Notes: All Nobles, Knight Lords, Royal Mages and those who hold important positions, all have 'True Magic' names. It was practiced at first never to reveal the true name to anyone besides family members, however as time went by, the strength of the 'true' names waned. However each time a noble wishes to invoke upon a great power that is hidden within their blood and birth, they would announce their full names. It is also used as a ceremonial tool to pledge absolute loyalty and trust. The power of the middle depended on the bloodline and the length of the 'True' name. Many families hold onto the tradition of adding 'titles' to extend the potential of the 'true' names. An example would be the Mether family. Keila's full name is Keila Halor Mether. Vesari's full name is Vesari Turion Mether. However, since Feyrin is the current Matriarch of the Mether family, she holds onto the title of 'Verlyon', which is the title passed down the Mether family. It is similar to 'Knight', as it's meaning is 'Guardian'. Feyrin's full name is Feyrin Lorestila Verlyon Mether. However it had been decreed many generations ago that only the strongest of each family could hold onto the title name of that family. And if a certain family could not produce children who were of a certain caliber, the family would lose its right to use Title names.
Other known names include:
-Felis Theodas Melisores
(as her bloodline weakened, the Melisores no longer had a 'title' name to hold onto)
-Lenith Yuril Winveros
(Lenith, having extremely strong potential, would have been given the 'title' name of the Winveros. But circumstances prevented her have being given the name)
-Fevklar Tolreh Winveros
(The previous Patriarch of the Winveros was weaker than Lenith, therefore not eligible for the title)
-Kilrein Von Sterlien Vainres
(The title name 'Sterlien' is the title name of the Vainres family, which translates roughly from old tongue of Muspell as 'Warrior God')
Notes: The fabled assassins cross are the most revered and respected of all Assassins. They are made up of the elites, and are usually given the title Assassin Cross either in recognition of their services and devotion, or given to them when the time is required for them to perform a duty that holds above all of their laws. The Assassin Cross itself is seen as a holy symbol, the sacred avenger that was the very foundation and belief of the Assassin way. Those who gain this title have the ability to command other Assassins in order to complete their mission. Nothing can and will stand in their way.
Party Information:
Tharin Lethmen
Class: Crusader/ Cursed Being
Level: 36/ Unknown
Weapons:Crusader Sword, Aegis Cross Shield, Runic Sword, Magic Gems
Familiars:
Aira (homunculus/ Vampire/ dark elemental fusion weapon)
Byakko (Guardian Beast/ White Tiger/ Earth elemental fusion weapon)
Dark Tharin Lethmen
Class: Unknown
Level: Too high to classify
Weapons: Unknown
Abilities: Dark elemental powers
Notes: Dark robes of unknown properties
Kaine Verther
Class: Guide, Exiled Knight
Level: 40
Weapons: Long Sword of Rage, Demon Claw (Giant Sword), herbs, misc. items
Feyrin Lorestila Verlyon Mether
Class: Dark Mage (Master Mage)/ Cursed Being (Current form)/ Cursed Being (Berserk)
Level: 85/ 38/ Unknown
Weapons: Enchanted Gloves of Flames, Enchanted Boots of Wind, Cloak of Enhancement, Magic Card Deck
Meili Solodos
Class: Thief, daughter of Solodos
Level: 34
Weapons: Knives, Lockpicks, short swords
Berilious Meylode
Class: Bard, bearer of dark crystal
Level: 38
Weapons: Guitar of Resonance, Dark Crystal
Terash Basol
Class: Monk, Variable fighter
Level: 40
Weapons: Gloves of Might, Boots of Strength
Karves Vinbel
Class: Monk, True Fist fighter
Level: 38
Weapons: Gloves of Body
Vensil Quan
Class: Monk, Swift Variable fighter
Level: 38
Weapons: Gloves of Soul, Boots of Truth
Gwen Quint
Class: Gunslinger, daughter of Mayor of Einbroch
Level: 36
Weapons: Judgement & Truth (Twin magazine fed pistols), Innocence (Special scoped rifle)
Azel Barralos
Class: Gunslinger, Protector of Gwen
Level: 40
Weapons: Malice & Fury (Revolver modified pistols), Sinless Guilt (Heavy armour piercing
minigun)
Heline Oresti
Class: Priestess
Level: 42
Weapons: Holy Bible XVI edition (now boasting the over five thousand pages), Whip of Freya,
Holy Frying Pan
Meris Highlest
Class: Acolyte
Level: 10
Weapons: Mace of Glory, Tears (able to make enemies freeze, and summon Heline to her side)
Keila Halor Mether
Class: Wizard
Level: 32
Weapons: Book of Aesir, staff of Runes
Rith Lestrun
Class: Archer/ Ranger
Level: 36
Weapons: Silphin Bow, Cloak of the Woods
Ferex Stridos
Class: Assassin Cross
Level: 40
Weapons: Katar blades of the Avenger
Vinlett Besmif
Level: 38
Class: Assassin/ Sword for the Avenger
Weapons: Wrist blades of Night
Fusion Equipments:
Aira
Type: Vampire/ Dark elemental
Weapons: Scythe of the moon
Armour: Dark armour of Night
Others: Dark Throne
-Allows user to summon armies of the underworld
Wings of Night
-Allows user to take flight. These wings would become extensions of the user, not the armour.
