Breaking Free
"Champion..." Gheren clicked his tongue. "I'm disappointed!" Twilight's attacks were relentless, but Gheren made short work of dodging them. "You aren't even trying anymore!"
I know, Twilight thought, remaining silent. Just gotta bide my time.
"Hmm," he continued. "I think it's my turn to attack."
"What?" Twilight said, before Gheren struck with his palm. Gheren's attack connected with Twilight's chest, and he flew back. When Twilight finally landed, he struggled back to his feet.
"You didn't think I was gonna dodge all day, did you?" Gheren replied. "I mean, sure it's great to watch you slowly kill yourself with your own technique. But sometimes it's just like watching paint dry." He shrugged.
"That... was a strong punch," Twilight said. "I'm impressed."
"Oh, you don't really mean that," Gheren grimaced. His emerald eyes were like slits now. "I must say-"
Twilight's head was pounding, and the sound of his throbbing temples drowned out all others. His body was screaming at him to release the technique. Just a little longer, he told himself, but the pain did not subside. He took steps forward. As he moved, his speed increased, until he was at a full run. Gheren was still a few feet away, but the distance was closing quickly. He drew back his arm.
"So, you're using all your energy for one last attack. How dramatic." Gheren smirked. "But you still can't beat me."
The distance shortened. Twilight could feel his will giving out. The pressure of the shadows around him was finally too much. He had to return to his native realm... but he didn't. Just a little longer... he repeated, almost like a mantra. Two steps separated the two of them now. He let out a mighty yell and drew the blade forward, into his target. At that moment, Twilight suddenly found himself back in the realm of light. A great weight was lifted from his shoulders, and his strength began to return.
As the blood rushed away from Twilight's head, he heard a scream of tortured pain.
That's all there is to it, Omega said, stretching out and yawning. It was an unconscious action - the three of them were aware that their real bodies were still in the dungeon, frozen in place. Stretching didn't do much of anything.
That sounds a lot like what Laine taught me about Focus, Resda said, before closing his eyes. He took a breath. After a few moments, the shackles around his hands and feet snapped open. He whistled. Hey, it worked. Kai, your turn.
Miya could only watch. There's something different about you, Resda, she said, narrowing her eyes. There's this confident aura surrounding you now. Where did this come from? Resda chose not to reply, but the thoughts leaked out of his head, and Miya heard every last one. You... you're the champion, aren't you?
He sheepishly turned away from her, just as the chains binding Kai evaporated into thin air. I'm free, she sighed in relief. But... uh, now what?
Yeah, I was kinda expecting to be swept out of here in a beam of light or something, Resda thought. Although, that never really did make sense, did it?
Nope, Omega said, once again the voice of wisdom. We may not be captives, but we're far from free. We need to be transported out. But I've got a plan for that. Hey, Miya, he said, turning to her, where are Cloto and Nella?
Gheren yelled, his eyes widening. Twilight's arm was plunged through his chest - which was solid. "What have you done to me?" He shoved Twilight away from him and examined his wound. "You hit me!"
Twilight realized with a start that, for some reason, Gheren had returned to the corporeal realm with him. He stared down at his weapon, and was surprised to see traces of a golden glow fading from it. "Light..." he muttered. "But how..." The both of them stood in stunned silence for a few moments, trying to comprehend what had happened. But eventually the shock wore off, and Twilight was back to his smug self. "Well, Gheren, we're back on my home turf now. Let's see how you like it."
"I've still got your friends!" Gheren said, after a moment of hesitation. "Are you willing to strike them down as well-" He paused. "What's going on? Why can't I control them? What is this?"
Of course, Twilight smirked. I'd imagine they'd find a way out of their predicament. "There goes your leverage, Gheren," he teased, wiping his blade clean.
"Y-you think so?" Gheren laughed nervously. "There are still enough people here to overwhelm you! You won't win!" With another flash of his emerald eyes, Gheren introduced his new battle strategy.
Cloto... Nella... wake up. Nella heard the mysterious voice call to her, and she roused herself and her sister.
Cloto's eyes opened to the sight of three teenage adventurers standing in front of her. Wait, she realized, they're standing. Wha- you're free! How?
Don't you see it? Nella nudged her. That pure aura around them... don't you know who they are?
Cloto leaned in as far as her chains allowed. The... the champions! She squealed, her composure completely gone. Oh, sister, if only Lakelis could have seen this!
