CHAPTER 3
----------
After much persuasion, Ayumi, Genta and Mitsuhiko managed to get Conan to recover from
his state of trance and confusion. Shortly after that, they were summoned by the mighty King to
his throne. Conan's quest? To save the Princess, and to end the rain of terror once and for all.
"Now...err...I comprehend that this may be unsuitable for one as young as you, Sir Conan,
but it is clear that my other knights refused to partake in this...'rescue mission' as they call
it. They claim that it is much too dangerous, Shinichi, my best knight before you, has vanished,
and you are the only one left who can save Ran. Are you willing to risk your life to save her?"
said the King as he fidgeted with his moustache.
Conan's eyes flared. "Yes, Your Majesty."
For a moment there was an uneasy silence, then came a nervous reply from the King.
"...very well, you are dismissed. And good luck on your journey."
~*~
In a corner of the Tavern, the young heroes discussed and went over their plans.
"...there, we've chosen our path. We are on a very important quest, and I don't want any
of you squabbling over minor matters or going off on your own. Understood?"
"Aye."
"All clear."
"Most certainly, Sir Conan."
"Good, it's settled then. Ready your weapons and supplies. We move out tomorrow at dawn."
The following day, they were all ready to go. Horses ready, weapons prepared. First stop:
The Grey Forest. It was a gigantic patch of green, once inhabited by animals, and many legendary
creatures, even fayries, White Griffyns and lightlings. But ever since the Dark Forces invaded
the Isles, the forests were never beautiful. Yes, they are inhabited, but not by creatures of
the Light. Demons and minions of Darkness roam the thick undergrowth, many of which are blood-
thirsty or cannibalistic. Yet despite the dangers, many adventurers entered the forest to seek a
plant-creature of great power and infinite knowledge and mastery of the Black Arts. The
undisputed Lord of the Forests - Ga'anur. Three-eyed, four-armed with a piercing stare.
None ever came out alive.
In spite of the dangers and unspeakable horrors that lay ahead, Conan decided to risk
life and limb to save Princess Ran. The young heroes take their first step into Ga'anur's realm.
After the entrance to the forest is no longer visible, Conan drew his sword and carved a
small symbol upon a tree. "From here on we shall mark our progress every fifty paces, so as not
to get lost. The Dark Lord's lair is still far away. Head north-east." The rest did as they were
told, but moments later they found that they kept returning again and again to the same location.
Conan tried to hide his astonishment, but in vain. "What in the name of Kai!? We traveled
in a perfectly straight line..."
"Err...ahh...I believe the trees are our source of trouble..." It seems that Mitsuhiko
too, was quite nervous.
"WHAT!!"
"I...I f-f-forgot t-to tell you th-that they are the Garuondae...better known as...the
Elmeaters."
It was the very moment when Mitsuhiko finished his sentence did the trees began to move.
A single eye appeared on each tree, and their branches extended to form twisted wooden limbs.
Their silent song of decay penetrated the foul air, calling forth demon minions, and at the same
time lulling the heroes to a dream from which they will never awaken. The Elmeaters, sensing that
Conan and his friends were slowly weakening, reached out to hold them in a grasp of death. Within
minutes, they began gasping for air. Small demons lurked behind bushes, watching.
Surprisingly, Mitsuhiko proved himself quite difficult to handle, and slipped out of an
Elmeater's grasp. He too had resistance toward their songs, and seemed to be unaffected. Yet his
heart wass gripped by a naked panic, and he began to shudder uncontrollably. Genta, who was as
brave as a lion, could not bear to witness such cowardice. This in turn lit a flame of anger in
the great Barbarian's heart.
"AUUGGHH! WHAT-ARE-YOU-DOING!! SET-US-FREE!!"
"B-b-but I know not what t-to do~"
"CAST A SPELL YOU IMBECILE!"
"I h-have barely enough mana to cast a Wave of Fire..."
"JUST *gasp* CAST THE CURSED SPELL!!!"
"*gulp*"
With the lives of his only friends at stake, Mitsuhiko had no choice but to cast a Wave
of Fire. He picked up his staff in great haste, and waved his arms about in the air, summoning
the Spirit of Fire. Suddenly, blue flame spread in all directions, engulfing the entire forest in
a sea of blaze. When the flame disappeared, all that was left of the Elmeaters and the Lurkers
was a sea of blue and purple liquid. Conan, Genta and Ayumi landed in the foul water, but
otherwise unharmed. But just before they could breathe a sigh of relief, a new and sinister
threat to their lives took form before them.