Notes: Created by the vampire lord count Ios Van Lios De Bilanka, though considered a failure since the vampire lord was unable to utilize her. Immediately recognized Tharin as her true
master. Her creation is a mystery. Personally prefers Tharin over Dark Tharin, but fuses much easier with Dark Tharin.
Byakko
Type: West Guardian Beast/ White Tiger
Weapons:
-Gauntlets of Strength (Blades able to appear on each gauntlet)
-Claymore of the Earth
Armour:
-Mantle of the Earth (it is a full armour, though it doesn't look like it offer much
protection)
Notes: One of the four guardian beasts who guard the four points. Represents 'Strength' and Earth at the Western point.
The City of Fire and Ash
The group had continued onwards further South. Tharin had only just recovered her strength, and was having difficulties sitting straight on her peco. Slouching over her peco, the crusader tried to keep steady, though she was close to falling off more times than she wanted. Meili was worried, and looked to the others for help. Kaine was the one who helped Tharin the most, reminding him of the time they first met. The desert was large, but with the urging of their rides, and with the report, the group avoided most Prontera Knight deployments and managed to reach the edge of the desert within four days. At the end, stood a large stone wall. Kaine led the group towards a small cave tunnelled into the wall, and walking through it, the group suddenly felt the temperature increase, which was unusual for a cave.
"This cave is built through an active Volcano. We'll soon be on the other side."
Kaine explained. And true enough, they reached the other end, exiting out to see a large forest. Or some sort. The trees were different from what the group were used to, and the climate seemed to be.... very humid. Each member suddenly felt drenched with sweat even when they didn't do much yet.
"Welcome to the jungle."
Kaine smirked.
"The jungle is a wet and warm climate. There are many edible fruits on the trees here, though the creatures are far more ferocious than beyond the wall. There are small pockets of native tribes, not all of them friendly to outsiders. They aren't friends to Prontera, but then again, they aren't friends to anyone. We're heading to the port city of Guaren."
"Guaren?"
Feyrin found the name a litte hard to pronounce.
"It is a port created by merchants who traveled here and befriended a number of tribes. Together, they built a port city for commerce. Guaren is the native name for the Volcano. And that Volcano is also the second point."
The group followed a beaten path through the jungle until they reached the port city of Guaren. It was far from what they had expected. The houses, if you could call them houses, were made of straw, twigs and giant leaves from the trees of the jungle. The arrangements of these huts were formed in rings, each with a large bon fire burning in the centre of the ring formations. A number of dark skinned locals watched the group enter the port city. Feyrin guessed that this place did not see a lot of travellers. But there were several fair skinned people about. The group settled down at a small inn that was built like most inns in the mainland of Prontera. Probably built by some of the merchants who settled down here. Vensil helped Tharin onto a bed in the room they rented, the Crusader still not faring too well against the poison. Feyrin had taken the antidote that Ferex administered, and confirmed that it was indeed the antidote, however it was possible that due to Tharin's complex blood (having the curse as well as having transformed into a vampire), that the poison and antidotes were having unusual reactions within her.