Is there a point to hiding it anymore? Omega sighed, half-smiling. People are figuring it out way too easily.
Wait, but that means you're trapped here, too... Nella's voice was pained.
Not for long.
Nella stared up at Omega. What are you planning?
Can you teleport us out of here? he asked simply. The rest of the plan became obvious to everyone.
Will that work? Kai asked Omega.
Nella answered the question. It might, she said, but even so, we do not have the magical energy to perform such a teleportation.
Unless... Cloto started, but stopped. Resda wordlessly pressed her on, and she finally continued. If there is a conduit of magical energy powerful enough, and if we could draw power from it, we would be able to do it.
I'd gladly volunteer, Kai said, but I'm afraid my energy is all but gone.
Don't worry, child, Cloto said. Champion or no, a human doesn't possess nearly enough power for what we're talking about. What we need is a pure magical being. A manifestation of magic power. Like-
Like a sniper's Golden Eagle? Resda suddenly asked, his mind's gears turning.
Cloto was surprised. Well, yes.
Thank the gods you can hear my thoughts, because I don't feel like explaining, Resda said. Miya's a sniper.
Huh? Miya had almost drifted off to sleep again, but snapped out of her stupor at the sound of her name.
Summon your bird familiar! It's our best shot!
Miya was awake this time. I... how can I do that? How can I do anything? she added, her voice ever softer.
I know you can do it, Resda said, trying his best to cheer her up. We need you.
You don't need me, you're the champions! Miya replied, almost jealous. Surely you can find a way-
We did, Kai interrupted. And you're it. She smiled at her.
Miya returned the smile. Alright, let's see...
Try closing your eyes, Resda said, jokingly, it seems to work for everyone else.
You're breaking my concentration, Miya snapped back, before closing her eyes anyway.
Twilight's air of confidence was gone again, as he faced four silent warriors - a kunai-throwing assassin, a keen-eyed female hunter, an ice mage clad in cool blue, and a swordsman lugging a blade as tall as he was. Their weapons were raised, and they bore no expression. "I should have killed you all before," Gheren spit. "No matter." His eyes flared up, and the four sprang to life.
Twilight jumped back as the swordsman's first attack slammed into the ground. He debated putting away his dagger - no need for it here, he thought. If I'm going to attack I have to get to Gheren himself. The assassin and hunter each launched their respective projectiles, and Twilight had to run away even further to avoid the onslaught. At that moment, the mage ran up to him to bludgeon him with his staff. No abilities, Twilight saw. Gheren's power has its limits after all. "Haste!" he chanted, running past everyone to attack Gheren again. But the swordsman was there first, and quickly moved in front before Twilight could get a good strike in. "Coward!" Twilight yelled at Gheren as he leapt back again.
"Sticks and stones," Gheren chastised.
Miya was still conjuring up the magic she needed to summon the Golden Eagle. When your body is entirely drained, naturally, the process takes time. So as she worked, the others waited idly.
I hope Twilight's doing alright, Omega wondered. He had sat back down on the bench and tipped his hat forward to get some rest.
He is, Kai asserted. He's a good fighter.
Kai would know, Resda added. Omega raised an eyebrow. Oh, that's right, you haven't heard the story.
There's something between them? Omega asked.
Twilight and I were both attacked recently, Kai started. My staff was stolen and Twilight's friend Manji was almost fatally poisoned. The strange thing was... the person that attacked me looked exactly like Twilight, and Twilight's attacker looked like me. As you could probably guess, it led to a heated battle. We stopped only when Resda got injured.
Oh dear, Omega responded. Resda got involved?
My injury was, er, collateral damage, Resda chose not to explain. Anyway, we managed to clear that up, but we still don't know where Kai's staff is, or who it was that attacked them. Resda's voice dropped a little. Personally, I think it was a setup. Something to drive a wedge between us. Anyway, that's what we were going to investigate before Nella volunteered us to help Lakelis out.
Conveniently enough, their story had managed to pass enough time that Miya was finally ready to summon her familiar. Golden Eagle! Miya chanted, after a few moments. The bird arose from a ball of light and let out a wild screech. Give your power to Cloto and Nella. They need it more than I. The eagle flew over to them.
Guys, get ready, Resda said. If this works, we'll defeat Gheren in no time.
Cloto and Nella felt the rush of energy wash over them. At last, Cloto said. We'll transport you to the last room of the dungeon. Hopefully you will know what to do from there.
