldn't. I respect your reasons for this secret. Let's hurry back to Hazatak to get to Maia, as friends." Rhys smiled.
"I concur, let's go." Lyle smiled back.
After a few days they reached Hazatak and went to the weather control tower. Venturing high into the upper levels, they found the machine. Wren took the stone and tear and put them in to machine. He explained what was happening now.
"The purple moon, Dahlia, is now moving. This will affect the tides north of Shusoran, thus creating a land bridge."
Rhys was so close to Maia. He knew she was close. He would soon have her back. They left the tower and traveled back to Shusoran. Three days of travel and here they were. Leaving the town to the north they see the island they need to get to, surrounded by water.
"That is Cille," Lena explained," Maia is there."
Rhys approached the water's edge and witnessed something truly amazing. The water began to part and a narrow strip of land appeared. The party traveled along it and reached to town of Cille.
"Maia, I'm coming!" Rhys said.
But much to their dismay, Maia was not in town. She was in the castle. And the castle gates were locked.
"No! How do we get in the castle?" Rhys cried in frustration.
"Maybe it's the same as Shusoran." Said Mieu.
"But there are several fountains, which one is it?" questioned Wren.
"The third from the left. I would play there all the time as a young boy…" said Lyle.
Sure enough he was right, and it revealed the secret entrance to the castle. Lyle, knowing these caverns, led the way to the castle. After only a short while the party entered the castle.
"Maia!" Rhys cried, his voice echoing off the walls.
"Rhys, let's search the castle. She is here, I know it." Said Mieu.
Rhys was desperate, he looked everywhere. Soon they arrived at the throne room, the last place in the castle. Rhys opened the doors, and then, there she was!
"Maia!" cried Rhys.
"Rhys!" Maia cried in return.
"Well done Rhys, you made it to my daughter." A mysterious voice called.
"What? Who are you? Show yourself!" Rhys had drawn his sword.
From a side room approached a man, the king of Cille.
"My daughter Maia, went missing. But we found her and brought her home."
"She what? A princess? We were to be married!" Rhys exclaimed.
"Do you really want her Rhys?" mocked the king.
"Yes! More than anything…"
"Then prove yourself in combat!" the king drew his sword.
"Very well. For Maia!" Rhys stepped forward and met the king's sword.
The king may have been old, but he was a swordsman. Rhys was determined to best him no matter the stakes. Spinning, the king struck over and over, he was pushing Rhys into a corner.
'No… I cannot lose…' Rhys thought.
He could do nothing to best him, he was about to lose. But suddenly, an opportunity! The king left himself open for one second, and that was all Rhys needed. He charged the king, taking him to the ground, his sword at the king's throat.
"Rhys! You truly are great. I give my blessing to you and my daughter." Rhys dropped his sword and helped the king to his feet.
"Go, Maia. Have Rhys." Said the king.
Rhys ran to Maia and embraced her in his arms. How he had wanted this for so long.
"Maia… I found you at last." Rhys said, crying.
"Yes, you have. My prince." Maia was crying as well.
"Rhys, you will become the king of Cille." The king said, "I know you will rule wisely."
"Maia, will you rule at my side?" Rhys asked.
"I will be by your side forever, Rhys." It was the perfect response.
Rhys' journey now came to an end. All of his struggles to find Maia were not in vain. He and Maia could now live their lives… together.
TBC....