TERA Rising

By: Aubrie1234


"You're here!" Anya and Kiecey ran out to meet the approaching men.

"We promised we would be here for you, didn't we?" Alfred ruffled their hair with a grin.

"Stop that!" Kiecey swatted at his hand, trying to get him to stop. Alfred just chuckled, but stopped.

"By the way, the boys made friends with some other people!" Anya was tugging at their hands, "Come on, I want you to meet them!" The men entered the facility before Arthur stopped dead and facepalmed, groaning.

"Oh bloody h**l no..."

"Angleterre!" one of the people inside noticed them and came over, looking happy. He was a High Elf Mystic with wavy blond hair and bright blue eyes, similar to Alfred's. He hugged Arthur, who blushed bright red, while two others came over. One was a Castanic Priest with long black hair in a ponytail and brown eyes, the other was a Baraka with silver-colored skin, a strange light pink scarf, and glowing violent eyes, a deeper shade than Matthew's. He also had large, metal gloves on his hands, which looked like the kind that brawlers used. But how could a baraka have brawler weapons? It was as strange as Arthur.

"Hello, frog. Now let go of me!" Arthur flailed, trying to get out of the elf's arms.

"But Angleterre-"

"It's ARTHUR!"

"-it has been so long since we last saw each other!"

"It's only been a few hours!" Finally, the elf let him go, where the elin dusted himself off.

"Guys, this is Francis, my frenemy." Arthur introduced, ears twitching in annoyance.

"Bonjour!" Francis shook their hands, "As Arthur has told you, I am Francis. We...do not get along well."

"We can see that." Matthew turned to the other two, "And who are you?"

"I am Yao, and this is Ivan, aru." the castanic said, "We have been traveling together and came here to train, meeting Francis as well."

"We have decided to join together as a party so we can protect each other." Ivan said, his scarf moving slightly in the breeze.

"Cool, we did that same thing!" Alfred put his arms around Arthur's and Matthew's shoulders.

"Git, let go of us!" Alfred did so.

"By the way, I'm Matthew, and this is Alfred." the popori introduced, "It also seems you're a brawler, Ivan. I didn't know anyone else could be a brawler besides human girls." The baraka shrugged.

"I wanted to become one, and who was to stand in my way? I get what I want, after all." For some reason, his voice made Yao shiver.

"Aiya, he means it!" the priest cried, throwing his hands into the air, "You should never get on his bad side, aru!"

"Noted." Arthur nodded, edging behind Alfred, Matthew and Francis doing the same. The human was oblivious to the atmosphere.

"Hey, I just got an awesome idea!" Alfred grinned, "It might be against the rules a bit, but why don't we all join into one party?"

"How the h**l would that work, you bloody wanker?" The warrior shrugged.

"Well, it would work like a regular party, just with an extra member." he turned back to Yao and Ivan, "So, what do you say?"

"дa." Ivan nodded.

"He means yes." Yao said, "I'd like to join as well, aru."

"Of course I will!" Francis piped up.

"Yay, more friends!" Anya twirled as she hugged Zo-zo.

"Yeah, more friends." Matthew nodded.

"Hey, it's almost time for the experiment!" Pilt spoke.

"Thank you for coming." Kiecey told them, "This makes us feel better, knowing that you'll be there for us when we wake up."

"Of course we will, poppet." Arthur gave the girls a few pats on the head before they had to go.

"...Interesting how there is still happiness and innocence in such a horrible war." Francis sighed.

"They're only kids, they shouldn't know its horrors until they're older, if ever, aru." Yao said, "I should know, I have several brothers and sisters at home."

"I have two sisters at home as well." Ivan added.

"But I thought-" Arthur covered Matthew's mouth.

"It's the same kind of concept like it is with me, except in the way where barakas aren't really genderless, but no one except them knows. Am I right?" Ivan nodded.

"дa, that is correct."

"My older brothers are already in the war right now, and I have one training to join it." Arthur ran a hand through his hair after unmuffling Matthew.

"We have a sister at home, too." the archer admitted, "Like Alfred, she's human."

"Wait, 'we'?" Francis asked, "Doesn't that mean you two are brothers?"

"It's a long story." Alfred gave a sheepish grin.