It was also noted that the crusader had fused with Aira to prevent the knights from following them before she took the antidote, further complicating the process. At the moment, the Mether sisters, together with Heline and Vensil, were taking charge of trying to get the ill crusader better. Meili and Meris had gone out shopping, together with Berilious and Gwen. Terash, Karves had gone to tend to their mounts, as well as try to find some merchants who could help them with some rare goods. Rith, Ferex and Vinlett had gone out scouting the path towards the Valcano, as well as ensuring they weren't followed. Kaine and Azel had left to ask for more information. What they needed to know right now, was what was the situation in Guaren, whether Prontera knights had taken control or not, and perhaps shed more light on who the second guardian is, or what it is. Feyrin checked on Tharin after administering a relaxing agent. The crusader seemed to be responding well to the medicine. Still, Feyrin had to wonder where did Kaine manage to find this rare herb.
If she remembered correctly, this herb only grew in the highest points of the Northern frost mountains. Even buying one from a merchant who would actually give up such a prized possession would cost more than enough gold to buy five houses in Geffen. Feyrin's attention switched back to Tharin when the crusader gave a groan. Heline and Vensil almost immediately went to check on her. Feyrin turned to Keila, who had only stopped her work to see any changes in Tharin's condition, before going back to the herbs and flasks. Taking a sample of Tharin's blood, Keila now had to try different combinations of medicine and herbs to get rid of any irregularities. The vampirism taint and the curse were uncurable, and since they were part of her blood, Keila had a hard time discerning whether the medicine was affecting the poison, or the blood as a whole. Still, Feyrin had faith in her sister's ability to find a cure. Feyrin had to admit that she wasn't a book person.
She was smart, could solve complicated mathematical problems, and had immense amounts of raw magical power, but Keila worked hard, studying almost every book in the Mether library, as well as going through the Magic academy's archives. Keila loves books, and as such, her mastery over these things were by far the best in the group. Feyrin turned to Heline, who shook her head. No changes. Feyrin turned her gaze to the vampire homunculus, who sat in one corner, reading the large tome of magical herbs that was opened before her on the floor, while rolling the white orb of the western guardian on the floor like some toy. Does that homunculus know what exactly she was doing? Rolling a demi-god level artifact like a toy. Feyrin sighed, turning back to the flask on the table. She touched the flask with a finger, heating up the flask with magic.
The green liquid inside started to boil, producing a purple smoke that smelled somewhat close to cheese. Feyrin was rather dubious of what this concoction would actually do. Dragging her finger down the lines of the recipe in the book laid out on the table, she was sure she followed the recipe almost exactly. Maybe one or two replacements were added, it should not have caused such a drasstic change. The description in the book stated a pink liquid with a colourless and odorless vapor. This was definitely wrong. She dumped the concoction into a flower pot, and the flower immediately wilted, then a new plant sprang out from mid-stem, almost rather violently. What's more, this new plant was a completely different organism than the one before. Definitely wrong concoction.
"Sigh... this is getting nowhere."
Feyrin sighed, throwing herself back into the chair, only that she forgot she was sitting on a stool, and so she fell too far back, crashing onto the floor with a rather nasty thud. Everyone looked to the small mage, who got back up to her feet whilst rubbing her head's bump.
"I need some fresh air."
She said, dragging her feet out of the door. The mage walked through the hallway and into the bar, where Kaine and Azel were discussing something with Ferex.
"Hm? Ferex, you're back?"
Feyrin asked, grabbing a bar stool. She snapped her fingers, using magic to levitate herself up to the seat. She gestured the barkeeper for a drink, before turning to the three men.
"So? What did you find?"
She asked, grabbing to the tankard the barkeep slid her way. Ferex pulled the map the three men were looking at to show her.
"We found the entrance into the Valcano. We could only map out about ten kilometres of the place, before we needed to get out."
"Get out?"
Feyrin found that rather interesting news. Ferex nodded.
"Not to mention the creatures that prowl within, the routes have a tendency to change constantly. The activity of the magma flow bursts through the walls, sealing routes, and at the same time it creates new ones. To be honest, we're not even sure if we can get to the guardian."
