"It was a long time ago when the Great Wars were just rumors. Your mother
and I were best friends. We traveled with her father for many years and
learned many things. Your mother was a great acolyte. She was so caring
to everything big and small. We met your father a few days in our travel
to Aldebaran. He was injured and needed help. Of course your mother was
the one to help him."
Brent sighed and continued, "They were destined to meet. After their first meeting, they kept on meeting each other by accident. It was either that or your father kept on following us." Laughing, Myria attentively listened.
"One day, your mother just decided to elope with your father. I had become his best friend by that time and I was the only one they told about their plans. Believe me I was shocked at their decision but I respected it." Brent looked down at his hands. "I missed your mother. She disappeared with your father for about a month and we never heard anything from them."
Looking at Aeron, he smiled. "Then, your mother and father came back. They begged your grandfather for forgiveness and announced that your mother was pregnant. Celebrations were made and life was happy. But suddenly the Great Wars happened." Here, Brent looked cautiously at Tier. Arching his eyebrow, Tier looked away. "It was a horrible time. Your mother gave birth to Aeron and she was kept from the war, but your father and I helped in defending our town. I developed a greater relationship with your father fighting as his comrade.
"Then one day, your father and mother seemed to have changed. They stopped talking to me about their secrets. They kept something from me and no matter how much I begged it from them, they never let on as to what it was. The Great War waged on for another two years and they seemed to disappear off to some unknown place. The elders said that they were needed somewhere else. That they had duties to their country."
Tier cleared his throat and Brent once again gave him a look. "The Great War ended abruptly a few months after the third year into the war. Everyone celebrated but your mother and father couldn't come back to the city until a year after that. You were then born Myria."
Smiling at Myria, he continued, "I then moved off to live in Izlude. Ever since then, I've been writing to your mother and father. That was...until that dreadful fire. I tried to find news of them. I did! But they seemed to have disappeared. All I know is that the two of you had gone off to live with your grandmother."
"Why didn't you come see us?" asked Aeron.
"I couldn't. I couldn't take the time off from looking for your parents. When I saw Myria in Ant Hell, I knew that she was your mother's daughter. I tested Myria in the dungeon and she acted just as her mother would." Standing up to stretch, Brent looked down at Myria. "You are the splitting image of your mother. She said once in her letter that she loved the two of you and no matter what happens, she'll always look after you. You know that right?"
The two siblings looked at each other. Myria's eyes were beginning to turn red while Aeron had a rigid look as if he was trying to contain himself. "She left us! How can she take care of us now?" Aeron stood up and shook his head. Storming away, he muttered under his breath.
"Don't mind him." Myria looked at his brother and sighed. "Please continue."
"Your father wrote to me a few months after the fire. They said that they had some things to do. I was so relieved that they weren't dead. I wanted to tell you, but in the letter, your father cautioned me that you were not to know. Not yet."
"Why?" eagerly Myria leaned towards the merchant.
"Another Great War might occur. The enemy forces start to build up their weapon supplies. The government is collaborating with Kafra Corp to build machines that can counteract the enemy's weapons. All blacksmiths are called to help out. Your father and mother are somehow involved in this whole affair."
Tier looked off into the distance. He nodded slightly when he heard that there might be another war. There were many signs pointing to this. "It's getting late. Let us go back to the inn and rest. Let Myria and Aeron absorb all this."
Brent nodded in agreement and took down his stall. Soyee helped out while Nallia went to get Aeron. Tier watched Myria stare at the glowing moon and started towards her. "You okay?"
Smiling Myria nodded. "I'll find them. I'll find them and help them in whatever they're doing."
Tier watched as the girl repeated this. He placed an arm around her and softly whispered, "You'll find them. You will." Looking up at Tier, Myria felt tears slip down her cheeks and Tier gently wiped them away. Myria placed her head in the crook of his arm and said, "I miss them so much." Tier sighed and softly stroked the back of her head, combing the loose strands of hair away from her face. "I know."
