I'm beginning to have second thoughts about putting up Sol and Soma's pasts when we're only 8 chapters in.
PS: When I first downloaded Mabinogi, it stopped working for about a month. Now I recently got it working again but the icon to log on won't appear, and the only way I can get back in the game is if I keep reinstalling it every time I want to log on. Does anyone else have this problem? And if you can, could you tell me how to fix it? I have a feeling it's going to crap out on me soon.
Mabinogi: Setting Sun
Chapter 9: Three
Soma sat up, gasping for air. "Where am I?" He looked around and saw several paintings on the wall, a dresser placed next to the bed he was on, and a window overlooking a large city. He looked out and saw that it was night outside. "What happened?" Soma looked down and saw bandages wrapped around his body. He grabbed his head and a pool of disturbing memories flooded his mind. "Sol…" Soma gritted his teeth. His thoughts were interrupted, however, when a door on the far side of the room opened.
"I see you're awake." a young woman with green hair tied into 2 long pony tails, green eyes, pale skin, and a white and yellow healers dress came in, holding a tray with 2 cups of tea. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Agnes, the healer of Emain Macha." Agnes said as she set the tray down on a small coffee table.
"Agnes…" Soma repeated the name. "Excuse me, do you know how I got here?" Soma asked.
"Someone brought you here this morning, saying you needed immediate attention. Then he asked for a map of the continent." Agnes explained. "When I pulled one out, he snatched it and left a bag of gold coins on the counter. I feel kind of bad, though. That old map wasn't worth a fraction of what he left me."
"What did this guy look like?" Soma asked.
"He had white hair and blue eyes. He looked a little distressed and frantic, yet at the same time calm. I think he said his name was Sol…" Agnes said, deep in thought, making sure she remembered correctly.
"Sol…" Soma clenched his fist and spoke calmly. "Did he say where he was going?"
"No, just that he needed to know the area well."
"I see." Soma looked out the window, anger on his face. "I guess I'll just have to find him the old fashioned way.
________________________________________________________________________
Paladin recruitment building, Soma's temporary recovery room
An intense silence filled the room as Soma finished his part of the tale. Shaosu stared in disbelief while Nao sat on a nearby stool, looking at the floor. Sera was in a corner comforting Kai who was mumbling something about divine punishment in a corner.
"Not long after the incident, I found myself here and signed up for the knights as soon as I recovered. I rose quickly through the ranks in my 4 years of service and I eventually met you." Soma said looking at Shaosu.
"So the reason you neglected to tell me this while I trained under you was because you didn't want me being consumed by revenge?" Shaosu clarified.
"Yes, I-" Soma began.
"Don't feed me that crap!" Shaosu yelled. "If what you say is true, then shouldn't you have taken your own advice? All you did was try to take revenge yourself! You weren't thinking about anyone else at all!" Shaosu yelled in rage.
"Shaosu, Wait a minute!" Sera said, turning her attention away from Kai.
" No! No more waiting." Shaosu's hands were trembling. "I'm going to find that bastard myself, and end this!"
"Wait!" Kai said stepping in front of Shaosu as he moved towards the door, recovering from his depression, magically. "Do you even know where Sol is at this point? Where would you start? What will you do when you catch him? Do you have any answers for these questions at all?" Kai scolded.
"What do you expect me to do? Just let That murderer run around and do as he pleases?" Shaosu exclaimed.
Nao wanted to say something, to clear the confusion up but a voice in the back of her head was stopping her, someone begging her not to reveal her secret. "I see…" Nao whispered.
"That's exactly what we want you to do." A booming voice entered the room. Kai turned around and saw Craig in the doorway.
Kai staggered back in surprise. "Commander Craig…" another figure was behind him and caught Kai's attention. "…and… big brother?" Kai looked at Sai in shock.
"How's it going little bro? Keeping on the right side of the law I assume?" Sai said in an accusing tone.
"Brother?" Sera inquired.
"You mean you didn't know Sera?" Soma said. "Kai is the middle child of 3 siblings, each one mastering some form of combat or martial art. Sai is the eldest of the 3 and is one of our best scouts."
"Thanks for the history lesson Captain Soma but aren't there more pressing concerns?" Sai interrupted.
"Yes, there is." Craig said. "Captain Soma Hecate. As of now, you and your brigade are no longer in charge of the case surrounding the criminal, Sol Invictus!" Craig announced. Soma's and Shaosu's eyes widened in surprise.
________________________________________________________________________
Piaras Inn
An awkward silence filled the room when Sol finished his story. Sol leaned against the wall, looking at the floor while the others sat at their beds, taking in what they just heard.
"So that's the reason we're doing this? Why you're doing this?" Toran said. Sol nodded.
"What about this 'Vice' character? Was he the reason you went berserk those few times?" Diana asked.
Sol nodded again and spoke. "However, it started happening more frequently than before. Maybe he knows the opportunity to obtain Cichol's power is finally here." Sol speculated.
"And what about his offer? Do you really think he can bring Luna back to life?" Toran asked.
"Not likely, but to be perfectly honest, I did consider his offer at one point. But that didn't last." Sol said.
"Will this pose a problem in the future?" Lydia asked. "Will the periods when Vice takes control become more frequent as time goes on?"
"Hard to say at this point but, I'd watch out if I were you guys." Sol and Lydia looked directly into each others eyes. "And I'll tell you the same thing that Luna told me. If it looks like I can't get back in control, take me down on the spot." There was no hesitation and no wavering in his voice.
