Chapter 2: Gathering of the Four
As words concerning the damaged flying ship spreads across Ossyria flows up to the Guildhall, the four guildmasters gathered for an urgent meeting...
Asmania, the lord of the night, stood beside a leaf shaped table made of hardwood in the Guildhall. The master of stealth stood quietly in the darkened room. Hardly anyone can distinguish him from the dark. His skills surpass all of the assassins in Ossyria, except for his arch rival who called himself the Night Lord down in Victoria.
Asmania was born in Orbis, an island in the sky, while the Night Lord is way below him, surrounded by some thing called 'Earth'.
"Night Lord, What is it this time?" A rough voice penetrates the silence in the dark hall.
"Please, not that name Haries," the hissing voice of Asmania answered back, "I take that you received the message from the emblem?"
The emblem was marked right into the palm of each Guild master, and in time of crisis, it glows a bright yellow light to let each master know of the coming peril. For them, the emblem was a cross, a simple cross. (What it represents will be revealed in later parts.)
"Oh, of course. I hate it when the emblem brightens up, you know? And it took me some time to see you in the dark, so light those lamps will you?" The knight said with a joking tone. His silver armor covers his entire build, and the large shield on his back reflects the moonlight way up to the ceiling. "You are here early. Did you hear of the attack?" Haries asked, his tone became a serious one. He patted the ruby hilt of his sword, and his dark eyes grew ever darker.
"Yes, and it disturbs me. Where's the other two, Rina and Reigolias? You can sense it, our time is short." Asmania said gravely, tapping his fingers on the hardwood table.
"They should be here soon, no reason why the emblem won't glow for them. They can feel it even if they don't look at their palms." Haries said, looking around the guildhall for the archmage and bowmaster or the sniper or the shooter or the bowmen or the... A momentary gust of wind blew at Haries.
"Sorry for the wait." A female voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Rina, you teleported again." Asmania said.
"Along with me." Another voice echoed through the hall, this time a male voice.
"Argh!" Haries cried out in shock. He didn't expect the Rina, the bowmaster, or whatever name you wanna call her.
"Wow, what a blasting sensation." Reigolias stated. He's got long brown hair, a green Arzuna with his golden bow and arrows slung across his shoulder. Rina on the other hand, has got long and dark brownish red hair along with a red Varuna outfit. A mystic shield, brightly green, was slung on her back, and her left hand always held her arc staff.
"You are heavy, for a bowmaster. Remind me not to carry you along next time." Rina said sarcastically.
"Right, masters, time to get to business. Would you guys mind coming down here?" Asmania signaled with his finger. The three of them descended the spiral stairs, down to the guild hall, and gathered around the table.
When they were all settled, Asmania began, "First thing, who do you think is the attacker?" there was a hesitation, "Please, voice out your thoughts." Asmania said again.
"The Crimsons," Rina voiced out, "I got a feeling it's them."
"Well I don't mean to contradict your thought, but it's been a long time since the Crimsons have been active, and their leader," Haries pointed out, "is still trapped in Victoria."
"The prison with a thousand guards?" Reigolias asked.
"Correct." Rina said.
"And it's time the Crimson got on the move, again. That's the reason isn't it?" Asmania said, "They want to get their leader out of there."
"But then why did they want to attack the ship? Does it do them any good? Does it benefit them in any way?" Haries voiced out.
"Maybe it's a diversion. Making us face the other way while they come up with a plan." Asmania said.
"And it's not going to be anything good. Remember the first time they attacked? Luckily someone in Victoria helped win the battle, and imprison their leader, who is known as someone invulnerable. You guys still remember its name?" Reigolias asked the other three masters. They all shake their head.
"The Crimson Balrog!" Reigolias called out.
"That's just the creature's title; it's got a real name." Rina countered. "But no one really knows. Grendel might know it, he's old and wise."
"We can't call him here can we? He's not going to... fly up here." Haries said.
"But we can go down." Rina pointed out.
"But we've got something to do first, before going to Victoria. You guys know about the crash site? Florida Beach, that's where we're going," Asmania said in a decisive tone, and everyone agreed.