A Hero's Wish

With only one look back, Lyle and Rasha set out for the port town of Treck. Together, they battled the monsters that inhabited the road with sword and magic. By the time the sun had begun to set, they were just entering the town's gates.

"We should stay for the night," Lyle told Rasha, "And take a boat for Lorbenia in the morning. It won't be safe to travel by dark, and you can reach Lorbenia in about three hours by ship."

"I hope we find a few leads in the city. You know that there probably aren't many people left who remember the Four Heroes," she reminded him.

Just then, an old man asked, "Are you talking about Maxim, Selan, Guy, and Artea?"

Lyle nodded. "Yes, do you know anything about them or the Sinistraels?"

"Why do you ask?" the man inquired, "It's rare to see a youngster who is interested in such things. For what reason do you inquire about Maxim?"

"You won't believe me, but the Sinistraels are about to return," Lyle said.

Rasha added, "Raider attacked Sheran. Lyle fought against him, and barely survived."

The man laughed. "You're pulling my leg kid. There's no way that the Sinistraels are returning to our world. Maxim slew them nearly a hundred years ago."

"Lyle is no liar!" exclaimed Rasha, "He just happens to be the descendant of Maxim."

The man looked the boy over. He saw Lyle's red hair, and brilliant lies. Those were the trademarks of Maxim's appearance. Suddenly, he felt his laughter dying down.

"Ok, I believe you boy. You certainly look like the hero Maxim. Tell you what, I'll help you. I used to be a soldier in the Guy Legion, the personal soldiers of the hero Guy. I want you to go with my niece Ainea to the caves to the west. There's someone who you need to meet," the man stated.

* * *

So the next day, the duo left with the young woman for the caves. She had dark blond hair and green eyes. Ainea knew a little bit of healing magic, but that was about it.

She told them, "In a little bit, we'll come to a locked door. I know the spell to open it, so I'll open it up for you. The person I want you to meet doesn't like just anyone barging in on his privacy. That's why he left the town in the first place. Now stay close, I know the way.

They continued onwards until coming to the door in question. There, the young woman began to concentrate on her spell, while Lyle and Rasha protected her from any monsters that might come by and think her to be an easy target. Soon, the spell was completed, and the doors opened up. Then, all three of them went through them, and headed for the opening in the cave.

Once there, they found a small house. Nearby, Priphea were in full bloom. If it wasn't for the fact that they had to meet the "important person" she would have stopped to smell them.

Ainea went into the house. "There's some people here to meet you. It's extremely important that you speak with them. The fate of the world is at stake here."

"What could be happening that you'd have to include an old man like me?" asked the man, "I've long since retired from fighting and only want to live in peace."

Lyle and Rasha entered the house. There, they found an elderly man with blue eyes, and a slight blond tint in his gray hair. He had on a simple white tunic and yellow pants. But something was different about him. He seemed quite strong for a man of his age.

"What in the name of the gods is this? Maxim, is that you? I thought you died when Doom Island fell down into the ocean. I've missed you, my friends," the man rambled.

Lyle informed him, "I'm sorry sir, my name is Lyle, not Maxim. Maxim is my ancestor. And this girl is Rasha. Who might you be, and what do you know about Maxim?"

The man smiled. "My name is Guy, I fought alongside Maxim during the Battle of Doom Island."

"But how?" asked Rasha, "You should be over one hundred years old."

"Don't be surprised. I've been really good with my health over the years," Guy replied.

Lyle stated, "We need your help Guy. The Sinistraels are about to return. Raider has already attacked the nation of Sheran. Now, I am on a mission to defeat them, and I need to know everything about them, and Maxim, if I am to succeed in my battles."

Guy got up out of his seat. "You can rely on my blade to help you win, Lyle."

"But Guy," Ainea protested, "You know your doctor wants you to watch yourself. For Pete's sake, you're over a hundred years old. That means you're way past your prime. You haven't even touched a sword in forty years. What can you do to help Lyle and Rasha in the upcoming battle?"

"I still have to try. Where is my sword Ainea? I must." but then he just stopped. Suddenly, Guy fell to the floor, having a heart attack. There was nothing anyone could do for him, it was just Guy's time to go. Soon afterwards, he passed away.

Ainea whispered, "You're such a fool Guy. Worrying about fighting when you should be relaxing." She turned to Lyle. "Lyle, I want you to find Artea, the squirrel. They are a long lived race, so he should still be alive. I don't know exactly where he is, but I've heard that someone in Grenoble does."

"Where's that?" asked Lyle, "Is it on this continent?"

"It's west of Lorbenia. You can find a ship in the harbor back in Treck," she replied.

Lyle began to walk off. But Ainea stopped Rasha, and told her, "You must go with him. It is true that only the descendants of Maxim can defeat the Sinistraels. But only you can support him. And that is worth much more than any sword or shield."

Rasha nodded. "I understand. I'll never leave Lyle's side." With that, she began to follow him back through the cave, heading back towards Treck.

- - - -

We're going to meet one of the other characters in the next chapter. You'll see who then.