"You've really prepared yourself for this haven't you?" Lydia said, grinning.
"You know it." Sol replied. "And, once again, if this bothers any of you, you may leave now and-"
"Would you quit asking that already? We told you back in Bangor. We're not quitting." Diana said.
Sol looked around the room, looked at the determined faces of his friends, and chuckled. "Sometimes, I can't tell if you guys are brave or reckless." Sol then stepped over to an empty bed, removed his shoes, gauntlets and cloak. "We'll discuss the info I have tomorrow." With that, everyone decided to go to sleep and prepared to do so.
A few hours later
Sol laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He remembered what he said about not being interested in Vice's offer. In reality, he was conflicted between his desire to fulfill the duty that Luna couldn't and the desire to see her, just one last time. "What should I do? Could he bring Luna back? Maybe if he's desperate he could… No! what am I thinking? I can't trust a fomor… especially one like him." Sol rolled over in his bed and went to sleep.
"Just so you know…" A voice rang out in Sol's head. "My offer still stands…"
"Shut up…" Sol muttered in his sleep.
________________________________________________________________________
Paladin Recruitment office
"What do you mean we're taken off the case?" Shaosu protested.
"I mean you are no longer in charge of bringing in Sol. I will assign you to a different mission." Craig said coldly.
"Sir, what is the reason for this?" Soma inquired.
"Because you neglected to inform us of your connection to the suspect." Craig began. "When you brought the issue up, you said that you had little to no actual contact with him when in reality, the only reason you took the case was to take your own petty revenge." Craig said condemningly.
"Although that is true, My brigade is considered to be one of the best-" Soma was soon interrupted.
"Yes, you are one of the best. You've completed every mission bestowed upon you since you became one of the youngest captains at age 18. But what about now?" Craig said. "When I gave you missions, you carried them out, quickly and efficiently. Not only that, but you also made sure that each and every single one of your men came home without a scratch on them. And now, you come in with practically half your body covered in wounds, several badly injured soldiers and 3 confirmed deaths! And after all this you still allowed the target to get away. You acted, not for the good of the people but for your own selfish need for revenge."
Soma wanted to counter it, but found no words. What Craig said was the exact truth. "It's true… I left the chain of command open, allowed my brigade to be destroyed." Soma gritted his teeth. "Then… Who will be assigned to Sol?" Soma asked.
"I will move the mission over to the River brigade." Craig said.
"Captain River?" Kai said.
"I'm sure my captain will be grateful." Sai bowed to Craig and flashed a sneer at Kai. "I'll inform him in the morning." Sai then turned and walked towards the door.
"Sir, please reconsider!" Shaosu pleaded.
"I'm sorry Shaosu, but this is how it has to be. I know all about Soma's ties to this person as well as what your ties are. I can't take any risks, even with you." Craig replied.
Shaosu clenched his fists. "If that's it… then… I'll chase after him myself!" Shaosu darted out of the room and out the building.
"Wait, Shaosu!" Nao (still in her Naomi disguise) ran off after him.
Craig was about to follow when Kai stopped him.
"With all due respect sir, just let him go." Kai said calmly. "We already told him that he has nothing to go on. And I doubt that he's so stupid that he'd start walking up and down the continent to search for him. He just needs time to cool off." As Kai finished, Craig relaxed a little.
"Very well then, I'll give you your new assignment in the morning." Craig turned to Sera, Soma .and Kai, and saluted. The others replied and Craig left.
"Sir? What will we do now?" Sera asked.
"I'm sure that Shaosu will be alright but for now, we wait, and see how things turn out. I'm not just going to let this die." Soma said. Clenching his fists.
"Whatever your decision is, at the very least you have me and Kai behind you." Sera said, Kai nodding in confirmation.
"Thank you, everyone." Soma smiled as he looked out the window.
With Shaosu
Shaosu darted off through the dark streets of Emain Macha toward his house. "I'm not just going to let this go…" Shaosu muttered to himself. He soon stopped when he heard a familiar voice calling after him.
"Shaosu! Wait a minute!" Nao came running after him.
"Nao? What are you doing here?" Shaosu said, immediately looking around to make sure no one heard what he just said.
"Where do you think you're going!?" Nao said, stopping to catch her breath.
"What does it look like? I'm going to find Sol and kick his teeth in!" Shaosu replied.
"Do you have any idea where he is? Are you just going to wander around until you find him?" Nao asked.
"It's better than sitting around." Shaosu replied.
"Do you remember what happened last time? You'll just end up in bandages again!" Nao began to yell. "Don't you even care what-"
"Do I care!?" Shaosu interrupted. "The question is do you care? You're supposed to be some kind of guardian spirit right? Couldn't you have stopped the attack? Stopped Sol from murdering Luna or better yet, saved the people at the manor from being trapped there altogether?" Shaosu stepped forward.
"The truth is that all of you gods and spirits don't really care about humans at all do you? We're nothing more than marionettes dancing on a stage for you." Shaosu accused.
"That's not…" Nao tried to say something but was drowned out.
"In the end, there's not much difference between you or the fomors! You're all the same… You're all monsters!" Shaosu yelled, rage on his face. However this quickly turned to shock when he realized what he just said.
"I see…" Nao said. "If that's how you feel…"
"Wait…Nao I-" Shaosu tried to place his hands on Nao's shoulders and apologize but was pushed away.
"If that's how you feel, then just go!" Nao said, tears in her eyes. She then ran off down the street.