"Seeing as we might have to wait a while, why don't you tell them?" Arthur asked.

"Sure. See, the thing is-"

"Excuse me, Alfred and Matthew?" They turned.

"Glennock!" Alfred shook his hand, "Nice to see you again!"

"Yes, and thank you for protecting the children. Seeing how much of a connection you seem to have with them, would you like to see the experiment?"

"Uh, sure." Glennock gestured for them to follow him, where they went outside. The kids were there, standing, but seemed to be in a dream-like state, surrounding a small sapling.

"Tiaran's sap induces a dream-like state when ingested." he explained, "It also enhances the children's power, making it perfect to our research."

"And the sapling, aru?" Yao asked.

"That's one of our experiments." Glennock said, "We took a small seed from the tree, which has slowly grown into the young sapling. The experiment we wish to try today is, basically, give Tiaran an offering through the sapling. Usually, we pour some water on the young tree and the kids chant an invocation to Tiaran."

"Do they know what they do while asleep?" Francis asked.

"No, except for the visions they see, which can only be seen when they are asleep. Anyway, would one of you like to do the honors?"

"Sure." Alfred nodded and gently took the vial of water. He crouched next to the sapling to pour water on it, then backed away as the children began to chant.

"O Tiaran, rooted in sorrow, bathed in light," they chanted, "Through your miracles we gain our divine Sight. With Sight we see the world the gods intended, And live in dreams, until the Dream has ended." Through it all, the sapling actually began to grow until it was slightly taller than Matthew. This impressed them all.

"Has it ever done that before?" Ivan asked. Glennock shook his head.

"No, never. Either you have a very special friend, or something has changed with Tiaran." It was at that point Alfred joined them, looking perplexed, but he didn't ask about what happened.

"So, Glennock, when do the kids wake up?"

"Soon, in a few minutes. Also, if you don't mind me asking, how did you do that?" Alfred shrugged.

"No idea, dude." Glennock adjusted his glasses.

"Hmm... That reminds me of something Anya was talking about a few days ago. She said that a group of different people from all the different species and classes would come together as a group and that they would all be very special. If you don't mind me saying this, but I think the six of you might be a part of that group." They looked at each other, surprised.

"Interesting." Arthur said, putting a hand to his chin, "Was there anything else she said?"

"Not really, unless you want to ask her or Emun. Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to tell some of the others about what's happened." The scholar walked away, leaving them alone.

"Well then..." Matthew began.

"It seems that we have a big journey ahead of us." Francis said, "But, if he is right, then our party should be completed with six others."

"Why six?" Ivan asked.

"He said we would have all classes and races in our group, aru." Yao explained, "That means we will have at least one amani, which will be one of the six other classes our group needs, aru."

"No offense, but what is with that verbal tick of your's?" Yao huffed at Alfred's question.

"I've had it with me all my life, aru, and it's not going away. One of my brothers also has a verbal tick."

"My 'дa' could also be considered one, дa?"

"Eh, probably. That's also a bit of a verbal tick of mine." Matthew said, "I say 'eh' quite a bit, actually..."

"Alfie!" The man was tackled from behind by Anya, soon joined by Kiecey and the boys.

"Hey, squirt!" Alfred ruffled her hair, "So, did you see anything?"

"No, not really..."

"Hi, Mr. Alfred." Niyum waved a little, as did the other boys. Francis glanced between them.

"Monsieurs, do you know each other?"

"Yeah, Francis, you could say that." Pilt rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. Jerdan shuffled his feet a little, hopping from one to the other, before finally walking over to Anya and Kiecey.

"Anya...we're sorry." he said, "We took Zo-zo and accidentally threw her into the bushes."

"I kind of noticed that." Anya shifted Zo-zo in her arms, "I saw that she had been sewn up again with some sticky grass, so I guessed that something had happened. Thank you for telling me." Jerdan blushed.

"No problem." he muttered.

"Here comes Glennock again." Matthew pointed out, "Wonder what he wants now."

"There you are!" he came up to them, "I actually have a new experiment I'd like to try, but we'll need some of the sap in the storehouse."

"Mr. Glennock, could I show Alfred around?" Anya asked hopefully, "I know where your special sap is!"

