Lunarian: Welcome to my tale.

A Hero's Journey

Chapter One- Preparations

It was an average day as most in the town of Aliahan. The towns folk were going about their daily buisness as usual, and vendors selling their wares to all of the wayfarers traveling through the town. It is not an uncommon site for adventuring Soldiers, Pilgrims, Wizards, Fighters, Merchants, and Goof-offs to be going through the town. What brings more then your average amount of travelers to this town aside from the castle with the king, is the famous eatery Luisa's place.

Luisa's place, that famous gathering place for the brave and the bold. There is always a large amount of wayfarers attending to this eatery, and not just for the service. Aye though, the ale is quite good, but it is the atmosphere which draws in the crowds. Always full of hearty warriors, novice newbies, and veteran combatants, this establishment has always been the hangout for travelers. Whether to just have a crowd to share your tales or to find fellow's to form a fellowship, Luisa's has served its purpose time and again.

With all of the great warriors, showing off their skills and boasting of fantastic deeds performed, the eatery is the favorite haunt of the younger generation. Particularly so for young Hiro, son of that great valiant hero Ortega whose bravery is known all over. Today is the day before his sixteenth birthday, the day his mother will allow him audience with the king and to seek his own adventure to become a hero in his fathers footsteps.

He is celebrating his last day of childhood with his closest friends and allies. There is Ranma the fighter, a truer friend and better fighter you'll find no where. Syaoran the wizard, great with magical theory and spells, only needs to get out in the world to really learn some magic through experience. Finally Bellandy the pilgrim, steadfast and a wonderful healer. Long ago they had all agreed to venture out together into the world to seek their fortune when the time came.

Now in only one short day their wait will be over and they can finally get started, but before that they are spending one last day in relaxation just hanging out by the ol' well next to the weapon shop. Sitting on the edge of the well, Bellandy comments, "Can you believe we are finally going to go out in the world? It feels like we have been in this town for ages now, since we chose our professions."

"I know what ya mean Bell, sparrin with each other just doesn't seem to improve ourselves as fightin' monsters, accordin ta the local gossip", replied Ranma with a frustrated expression. " "I can't wait to test out my blaze spell on some monsters", Syaoran said eagerly. "And I'll just bet I'm going to get a whole lotta practice with my heal spell patching up all your wounds, honestly sometimes you guys are too eager to get in a fight", said Bellandy.

Ranma, noticing Hiro hasn't said much lately looks up at him and see's he is looking off into the distance with unfocussed eyes, "Hey Hiro? You in there bud?". Not getting an answer he whispers to the others, "Hey guys, Hiro is spaced out again. Probably dreaming of battling dragons and stuff. Let's wake him up with a lil' water eh?", says Ranma with a mischevious glint to his blue eyes.

They each nod with a grin and gather some well water in a scoop, then slowly sneak up behind Hiro. Then suddenly they all chucked it at his unsuspecting back, illiciting his first input to the conversation, "Aaaaaaagh", not very profound. "What the hell?", still not too intelligent. Finally Hiro turns around and see's his three friends on the ground laughing their asses off. "Damn it all you guys, I'll get you back for that", he said with an evil eye.

Ranma is the first to stop laughing and jumps up to pat Hiro on the back, "Hey hey now Hiro, we just joking around ya'know? No need to get mad, sorry man", said with an apolegetic face. "Yeah Hiro", says Bellandy, "It was only a lil joke to get your attention, no need to take personal offense, no harm done right?" "C'mon, now's not the time for bickering, just relax", Syaoran says with a calm tone.

A little bit abashed at his strong outburst Hiro apoligizes, "Sorry guys, I'm just a little high strung today, I'm so excited for tomorrow, ya'know?" "Yea, we've been discussin that same thing for the past few minutes, but you were off in another world", Ranma said with a smirk. "Good thing we got your attention finally", he added, "by the way, ya been holdin out on us?" "What do you mean Ranma?", Hiro asked perplexed. "Well", Ranma states with a grin, "Ya jumped damn near five feet in the air just now, that's pretty good". That set them all back into laughter again.

Hiro being a little more aware this time doesn't take offense too much and dryly replies, "Ha-Ha, very funny." "Ok ok heh everyone lets stop picking on poor Hiro now", Bellandy says with a small smile. "Heh heh, right right, sure thing. Sorry again there", Syaoran says with a smile. Ranma claps his hands together loudly and proclaims, "Right then, enough of that. Hey Hiro since you're gonna be in charge, you got any idea where we should head off to tomorrow?"

Getting another faroff look to his eyes, Hiro replies, "We have to find some way to get to the other continent, maybe if we search this one enough we will find a way, but first I think heading off to check out the local gossip in Reeve should be our starting point." "Great plan, knew there was a reason your the leader, sides the son of Ortega thing", Ranma said happily. "I heard that there is a travel door connecting our continent with another somewhere to the northeast", Syaoran adds. Bellandy shaking her head says, "That's no good, I overheard a group saying that it's been sealed up." "Then all we need to do is find a way to unseal it", Ranma says optimistically.

Hiro looking back with a smile says "Alright guys, sounds like a plan. It's getting dark, I'm going to sleep. You should all get some sleep too, we gonna have a big day ahead, with many to come. " "Good idea, good night Hiro", Bellandy says. "I'm gonna practice my blaze spell a lil' more then I'll head off to sleep, night Hiro", Syaoran says. Ranma brightly says, "Night Hiro, remember man, it's sleep your going home for, not to listen to your grandpa's stories of your father", adding in a teasing manner. Hiro half heartedly swipes at Ranma while chuckling, "You.. heh right. Night guys!".

Hiro walks off to his home in the southwest corner of town, right near the town gates. Walking in through the front door, always kept open, and up the stairs to meet his mother for dinner. "Thank's for the dinner mom, it was great. Good night.", Hiro says pleasantly. Hiro's mother replies, "Good night son, get your rest for your big day tomorrow."