Sierra's Rival

"You know," Kyoku said, "That really wasn't funny Sierra. Lyle and Jacob surprised each other when they bumped into one another. They'd both thought it was a monster, causing Sasha to go crazy at her friend's fear, and me to begin to worry for my life as well. Can't you ever be sensitive?"

They had all introduced themselves, and were sorting out their individual goals and stories. Sasha, of course, told them some bogus story that was practically true about being a traveling sorceress going back home to see her family. Jacob and Lyle spoke of the reasons they were away from their homes as well. But Sierra was unwilling to tell about her abandonment, and the fact that she'd never trained to use an ARM before she'd used one to kill the monster in the cave. Instead, she had told the group she left home looking for adventure, and had no reason to go back there.


"Sorry guys, you were all just so funny in a panic like that. Really, it just took some logical and rational thinking to realize that the shadows in front of us were just more adventurers. I can't be the only one who knows how to reason things out in tight situations," Sierra replied.

Sasha, who was embarrassed at being caught doing something so undignified as screaming like a little baby, stated, "Now that we've sorted things out, let's go search for treasure together. I think I can lead you all to the treasure room, we of Neo-Adlehyde always studied the layout of the ancient Kingdom of Shamans, hoping to excavate its magic and treasures someday to further our own prosperity." Silently, she added the fact that she wanted to reconnect to those ancestors who had died in such a brutal way, but kept it to herself. No longer was she among only her own people or Baskars, there were now people who would try to kill her if they found out about her connection to the original Adlehyde.

Jacob nodded. "Let's all go together. It'll be much safer if we all go together, instead of in two little groups. No monster will be able to stand a chance. Besides, I might want to hire the two of you to accompany me back to Baskar Colony. Sasha has to go home, so she can't take me all the way. I'll even pay you when it's all over, and I'm safely back at my home with my brother."


"If there's money," Sierra answered, "You can bet that Sierra Kenju will be there. Just make sure the money is paid in full when we arrive back at Baskar, else I might get mad." Kyoku began to giggle, Sierra never did get as mad as all that, causing the Silver Wolf Gunner to glare at her. The Wind Mouse then jumped back into her friend's pack, not wanting to fight with her now.

They all agreed to help Sasha back to Neo-Adlehyde, and Jacob back to Baskar. Then, the group began to head onwards, Sasha in the lead. Soon, they arrived at the treasure room. Although there was a guardian beast left in front, the Teardrop told him that the intruders were welcome. Not that the other three knew it, only Sasha had any idea that the statue had been put there by Rudolph Adlehyde in order to kill any thieves that might make it to the entrance of the treasury.

Once inside, they began to help themselves to the gold an jewels. Well, Sierra and Lyle were doing that, Jacob was standing uncomfortable off to the side. And Sasha was dusting off the shelves, as if looking for something in particular. Soon, she found it, and let out a squeal of delight.

"The legendary map! It is said to have a magic in it that will enable anyone who holds it to see Filgaia just as it is now, and the map always changes as the planet does. Even though it's over two millennia old, this map will show us the current state of the world!" she exclaimed. Everyone quickly gathered around. They took one look at the map, and saw it was just as Sasha had said. The villages each had come from were there, as opposed to those that existed in the days where this kingdom was a center of magic throughout the whole world. All of them were amazed at the magic in the map.

Suddenly, a voice rang out, "What a foolish treasure you four have found, that thing can't be of much use. Just another useless trinket, when mapmakers are always fixing what is changing on the planet. And they can confirm it too, not like that thing which must rely on guesses. But I thank you for opening the door for the two of us, now we don't have to fight the Guardian. Not that Robert and I couldn't have taken care of something that weak, it just makes our lives easier."

In came a woman of about twenty-three. She had on an orchid dress with a blue scarf being worn around her waist like a belt. A blue ascot was on her neck, and a blue bow in her short orange hair. Deep blue eyes were on her face, an golden belts were around her leather boots and gloves. The ARM in her hand had three barrels, which could rotate to get an advantage horizontally or vertically.

With her came a young man who couldn't be more than twenty-five. Silver hair framed his face, and light brown eyes accented it. He had a green short sleeved shirt and black pants. Leather boots and gloves were part of his outfit, just like the girl, and a red bandana was around his neck. An ax was in his hand, and he appeared to be one who knew how to use it.

Sierra's blood boiled as she stared them down. "Selene Veraline and Robert Yerrian. So we meet once again after all this time. Remember how badly I beat you up on our last meeting?"


"Sierra Kenju," mused the woman called Selene, "My old arch nemesis. I guess I can finally get my payback for all of the humiliation I have suffered at your hands in the past. Get ready to fight, and this time I'm not going to lose. You'll be another victim to the Trinity 749A8, my triple shotgun."

"Yeah right, like I'm going to lose to that mess of an ARM. I know you just glued three separate ARMs together, the workmanship is so shoddy," Sierra replied. With that, she spied something laying at her feet. It was a Rifle, an ARM with great accuracy due to a scope on its side. She would probably not even have to bother waiting for her Lock On to activate. Especially since Selene had trouble with the evasion aspect of combat, only the physical power that came with it.

Selene yelled, "You're lose tongue has done you in this time. Let's go kill her Robert." With that, the two of them began to charge once more, ready for battle with our heroes.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

And Lufia's making a copy of this map that Sasha found. If anyone wants I can scan it in for you. It make it easier for me to describe locations, should I need to go back to them. I like the way she did the golden borders, with symbols of the four High Guardians at each corner.