From the scorched remains of an Elmeater emerged a great tree's shadow which materialized
into a creature unlike anything Conan has ever seen before. Its black blade-like leaves hung down
like overhanging shadows, and underneath them you could just make out three glowing slits; evil
vines adorned its dead branches and four twisted limbs, some with the rotting carcasses of small
animals which the creature has consumed over time still hanging upon them. A great purplish
crystal was embedded in the centre of its massive trunk, pulsating an eerie bluish light. Conan
realized that the great tree standing before him was the almighy Ga'anur-- Lord of the Forests.
Words of the Dark Tongue rumbled from Ga'anur's jagged maw to send chills down Conan's
spine. Pausing for a brief moment, the creature spoke in its low, hoarse voice.
"Aah, as I had anticipated. Well done, my friend. You have slain all my loyal subjects.
Very well done indeed...But first, I suppose you would like to know what happened to Ran, Sir
Conan?"
Upon hearing these words, Conan exploded into a rage. "Ran...!! What have you done to
her!?"
"Tsk, tsk...such hot temper. But not to worry, my friend. She is in very safe hands."
"WHERE IS SHE!!?"
"You need not know. Prepare to be eliminated. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE
--------------
In case you didn't know, Kai is the God of War to the inhabitants of the Eight Field Isles,
Necros is the Master of Elements, Nefartino is the God of Wisdom, Haruon is the Duke of Courage,
and Danzien is the Prince of Secrets. More gods to come in the next chapter! ;)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conan: Yipes, it's only chapter 3 and already I'm a goner???
Ran: No way!
Ayumi: Is he gonna die?
Kazuha: (laughs) Ha, no, of course not. But as the Godess of Fate, I'm gonna have a lot of fun
with you...hehhehehe! *types a whole lot of stuff saying Conan is hurt*
Conan: NoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Kazuha: MUAHAHAHAHAHA
----------
After much persuasion, Ayumi, Genta and Mitsuhiko managed to get Conan to recover from
his state of trance and confusion. Shortly after that, they were summoned by the mighty King to
his throne. Conan's quest? To save the Princess, and to end the rain of terror once and for all.
"Now...err...I comprehend that this may be unsuitable for one as young as you, Sir Conan,
but it is clear that my other knights refused to partake in this...'rescue mission' as they call
it. They claim that it is much too dangerous, Shinichi, my best knight before you, has vanished,
and you are the only one left who can save Ran. Are you willing to risk your life to save her?"
said the King as he fidgeted with his moustache.
Conan's eyes flared. "Yes, Your Majesty."
For a moment there was an uneasy silence, then came a nervous reply from the King.
"...very well, you are dismissed. And good luck on your journey."
~*~
In a corner of the Tavern, the young heroes discussed and went over their plans.
"...there, we've chosen our path. We are on a very important quest, and I don't want any
of you squabbling over minor matters or going off on your own. Understood?"
"Aye."
"All clear."
"Most certainly, Sir Conan."
"Good, it's settled then. Ready your weapons and supplies. We move out tomorrow at dawn."
The following day, they were all ready to go. Horses ready, weapons prepared. First stop:
The Grey Forest. It was a gigantic patch of green, once inhabited by animals, and many legendary
creatures, even fayries, White Griffyns and lightlings. But ever since the Dark Forces invaded
the Isles, the forests were never beautiful. Yes, they are inhabited, but not by creatures of
the Light. Demons and minions of Darkness roam the thick undergrowth, many of which are blood-
thirsty or cannibalistic. Yet despite the dangers, many adventurers entered the forest to seek a
plant-creature of great power and infinite knowledge and mastery of the Black Arts. The
undisputed Lord of the Forests - Ga'anur. Three-eyed, four-armed with a piercing stare.
None ever came out alive.
In spite of the dangers and unspeakable horrors that lay ahead, Conan decided to risk
life and limb to save Princess Ran. The young heroes take their first step into Ga'anur's realm.