"Wait Nao! I'm sorry!" Shaosu called, but she was too far away to hear him, and even if she did he doubted she wanted to listen. "Damn it…" Shaosu said slapping his head.
"Looks like you screwed up, my boy!" a deep voice said from behind.
"Waaahhh!" Shaosu jumped up and turned around. He saw a tall man with a strong build. He wore a dark brown adventurer's suit which looked a little stretched on his muscular body. He had very dark skin, brown eyes and chocolate colored hair. "Richiev…" Shaosu heard a barking noise and looked down. "…and Shadow." Shaosu looked back up at Richiev. "What are you 2 doing out here?" Shaosu asked.
"I heard some yelling when I went to get some last minute groceries and decided to check it out." Richiev said. Shadow barked in response.
"How much did you hear?" Shaosu said, hoping that he didn't hear everything.
"I was too far away to actually make out any words but I could tell it was you and a woman. Sounds like you'll need to find a new girlfriend." Richiev chuckled.
"I-It's not like that! She's just a friend!"
"Uh-huh, that's what they all say." Richiev said, grinning. "Anyway, I was going to ask you to come home with me but I think you'd better settle things with your girlfriend before anything else." Richiev turned around and walked down the road, shadow following close behind. "You know where to find us!"
"She's not my… Oh forget it." Shaosu turned around and ran off to catch up with Nao.
With Nao
"Maybe I shouldn't have run off so fast…" Nao said as she wandered aimlessly around the night covered city of Emain Macha. As she wandered, her attention was brought to some music and shouting. "What's going on?" Nao saw a small building with light shining through it. Shadows could be seen dancing to the rhythm of the music coupled with the sounds of laughter and breaking glass. "Must be a bar… I should just turn around and…" As Nao was about to turn, 3 men burst out, drunk out of their minds. What Nao noticed about all 3 of them is that they looked exactly alike, aside from their clothes. They all had short brown hair and eyes, had pale skin, and the drunk smile that said "for the next couple of hours, F everything!" Nao looked at each of the 3 men. "Triplets?"
"Well now…(hiccup) Whatsh a nishe lady like dish doin outh here?" One of them slurred and stepped forward. "Shomeone likesh you could … get hurt around… here." The man burped and stepped forward.
Nao stepped back, disturbed. "Um… thanks for the warning but… I have to go." Nao said, becoming uncomfortable.
The man's expression grew a little more serious. "Hey now… What'sh wrong with you? (hiccup) you looks like you got shomefing on your mind…" The man started to sound less drunk but he was still pretty hammered.
"Actually…" Nao stammered, trying to think of an excuse to leave.
"Why donth youz tell ush all about it?" The man hiccupped again.
With Shaosu
"Where is she?" Shaosu said as he ran around the street he saw Nao run down. "It shouldn't be this hard should it?" Before long, Shaosu heard voices around the corner, one of them was Nao's. "That's her! But who's with her?" Shaosu rounded the corner, he saw 3 tall figures surrounding Nao. "Get away from her you creeps!" Shaosu leaped up and attempted to plant both his feet in the face of the guy in the center.
"…I mean, he doesn't have to get that mad does he!?" Nao said to the man in the center of the trio.
"Yeah… I totally get what you're saying…" The man said, sounding almost completely sober. As he was about to continue, he was smashed to the ground by 2 armored feet crashing into him.
"Big bro!" the other 2 yelled.
"Take that you sick basta-" Shaosu was slapped over the head by Nao. "what was that for?" He asked.
"I was talking to him!" Nao said, pointing to the man under Shaosu's foot.
"Oh…Uh…" Shaosu looked at the other 2 brothers. "Sorry about that…" Shaosu stepped off and allowed the brothers to pick up their brother and leave.
"See you around miss!" One of them called back.
As Shaosu and Nao watched them walk off, Nao turned around and began to walk off again. "Hey! Wait a minute!" Shaosu said, grabbing Nao's arm.
"What do you want?" Nao said, angrily.
"I just wanted to say… I'm sorry." Shaosu said solemnly.
"That's it? Just sorry?" Nao asked.
"Well, I was planning on a heart to heart chat but it seems those guys did it for me." Shaosu said pointing his thumb at the 3 brothers walking down the road, too far down to hear them. "So basically, I'm sorry. I acted foolishly and I was wrong." Shaosu said clapping his hands together and bowing his head.
"And?"
"And I was acting immature and you didn't deserve the insults I threw at you." Shaosu said, looking at Nao in the eye. "So what do you say? Forgive me?"
"Hmmm… Nah…" Nao said.
"Do you want me to beg!!?" Shaosu protested.
"Relax, I was just joking. But you need to control yourself more. That impulsive attitude will get you hurt someday." Nao scolded.
"Says the person who has non-existent combat experience." Shaosu responded.
"So what will you do now? Go back to base?" Nao asked.
"Not now… I was thinking about going to my house. Why don't you come along? I'm sure Richiev will be glad to have you." Shaosu offered.
"Richiev?"
"My guardian since my parents were killed." Shaosu said.
"Oh… I'm sorry to hear that." Nao said, sorrowfully.
"That's fine, I've gotten over it… sorta." Shaosu scratched the back of his head. "So what do you say? We have an extra room, and it's sure as hell better than staying at the military barracks." Shaosu offered again.
Nao thought a moment. "Alright, why not." Shaosu and Nao smiled at each other and walked side by side as they walked towards Shaosu's house.
With the 3 brothers
"Are they gone?" one of them asked.
"Yes…" another replied.
