Legend of Mana: Odyssey of Shadows

Chapter 3: Searching for Shadows

The War of Mana ended 600 years ago. Our Elders still tell stories of the glorious civilization, of people with myths, of Humanity everlasting. Who hurled themselves into the void of space with no fear.

1 Kelvas Sai'tome

1.1 Myths of the Ancient Empire

Elijah was dead, killed while trying to save Bud and Lisa, they said. Witnesses claimed to see three burnt corpses, declaring them to be the three unfortunate dwellers, or so the rumors went, but were never confirmed. Conflict amongst the people of Dominia over the true identity of the three killed in the fire still go on today. Some say they perished in the fire, others say that they are still alive, but no trace of them was ever found.

There had been sadness, mourning, and a burial ceremony placing the bodies forever in the cemetery next to the Dominia church. But as time went on, people started to accept the fact that Elijah the most respected individual in Domina was gone and buried. That was 5 years ago and I remember it all too well. The smell of burnt wood, fruit, and the three disfigured bodies. I declared Elijah, Bud, and Lisa still alive cause even though I couldn't identify the bodies, I had this definite feeling. I can't explain it but I have never lost faith that they are still out there some where. I have spend the last 5 years looking for them and I have only found a few clues here and there, but they are enough to drive me on.

My people said that it was useless and that I was wasting my time. I tried to convince them but they all turned their back to me, except for two. Black Pearl, whom I follow and protect, and Esmerelda a friend that Elijah helped save from death. The three of us are Jumi. We look like Humans, but we wield great magical power and our life force is concentrated into a gem core that is embedded into our chests just below the neck. As long as our jewel is safe we will virtually live forever. Unfortunately we had been hunted for our gems for many decades and it was Elijah who saved the Jumi by defeating the Jewel King and resurrecting the great BeJeweled City. I remember Elijah always being there when we needed him and it was our turn to return the favor. Elijah and I were more than friends we were like brothers.

I am Elazul, a knight of the Jumi, with a Lapis Lazuli core. I swore my life to this duty when none other did. But with every year my hope grows thin as well as the hope in Black Pearl and Esmerelda, that we will ever find them. We now rest in the very same pub that I first met Elijah and, ironically, the last place that anyone saw him alive. I drink a pint of Dominia scotch while I teased my plate of Rabite sushi with my fork. My two handed, sword resting, in it's blue sheath, across my right leg. I look over to Black Pearl as she stares out the window next to the bar. Of all the people who were hit hard by Elijah's death, she was struck the hardest. There had been rumors that the two of them were to be engaged soon and a great wedding was to be held in the streets of the BeJeweled City. I knew it to be true, in fact I helped him buy the wedding ring and since I'm Black Pearl's knight and sworn protector he needed my blessing first. I had been all to happy to see them wed and gave my blessing before he had even finished asking the question. I remember Black Pearl never cried, within our knowledge, but from time to time she just drops out of reality and stares. God knows what she thinks, and at times I'm too frightened to know. I just see her staring and staring.

Esmerelda knew him almost as well as Black Pearl. When I had told her the news, she had looked like she was going to vomit. But she, like B. Pearl and I, didn't believe for a minute that he was dead. Elijah wasn't one to abandon him friends, unless there was a great reason for it and if he was in trouble we had to find him.

"It's time to go." I said as I rose from the chair, however my legs gave way and I fell back into it. I was just so tired from the 5 years of non- stop searching. "We'll find him." B. Pearl said as she came over to help me up. I admired her strength, her determination, but I could see that too was starting to fail.

End Part 1.

1.1.1 Niccolo had just finished a great business deal. He had recently come into possession of a couple high-grade swords and spears that he "borrowed" off of some pirates when they had left them behind to search a nearby cave for a treasure map. He had made a 2,000 gold profit off of them when he sold them to a black cloaked man who claimed he was a Ranger of something or other. Niccolo plucked at some gray whiskers that had started to show on his face.

"You have made a wise choice my friend." Niccolo said as he shook hand with the Ranger. "Y'know there is only one other person I knew that had a great eye for weapons." The Ranger just shook Niccolo's hand with out saying anything.

"Come on smile," Niccolo said to the man, "Smile let the world know your happy."

"You won't be smiling soon if things go the way they are." The Ranger finally spoke but with a deep animal-like growl. Niccolo just smiled and turned to leave, business was business and he didn't want to get on the bad side of his customers. Besides he had already made a few choice deals with the Rangers and he, above all, he wanted them to continue.

As Niccolo walked off down the Domina Highway, the Ranger took out a small flask, opened it and took a small sip of the liquid inside. "To you Niccolo." He said but this time in a young male's voice.

End Part 2.