The next morning, Myria awoke to a beautiful day. She didn't remember walking back to the inn nor getting into bed. Curiously looking around the room, she noticed her Poring snoring loudly. Smiling, Myria walked towards the Poring and stroked it gently on its head. The Poring awoke and yawned. Opening it's mouth, it seemed to beg for food. Taking out an extra bottle of apple juice, Myria fed the Poring and went to change her clothes.
Donning a fresh set of mage's robes, Myria carried her Poring down the steps and met her companions at the inn's table. Sitting down, she exclaimed at the wide variety of food that Brent offered them.
"Good morning, Sleepy Head." Aeron smiled and gently nudged Myria as she sat down between him and Tier.
"Good morning, yourself. By the way, how did I get to my room?" Myria asked as she reached for a glass of orange juice.
Smiling, Soyee timidly looked up. "Tier carried you to your room. He was quite gentlemanly about it."
Blushing Myria drank down the rest of her orange juice. Looking at Tier she mumbled softly, "Thanks."
Tier didn't even look at her as he said, "Don't worry about it."
The group finished the meal and hurriedly paid their fees. Walking out in the morning light, Myria smiled with happiness. Turning towards Brent she asked, "What did my dad work as?"
Caught off guard, Brent stumbled a bit. Pulling his cart behind him, Brent shook his head. "You're father never really told us what job he worked as."
Curious, Aeron asked, "How could you not know?"
"Well, first of all, your father never really liked wearing the traditional costume of the different classes. We always saw him wear different clothing all the time. He would always follow the fashion trends." Smiling Brent adjusts his new red bandana. "I never knew saw him wear anything twice."
Aeron thought hard about his early years as a child. He remembered how his father and mother would fight over his dad's job. About how dangerous it was. What did he work as? Over time, his father told them that he had retired, that he had quit his job to protect the family. To spend more time with him.
Myria watched as Aeron walked slowly beside her. A frown was starting to etch itself on his face. Realizing that Aeron must be thing about their father, Myria prodded him lightly, "What is it?"
Aeron looked at her in surprise. "Nothing. Just nothing."
Myria shook her head and looked at her brother sideways. Finally giving up, she walked up to Tier and touched him gently, "So now what are we going to do?"
Tier was deep in thought. Smiling softly at Myria he shook his head and said, "I'm not quite sure. It seems to me that this oncoming war will be quite dangerous. We need to know the plans of the enemy. We must prepare."
Contemplating on this, Myria nodded. Nallia suddenly stopped walking and pointed to the west. "Look! There's smoke coming from Izlude!"
Immediately the whole group turned to see the large billow of smoke rising from the city walls. Aeron was totally shocked; he stood with his mouth open watching the city's people running out of the gates.
"Come on! Let's go help them!" Brent ran with great speed towards the fallen town. Fire spread through the different stalls and different buildings and built up strength. The Swordsman's guild was set on fire and many swordsmen were trying to put it out. A young man was being carried by three older men, trying to get him away from the dangerous flames. All over the city, chaos issued.
The group tried to help carry the wounded and stop the fire from spreading. Soyee set up a small first aid station with the other available acolytes and started healing those that were unconscious and needed healing. Myria and Tier used their magic to stop the fire from spreading to the remaining buildings and Nallia sent her falcon to get help. Brent took bottle after bottle of red potion to the wounded and helped with the wreckage while Aeron joined the other guildsman in drenching the fire with water nearby.
After the fire was stopped, the whole group turned to look at the castle. Throughout the whole ordeal, no guards had helped the city. No one from the castle had come to aid the citizens of Izlude. Feeling completely angry, Aeron stormed towards the castle gates. The usual guard was missing from his post and the gates stood open.
A sound silence came from within the castle. As the day was coming to an end, the group could not see as well in the dark as they would have other wise. Myria and Tier set up magical flames which followed them and lighted the way. Concentrating on keeping his anger in check, Aeron led the rest of the group deep into the castle.
