Chapter V – Locke Kaspar

It was one of those days for Locke Kaspar. A day when nothing happens and you would just sit back and watch as the day passes by. It's been awhile since the Priest went out with Kristian and his party. He could still remember the days when they were only swordsman, archers, acolytes and etc. Those were the days when friendship and teamwork to them really mattered. But after a while, everyone had their own issues and their own destinies to fulfill. That bond didn't last long.

"What happened to those days when we were a team?" Locke wondered while gazing at a party full of first jobs. He envied them, yet they don't know how lucky they are to be together.

The Priest could only try to look somewhere else than the party. But still he could hear them talking and chatting about their idealistic and childish dreams. Why wouldn't they talk about that? It's only right for them to dream about what they want to do, what they want to be, want they want in life and everything else.

"Damn, I got to get out of here," he cursed under his breath as he got up from his bench.

"Going somewhere?" said a voice from behind.

The voice sounded familiar. Locke turned around to see who it was. It was a young blacksmith with blonde hair. He wore a rugged look and carried a huge forging hammer on his shoulders. He grinned when his eyes met the Priest's.

"Ramza? Ramza Ashcroft what are you doing here?" said the Priest surprised.

"Oh, I was in the neighborhood selling a few things to the other merchants. Where else could I find a place to make a quick buck than in Prontera," said the Blacksmith with a smile on his face.

The Priest laughed and then he said, "I haven't seen you since the last time we met. That was weeks ago I think and you were still a wee little Merchant back then."

"Well, I've grown a lot recently." Ramza added, "Hey, why aren't you with Kristian and the others. Don't tell me you guys broken up?"

The Priest frowned and simply said, "Not really. We haven't been keeping in touch and everyone is so busy with their lives. We barely spend time together anymore."

"Oh I see. No wonder why you're sitting all by yourself in Prontera," said Ramza while scratching his chin.

"Not really, I'm waiting for my girlfriend," replied Locke, "She's gone out shopping somewhere. And quite honestly I hate going shopping."

The young Blacksmith laughed almost dropping the hammer he was carrying. He took out a pouch full of zenny and checked how much he got from his business earlier. "Hmm, how about we get something to eat? My treat, of course."

Locke smiled and accepted Ramza's offer.

Later that afternoon, Locke and Ramza found themselves overstuffed with food. Both of them were sitting down trying to digest what they just ate. Both of them suddenly burped loudly and attracted quite a lot of attention from everyone who were still around. They couldn't stop burping and later ended up in a burping contest to see who burped the loudest.

"Isn't this a sin for you Priests?" asked Ramza as he wiped his mouth.

"What? Burping?" asked Locke with a grin. "Heh, some people got to have fun right? Even the holy ones need it sometimes."

Both of them ended up laughing at themselves.

"Locke! I can't imagine you would do such a thing!" yelled a female voice.

Both Locke and Ramza looked behind and saw a female monk who was pointing her fist towards the Priest. "Oh, hi Sakura. Finish shopping already?" Locke asked nervously.

"Not really! I was browsing around when I heard your confounded burping all the way down the street! Do you know how embarrassed I was when people started asking me who was that rude and disgusting Priest?" Sakura yelled into his ears. Sakura then cracked her knuckles.

"Uh oh, this doesn't look good," said Ramza.

As Ramza expected, things didn't look good for Locke actually. Soon there was loud noise of someone getting pummeled both by hands and also objects. Everyone in the streets could hear the noise and all of them had the same set of questions. What is going on today?

"Poor Locke," said Ramza as he prayed silently for him, "May God forgive him and let him live after this."

Much later, Locke found himself healing all his injuries but somehow those painful blows coming Sakura wouldn't go away easily. Ramza could only laugh a bit at the Priest's poor condition. Sakura however looked quite satisfied after Locke promised her to buy her a gift later, in between blows.

"So your name is Ramza?" Sakura asked.

"Yeap. Nice to meet'ya!" replied Ramza with a smile.

"Pleasure to meet you too," Sakura added and returned him with a smile.

"How come you never whack him?" Locke complained while pointing towards Ramza.

"Cuz, he's a total stranger to me. And it wouldn't be nice of me to simply kick someone's arse right?" she said with a grin.

Locke could only sulk while Ramza laughed at his face. The Priest then took out his misery by kicking dusts on the streets. Sakura giggled and laughed at her boyfriend when suddenly she remembers something.

"Oh my, how could I've forget!" said Sakura.

Both of the men turned to face her.

"I heard from someone, there was murder case in Geffen this morning. And Kristian was there to investigate the whole thing!" she told both of them, "And I heard just recently, he plans to go into the dungeon alone with the Wizards' Elder."

"And your point is?" asked Locke with a frown.

"My point is, he is our friend and he needs our help! He can't do this alone!" exclaimed Sakura, "Don't tell me you don't care about him at all!"

"Hey man, sorry to butt in. But I totally agree with her, Kristian can't go there alone. I heard two kids got killed by something in that damned Tower," added Ramza.

Locke was speechless for a moment. He thought about it, this could be the last time he could actually do something with Kristian again. Maybe they could be with each other once more. Then he told both of them , "Alright. Let's go help Kristian whether he wants it or not."

"Thank you," thanked Sakura.

"That's the spirit dude!" cheered Ramza while raising his hammer into the air.

It looks like today wasn't a boring day after all for Locke. It turned out pretty exciting and somehow he hoped this would last forever.