"Good, now come back to me." Said the one in the center. The other 2 brothers melted down and receded into the center brother's body. "Now then… Lord Vulcan, Ive made contact with the targets. So far all I can confirm is that the boy has powerful lower body strength." The man said.
"What about the girl?" Vulcan's voice resounded from the shadows of a dark alleyway. He wasn't clad in his usual armor but in a long black robe.
"I wasn't able to confirm our suspicions on the girl, but we should still keep an eye on her." The young man said.
"Vulcan sighed. "I see, thank you Triad." Vulcan said to his subordinate.
Triad simply grinned and got down on one knee. "Thank you sir, is there anything else?"
"No, you may leave for now." Vulcan said, dismissing him. As Triad left Vulcan reflected on the events that have transpired thus far.
________________________________________________________________________
2 days ago, unknown location
"Vulcan, do you know why you've been summoned here?" A voice boomed through a large, pitch black, circular room. A large number of tables formed a ring around the center with a gap facing the doorway. Several chairs were lined up on the outside edge of the ring, some of them empty but many were filled.
Vulcan stood in the center of this ring, a spotlight focused on him. He looked around, 2 he could see, were Diran and Tanya. Everyone else was too far into the dark to be recognizable. "Is it about Sol, Lord Cichol?" Vulcan asked.
"Not exactly." Cichol's voice echoed. "I am assigning you a new target. Instead of Sol you will be investigating a small unit under the command of Soma Hecate."b
"Hecate… wait, is he from that mansion that our forces attempted to breach 4 years ago?" Vulcan asked.
"Yes, one of 2 survivors. We believe that one of Soma's men has made contact with Nao although we aren't entirely sure. Why she would interfere in this matter is unknown."
"Shouldn't you be able to tell if it was her?" Vulcan questioned.
"Do you doubt our leader Vulcan?" Diran asked.
"It's not that, I just feel that we shouldn't turn our focus away from Sol." Vulcan replied.
"I understand your grudge against him but I already have things under control with Sol. Besides, you know you must put the needs of the order over your own." Cichol pointed out. "So… what do you say?" Cichol asked.
Vulcan looked down at the floor. "Alright, my lord. I will obey your orders without hesitation." Vulcan bowed and exited the room.
________________________________________________________________________
Present
"Sometimes I hate my job…" Vulcan muttered as he adjusted his hood and walked deeper into the alley.
With Shaosu and Nao
"Well, this is it!" Shaosu declared in front of a small 2 story house. "It looks bigger on the inside." Shaosu led Nao in and was greeted by Richiev's voice.
"Shaosu! Welcome home!!" Rishiev yelled. Shadow dashed forward and leaped on to Shaosu, and started to lick him.
"Hey, c'mon boy! Knock it off." Shaosu said laughing. Eventually Shado got off and began sniffing Nao.
"He's a friendly one isn't he." Nao said kneeling down to pet shadow.
"Yeah, he's like that with everybody. Especially cute girls for some reason…" Shaosu said trailing off. "Anyway, let me make introductions. That's Richiev over there. He was a friend of my parents and took me in when they died. And this guy over here is shadow. Me and Richiev found him a couple of years back when we were in the woods, gathering fire wood. He was caught in a bear trap and we set him loose, he's been with us ever since." Shaosu said, patting Shadow on the head.
"How sweet." Nao said smiling.
"So anyway. Richiev, can Naomi stay here for the night? We're probably going to head out tomorrow or something." Shaosu asked.
"She can stay as long as she wants. Welcome to our humble home." Richiev said as he offered his hand out to Nao. Nao smiled and shook it.
"Let me show you around." Shaosu said and led Nao upstairs
"This is the room you will be staying in. It used to be ceez's room and I'd like to keep it the way it is. So try not to destroy anything." Shaosu said jokingly.
"I see…" Nao had a bit of a sorrow on her face.
"Anyway… That's Richiev's room down the hall and my room is right across from yours. So if you need anything, just knock." Shaosu said.
"Shaosu!" Nao said. "What will you do now?" Nao asked. "I was going to try and find Sol, but like you said, I have nothing to go on. So I guess I'll just stick with my unit and do what I can from there." Shaosu said. "What about you? Don't you have a soul stream to watch over?" Shaosu asked.
"I have some insurance set in place."
Soul Stream
A bright light flashed and a young man stumbled forward. "What the hell? Where am I!?" The man looked around wildly and saw a figure in the distance. He walked towards and saw a girl with white hair, blue eyes, and a black dress holding out a box. The man stepped forward and noticed that it was just a cardboard cut out. "What the hell is this!?" The man looked in the box and saw a label that said "Take one" The man saw bread and took it. A flash of white enveloped him as soon as he did so and he found himself standing on a hill. A small figure with a helmet covering his face was seen sitting on a stump, eating a bowl of noodles.
"Oh great… another one." The small man said.
Back with Shaosu and Nao
"As far as I can see, it works out pretty well." Nao said, smiling innocently.
"R-right…" Shaosu said, a little perplexed at the simplicity of how her substitute was chosen…or made. "Anyway… Good night…" Shaosu said, not knowing how to respond to the story he just heard.
"Yeah… night." Shaosu and Nao smiled as they both closed their respective doors.
________________________________________________________________________
Tir Chonail
"So Lassar told you to visit Toran's teacher, Stewart, back in Dunbarton?" Diana said.
"Yeah, Basically. She said he was studying the subject and probably knows more about it than most" Sol said. "But I really don't want to go after we just got back from there."
