Chapter I: Swirling Waters
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Experience teaches many things. What to do, what not to; experience is wise. Noel Chandler knew this all too well, and that experience is directly linked to regret. Regret from joining the Ten Wise Men. With his help, the Ten Wise men had hastened the destruction of Nede. Just over a billion people were dead for no reason, and it was partially his fault. He couldn't see her ever again...
"Chermes...." Noel whispered to himself as his eyes trailed down to the cerulean blue water off the coast of Herlie. With the destruction of the Quadratic Sphere (or to everyone else, the Sorcery Globe), the King of Cross had paid each of the 12 heros a handsome amount of money. Celine bought a good-sized party boat with her share of the cash. Noel wasn't surprised at all, and neither was anyone else for that matter.
Noel leaned slightly over the railing, straining to identify the seabirds in the distance. It was a beautiful, nearly cloudless day in the middle of spring. A light breeze picked up from the east, brushing his light brown hair a bit. Noel sighed and slumped against the railing on the bow of the now-still boat.
"Oh, come Noel darling...don't tell me you're sea-sick?" a pleasent femine voice sounded behind him. Noel turned around.
"Aah...no, I'm not. Thanks for your concern though..." He gave a weak laugh, then looked down at the deck.
"What's the matter, darling? You haven't been acting yourself lately...." Celine asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
"I've just been...thinking."
"Oh? About Nede again, eh? Noel, you need to stop dwelling in the past. You need to get on with your life!" Celine attempted to consul him. She obviously wasn't good at making people feel any better.
In fact, this statement only made Noel feel a bit worse. "Yeah, your right. I'm just a bit tired..."
Celine chuckled. "You're always tired, Noel dear...Just make sure you don't fall overboard!" She laughed playfully once more and waved her hand in the air in sort of a pseudo-'see you in a bit' gesture as she disappeared into the cabin.
"'Get on with my life' huh? She's probably right..." Noel returned to his previous thoughts and once again slumped against the railing.
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A commotion past the horizon stirred the birds into a squawking frenzy. Hordes of sea-dwelling creatures broke the surface of the water and began racing toward the boat's general direction. Noel looked up in surprize to this sound and strained to see what was happening. In the distance, a great tsunami-like wave rose from the ocean floor and raced toward the small ship.
The wave picked up speed and a noticeable green aura surrounded it. At the same time, the green emerald jewel around Noel's neck began to shine brightly.
"The pendant that Chermes gave me..." Noel mentally noted as he gently ran his fingers along the surface of the stone...completely forgetting about the rapidly approtching hazard.
Celine stepped out of the cabin to see what the noise was about. She gasped as she saw the tsunami, glowing green, omniously loom over the ship. It focused into a single jet of water and aimed straight at Noel's glowing pendant.
"NOEL! Look out!!" Celine shouted, but it was too late. Noel was gone, swept clear off the deck and into the swirling waters.