Disclaimer: I DON"T own Legend of Mana, but I do own my new characters, who
will be introduced in the next chapter!! So don't sue!!
Hiya! Okay, this chapter is VERY poorly written considering I haven't worked on this story for months.... My writing style has changed a bit too, so other chapters may sound a little different..... Well, I hope you enjoy the story !!^.^ I will have the other chapters up soon! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To Continue the Tale. . . . by Jumi_Pearl
Chapter One: Noises and Surprises
The evening was dark, one of those nights when there were no moon or stars in the endless expanse of sky. No light shone through the infinite blackness, even the glow of the fire had been swallowed up by the darkness of the night. The gloom could make anyone feel uneasy and helpless, even for the bravest men and women in the world. It was a night to be cursed. He could barely see his own sword as he ran it through the thick masses of brush in front of him. The boy had been wondering around the Mindas Ruins looking for his lost partner for at least one fruitless hour. It probably didn't help that the plants surrounding him clung to him like they were alive. They tore at his clothing and cut his skin. He didn't notice the torn flesh, but instead focused his vision on what lay before him. The blanket of blackness covered everything around him. The vines that wound up the trees like snakes, the small blooms on the various flowers, even the grass and dirt he walked upon was invisible in the cold night. Where was she? The young man wondered this to himself as he paused to make out his surroundings. He wore a long cape of sand that rested on his broad shoulders. Dark green hair covered his face as he turned his head to look behind him. Deep blue eyes rested below the strands of hair that seemed to be searching every detail around him. A jewel, almost the color of the dark blue night surrounding him, claimed it's place on his chest. The man was tall. A look of seventeen or eighteen showed through his stern face, but his exact age could not be discerned. His eyes dimmed suddenly as he heard footsteps on the old bricks of the old ruins. Quickly, he spun around to see nothing. He stood there a moment longer before a frightening thought took form in his mind. What if she was hurt. What if she was in trouble? He shook his head and started down the hidden path of the Mindas ruins once more. "She couldn't have gone too far. . . ." he mumbled to himself. Where could she be? he thought slightly annoyed. When I find that girl I'll . . .
He didn't have time to finish his thought before he spotted a small silhouette in the distance. "Pearl!" He called a name that made the figure turn around. Her frame was slim, almost like a child, but she was far from. She wore a white dress that extended to her knees, and a long, silk robe was draped over her body. White pearls were sewn into the shoulders of the robe that left a stunning impression on any being that saw her. Blonde hair fell over her shoulders and back before coming to an end a few inches above her ankles. Light green eyes glimmered as a small gem that rested in her chest flashed once, emitting a soft but swift white glow. An aura of innocence surrounded her, and left others with the impression of a defenseless girl. "Elazul?" The girl called back, "Is that you?" The man named Elazul ran swiftly over to Pearl. "Yes, Pearl, it's me." He responded. He sounded cold and heartless."Where have you been?" he cried. Pearl shook her head and looked down, "I-I don't know. . . ." Her soft voice trailed off. Elazul sighed. How could he be mad at her? It wasn't her fault. "Don't wonder off anymore, alright? I was worried about you." Pearl looked up and met Elazul's cold gaze. "A-alright. . . ." she said. Elazul put a protective arm around Pearl's shoulder and began to guide her back through the path he had made keeping his sword at hand. He still wasn't convinced that what he had heard a while back had been Pearl. He was also sure that whatever it was would most likely going to be evil. Pearl glanced at him; a questioning look was fixed in her eyes. Elazul just looked down at her. Strands of dark green hair fell over face before he looked away. Pearl giggled happily as Elazul pulled her a bit closer. The man shook his head. He enjoyed seeing his Guardian so happy. He also enjoyed seeing her safe. He sped up; letting his worries take him over completely. Pearl stumbled over the rocks and piles of brush in the ground often. She had trouble keeping up with his swift pace. Twice she would've fallen down, but Elazul kept his grip on her firm. After what seemed years of walking, the burning light of the fire fought through the darkness and the area surrounding it was lit well by the strong light. The dark green leaves of the tall trees glimmered and shined in the soft glow of the fire. Pearl smiled, and Elazul relaxed a bit to find that they were back at there site safely. A snap of a twig caused Elazul's suspicions to rise, and he turned back to the trail he had created. Upon seeing nothing but the trees and their jade colored leaves, he thought silently to himself. I am to tense. I should relax. . . . Elazul let his eyes scan the area as Pearl approached