What Ferex told her, Feyrin somewhat understood it to a certain degree. It isn't unusual that magma would destroy and seal up routes, but for it to do so constantly? Magic must be at work, and one that is very strong. Could the guardian of this place be behind this?
"Is it really necessary for Tharin to finish the points? This is no longer about her mission. We're now enemies of Prontera and the Holy Order, so why do we still need to continue?"
Azel asked the rest. They knew what the gunslinger meant. If they were against the world of Midgard, the last thing they needed to do was go through an impossible quest. Even if they did find the guardians, the only one who had the power to stand toe to toe with a guardian was Tharin, and even then she needed to burrow the cursed blood that flowed through her veins. By right, Feyrin could do the same, but her powers were completely uncontrollable, wild and destructive. The back-lash was worse for Feyrin as well. Tharin could control her dark powers with help of the guardian orb, as well as with help from her vampiristic blood. Feyrin couldn't bring out her powers freely, and she didn't want to either. But back to Azel's question. The guardians were necessary. Tharin's mission was necessary.
"Each guardian can provide us with a better chance to fight against Prontera. Although only Tharin can fuse with them, it has undoubtly increased our fighting power exponentially."
Feyrin explained.
"That isn't all. The last bishop of the Holy Order, Sarai, had instructed Tharin to take this quest personally. There must be a reason for the gathering of the four guardians."
Kaine added. Bishop Sarai. Feyrin had heard of the name before, though she could not place a finger on it. Azel understood the reasons, but he did not seem to quite like them. Feyrin understood him well. Einbroch is still under threat of invasion, even if Prontera has decided to focus their forces East. Geffen is no different. Rotting from within, the city of magic has fallen so far and if this war isn't over soon, it would only sink further. Time was against them. And with the loom of the might of Prontera and the Knight Lords, things were looking grim. At that moment, Rith came bursting through the doors. Though there weren't any other customers in the inn, it was still rather uncalled for.
"Guys! You have to hurry! There's something coming out of the Valcano!"
Rith gasped. The others immediately got up and rushed out of the inn. Everyone in the port city had all stopped their activities, looking up at the summit of the Valcano, where a large column of black smoke came pouring out.
"It's... going to erupt?!"
Kaine did not like that. If the Valcano did erupt, they could be trapped here. The city was far enough from the Valcano, and had several basic, but strong runes to protect it. However the route they took into this area would be cut off. This may be a port city, but they did not have any civillian crafts. Not to mention Prontera ships patrolled the seas. This port isn't controlled by Prontera, in fact the merchants and natives here prefer to be independent. And thanks to the stone wall around the area, Prontera doesn't bother to send troops.
"Wait, look there!"
Rith pointed at the smoke, where suddenly a giant pillar of flames erupted. But this wasn't an eruption. Instead, a giant bird flew up from the Valcano. It's entire red body burning with bright flames. The bird was majestic and graceful, yet terrifying at the same time. The natives all got down to their knees, chanting and praying, as though worshipping a God. A God?
"That's the Guardian!"
Feyrin realized. The group stared in shock as the second Guardian flew in a circle around the Valcano, before giving out a loud cry, and diving back into the Valcano.
"The locals worship the mountain and that fire bird as their God, who protected them from constant invasions by Prontera, that is why Prontera has left this area alone."
A voice spoke up behind the group. Everyone turned around and saw a familiar face. At least to Kaine and Feyrin. With her unusually revealling dress, and very unusually large chest, the sage Lehas Ven Seilos winked at Kaine.
"Hi, missed me?"
The group met up in the inn in Kaine's room. As for sleeping arrangements, it was the guys to one room, girls to another. However each room only had four beds, which meant people had to sleep on the floor. Lehas had explained that she had gone searching for information on Prontera, the drugs circulating between the Geffen council and Prontera, information on the Knight Lords, and lastly information on Tharin's past.
"Prontera's in turmoil. Many of the Knight Lords follow the orders of Vainres and Volos, leaving only a small handful of people who are still trying to break free. Of course, you all have met the silver wind, Felis Theodras Melisores. She is the leader of the rebellion within Prontera, though this is only known to a select number of people within the rebellion itself. Quite well thought out, i'm sure. But Vainres has his eye on Felis, so she cannot move so easily as she could before."
Lehas then brought out a small packet and placed it on the table.