"I don't know-"

"It's okay." Alfred interrupted, "I'll go with her." Again, he ruffled the young girl's hair.

"Oh, all right." Glennock rolled his eyes, "But please don't take too long."

"We won't!" Anya and Alfred waved as they left, where he followed her through town.

"By the way, Anya, what is the name of this place?" Alfred's gaze moved around, taking in everything.

"Shadetree, the main village on the isle." she said, "I'm glad you came, Alfred. So is Zo-zo!"

"Yeah, I'm glad I came too. Oh, and hold on a second, I almost forgot." Alfred swung off his pack and took out the new swords he had earned, replacing the ones he had.

"They aren't that much stronger, but they'll do. Let's keep going." Anya nodded and soon they came upon the main room of the storehouse. Alfred took a vial out of his pack and easily scooped some sap into it. Corking it, he put it in his pack and turned to Anya, smiling.

"Now that that's done, let's-" he was interrupted as the ground began to shake fiercely.

"Zo-zo! Alfred!" Anya screamed, holding her bear tight.

"I'm here, hold tight!" Alfred took her into his arms, holding her close until the shaking stopped.

"That's nothing good." he frowned, "Anya, stick close to me, okay." She sniffed and nodded. Unsheathing his swords, Alfred led the way as they walked to the storehouse hallway. Blocking the way were blue mechanical things that looked somewhat organic as well. Quickly, he took her hand and led her off to the side, where they wouldn't be seen.

"Stay here until I get you, okay?" Alfred said. Quickly, she nodded, where he nodded back. Leaving Anya, he rushed forward with a battle cry, attacking. One by one, the creatures fell to his dual swords and soon enough, the pathway was clear once again.

"Come on!" Alfred grabbed Anya's hand again and led her to the entrance, where they stopped when they saw a person coming toward them.

"Jalka!" Anya cried, rushing to meet the man.

"Anya, you're safe!" he gave her a small hug.

"Dude, you're hurt badly! What happened?" Alfred asked, eyes glancing around for danger.

"Argons!" he said, coughing a bit and wincing, "They came out of nowhere and started attacking. Some of the people attacked...I don't think they made it out. I've got to go back out there and help."

"No way!" Alfred shook his head, "Anya, stay with Jalka and make sure he doesn't hurt himself any more. I'll go out there and look for survivors."

"But-"

"No, Jalka." Anya took his hand, "Alfred's right, you need to rest."

"Ah...alright." he nodded, "Be careful out there, Alfred."

"You survive, sir." Alfred saluted with a small smile, making Jalka smile as well.

"I'll try. Good luck to you."

"You too." With a nod, Alfred ran out into the village, killing monsters that got in his way as he searched for survivors. Eventually, he got to the plaza, where he began to feel very uneasy. However, when he saw Emun, he rushed over.

"Emun!" The man whipped around, swords raised, but then lowered them when he saw who is was.

"Alfred! Are you okay? Where are Jalka and Anya?"

"They're in the storehouse, but Jalka's injured. Anya's fine, though."

"I see." he nodded, "I hope that's all of them. Anyway, there must be a lot of injured and dead people. I want you to help search for survivors, especially the children. They are our top priority. Understood?"

"Of course, sir. Do you know what happened to my friends? They were with the kids, last I knew." Emun shook his head.

"No, Alfred. Hopefully they protected the kids during the attack."

"I hope they're alive." Alfred muttered under his breath, but said aloud, "I'll search here first, sir."

"Good." Emun nodded, "Good luck." Alfred nodded back and Emun left raced off. As soon as he did, however, the ground began to shake at certain intervals. Another monster appeared, gigantic, and was heading straight towards him.

"D***." Alfred growled and readied his swords. He slashed and evaded, but was soon greatly injured by the monster to the point that he felt like he wanted to sleep. He managed to stay awake long enough to see the leader of the attack come forward.

"This one doesn't have the Sight." he snarled, "Keep searching, there's still one more child!" The assembled argons scattered with the monster Alfred had fought disappear with the man. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and collapsed with a groan, hoping that Anya was safe.


"-ed! Alfred, wake up!"

"Easy, he's coming to."

