There really isn't a whole lot I have to say about this chapter. I want to apologize for the late update. This weekend I had a life and I've been doing a lot of reading (Sophie's World incase you're wondering. Great book in my opinion.) Anyway, I did take a couple of days to work on my writing. In this story I tried to use more descriptive details other than sight and worked on creating mood. If you don't see any noticeable improvements in these areas please let me know.
A couple of quick announcements. First, I'm probably going to scratch the slash pair I wanted to do, which is non incestuous. The one I was thinking of would most likely piss off a lot of people. It's not my goal to offend people. However, if I get a bunch of people telling me they don't care what I do then I'll keep it. The second announcement has to do with the looming school year. Once I go back to school expect my updates to take a little longer. I don't have a lot of free time but I will make the attempt to write.
Chapter
Two:
"All
Roads Lead To Rome"
It was a busy afternoon in the bustling village of Arbor. Street vendors were selling various products to travelers, which consisted of fuzzy blankets, skunk scented love potions, and overpriced weapons. In front of a tavern a fortuneteller wearing extravagant clothes was trying to con a woman into getting her palm read.
"Madam, you must let me read your palm!" The fortuneteller spoke with a heavy accent. "A great assassin such as you is interested in the future, no?"
"Get a real job," snapped the woman. She pushed the fortuneteller aside and stormed into the tavern.
Despite the fact that it was still early the barroom was still packed. Mercenaries were discussing wages with their bosses, off duty knights were having a few drinks while trading war stories, and the usual of crowd of St. Elimine zealots were telling people to repent their sins. The woman shook head in disgust causing her long, black hair to tremble. Today she did not want to be bothered.
After maneuvering herself around a wasted cavalier she found a comfortable seat at the bar. The woman sat there and waited for the bartender. She needed her favorite drink because of what happened to her at last week's job.
"Ah, Suzie my dear!" greeted the bartender "How are you?"
The woman sheathed her sword and breathed a sigh of relief. She was startled by the bartender's sudden greeting. "Gods, John! How many times have I told you not to do that? One of these days I'm gonna kill you."
"You say that all the time." The bartender smiled. "Let me guess the usual."
"Yes and by the way, why does your breath reek of rotten eggs? Have you been trying to make your own brew again?"
"Well…yeah." His face reddened. "Obviously, I still have a few kinks to work out."
"It needs some work. Now stop wasting my time and get me the damn drink!"
Suzie thought she heard John mutter something but she did not care. All she wanted was her wine and a cozy bed at the inn.
She saw John strolling back with a cup in his hand. "Here you go. One Dragon Twister made to perfection. You look really beat, so I won't charge you for it this time. Just try not to spill it on yourself. This ain't some cheap beer, ya know?"
"Oh I don't plan to." Suzie forced a smile. "Besides, I'm wearing all black. Not like it would matter anyway."
"Indeed. Have a nice day Suzie." John waved to her and continued to serve the other customers.
Suzie sat on the stool; her back to the counter. She was watching a catfight between two waitresses. It made her sad to see two women fight so weakly. As a little girl Suzie had been raised in noble family. Her father taught her that men were supposed to do all the hard work while women should have tea parties and look after the house. This vexed Suzie because she enjoyed discussing politics and sword fighting but was never allowed to participate in those activities. She was scoffed at because she did not act like a proper lady.
One night her life radically changed. It was a normal evening like any other except while she was asleep her parents had been murdered. The next morning she found their disfigured corpses lying on a couch in the foyer. It became apparent that the only reason she survived was because the killer had overlooked her. Later that morning Suzie grabbed her father's sword and left for the village of Arbor. There she would join the fabled Thief's Guild to train as an assassin. While she did not see agree with her parents about how she should act she still loved them. Someday, she would avenge her family
Suzie yawned and rubbed her eyes. She was more tired than she thought. However, the person Suzie noticed walking through the door made her feel wide awake.
Most people would not find anything special about the young boy Suzie saw. At first glance he looked a puny thief with spiky hair, piercing eyes, and a worn red cloak. However, those in the Thief's Guild and who fought in the war knew better. This was the famous orphan who gained fame for his incredible stealing talents. This was the Tornado.
"Hey Tornado," she called out to the boy. He looked confused and a bit nervous. "Yes, I'm talking to you kid. Come take this seat next to me."
"The Tornado, eh?" the boy raised an eyebrow. "You like making up random nicknames for people?"
Suzie frowned. "Look kid, the first thing you should know about me is I don't do those stupid things. I called you that because that's what most thieves call you. Do you have any idea how famous you are?"
"Me famous? All I did was a little treasure looting during the war."
"Yeah, well you were extremely good at it. Don't you find it the slightest bit remarkable that you could put yourself in the fray, grab treasure, fend off enemies, and live to tell the tale?"
The boy sighed. "I guess you could say that."
