The Beginning
Stark was lying on the ground sleeping in a forest of some sort after the world had faded. He continued Sleeping until a sharp pain in his back woke him up followed by the shout of; "Wake up Stark!"
He would have recognized that voice anywhere, how could he not, it was practically his own. "Lilinette" he said, opening his eyes. And there she stood, short green hair, light pink eye, and cloths that did not even pretend to be modest. He looked at her and she stared back, they stayed like that for some time not one of them saying a word, or moving a muscle. Finally, after who knows how much time they both moved at once, hugging each other fiercely.
"What do you plan on doing now Stark?'' Lilinette asked.
"No idea." He replied. "But I remember that voice saying that in this world it would be much easier for us to fit in, maybe we can go find a town and see if there is anything for us to do."
"Are you sure that's safe though? What if everyone ends up dying again?"
"That may not happen and besides," he smiled at her, "we'll only know once we get there right?"
"Right" She nodded her head and smiled back at him. "Let's get going then." Together they stood and headed off in a direction, with no idea what lay ahead.
They sensed the village on the third day of travel. It seemed to be a small village with maybe three hundred people in it and none-of them seemed particularly strong. There was a group that did stand out though. They seemed to have more energy than the others of the village, it was the same type of energy they felt all around them. Stark assumed that this is what the voice referred to as magic. These people seemed to be separate from the village though, and lived on a hill on the border of the village and had about a hundred people with them. Stark assumed it was a guild of some kind or at least a gathering of mages.
"Should we go speak with them?" Asked Lilinette referring to the possible mages.
"Better check out the village first, to make sure it's ok for us." Stark replied. Lilinette nodded her head and they went on their way. Nothing ever seemed to go their way though. When they were ten minutes away a group of assumed mages started approaching them from the direction of the village.
"Who goes there?" Called out the man in front presumably the leader. He had dark, shoulder length black hair, with a rounded face and pale green eyes. What he wore seemed to be a uniform of some kind as all the others had similar clothes as well, they were a black jacket lined with orange silk over a white shirt and plain grey pants. The only difference in the leader was that he wore a grey cape as well.
"We're just two lonely travelers on the road to the village" Stark responded to the man's inquiry.
"What business do you have here? Are you the representative from the council the master demanded them to send?"
"Representatives no, we're just here to seek food and shelter while offering our services for any task at hand."
"Well that's too bad I'm afraid I can't allow anyone save the representative past this point." Stark narrowed his eyes at that, why would average people not be allowed into a village? Well two seemingly average people with holes in them, which they should probably have covered up thinking about it now. "And what's up with those holes in you?" Yea really should have covered them up.
"Uhhh…" Stark and Lilinette looked at each other for a moment then back at the captain. "Why should we tell you if you don't even let us into the village!" yelled Lilinette. Stark grabbed her by the ear and twisted, "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow. What was that for Stark!" She said kicking him.
"For being rude." He stated simply.
The guards sweat dropped at their little display and one of the mages leaned and whispered into the leader ear. "We should bring them to the master, he would want to see for himself and besides, a few extra hostages won't hurt especially a kid."
"You're right." The leader replayed in the same hushed whisper, "and I can barely sense any power coming off either of the two so it won't be a problem." He turned back to the two travellers and smiled at them. "I've reconsidered," he told them "I'll let you into our small village so long as you meet our master first."
"Your master?" Stark asked as the other mages started surrounding them.
"Yes, the master of Lunic Despair, our guild and ruler of this town."
"What would happen should we refuse this offer?" Stark was looking around carefully now, he knew he could easily take on all of them but he did not really feel like becoming a wanted criminal at this point.
"Simple really," the leader gave them a smile that was meant to be menacing, "we'll kill you where you stand."
"We'll then it seems we have to take you up on you offer than." Stark said giving him a grin.
"Indeed, you must."
The village was gloomy. There were few people out and about, some of them were selling food from stalls, though the food all looked old and rotten. Everyone avoided them though seemingly out of fear, it seemed some of them even began sweating and shivering at the sight of the mages. Stark wondered what they were doing to inspire such fear into people.
"Hey, Stark." Lilinette whispered looking around worried, such a kind girl caring about others.
"Don't worry we'll be fine and besides we should figure out what's going on here before doing anything." Stark said but secretly he was also concerned for the people around him, though he did need to get more information. What if this was some legal operation? Stark really did not want to be a criminal right now.