"Urgh..." Alfred groaned, his eyes blinking open. Standing above him, looking at him worriedly, were Arthur and Matthew.

"I...I don't feel any pain." he said, "How is that possible?"

"Thank Yao, he has a lot of medical knowledge." Matthew said, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Alfred sat up. He was in front of the damaged science building with his party around him, along with an amani man. He was a bright yellow color, similar to Arthur's and Francis' hair, with glowing blue eyes. His horns came out of his forehead and curved back, and he seemed to be a lancer.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Ludwig." he nodded, pronouncing the 'w' as a 'v'.

"He found you and brought you back to us." Arthur explained, "How did you get so d*** bloody hurt, anyway?"

"A giant argon beast." Alfred stood, "It came out of nowhere and attacked me. Before I fainted, I saw this guy, a human, in gray armor. He seemed to be with the argons and he was looking for the kids. Do you know where they are?"

"We got separated in the attacks." Ivan said, "I hope the дети are okay..."

"Ah, so you finally woke up, eh?" Alfred turned around to see an old man walking toward them.

"This is Walgrey, aru. We saved him during the attacks and he's running the village while the guardians fight the remaining argons around the island." Yao explained.

"Greetings, young one." he shook hands with Alfred, "What you did out there, fighting that beast, was very brave."

"Hello to you too, dude. Anyway, I was only doing what was right. Also, I saw a man out there, with gray armor. Do you know him?"

"A man? No, I didn't see anyone like that, nor do I know him. But, if he's on the side of the argons, then the Federation may have a traitor in their midst. It seems the village will be fine for now, so I ask all of you to go out and look for the children, and possibly help the guardians on the way. In the wake of these attacks, the Federation has also sent some warriors to help, but I do not think they will be enough."

"We understand." Ludwig nodded once again, "We shall look for them and help out. I am also looking for my own group, who I was separated from during the attacks."

"Then hopefully you can find your friends and all goes well. Good luck to you all!"

"You too, sir!" The group rushed off towards the other end of the village.

"So, who are all in your group?" Francis asked.

"Mein older amani bruder Gilbert, twin elin brothers Feliciano and Lovino, a popori named Antonio, and a castanic named Kiku."

"Kiku?!" Yao jumped, "He is one of my little brothers, aru! We must find him!"

"We can look for him while we're looking for the others." Matthew said, "If this guy's after the children, then we need to find them first."

"I know how you feel, with your brother missing." Arthur said, "But we have to find the children first." Slowly, Yao nodded.

"Yes, I understand."

"Alfred! Arthur! Matthew!" They turned to see Emun catching up with them, along with some other soldiers.

"Hello again, sir." Alfred nodded.

"It's good to see you alive, son. I'm sorry I couldn't have helped you out with that beast, but I was in the middle of helping a few people get out of a collapsing building."

"We understand." Ivan said, "And who is this?"

"My name is Dougal, I'm the head of the Federation post here on the island." Alfred and Matthew nearly jumped when they heard the name. That man was one of the soldiers that had once looked out for them when they had been children!

"Anyway, the Federation is going to send supplies, help with the clean-up, and fight the argons." Emun said, "I think it would be better for all of you if you went with him and helped drive off the argons. You'd only be wasting your time here, at least for right now."

"It's just up the hill here." Dougal pointed, "The argons are spread from here all the way to the temple, and there are also crystals that are corrupting the animals. I want to you fight your way up to the camp before you go to the temple, because that's where many of the argons are. Once you get to camp, we can start planning strategies to take out the argons."

"Understood, sir." Ludwig saluted and the group began to walk away.

"Oh, and also, after this is over, I'd like to talk with you two." Dougal pointed to Alfred and Matthew, who gulped silently.

"Y-yes sir." Matthew said, where the two ran to catch up with the others.


Another chapter! Here are the notes:

There will actually be more members added on to the TERA Rising group, over twenty more members, and they will be rescued from dungeons. Since there are so many, they will have to create a guild to keep track of them all, and they will be in their own 10-person groups. Each group will be stationed at a different city or town across Tera, but this story will cover the TERA Rising group mostly. There might be a few short things on the other groups every now-and-then, but this story will mostly focus on the main group.

дети means 'children' in Russian.

Anyway, Read & Review!