Hey, Resda! Miya called out to him just as the spell began. Good luck, she said quickly, as the champions were whisked away. And thanks.
Twilight was having problems of his own - in a one-on-four matchup, and unwilling to harm his opponents, it was only a matter of time before they finally killed him. Twilight was able to dodge well enough, but every time he tried to hit Gheren, someone managed to leap in the way.
"Get him get him get him!" Gheren roared, and his four puppets seemed to move even faster. It was all Twilight could do to throw his dagger in front of their blows.
"I... need help!" Twilight said, screaming to the gods for some sort of miracle.
And, in dramatic fashion, Twilight recieved it. Arrows struck the ground at Gheren's feet, causing everyone to pause in confusion. "We're back," Resda said, as he and the others moved their way through the crowd.
Gheren turned. To his chagrin, the remaining three champions were alive and well, and their weapons were drawn. "Damn!" Gheren said, sending three of Twilight's four assailants after them.
"Gheren's solid now!" Twilight notified his team. "Hit him if you can!" When he faced forward again, only the swordsman was left in front of him. "One on one. This is more my style." With the sides a little more even, the battle began anew.
For the record, I have grown to dislike italics as a result of this formatting-heavy scene. I will never have a thought-based plotline ever again.
More Lore!
Lore of Maple Legend (part 2 of 3, or maybe 4)
Land Overview
There are three general landmasses in the Maple world: Maple, the small floating island, Victoria, the main island, and Ossyria, the island of the towers.
CitiesCivilization in Victoria began in Sleepywood, and spread out through the dense forests there into the coastline. Keeping to the theme of four, a city was built in each of the four cardinal directions. As civilization advanced, it became necessary to communicate with other islands; thus, Lith Harbor was founded, on the path between Kerning and Henesys where the shoreline is safest. Early exploration led to the discovery and assimilation of Florina, a small island off the coast.
Kerning used to be a simple swamp village, but has grown to a large city, mostly as a result of its government. At all times they are trying to develop something new. The technology created there filters down to the other cities, save for Perion, due to their long standing tradition of simplicity. Here, the art of the rogue is taught.
Henesys is a fairly large hamlet - the suburb of the world, one could say. It has a bustling marketplace and a tranquil public park. Festivals are often held here due to the wide open spaces of the plains. Here young adventurers learn the art of the archer.
Perion, the mountain village, is also home to a busy marketplace, as well as the finest forges and refineries on the island. The Free Market's main base of operations is here, so people are often milling about as much as they do in Kerning. Despite all this, the town makes an effort to retain a hold on the old ways, painting their faces and living in tepees rather than houses. The tradition of the warrior is kept here.
Ellinia is a city of tranquility, nestled in the trees. Its most busy spot is the airship port - the only way to Orbis. Some visitors arrive just for the beauty and magic of the area, which is more vertical than its sister cities. The way of the magician is taught here.
Ossyria
Ossyria is a land full of mystery and magic, from the cloud tops of Orbis to the animated toyland Ludibrium to the Omega Sector's attempts to contact life beyond the stars, to the deep reaches of the underground below El Nath, leading to the legendary Zakum - a creature of unspeakable power and darkness.
Society
There is but one religion in the Maple World. It is a polytheistic tradition: four gods, one for each of the four physical elements. It has taken hold of and shaped society in ways irreversible.
The religion, as devoted as its followers are, is actually pretty lax - it merely requires a belief that the gods exist, as well as four annual rituals taking place one per season. The word "gods" is used in the vernacular as an expression of surprise, with no one taking any offense to it. Religious faith and science coexist peacefully. One tenet of the tradition is important to all aspects of their lives, however: live well with each other.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as utopia. Class prejudices are common, especially between rogues and mages. They often come into conflict with each other with little or no provocation. The people are apathetic to this situation.
In another injustice, the rogue has been labeled the thief by the uninformed masses. Since then, "thief" has stuck as the name for the class, and the real name has fallen out of use.
Worse, there are a few people who yell at others simply because they are invading their space. Known as "map hogs" by some, these people have attained a kind of groove in their training, and do not wish it disturbed. The people who have this mentality are looked down upon by the rest of society.
Of course, the good balances out the bad, so the world is generally at peace.
Chances are, there are a few errors in my conversion of the Maple Story world into the world of my story. If you notice anything particularly interesting - or just plain wrong - message me.
Thanks and keep reading!
- Resda