"Hold on… I think I know about it." Toran spoke up. "I read his report. It doesn't really have anything important written on it other than what we already know, but Stewart really believed in the story." Toran began to rummage around in his robe, looking for something. "He gave me something when I asked him about it. He said that this locket belonged to Tarlach, one of the 3 warriors." Toran pulled out a golden locket and opened it. There were 2 figures inside, a young boy and an older girl.
"So we don't have to take the trip!" Sol cheered. Everyone stared at him. "Uh… ahem!… And we have an important clue to solving the mystery of what happened to the 3 lost warriors. (important sounding voice)"
"Anyway… We speculated that the young boy on the right of the picture is a young Tarlach and on the left is his sister, supposedly." Toran said, pointing to each one. "From what Stewart told me, Tarlach spent his whole life, searching for Tir Na Nogg, and trying to rescue the goddess Morrighan."
"Another victim in this twisted game." Sol muttered.
"This locket also contains his memories. Stewart said that if we place it on that altar in Alby Dungeon, we should be able to look into Tarlach's history for a bit."
"So our next stop is Alby Dungeon." Lydia said.
"There's just one catch. It can only be used by 3 people, no more and no less." Toran pointed out. "Makes sense, considering there were 3 adventurers. But who will go?" Toran asked.
"I think Sol should decide. After all, he's the one who brought us all together anyway." Diana suggested.
"I suppose that's fair." Lydia said. "Alright Sol, choose."
"I guess…" Sol looked at each of them. "I pick Toran, Diana and Myself." Sol said. "Toran since he probably knows the most about this, myself because I have a fragment of Morrighan's power, and Diana because… well she was the second one to join the team." Sol said, sounding slightly unsure about his decision.
"Why didn't I get a meaningful reason like you two?" Diana said in a huff.
"Well I would say you had good long range capabilities but I'm not sure if we'll be in actual combat this time around."
"I like the arrangement. From what Stewart's paper says, the 3 warriors consisted of a mage, Tarlach, a swordsman, Ruairi, and an archer, Mari. So with all 3 of us together, that should be an even fit."
"Are you guys done talking or what?" Lydia called from on top of a hill. She and Rudi had gotten themselves a head start.
"Coming!" Sol, Diana, and Toran said.
Albey Dungeon
"So do we just drop it here?" Sol asked. He, Toran, and Diana stood in a triangle formation within the square platform in front of the goddess statue. Lydia and Rudi were waiting outside the platform, watching intently.
"I guess we do…" Toran held up the Locket in front of him.
"No incantation? No ritualistic dance or something?" Sol asked.
"Stewart never mentioned anything like that when I asked him." Toran clarified. Toran then dropped the locket and watched as it fell. The locket landed with a clang as it hit the center, silence was all that followed.
"…" Sol stared, irritated at the locket. "Did you throw it right?" Sol asked.
"I don't think there's supposed to be a 'right' way to throw something." Diana said.
"Well maybe there's supposed to be some kind of trigger to it." Sol went over and picked up the locket. The markings on his arm began to glow. "What the…" Immediately, a flash of light engulfed the room as Sol, Diana, and Toran fell down, unconscious.
"What in the world? Guys!" Lydia and Rudi attempted to reach their friends but something was blocking them from entering the platform. "What is this? A barrier or something?" Lydia touched the invisible wall that was blocking her and the area where her hand touched glowed blue on contact. "What happens now?" Lydia wondered out loud.
________________________________________________________________________
Albey Dungeon (past)
Sol groaned as he rolled over on the ground. "What happened…?" Sol sat up and looked around. He was on the same platform he was on a second ago, minus Lydia and Rudi. "Where is everyone?" When Sol got up he heard a clanking sound. "Huh?" Sol looked over himself and saw that he was fully clad in studded Oregon armor. "When did I get these?!" Sol looked at his wais and pulled out his sword, finding that it was different than his Katana. "A broadsword?" Sol looked at his reflection in the blade. He no longer had white hair and blue eyes, he now had red hair and eyes, and his skin was very lightly tanned compared to his original pale complexion. "Guys! What happened to us?… Guys!" Sol went over to a prone figure wearing a brown robe. "Toran! Wake up! Look what happened to me!" Sol shook Toran and stepped back in surprise at what he found. "Look what happened to you!" Sol pointed.
"Do you have to be so loud? Seriously, what if you got the attention of a monster or something." Toran complained and realized something. "Are these Glasses? When did I need glasses?" Toran said pulling them off and, upon realizing he couldn't see clearly, put them back on.
"That's not all, look!" Sol held up his blade and let Toran look at his reflection.
Toran saw that he now had short blond hair instead of his brown, emoish hairstyle. "What the hell? I'm blonde! I don't want to be a blonde!" Toran looked at Sol. "And what happened to you!?"
"That's my line!" Sol yelled.
"Yeah well… you guys don't even want to see what happened to me!" Diana yelled.
"Why? I can't be any worse than me or Toran!" Sol saw a figure huddled over in a corner.
"You wouldn't say that if you saw me!" Diana yelled.
Sol then noticed that all their voices sounded slightly different. "Hey, come out Diana, it can't be that bad. And if it is I promise I won't laugh" Sol said crossing his heart.
"Well… Alright." Diana stepped out into the light and Sol and Toran's jaws dropped. Diana now had pink hair wrapped into a ponytail and light red eyes. She had what appeared to be a school uniform with a leather pad strapped to her chest. She also had a small bow and arrow set strapped to her back. "I told you it was ba-"
Diana was interrupted by Sol and Toran's laughter. "You… you… you look like a freaking kindergartener… ha ha ha ha ha." Sol laughed
"Now…now c'mon Sol… (snicker) we have to … ha ha… We have to focus on the task at ha… han… ha ha ha." Even Toran couldn't stop laughing.
