Chapter 2: Chief Bandit
"It has begun" the Dark Lord whispered to himself, "if you would excuse me Mina" he said as he faded into the shadows. Mina only gave a glance as he disappeared, soon turning her attention back to the portal. She sat, getting ready for her long wait till her brother was to return.
"Well?" asked an old voice in the darkness, "has he accepted the quest?" the voice questioned once more.
"Indeed he has" replied the Dark Lord.
"Mine successor has as well" said a female voice.
"As well as mine" said a third male voice, "how about yours Grendel?" the voice asked. From the darkness an image of an old man faded in, wielding a large staff, a glowing orb as the tip. Inside the orb were the shrunken pieces of the Eternity Crystals that were gathered centuries ago.
"She has" Grendel replied, "I'm glad to hear the news. Athena. Dances with Balrog" he said as their images faded in as well. "And within the next four days they shall all meet, let us hope they will learn to get along quickly. Although, there is something that is troubling me" Grendel gave a bit of a pause as he thought, "I am one successor short" he said as he looked up.
"One short?" asked the others almost in unison.
"Yes, I am to meet one other, a young female. This successor of mine is to be very young indeed, and to look as if an exact duplicate of my current one."
"A young girl you say?" replied the Dark Lord.
"Well I haven't seen a girl come in" Athena said thoughtfully, "how about you Balrog?"
"Neither have I" he said in response.
"I have met a very young girl. She had come in with my successor" the Dark Lord replied as he thought back a bit.
"What was her appearance like?" asked Grendel looking at the Dark Lord.
"She was quite young, about four or five years of age. She wore a long dress like shirt, white. As a matter of fact she was as white as snow, as if she was made of it. Her hair was quite long, silver, green eyes." The Dark Lord looked up at Grendel, "sound familiar?" he asked.
"As a matter of fact. Yes. Her appearance is quite similar to my apprentice, except one difference. Her eyes are blue, does that sound familiar to you all?" Grendel asked, as he looked from one person to another.
"Yes, it certainly does." Athena replied.
"Very much so, wasn't the creator of the Eternity Crystals female?" Dances with Balrog asked.
"As a matter of fact she was, and the two girl's descriptions, they resemble her so very much." The Dark Lord added.
"And that is not all, remember well, the eye color of the Creator." spoke Grendel as he turned away. Everyone thought for a moment, not able to remember.
"I see" the Dark Lord suddenly spoke, "The Creator's eyes weren't just one color. But two, Green and Blue." he answered as everyone opened their eyes remembering that small fact. "What you are trying to imply is that, this is no coincidence, correct Grendel?" he spoke once more, turning his attention to the old wizard.
"As sharp as you were all those years ago my friend. None of us know what became of the Creator after that incident in Saphoria. The Creator was a great and powerful priestess, it is fathomable that she, in fact, split her abilities and powers and sent them to the other realm. Awaiting for their next body to arrive into this world." explained the magician as he turned his attention back to the group.
"But why such a gap in age, and why are they separate? If something like this were to happen I would expect the powers to seal themselves within two that are related, or at least two children that are close in age." Athena stated.
"True, that would make quite a bit of sense, but maybe for that very same reason it did not occur" Grendel replied. "If the Creator knew that some entity would search for her great power, it would be understandable that not only would she shatter the Crystals, and separate her power. But also hide her power within two children that have nothing in common, no possible connection, at least until this day was to come. It would make the two powers untraceable to each other. If one were found at least the other would be safe, quite a plan, do you not agree?". Everyone thought for a moment before agreeing with him. "Well now, I suppose we should all return back to where we belong, our young apprentices are about to come out from training" Grendel said as he turned to go back.
"Already? It hasn't been that long has it?" Dance with Balrog said as he thought for a moment.
"Oh yes, did I neglect to mention that time in here goes quite fast, as you all know I can be a bit impatient" Grendel replied with a bit of a chuckle. The darkness faded as everyone found themselves back to their own homes.
When the Dark Lord returned he found Mina, still sitting, waiting, and staring into the portal. 'So this young thing has the other half of the Creator's power sealed within her, this journey should be quite interesting for them. All of them'. At that moment the portal changed color as a figure stepped out from the portal.
"Yea, that was tough" said a voice as the figure came out, as the figure was completely out from the portal, it disappeared. "Hey, miss me?" a voice said as he stood there.
"Big Brother!" Mina yelled as she hopped onto her feet and ran towards Gene. Jumping up onto him as she got close, "I missed you so!~ much!" she said. Gene caught his young sister as she leapt up, "you look different big brother" she said looking at him closer.
"Well, I have aged by four years, what do you expect?" he said, "I also got some new clothes". Gene said. His clothes are slightly different, his shoes, jeans and shirt were the same, just a different size. Except two things, one long coat, black on the outside, but the inside was a beautiful red color. And on his head he would a head band with a golden plate on it, with a strange symbol that resembled an eye.
"What is that?" Mina asked as she pointed to the strange item.
"I'm not quite sure, but someone called it the Golden Eye, I think it looks kind of nice".
"Well done, and congratulations" the Dark Lord said as he took a few steps forward. "You've managed to finish your four years of training, and by the looks of your clothes, with some minimal effort".
"Not really minimal if you ask me, after all the only weapons I had were this little thing" he pulled out a small dagger, "and these throwing stars" he said he showed a few throwing stars.
"Those weapons were your starters" the Dark Lord said as he unraveled a scroll, "place the dagger and the stars onto the scroll".
Gene nodded and did as he was told and placed the dagger on the middle of the scroll and placing the stars right next to it. The Dark Lord set his hands on the scroll, and as he did the scroll lit up, as well as the weapons. After a few moments the weapons started to shape and form into something different. A flash of light shot from the scroll blinding everyone in the room for a moment. When the light faded new weapons sat on the table. "Woah, what. Is. This?" He asked as he picked up the new and improved dagger. The blade was about a foot long which was connected to a handle, that was covered by a red and black shield that was to extend up to Gene's elbow when he put it on.
"It is called a Kandine, it's quite a rare weapon, it's the only one I have, although if it ever gets damaged you can bring it back to me, and I will repair it for you."
"And the stars?" Gene asked picking up the new black stars, along with another type that looked like throwing daggers.
"The black one is called a Tobi, the one that looks like a knife is called a Steely, they will come in handy". The Dark Lord picked up a piece of paper that looked like a ticket, "When you run out of those throwing star show this ticket to any shop that sells stars and they will recharge the amount you have for free". Gene nodded in understanding as the Dark Lord put the stars and tickets in a small case, "Carry your stars in this, attach it to the back of your pants" Gene nodded and did as he was told. "Now you must meet up with you fellow warriors, but first there's someone who would like to meet you. His name is Grendel, and he's the strongest, and oldest, Wizard living in Ellinia. His home is at the top of the town, you will not miss it as long as you keep traveling up. After he tells you what he needs for you to know he will tell you where you must go to meet up with your fellow warriors"
"Got it" Gene replied, "come on Mina" he picked up his sister and placed her on his shoulders and turned to leave. "Thanks for everything" he said as he stepped out the doorway, his sister looking back and waving good bye.
When they got outside Gene took in a deep breath, "Alright, off to Ellinia, hang on Mina" he said as a blue aura erupted from his body. When the aura faded Gene shot off at amazing speed.
"What's happening?!" Mina asked.
"Well. We're being a bit Hasty" he said as his speed rose.