"This is the drug given to the Geffen council. It was hard to track, but it links back to Venan Volos. I don't have real evidence, but a rather reliable source has placed a connection between Venan Volos and the Blade Cross, which would explain how he managed to get the supplies for this drugs. It wasn't obvious, but the drug is common to the desert region, and the Assassins controlled it for poison. The Assassin circle and the Geffen council once had a war, if i'm not mistaken, and so it left a sour taste for both groups which resulted in them not wanting to communicate. Venan promised the Blade Cross free control and reign of the Assassin order and Moroco while they provide him with the drug and their services. He then gives the drugs to Geffen, to the Mages who have become even more power hungry after this generation of powerful mages took over."
Lehas pointed to Feyrin. It was true that a number of the Royal houses had extremely gifted practioners taking over the council seats this generation, four of the thirteen houses including the Mether house, which led to the many other houses desperate to boost their own powers. So that was the reason behind the desperate deal of the Geffen council.
"I haven't managed to get much information on the individual Knight Lords, and it seems you got more than me. Definitely cannot underestimate the Assassin's intelligence network. As for the last piece of news, Tharin. I have studied her blood and found something weird."
Lehas said, taking out a small vial that held Tharin's blood sample. Kaine wondered when did that sage get a hold of that sample, though it was probably better if he didn't ask.
"If it's about the vampirism, we know about it."
Gwen said, to which Lehas simply shook her head in disappointment.
"Tsk tsk, i'm not talking about that. It's obvious about the vampiric traces so there isn't much to talk about. What i found is that her blood's taint from Vestratos's curse is different from others. Very different in fact."
That caught everyone's attention.
"What do you mean?"
"When i first looked at her blood, i thought that there was something weird about her blood. Maybe it was the curse, i thought, so i had to get a blood sample of a cursed being to eliminate any possible external variables. That was when i realized that Tharin's blood was different on a very basic level. Her blood was far from humans, or vampire's. In fact, i don't think i've ever seen such blood before."
Lehas noted everyone's shocked faces.
"Yes, i thought i was dreaming as well. So i collected as many blood samples of different cursed people, animals, plants and monsters. Anything that was cursed, i got a sample of it. What the taint of the curse does, in a simple way of putting it, is causes irregularities and restricts the energies within that living organism. This can cause side effects like Feyrin's size. Some others have transformed into monster completely. Also another part of the irregularities would be that it would channel that person's energy somewhere else. I cannot say for sure where, but i'm guessing it was used by Vestratos to feed. Why kill humans and animals for a one shot energy burst when you can farm energy from them constantly? Quite ingenious, actually. Anyway, besides those, the blood of the cursed being doesn't change. However Tharin's blood wasn't human in the first place. And her taint has twisted her powers, reawakening innate powers while giving it a boost."
"You mean Tharin already had all of that power?"
"Yes, but it wasn't dark in nature, or so i think. Vestratos's curse on her does not suck energy and life from her, but gives her energy. It influences her nature to become dark."
"... Are you saying Vestratos actually GAVE her power?"
Terash did not want to believe that. Vestratos, the devil that ruined all of their lives, had favoured this girl? What for? No one in the room could quite believe that either. Vestratos was a plague on the land, destroying anything and everything. Why was Tharin so special?
"Lehas... you're here."
Everyone turned to see Tharin standing by the doorway, supported by Vensil. The sage kept the blood vial and smiled sweetly to Tharin.
"Oh, you look well, dear."
"Don't joke with me."
Tharin snorted, taking one step at a time into the room.
"You're alot colder than before, you know."
Lehas pointed out Tharin's dark nature.
"People change. But i guess you know the reason behind my nature."
"You were listening."
"Partially. I won't stop you in searching into my past, as i am rather curious about it myself."
"How mature."
Lehas smiled. Tharin sat down on a chair in the room, panting quite heavily.
"We must head into the Valcano now."
The crusader said, making most in the room rather surprised.
"What? But you've barely healed! You cannot just-"
"The guardian appeared, didn't he?"
Tharin cut off Kaine in mid-sentence. The guide bit his lip, but nodded.
"He knows i'm here. He's waiting for me to come. He called for me while i slept. The trial is about to begin."