An anger mark appeared on Diana's head. "Shut up! It's not funny!" Diana charged at Sol and pounded on his stomach since she couldn't reach his face.
"Hey, hey, hey… Calm down little lady." Sol said pushing on Diana's forehead, keeping her just out of reach. "So Toran, What's happened to us?"
"I'm guessing that the locket reacted to the seal on your arm and, instead of us seeing the memory, we're going to experience the memory." Troan speculated. "And if my assumption is correct… this body must be Tarlach's, yours must be Mari's, and yours must be Ruairi's."
"How does that work?" Sol let Diana go as she stumbled forward. He walked over to the goddess statue and a flash of light enveloped them again. "Not again!"
"Look!" Diana had a surprised expression as another pink haired girl walked right out of her, this one was transparent. The same thing happened with Sol and Toran.
"So your school sends it's students into a dark, dangerous place like this as an assignment?" Ruairi said as he looked around. "Can't believe there are teachers who send little girls to places like this."
"Don't talk about teacher Ranald like that, Ruairi!" Mari yelled. "You just can't comprehend how awesome he is!" The girl had a confident smile on her face.
"I guess even a girl like Mari can't resist a young male teacher…" Ruairi teased.
"I'm sure it's not that dangerous." Tarlach said. "If they assign this to students, then it can't be that bad right?"
"It'll be fine!" Mari smiled. "You should know that everyone from Tir Chonail is strong!"
"Well what are we waiting around for? Let's go!" Ruairi said and walked off towards the stairs, Mari and Tarlach followed. Their apparitions disappearing as they went along.
"I guess that's our cue." Sol said as he stepped forward and followed the direction the apparitions took.
As the 3 descended into the lower chambers, they heard some strange noises. "What's that?" Diana said as she readied her bow. "What's that noise?"
"It's nothing to worry about." Sol said casually. "This is all just one big hallucination right? If we run into anything, those 3 apparitions will appear again and take care of them right? Whatever's making that noise won't be able to touch us. Hell, I doubt that it would be able to even notice us." As sol finished his sentence, he was tackled to the ground by an unusually large spider. "What the hell!" Sol said, holding it back as it tried to bite him.
"I guess that's what's been in this dungeon a few years ago." Toran speculated.
"Kind of creepy huh?" Diana added.
"Would you guys just help me!" Sol said, moving his head from side to side as the spider kept on lunging in to bite it off.
"Fine, quit whining." Toran channeled an ice spell and impaled the spider on the wall with an icicle.
"Jeez!" Sol got up, brushing some dust off his armor. "If this is an assignment, I'd hate to see what a punishment is like." Sol eventually heard more crawling sounds and looked around. "Oh great, more of them." Several spiders crawled out of the shadows. "So we have to do the actual fighting while those other 3 just have to appear and have vague conversations?" Sol said as he readied his sword.
"Basically." Toran replied.
"That's Bull sh-" Sol was cut off as all 3 of them were swarmed.
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Emain macha, Richiev's house
"That's everything!" Shaosu said.
"Are all set?" Nao called from outside.
"Yeah! I'm-"
"Hold on there for a second." Richiev said, holding an unusually long case. "Before you head out, I want you to have something." Richiev laid the case down and opened it. Inside was a huge, sheathed claymore. In the center of it's gold plated hilt was a reddish orange jewel. Shaosu picked it up and turned it around. On the other side was a yellow jewel. "That was your brothers sword."
"How did you find this?" Shaosu asked, as he unsheathed the blade.
"When the knights saw the fire in the distance, they sent some people to check it out. I was on one of the search parties. We eventually came across an underground chamber that seemed to house something important, but it was empty save for a few charred remains. Near one of the ash piles I found this sword. It had Ceez's name etched into the handle." Richiev explained. Shaosu looked at the handle, confirming Richiev's claim. "I was going to give it to you when you joined the nights as a little surprise, but you went off on that mission before I got the chance. So, there you go, it's yours now." Richiev smiled.
Shaosu smiled back. "Thanks Richiev." Shaosu strapped off the claymore on his back and strapped on his brothers sword.
"Looks good on ya kid." Richiev gave a thumbs up as Shadow barked in agreement. Shaosu smiled and joined Nao outside.
"You ready?" She asked.
"You know it." Shaosu and Nao walked off towards HQ.
Paladin HQ, Craig's office
Soma, Sera, and Kai stood at attention in front of Craig's desk. "Alright, are you ready to hear your next mission?" Craig asked.
"Always am sir!" Soma responded.
"I know how you feel Soma. You still want revenge on Sol don't you?" Craig asked. Soma remained silent. "Don't bother hiding it. For reasons like yours, no sane person could let go of a grudge like this over night." Craig shifted in his seat. "Although River is in charge of Sol's mission officially, I will allow you to act on it as well. However, It will be on your own time, you will not be able to use our resources. This means that you won't be allowed to mobilize your brigade in order to catch him. If anyone wishes to help you, they can do so, but they will have the same restrictions as you." Craig said. "Obviously, this also means that you won't be able to take any action against Sol during official missions.
Soma's face showed a mix of surprise and joy. "Th-thank you sir!" Soma bowed.
"Now then, on to your actual mission." Craig pulled out a folder. "You and your brigade are to investigate sightings of black knights in several areas."
