Chapter 2: The Journey Begins
"When is she going to be here?" Ren asked for the third time. He fidgeted with the straps that connected his newly-forged mace to his belt.
"Any minute now. Just wait a little more," Eyie replied. She looked at the two headgears she held in her hands. "Which one do you think is better for adventuring: the Kitty Band or the Biretta?"
"Whichever one you choose, you'll still look good, Eyie," he sighed. She had been changing her headgear for what seemed like forever.
She looked thoughtful. "I'll wear the Kitty Band, then."
He sighed again.
"Step right up to Souichiro's shop! All items on rush, AFK!" a blonde blacksmith called out.
Eyie looked interested. "Why don't I take a look…"
"Oh no you don't! Eyie, you've looked into almost every blacksmith shop here in Prontera! Come on, let's sit down here." Ren was getting exasperated with her.
She glared at him. "Fine, whatever! But don't ask me how to do the Angelus spell when you're finally able to learn it!" She sat down on the bench and turned her back on him angrily.
"Aw, come on, Eyie…" He tapped her on the shoulder.
She shook his hand off. "Leave me alone!"
"Eyie, I'm sorry…"
"Hey, you guys! Sorry to keep you waiting!"
The two of them turned to look at the caller. A girl with medium-length red hair tied back into a half-ponytail waved, then walked towards them. She was their friend, Raineheart Yamimoto. Actually, she was Eyie's close friend. They had gone to newbie class together and had graduated to Acolyte status at the same time. As a matter of fact, they were more like sisters than friends.
"Raine!" Eyie cried, giving her a hug. "You took a long time getting here!"
"I know," Raine laughed. "I had to pick up some stuff from my storage. Oh, and Mark-san said he'd take us to the Payon Caves today."
"Oh, good! I'll be able to get a Munak Hat!" Eyie exclaimed. "And I need some loot to sell, I'm a bit short on zenny."
"Eyie, I…" Ren began, but she ignored him. He sighed.
Raine noticed him and she whispered in his ear. "What did you do to make her angry with you?"
"I kinda yelled at her for window-shopping earlier," he whispered back glumly.
"Oh no! Ren, if you want your relationship with Eyie to last, you have to understand AND be patient with what she wants," Raine whispered.
"Okay. I'll do my best," he whispered back gratefully.
"Hey, Mark-san's here!" They turned to Eyie. There beside her was a priest with blonde hair and holding a Bible.
"The preacher is here! Now wait for the warp portal," Mark Cortés said. He took out a Blue Gemstone and set it on the ground. Holding his hand over it, he muttered a series of incantations. As Eyie, Ren, and Raine watched, the gem dissolved into a small circle of bluish light and widened until it was big enough for a person to step into its center.
Mark nodded at them. "Step inside, one at a time."
"I'll go first," Eyie said, stepping inside. As she started to fade away, Ren stepped towards the portal. Eyie looked straight at…Raine. "You go next, Raine," she managed to say before she vanished.
Ren sighed again, more sadly than before.
Raine passed him, and as she did so, she shot him a look. Try again later, it said. She stepped into the portal.
Mark looked at Ren sympathetically. "Having trouble with your girl, Ren?"
Ren nodded miserably.
Mark smiled sadly. "We're in the same boat, man. Phiy's been giving me a hard time, too." Phiy Lei was his girlfriend.
As Raine disappeared, Ren stepped in. "How can I apologize to her, Mark?"
"Try to do something that will show her you really are sorry," Mark replied. "Don't worry, man. You can do it."
Ren smiled as he shimmered into nothingness, his whole body being transported to Payon.