"What's your real name kid? I'm Suzie."
"I'm Chad." He shook her hand.
"Ok enough chit-chat." Suzie took on a business like expression. "I have something for you that you might be interested in. And treat my stuff nicely. I don't come by treasure like this too often."
Chad watched as Suzie slid a hand into her bag and placed to thin pieces of paper on the table.
"What are you looking at me for? Aren't you gonna read them?"
Chad lowered his head. "Um…I kind of...can't read."
Suzie gave Chad a look of disapproval. "Well, I didn't know you were stupid. How do you ever expect to get ahead in life if you can't read? You should learn sometime soon before people start saying 'The Tornado can't read'. Anyway, the paper to the left is the Fell Contract. The paper to the right is the Rogue Contract."
"What the heck do those do?"
"These are rare, magical artifacts that I acquired with great difficulty," said Suzie in a bragging tone. "If you sign the contract on the left you can become an assassin. If you sign the contract on the right you become a rogue. You can do that, can't you?"
"Yes, I can write my own name lady." Chad snapped. "I can hardly write but I'll have you know I'm quite the artist. However, that's not important now. So tell me, what is an assassin and what is rogue?
"Glad you asked!" Suzie took a large sip of her drink. "An assassin is warrior who uses a deadly combination of stealth and strength. They can sneak around in the most guarded areas unnoticed and can sometimes instantly kill an enemy. A rogue excels in stealing. If you think your skills are good now wait till you sign the Rogue contract. You'll be picking locks with your bare hands and can steal things from even the most vigilant people. There you have it. Now take your pick."
Chad made eye contact with Suzie. "Why are you doing this for me? I have a bad feeling about this."
"It's because Chad," she replied impatiently, "I have no use for these contracts. I'm already an assassin. I could sell them but I don't need the money. Instead, I decided I would let a qualified person sign one of them. Being the great Tornado makes you qualified enough in my book. Now are you going to sign a contract or not?"
"Ok, ok. I'll sign one."
"So, what do you want to be?"
"I want to be an assassin. I made a promise after the war I would quit stealing for good. Being an assassin also sounds like the perfect thing to help me save my friend."
"Good choice. That's what I am." Suzie handed Chad the quill. Although it took great effort, Chad managed to write his name. Once he signed the contract Chad felt himself engulfed in a bright light and serenaded by strange music. When the light and music faded away he noticed that his attire was similar to that of Suzie's. He also felt much stronger
The people in the pub were not expecting something like this to happen. Chad became embarrassed by all the staring faces. Rather than trying to talk his way out of the situation, he scowled and unsheathed his sword. The people in the bar saw the blade and went back to there original activities.
"I feel…great. Thanks a lot."
"My pleasure. After all, I don't want the Tornado to be a weakling."
"I have something to ask of you," Chad said. "My friend Lugh has been abducted by a cult known as the Black Mages. They're led by some weirdo named Janus and they're gonna to sacrifice him tonight. Would you happen to know where their main fortress is?"
"Janus…" Suzie said flatly. "I had to work for him once as a body guard. He might be an eccentric man but he's also very crafty. Sure, I know where his fortress is but infiltrating it and finding your friend will be no easy task. We'll go together. That way you won't be killed instantly.
"You certainly think highly of yourself," Chad muttered. "I bet I could kill you with one hand tied behind my—"
Suzie grabbed Chad by the collar. "How dare you talk about me like that. Nobody ever said the Tornado had such a big mouth. Why I would kill you her right now if I had the energy." She threw Chad to the ground.
Chad stood up while rubbing a bump on his head. "Sorry," he said trying to act like an innocent little kid. "Please help me and I promise never be mean to you again."
Suzie got off the stool and began to laugh. "That was pretty good," she said in between giggles. "I'm sure you could trick even the most hardened bandit to spare your life."
"So, will you help me rescue my friend?"
"Sure, I have a score to settle with Janus anyway. Come on, it's a bit of a hike from here."
"Suzie?" Chad grabbed her shoulder as she was leaving.
"Yes Chad?"
"I don't take kindly to other people pushing me around," he said ominously.
"I've been nothing but perfectly nice to you!" The two of them argued childishly as they set off to rescue Lugh.
While Chad was traveling with Suzie, Rei was exploring the Dark Sanctuary. He had made his way back into the room where he and his friends had encountered the Black Mages. In spite of the darkness, Rei was able to find his way around the room…kind of….
"Ouch!" Rei yelped. "I can't believe there was a random piece of wood sticking out of that stupid pew. I wish I had Lugh's torch right about now."
He continued to fumble around that first room until he came to an equally dark corridor. Step-by-step, Rei walked through the hallway. Now that he stopped bumping into to objects he was beginning to enjoy the solitude of the Dark Sanctuary. Unfortunately, he wouldn't remain alone for long.