"Black knights? What are they doing now?" Kai asked.
"That's why I'm asking you to investigate." Craig said.
"Where should we start?" Soma asked.
"The most recent sighting is in a small village called Torim." Craig said. "It's a relatively backwater town, not that many people really know about it. But we recently got a request from them, and claims that a group of black knights is operating near their town. You are to got there and wipe out any hostile forces. Understood?"
"Yes sir!" All 3 of them snapped a salute.
"Good. Dismissed!"
As Soma, Kai, and Sera left the building, Shaosu and Nao were seen running up the steps to the entrance.
"Sir! Did we receive our next mission?" Shaous said as Soma approached him.
"Yes, we're to head to the village of Torim and investigate the sightings of black knights in the area." Soma explained. "I'll give you the full details on the way, for now make sure your prepared." Shaosu gave a confirming nod and followed the rest of his team.
Kai moved over next to Nao and spoke. "Hey, how long exactly have you been in that disguise?"
"I guess, since I got here. Why do you ask?" Nao replied.
"Just a little curious. And what about the soul stream, shouldn't you be there instead of here?" Kai asked.
"Let me explain it to you."
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Somewhere in Albey Dungeon
Sol collapsed on the floor of a large room as the trio finally made it past all the Spiders. When Diana and Toran helped him up, the apparitions of Ruairi, Tarlach, and Mari appeared again, this time setting up a fire.
"Lets rest here for a while." Tarlach said, sitting down.
"There are so many spiders here, huge ones too!" Ruairi complained.
"If you think those are big, just wait till you see the one at the bottom." Mari said.
"They get bigger?" Sol muttered, knowing full well that they wouldn't hear him.
"I wonder if this is connected to the sudden increase in aggressiveness in wild animals." Tarlach inquired.
"Yeah, we did see a lot of wolves on the way over here." Ruairi added.
"You mean it wasn't always like that?" Mari asked.
"Yeah! A few years back, this was nothing but a quiet country side. Are you sure you're from around here?" Ruairi said.
"Of course I am! I just can't remember is all…" Mari looked at the floor, her expression turning solemn.
"Oh… sorry, I forgot you lost your memory." Ruairi apologized.
"You said that one day you just couldn't remember anything right? You didn't hit your head or anything?" Tarlach questioned. Mari nodded. "Then it was probably sealed by druid magic. My master was able to do it as well. Don't worry too much about it though, I'm sure it wasn't meant for some evil purpose." Tarlach reassured Mari.
"Thanks, Tarlach. Your a lot nicer that that jerk Ruairi." Mari said.
"I'm not a jerk! And don't talk about me like I'm not here!" Ruairi said.
"To be honest, I wish I could forget my memory sometimes as well." Tarlach admitted.
"Are you referring to when your sister was killed by fomors?" Ruairi asked.
"Ruairi!" Mari yelled.
"It's fine, Mari. It's also true, The reason I'm searching for Tir Na Nogg with Ruairi is so I can find her again." Tarlach said.
"You guys don't need to worry about a thing! I'll take out all the fomors that get in our way!" Ruairi said, punching the air.
"Your such a brute, Ruairi." Mari said.
"Heh, heh… Anyways, we should get going." Tarlach, Mari, And Ruairi got up and moved on, their apparitions disappearing once again.
Sol sighed, exhausted. "We better get going too."
"This is starting to get fun!" Toran said.
"For you at least…I" Sol and Diana thought in their heads.
________________________________________________________________________
Albey Dungeon (Present)
"What do you think is happening to them?" Lydia asked as Rudi unrolled a blanket and sat down on it. "What's that for?" Lydia asked. Rudi pulled out a couple of plates, silverware, slices of meat, bread, and some water and organized them on the blanket. "How can you think of a picnic at a time like this?" Lydia asked perplexed.
"Anything else to do?" Rudi asked.
Lydia looked at Sol, Diana, and Toran still unconscious in the barrier. "I guess not." Lydia walked over and sat next to Rudi, taking a bite out of a piece of bread.
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Albey Dungeon (past)
"Good lord…" Sol stared up at the huge red spider that was in front of him, along with the several other spiders behind it. "Again, Why is this used as a regular assignment!? This is more like a death sentence you give to a convicted criminal except it was denied because it was too inhumane!" Sol said.
"Complaining isn't going to get us out of this!" Toran said as he readied another Ice spell. "just shut up and fight!" Toran let loose as a dozen ice spikes formed and launched themselves at the giant spider in the center and pierced parts of the abdomen while other spikes took down some of the smaller ones.
Sol leaped up and attempted to slash off one of the legs but was knocked back into a wall. As he got up he was surrounded by some of the smaller spiders and swung in a wide arc, cutting each one in half and charged at the large one for another attack. Sol approached from behind and leaped up and aimed for the joints and brought his blade down, hard. The blade sliced almost effortlessly through the leg sending it crashing down. The spider wobbled a little but nothing big.
"Focus on that side! I'll focus on this one!" Toran yelled.
"What should I do!?" Diana said as she impaled 2 more small spiders on the wall.
"Just keep doing that, keep the small fry occupied." Toran said as he set one of the spiders legs on fire. Diana pouted as she continued to fight off the spiders that approached her. "I hate this small body…" she muttered.