him cautiously. The young Jumi was frightened by his actions. Slowly, ever so slowly, she reached up and touched his tensed shoulder. Elazul swivelled around and unsheathed his sword for protection unaware that the small hand that had touched him was that of his sweet Guardian. Pearl shrieked in fear as she stepped away stumbling over clumps of brush. Elazul shook his head and reached for her swiftly. Pearl still didn't seem aware that the young Knight was holding her tightly. He somehow managed to fight back his anger. How could I have done that?! It was the worst mistake I have ever made! He realized as he looked at the frightened girl: her light green eyes reflected fear and astonishment. She looks as though she'll never trust me again. . . . Pearl realized that she was being supported by her Knight and blinked a few times. She looked at him as though she had done something wrong; as though it was her fault that Elazul was so upset. When the Knight saw this, he chose to do something to comfort her; something that he never thought he would do or show. He hugged her tightly. The young girl seemed to relax a bit, and sighed deeply. He stroked her gently until she let the surprise and shock slowly drift away. "I... I am sorry, Elazul" Pearl spoke with shame and sadness. He pulled her away and looked at her with deep blue pools that some would call eyes. "There is nothing to be sorry about, Pearl. I was just startled. I had thought I heard something, but I guess that I was wrong. . . ." His voice trailed off as he let his eyes scan their darkened surroundings again. Pearl shrugged and knelt on the ground, now seeming unaware and unconcerned of what had just happened. Still, Elazul was not convinced that they were alone in the darkened Ruins. He could just tell . . . he could sense it. After what seemed an eternity of uncomfortable silence, Pearl yawned and lied down on the cold, damp earth that rested below them. The Lapis Knight suddenly realized that, he, too, was tired, and, shaking his head at the sight of the shivering Pearl, he stripped off his cloak and pulled it over her in an attempt to stop her shivers. It was then that he realized just how cold the night actually was. He shivered himself and put out the fire. Lying down next to Pearl, he began to think about the race of Jumi, and about the journey that they would return to in the morning, and of the sounds he had heard. That was his last thought before he let himself be taken to the realm of dreams; before he let himself fall into unconsciousness. . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well. how did ya like it?? This chapter was basically all fluffy stuff, and the next chapter is really not that important either, it's just introducing a new character. Please review! I'll even take flames!! I'm desperate!!
Hiya! Okay, this chapter is VERY poorly written considering I haven't worked on this story for months.... My writing style has changed a bit too, so other chapters may sound a little different..... Well, I hope you enjoy the story !!^.^ I will have the other chapters up soon! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To Continue the Tale. . . . by Jumi_Pearl
Chapter One: Noises and Surprises
The evening was dark, one of those nights when there were no moon or stars in the endless expanse of sky. No light shone through the infinite blackness, even the glow of the fire had been swallowed up by the darkness of the night. The gloom could make anyone feel uneasy and helpless, even for the bravest men and women in the world. It was a night to be cursed. He could barely see his own sword as he ran it through the thick masses of brush in front of him. The boy had been wondering around the Mindas Ruins looking for his lost partner for at least one fruitless hour. It probably didn't help that the plants surrounding him clung to him like they were alive. They tore at his clothing and cut his skin. He didn't notice the torn flesh, but instead focused his vision on what lay before him. The blanket of blackness covered everything around him. The vines that wound up the trees like snakes, the small blooms on the various flowers, even the grass and dirt he walked upon was invisible in the cold night. Where was she? The young man wondered this to himself as he paused to make out his surroundings. He wore a long cape of sand that rested on his broad shoulders. Dark green hair covered his face as he turned his head to look behind him. Deep blue eyes rested below the strands of hair that seemed to be searching every detail around him. A jewel, almost the color of the dark blue night surrounding him, claimed it's place on his chest. The man was tall. A look of seventeen or eighteen showed through his stern face, but his exact age could not be discerned. His eyes dimmed suddenly as he heard footsteps on the old bricks of the old ruins. Quickly, he spun around to see nothing. He stood there a moment longer before a frightening thought took form in his mind. What if she was hurt. What if she was in trouble? He shook his head and started down the hidden path of the Mindas ruins once more. "She couldn't have gone too far. . . ." he mumbled to himself. Where could she be? he thought slightly annoyed. When I find that girl I'll . . .