Within the throne room, they saw something that Aeron could never forget. The king seemed to be missing and the whole room had a stench which filled the noses of those who walked within three feet of the throne room. Opening the gates, Aeron and the rest of the band was greeted with a mass of corpses — all belonging to the castle guards.
Brent sighed and continued, "They were destined to meet. After their first meeting, they kept on meeting each other by accident. It was either that or your father kept on following us." Laughing, Myria attentively listened.
"One day, your mother just decided to elope with your father. I had become his best friend by that time and I was the only one they told about their plans. Believe me I was shocked at their decision but I respected it." Brent looked down at his hands. "I missed your mother. She disappeared with your father for about a month and we never heard anything from them."
Looking at Aeron, he smiled. "Then, your mother and father came back. They begged your grandfather for forgiveness and announced that your mother was pregnant. Celebrations were made and life was happy. But suddenly the Great Wars happened." Here, Brent looked cautiously at Tier. Arching his eyebrow, Tier looked away. "It was a horrible time. Your mother gave birth to Aeron and she was kept from the war, but your father and I helped in defending our town. I developed a greater relationship with your father fighting as his comrade.
"Then one day, your father and mother seemed to have changed. They stopped talking to me about their secrets. They kept something from me and no matter how much I begged it from them, they never let on as to what it was. The Great War waged on for another two years and they seemed to disappear off to some unknown place. The elders said that they were needed somewhere else. That they had duties to their country."
Tier cleared his throat and Brent once again gave him a look. "The Great War ended abruptly a few months after the third year into the war. Everyone celebrated but your mother and father couldn't come back to the city until a year after that. You were then born Myria."
Smiling at Myria, he continued, "I then moved off to live in Izlude. Ever since then, I've been writing to your mother and father. That was...until that dreadful fire. I tried to find news of them. I did! But they seemed to have disappeared. All I know is that the two of you had gone off to live with your grandmother."
"Why didn't you come see us?" asked Aeron.
"I couldn't. I couldn't take the time off from looking for your parents. When I saw Myria in Ant Hell, I knew that she was your mother's daughter. I tested Myria in the dungeon and she acted just as her mother would." Standing up to stretch, Brent looked down at Myria. "You are the splitting image of your mother. She said once in her letter that she loved the two of you and no matter what happens, she'll always look after you. You know that right?"
The two siblings looked at each other. Myria's eyes were beginning to turn red while Aeron had a rigid look as if he was trying to contain himself. "She left us! How can she take care of us now?" Aeron stood up and shook his head. Storming away, he muttered under his breath.
"Don't mind him." Myria looked at his brother and sighed. "Please continue."
"Your father wrote to me a few months after the fire. They said that they had some things to do. I was so relieved that they weren't dead. I wanted to tell you, but in the letter, your father cautioned me that you were not to know. Not yet."
"Why?" eagerly Myria leaned towards the merchant.
"Another Great War might occur. The enemy forces start to build up their weapon supplies. The government is collaborating with Kafra Corp to build machines that can counteract the enemy's weapons. All blacksmiths are called to help out. Your father and mother are somehow involved in this whole affair."
Tier looked off into the distance. He nodded slightly when he heard that there might be another war. There were many signs pointing to this. "It's getting late. Let us go back to the inn and rest. Let Myria and Aeron absorb all this."
Brent nodded in agreement and took down his stall. Soyee helped out while Nallia went to get Aeron. Tier watched Myria stare at the glowing moon and started towards her. "You okay?"
Smiling Myria nodded. "I'll find them. I'll find them and help them in whatever they're doing."
Tier watched as the girl repeated this. He placed an arm around her and softly whispered, "You'll find them. You will." Looking up at Tier, Myria felt tears slip down her cheeks and Tier gently wiped them away. Myria placed her head in the crook of his arm and said, "I miss them so much." Tier sighed and softly stroked the back of her head, combing the loose strands of hair away from her face. "I know."