"Who's that?" Rei looked behind him but saw the room he was in before. He shrugged his shoulders and kept going but heard the thud again. "Come out and face me you coward. I'm afraid of no one!"
Panicking slightly, Rei jogged through the rest of corridor. As he was opening a door to the next room he felt thick liquid ooze down his robes. Clutching his Nosferatu tome, Rei turned around.
An enormous attack dog stood before Rei. It had bright yellow eyes that were almost blinding, teeth sharp enough to easily render flesh, and unkempt white fur. The beast growled at its prey. It was time for lunch.
Rei stood there, transfixed. His heart pounded as he frantically searched through his Nosferatu tome for any spell that might be able to help him. It was a futile attempt. The dog began to move closer. The putrid odor of its breath was nearly overwhelming. In desperation, Rei decided he would try one spell that he had not yet mastered. This spell could not be found in any tome for it was only listed in the scrolls Niime gave to him. Despite being immensely powerful, if Rei performed the spell incorrectly darkness would claim his soul for all eternity. At least the spell gave Rei a fighting chance.
"Mmmmm…." Rei focused his energy. "NECO!"
The dog was about slit his throat when a beam of dark matter shot from Rei's hands. The beast let out a horrible scream as the blackness consumed it. When it disintegrated into nothing Rei finally relaxed. The spell had worked but at a terrible cost. The spell drained most of Rei's and he was out of vulneraries. If he were to face another monster such as that it would effortlessly kill him.
Before carrying on his journey, Rei went to pick up the peculiar item the dog left on the ground. It was glowing yellow sphere that warmed his hands. Rei squinted and faintly made out an inscription written on it.
"To the finder of this artifact." He read aloud. "If you wish to see in a room throw this sphere on the ground so it breaks. It will light your path. Be weary, for you may only use it once."
Rei slipped the ball in his bag and with great effort opened the door to the next room. Unlucky for him, the door led to a spiral staircase going upwards.
"Damn gods!" Rei panted. "What did I do to deserve this?"
Clanging on the rails Rei painfully climbed the stairs. After what felt like an eternity he reached the entrance to the next room.
"Finally." He growled in frustration. "If I find anymore beasts I'll…well I'll die here. Unless of course they want to be my new best friends. Yeah, that would be great. We could discuss philosophy and dragons." Rei realized that he was starting to get delusional. He hoped the next place would have a magic fountain or something that could heal him.
After opening the door, Rei got a glimpse of the next area and became excited. He was now standing in a great library that was overflowing with books. For a moment, Rei forgot he was tired and scampered to a table in front of him that had ancient magic texts. He tripped on a mold spell book and landed face first on the table.
"Flux!" He yelled in pain, rubbing his forehead. "Why does this always happen to me? It's too dark in this…wait a second! I have that golden thing."
Rei pulled the tiny sphere out of his bag and threw it hard on the ground. The artifact shattered and bright light instantly permeated the room. He could now see clearly and grabbed the book he tripped on. Its title read, "The Black Mage Handbook".
Rei feverishly flipped through the pages trying to find any information regarding the whereabouts of the Dark Fortress. He was determined that nearly getting killed by a magical beast, continually bumping into things, and climbing rickety stairs would not be for naught.
"Ah, here it is." Rei was reading aloud a section about gaining access to the main headquarters. "It says here that I must go in the small hole on the back of the large statue of the demoness. That must be the one right in front of me. Then I'm to wait until it has enough energy to send me into the fortress. Wow, that's easier than I expected."
Careful not to trip on anything, Rei limped to the statue of the demoness and went inside the little hole behind. He felt stupid sitting there and wondered if anything was going to happen.
"Huh what's this?" Rei looked at a tiny rectangle and the yellow color that was rising in it. "Let's see what the book says. It says here, 'the demoness must have full energy to transport a person. You can tell the current energy level by looking at the yellow paint inside the rectangle. Bare in mind, it takes awhile for her to regenerate energy, especially if she has recently been used…'"
Rei sighed. He was too tired to start cursing. This process was probably going to last until nightfall. Suddenly, an idea struck Rei. He could use this time to slowly heal himself the way Niime had taught him.
Guess the old hag was good for something, he thought. I need to be at full strength when I rescue my brother. I just hope he isn't dead by the time I get there.
And thus ends another chapter. I apologize that the last part about Rei was rushed. Writing about him exploring the Dark Sanctuary was starting to get extremely tedious for me and I wanted to end it. In my opinion, I think it's better that I rushed the ending then have kept writing something tedious for another 800 words. I don't know about you but I think it's evident when people don't enjoy what they write and not a lot of fun to read.
On a lighter note, how did you all like my original character? I tried very hard to make her realistic and flawed like all human beings. Any comments would be most appreciated. Also, did the way I start the chapter add anything to the story?
That's it until next time. Don't expect another update at least for week. Writing about the infiltration of Janus's fortress is going to take a lot of time and effort.