They seemed to have reached their destination. It was a huge manor surrounded by a five-meter-high fence, the manor itself was littered with windows and statues constructed in the shape of demons and monsters. The strangest thing is that the manor seemed to emit a ghastly glow, surrounding the area in a dim purple light. The mages led them through the doors. Inside was surprisingly barren with the only decoration being grey banners bearing a shattered moon, Stark assumed this was the guild's symbol. The furniture was also non-existent save for a grandiose throne that was made to look as a bat in flight. Upon this sat a huge man with short brown hair and dark eyes wearing great black robes embroidered with red veins. Stark sensed that he was clearly the strongest among the mages.
"Who is this?" The man boomed, "Has the council finally acknowledge my presence?''
"We are just two traveller's sir, chance met upon the road by your men." Stark told the man calmly.
"They claimed to be heading to the village," the leader of the group who brought them said, "we thought they might be of interest to you though."
"And why should two weaklings pose any interest to me? Especially if they are not from the council." The man seemed to be getting angry.
"Their chests." Was the mages simple response.
The leader looked at them now and saw the holes the two of them sported, he seemed greatly shocked that people could live with such 'injuries.' "Who are you?" The leader asked them.
"Hey! You should tell us your name first before asking!" Lilinette Shouted at the man, who seemed more amused than offended at the outburst.
"Well of course, where are my manors? I am Hugo Blumenthal, master of the great guild Lunic Despair, the man who brought you in is called Hanse of Haymaster, and now what are you children called.?"
Lilinette looked angry, "I'm not a child old man!"
Stark pinched her ear, "Forgive her she never learned manners, I am Coyote Stark, and she is Lilinette Gingerbuck my traveling companion." He said in a lazy manner not really apologetic in the slightest.
Hugo seemed to be losing his temper as he watched the two bicker. He really was not used to people being rued in his presence. "Where did you get those holes from?"
"We cannot tell you this." Stark replied calmly.
Hugo was really furious now, this man, this weakling with barely any presence was defying him! The audacity of it all shocked him, no one dared to refuse him. "You will answer me." He told the pair, "or you will rot in my cells 'till your bones decay."
"Held on what crime." Stark was genuinely curious at the answer.
"The crime of defying me." Hugo gestured and the guards started surrounding them. Lilinette was about to fight back when Stark put a hand on her shoulder.
"It's ok Lilinette nothing will happen and we'll get a place to nap as well." Stark told her.
Lilinette started hitting him, "Why is that the only thing you ever care about!?" She shouted angrily.
"Napping's good for you." Stark said monotonously, as Lilinette started hitting him again.
Hugo was truly furious now emitting his magical energy making the manor shake. "Take them to the dungeons now! I shall torture them tomorrow so keep a guard on their cells." He screamed at the mages who hurried to comply putting manacles onto them and leading them to their cells. On their way, they passed many of the other mages who were doing various activities and looking at them strangely all sweating slightly, probably out of fear, some were even trembling. They were taken down to another level which held many cells and were thrown into one. The mage locked the door behind them and then stood aside to stand guard.
"What are we going to do now Stark?" Lilinette asked.
"Now sleep will think more tomorrow" Stark looked out a small crack that let light in and saw the sun was setting before lying down and falling asleep.
Stark woke up with a fist in his throat. He immediately started gagging and flailing about trying to push the person off of him. He finally managed after a few moments, breathing heavily he looked at his attacker. "Lilinette."
"Wake up Stark, there's a problem!" Lilinette shouted at him looking worried.
Stark groaned "Wha-" then he noticed the body of the mage by the door. He seemed not to have any wounds on him, nor any other sign of what could have killed him. Stark tried to sense the others but couldn't find anything. He was worried now. Breaking out of his cuffs he forcibly opened the door and walked out. They headed back the way they came from the throne room passing many bodies on the way. When they got there, they met a similar sight as the rooms before them with piles of bodies littering the ground. The only difference with this room is that Hugo was standing among them.
When the door to the room opened Hugo looked up at them, he was sweating and shaking like many of the others were but, he was looking at them with pure rage, not fear. "WHAT DID YOU DO!" He bellowed and charged at them, his fist crackling with some sort of intense magical energy that destroyed the floor as he ran past. A few meters away from them though, he fell dead. Both Stark and Lilinette looked at him before walking outside. There, there was more dead bodies lying all around.
"I'm sorry lily." Stark said looking around and remembered how he saw many people sweating and shaking. At first, he believed it was from fear but now he understood it was because of them. "It looks like we're going to be alone again."