The next morning, Myria awoke to a beautiful day. She didn't remember walking back to the inn nor getting into bed. Curiously looking around the room, she noticed her Poring snoring loudly. Smiling, Myria walked towards the Poring and stroked it gently on its head. The Poring awoke and yawned. Opening it's mouth, it seemed to beg for food. Taking out an extra bottle of apple juice, Myria fed the Poring and went to change her clothes.
Donning a fresh set of mage's robes, Myria carried her Poring down the steps and met her companions at the inn's table. Sitting down, she exclaimed at the wide variety of food that Brent offered them.
"Good morning, Sleepy Head." Aeron smiled and gently nudged Myria as she sat down between him and Tier.
"Good morning, yourself. By the way, how did I get to my room?" Myria asked as she reached for a glass of orange juice.
Smiling, Soyee timidly looked up. "Tier carried you to your room. He was quite gentlemanly about it."
Blushing Myria drank down the rest of her orange juice. Looking at Tier she mumbled softly, "Thanks."
Tier didn't even look at her as he said, "Don't worry about it."
The group finished the meal and hurriedly paid their fees. Walking out in the morning light, Myria smiled with happiness. Turning towards Brent she asked, "What did my dad work as?"
Caught off guard, Brent stumbled a bit. Pulling his cart behind him, Brent shook his head. "You're father never really told us what job he worked as."
Curious, Aeron asked, "How could you not know?"
"Well, first of all, your father never really liked wearing the traditional costume of the different classes. We always saw him wear different clothing all the time. He would always follow the fashion trends." Smiling Brent adjusts his new red bandana. "I never knew saw him wear anything twice."
Aeron thought hard about his early years as a child. He remembered how his father and mother would fight over his dad's job. About how dangerous it was. What did he work as? Over time, his father told them that he had retired, that he had quit his job to protect the family. To spend more time with him.
Myria watched as Aeron walked slowly beside her. A frown was starting to etch itself on his face. Realizing that Aeron must be thing about their father, Myria prodded him lightly, "What is it?"
Aeron looked at her in surprise. "Nothing. Just nothing."
Myria shook her head and looked at her brother sideways. Finally giving up, she walked up to Tier and touched him gently, "So now what are we going to do?"
Tier was deep in thought. Smiling softly at Myria he shook his head and said, "I'm not quite sure. It seems to me that this oncoming war will be quite dangerous. We need to know the plans of the enemy. We must prepare."
Contemplating on this, Myria nodded. Nallia suddenly stopped walking and pointed to the west. "Look! There's smoke coming from Izlude!"
Immediately the whole group turned to see the large billow of smoke rising from the city walls. Aeron was totally shocked; he stood with his mouth open watching the city's people running out of the gates.
"Come on! Let's go help them!" Brent ran with great speed towards the fallen town. Fire spread through the different stalls and different buildings and built up strength. The Swordsman's guild was set on fire and many swordsmen were trying to put it out. A young man was being carried by three older men, trying to get him away from the dangerous flames. All over the city, chaos issued.
The group tried to help carry the wounded and stop the fire from spreading. Soyee set up a small first aid station with the other available acolytes and started healing those that were unconscious and needed healing. Myria and Tier used their magic to stop the fire from spreading to the remaining buildings and Nallia sent her falcon to get help. Brent took bottle after bottle of red potion to the wounded and helped with the wreckage while Aeron joined the other guildsman in drenching the fire with water nearby.
After the fire was stopped, the whole group turned to look at the castle. Throughout the whole ordeal, no guards had helped the city. No one from the castle had come to aid the citizens of Izlude. Feeling completely angry, Aeron stormed towards the castle gates. The usual guard was missing from his post and the gates stood open.
A sound silence came from within the castle. As the day was coming to an end, the group could not see as well in the dark as they would have other wise. Myria and Tier set up magical flames which followed them and lighted the way. Concentrating on keeping his anger in check, Aeron led the rest of the group deep into the castle.
Within the throne room, they saw something that Aeron could never forget. The king seemed to be missing and the whole room had a stench which filled the noses of those who walked within three feet of the throne room. Opening the gates, Aeron and the rest of the band was greeted with a mass of corpses — all belonging to the castle guards.