He didn't have time to finish his thought before he spotted a small silhouette in the distance. "Pearl!" He called a name that made the figure turn around. Her frame was slim, almost like a child, but she was far from. She wore a white dress that extended to her knees, and a long, silk robe was draped over her body. White pearls were sewn into the shoulders of the robe that left a stunning impression on any being that saw her. Blonde hair fell over her shoulders and back before coming to an end a few inches above her ankles. Light green eyes glimmered as a small gem that rested in her chest flashed once, emitting a soft but swift white glow. An aura of innocence surrounded her, and left others with the impression of a defenseless girl. "Elazul?" The girl called back, "Is that you?" The man named Elazul ran swiftly over to Pearl. "Yes, Pearl, it's me." He responded. He sounded cold and heartless."Where have you been?" he cried. Pearl shook her head and looked down, "I-I don't know. . . ." Her soft voice trailed off. Elazul sighed. How could he be mad at her? It wasn't her fault. "Don't wonder off anymore, alright? I was worried about you." Pearl looked up and met Elazul's cold gaze. "A-alright. . . ." she said. Elazul put a protective arm around Pearl's shoulder and began to guide her back through the path he had made keeping his sword at hand. He still wasn't convinced that what he had heard a while back had been Pearl. He was also sure that whatever it was would most likely going to be evil. Pearl glanced at him; a questioning look was fixed in her eyes. Elazul just looked down at her. Strands of dark green hair fell over face before he looked away. Pearl giggled happily as Elazul pulled her a bit closer. The man shook his head. He enjoyed seeing his Guardian so happy. He also enjoyed seeing her safe. He sped up; letting his worries take him over completely. Pearl stumbled over the rocks and piles of brush in the ground often. She had trouble keeping up with his swift pace. Twice she would've fallen down, but Elazul kept his grip on her firm. After what seemed years of walking, the burning light of the fire fought through the darkness and the area surrounding it was lit well by the strong light. The dark green leaves of the tall trees glimmered and shined in the soft glow of the fire. Pearl smiled, and Elazul relaxed a bit to find that they were back at there site safely. A snap of a twig caused Elazul's suspicions to rise, and he turned back to the trail he had created. Upon seeing nothing but the trees and their jade colored leaves, he thought silently to himself. I am to tense. I should relax. . . . Elazul let his eyes scan the area as Pearl approached him cautiously. The young Jumi was frightened by his actions. Slowly, ever so slowly, she reached up and touched his tensed shoulder. Elazul swivelled around and unsheathed his sword for protection unaware that the small hand that had touched him was that of his sweet Guardian. Pearl shrieked in fear as she stepped away stumbling over clumps of brush. Elazul shook his head and reached for her swiftly. Pearl still didn't seem aware that the young Knight was holding her tightly. He somehow managed to fight back his anger. How could I have done that?! It was the worst mistake I have ever made! He realized as he looked at the frightened girl: her light green eyes reflected fear and astonishment. She looks as though she'll never trust me again. . . . Pearl realized that she was being supported by her Knight and blinked a few times. She looked at him as though she had done something wrong; as though it was her fault that Elazul was so upset. When the Knight saw this, he chose to do something to comfort her; something that he never thought he would do or show. He hugged her tightly. The young girl seemed to relax a bit, and sighed deeply. He stroked her gently until she let the surprise and shock slowly drift away. "I... I am sorry, Elazul" Pearl spoke with shame and sadness. He pulled her away and looked at her with deep blue pools that some would call eyes. "There is nothing to be sorry about, Pearl. I was just startled. I had thought I heard something, but I guess that I was wrong. . . ." His voice trailed off as he let his eyes scan their darkened surroundings again. Pearl shrugged and knelt on the ground, now seeming unaware and unconcerned of what had just happened. Still, Elazul was not convinced that they were alone in the darkened Ruins. He could just tell . . . he could sense it. After what seemed an eternity of uncomfortable silence, Pearl yawned and lied down on the cold, damp earth that rested below them. The Lapis Knight suddenly realized that, he, too, was tired, and, shaking his head at the sight of the shivering Pearl, he stripped off his cloak and pulled it over her in an attempt to stop her shivers. It was then that he realized just how cold the night actually was. He shivered himself and put out the fire. Lying down next to Pearl, he began to think about the race of Jumi, and about the journey that they would return to in the morning, and of the sounds he had heard. That was his last thought before he let himself be taken to the realm of dreams; before he let himself fall into unconsciousness. . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well. how did ya like it?? This chapter was basically all fluffy stuff, and the next chapter is really not that important either, it's just introducing a new character. Please review! I'll even take flames!! I'm desperate!!