After the entrance to the forest is no longer visible, Conan drew his sword and carved a
small symbol upon a tree. "From here on we shall mark our progress every fifty paces, so as not
to get lost. The Dark Lord's lair is still far away. Head north-east." The rest did as they were
told, but moments later they found that they kept returning again and again to the same location.
Conan tried to hide his astonishment, but in vain. "What in the name of Kai!? We traveled
in a perfectly straight line..."
"Err...ahh...I believe the trees are our source of trouble..." It seems that Mitsuhiko
too, was quite nervous.
"WHAT!!"
"I...I f-f-forgot t-to tell you th-that they are the Garuondae...better known as...the
Elmeaters."
It was the very moment when Mitsuhiko finished his sentence did the trees began to move.
A single eye appeared on each tree, and their branches extended to form twisted wooden limbs.
Their silent song of decay penetrated the foul air, calling forth demon minions, and at the same
time lulling the heroes to a dream from which they will never awaken. The Elmeaters, sensing that
Conan and his friends were slowly weakening, reached out to hold them in a grasp of death. Within
minutes, they began gasping for air. Small demons lurked behind bushes, watching.
Surprisingly, Mitsuhiko proved himself quite difficult to handle, and slipped out of an
Elmeater's grasp. He too had resistance toward their songs, and seemed to be unaffected. Yet his
heart wass gripped by a naked panic, and he began to shudder uncontrollably. Genta, who was as
brave as a lion, could not bear to witness such cowardice. This in turn lit a flame of anger in
the great Barbarian's heart.
"AUUGGHH! WHAT-ARE-YOU-DOING!! SET-US-FREE!!"
"B-b-but I know not what t-to do~"
"CAST A SPELL YOU IMBECILE!"
"I h-have barely enough mana to cast a Wave of Fire..."
"JUST *gasp* CAST THE CURSED SPELL!!!"
"*gulp*"
With the lives of his only friends at stake, Mitsuhiko had no choice but to cast a Wave
of Fire. He picked up his staff in great haste, and waved his arms about in the air, summoning
the Spirit of Fire. Suddenly, blue flame spread in all directions, engulfing the entire forest in
a sea of blaze. When the flame disappeared, all that was left of the Elmeaters and the Lurkers
was a sea of blue and purple liquid. Conan, Genta and Ayumi landed in the foul water, but
otherwise unharmed. But just before they could breathe a sigh of relief, a new and sinister
threat to their lives took form before them.
From the scorched remains of an Elmeater emerged a great tree's shadow which materialized
into a creature unlike anything Conan has ever seen before. Its black blade-like leaves hung down
like overhanging shadows, and underneath them you could just make out three glowing slits; evil
vines adorned its dead branches and four twisted limbs, some with the rotting carcasses of small
animals which the creature has consumed over time still hanging upon them. A great purplish
crystal was embedded in the centre of its massive trunk, pulsating an eerie bluish light. Conan
realized that the great tree standing before him was the almighy Ga'anur-- Lord of the Forests.
Words of the Dark Tongue rumbled from Ga'anur's jagged maw to send chills down Conan's
spine. Pausing for a brief moment, the creature spoke in its low, hoarse voice.
"Aah, as I had anticipated. Well done, my friend. You have slain all my loyal subjects.
Very well done indeed...But first, I suppose you would like to know what happened to Ran, Sir
Conan?"
Upon hearing these words, Conan exploded into a rage. "Ran...!! What have you done to
her!?"
"Tsk, tsk...such hot temper. But not to worry, my friend. She is in very safe hands."
"WHERE IS SHE!!?"
"You need not know. Prepare to be eliminated. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE
--------------
In case you didn't know, Kai is the God of War to the inhabitants of the Eight Field Isles,
Necros is the Master of Elements, Nefartino is the God of Wisdom, Haruon is the Duke of Courage,
and Danzien is the Prince of Secrets. More gods to come in the next chapter! ;)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conan: Yipes, it's only chapter 3 and already I'm a goner???
Ran: No way!
Ayumi: Is he gonna die?
Kazuha: (laughs) Ha, no, of course not. But as the Godess of Fate, I'm gonna have a lot of fun
with you...hehhehehe! *types a whole lot of stuff saying Conan is hurt*
Conan: NoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Kazuha: MUAHAHAHAHAHA