"Eat this!" Sol stabbed his sword into another leg and started cutting the leg in an upward direction. Sol channeled some energy into the blade and, as he swung up, the energy was released, cutting the leg in half, the tall way. The spider screamed as it was being taken down, stepping back slightly. "Not yet you don't" Sol attempted to transform into a dark knight but nothing happened. "Oh c'mon! Even that was taken away!" Sol leaped back as the spider attempted to stomp on him. The spider then swatted Toran away with it's burning leg before it finally dissolved into ash. "Toran!" Sol said as he continued to dodge the spiders attacks.
"Hold on guys!" Diana yelled out and fired 3 arrows at the Spiders face, hitting 3 of it's eyes. "Take that!" The spider recoiled back in pain, blood leaking out of it's eyes.
"Nice shot!" Sol said as he took out another leg. Finally sending the spider collapsing in on itself.
"Hey Toran! Wake up already." Diana said as she shook her friend.
"Nngh! What happened?" Toran looked around and saw several dead spiders and the giant one struggling to get back up. "I guess we won huh? Toran said as he got up. "Sol! Finish it up already!"
"You got it!" Sol channeled more energy into his blade and sent it straight at the spider, slicing it in half. "Finally done!" As Sol finished another giant spider appeared in it's place. "Oh come one!" Sol said as he readied his sword again.
"Wait!" Toran said. "Look!" Sol looked and then noticed the apparitions of Mari, Tarlach, and Ruairi, standing before the spider.
"Oh…" Sol said.
Ruairi delivered one last strike against the spider as it fell down, dead. "Ruairi, we need to investigate this. Spiders this huge aren't ordinarily found in Erinn. This is definitely the work of Fomors." Tarlach said, his expression turning grim.
"Aren't they always found in dungeons?" mari asked.
"there's never been this many! I wonder if it's because of the goddess" Ruairi said.
"Goddess? You mean Morrighan? What does this have to do with her?" Mari asked.
"Well… A beautiful goddess came to me in my dreams and told me that the world was in danger." Ruairi said, trying to sound important.
"You sure it wasn't some indecent fantasy." Mari said.
"Ruairi, tell me more about this dream of yours." Tarlach asked.
"Okay… well… This black winged goddess came to me in a dream and told me to come to her, saying the world was in great danger." Ruairi said.
"Black winged goddess… To Tir Na Nogg?" Tarlach mumbled to himself.
"Tarlach, do you know something?" Mari asked.
"Dungeons like these were created to protect Erinn from the dangers of the Fomors by sealing them up. The designs were made so intricate by the goddess residing in Tir Na Nogg. If the number of Fomors is increasing, then something must be wrong with the goddess." Tarlach turned and faced his three friends. "Ruairi's dream could be a message! A cry for help!" Tarlach exclaimed.
"Does that mean I'm the chosen one? Awesome!" Ruairi cheered. The others stared at him in contempt. "Uh… (ahem) If the goddess is calling for help, then it's my duty to give it." Ruairi said.
"I'll go too." Mari said. "Maybe the goddess can help me restore my memory."
"Then it's agreed then." Tarlach said. All 3 of them disappeared once again.
"Well that was… enlightening." Toran said.
"At least now we know that we aren't the only ones on this mission." Diana said.
"But how long ago was this? If these guys went on this journey as well, why was I chosen?" Sol asked.
"Do you think they failed?" Toran asked.
"I don't… hey!" Diana yelled. "I feel kind of strange guys!" Diana fell onto her knees, holding herself and trembling.
"Diana, what's wrong?" Sol was about to approach her when the same thing happened to him and Toran.
"What's going on!?" Toran yelled as all three of them were engulfed in light once more.
________________________________________________________________________
Albey Dungeon (present)
Lydia and Rudi turned around as a bright light flashed and the barrier lifted. "Guys!" Lydia and Rudi dropped their food and went to check on their friends.
"Owww! How long was I out?" Sol said and saw Toran and Diana in their original bodies. "Hey! If they're back to normal then…" Sol was immediately hugged by Lydia and tackled to the ground. "Ribs! Ribs!" Sol yelled as Lydia squeezed him.
"Oh! Sorry about that." Lydia got off Sol and stood up.
Diana and Toran both sat up and stretched. "What's going on?" Toran asked.
"That locket started glowing and you guys collapsed! Then a barrier surrounded you and we couldn't get to you." Lydia explained. "So, what happened? Did you get anything out of this?"
Sol grinned. "You bet! We'll fill you in on everything."
________________________________________________________________________
Paladin HQ, River brigade barracks
"Captain River, did you get the mission from Craig yet?" Sai said as he opened the door to his captains room.
"Yes Sai. Yes I did." A young man, no older than 30, petted an Owl who had perched himself in the window sill. He had long blond hair, a fair complexion and piercing blue eyes. As the owl flew away, Captain River turned to face his second in command. "How is your brother doing? I haven't seen him since he left our brigade and joined up with that impulsive upstart, Soma." River said, watching the owl fly away.
"I suppose he is fine." Sai said. "When do you wish to head out sir?" Sai asked.
"We head out immediately, inform the others." River went over to his closet and looked at his sparkling white suit of armor. As he began to put it on Sai snapped a salute and ran off to inform the others. AS River clamped on the final piece, he grinned. "That man, Sol, will regret the day he crossed paths with Captain Wrede River!"
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And yet another chapter comes to a close! I'm beginning to feel like I'm making up too many characters in this story to develop them properly.
As a closing comment, I actually intended for Triad to be a random Drunk guy but I made up this character at the last second. And BTW, He can only separate himself into 3 copies and can't do any more than that.
Now we are going to enter the 2 digit numbers!
