Naratamoth: Finding the Guardian
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or the 'Beings' just my idea and this world.
This is in a place called Naratamoth. Naratamoth is a country off the coast of the main land that consists of eleven smaller regions. There are the four Royal regions: Rarhan, Natria, Forsath and Arleim. Together, they govern this country. But, in the MainLands, trouble is brewing. Dark forces are being summoned and wiping out hope of the 'Beings'. The great spirits in the forms of Beasts that are believed protect the land. A warrior from the small village of 'Dragahn' worshipers, has no idea of the destiny chosen for him. It will be his duty to bring back the 'Beings' and to save not only his world, but also those parallel and far from his very own.
Chapter 1: The Chosen Two
Takao ran to the boy. But every step he took, the further away the shadow went. There were two others with him, all of them being called to the other in the light. This dream had been going on for days now. Someone was calling him; Takao tried to run, as hard as he could. But he could never make it.
"Help, Dragahn warrior! Help is needed!" the voice cried again.
That was all it said. Called for help, but he never could do anything.
The other person was only a silhouette. Surrounded by powerful light and magic, Takao never could see who it was. The voice was too distressed to tell whether it was male or female and the curled up shadow of the other gave away nothing.
"Help, Dragahn warrior! Help-"
"Takao! Wake up you sack'a bones!" someone screamed into his ear.
Takao sprang from his bearskin bed, alert and rigid. An apprentice warrior stood before him, Daichi, his red-hair like fire in the morning sun.
"You shouldn't talk to your superiors like that, Daichi," Takao hissed angrily, pointing out the fact that he was a warrior while Daichi was still an apprentice.
Daichi snorted, "Well, Takao, it was all a mistake that you were made warrior. Your mentor was blind-"
"What'd you say?" Takao cried. He was used to getting disrespect form the apprentice, but to insult his mentor!
Takao reached for his sword, Dragoon.
Daichi stiffened at Takao's movement and realization of what he had just said, "I-I'm sorry T-Takao," he mumbled as he backed out of the hut. Takao sighed and relaxed. He had been waking up so exhausted lately, everyone just thought he was a lazy slacker, but it had something to do with his dreams. Who was calling to him?
"Takao?" he heard a stifled giggle. Turning around, he saw Hiromi had walked into his hut. To him, Hiromi was the most beautiful girl in their little tribe of Dragahn worshipers, in the world really. And, they had become far closer than anyone could've guessed. His mind would've gone back to their first kiss, but there were more important matters at state.
"AH! Why Don't You Tell A Guy Before You Come In!" he cried, pulling his bearskin cover over his naked body, "At Least Give Me Warning To Put My Tunic On!"
She turned around, blushing, "Hurry up," she said quietly, "the Shaman want's to speak with you."
Takao had gotten his navy blue tunic on and the two of them were on their way to the woods, where the shaman had her hut. Takao, personally, didn't really like the Shaman. He thought of her as a dirty, mad old hag who put images into the minds of children with her magic to keep them from going near her. Though, it wasn't usual for a Shaman to be loved by all.
They approached her hut, old, rotting signs and skulls leading them. The strange aroma of her incense drifted past them. They came up to her hut; it was in a clearing surrounded by spells and charms to ward away demons and dark spirits. There was a ring of perfectly smoothed stones that surrounded a blazing fire. The old hag was tending to the flames as they arrived.
She was small and bent over, like some sort of humpback. Her gray hair was wild and unruly, held up in unnatural spikes by twigs and sticks. She wore a big, brown bearskin, with deerskin clothing underneath. Her home was made of animal skins and furs, well insulated to keep it warm and humid within. Her eyes were big and gray, and stuck out of her gnarled face like two large toadstools. Her face was lean and strangely shaped, as if all fat in her face had melted away and her skin had taken shape of her skull.
Hiromi grabbed onto Takao's arm in panic as the old lady cackled and danced towards them, her twig-thin limbs flailing about in a strange manor.
"He he! 'Ello, youngin's! Look, look! Takao the lazy blob has come! Come, come he has! Now, into the home, into the shaman's home now!" she cried, ushering them inside her home. Incense overwhelmed their noses, causing their eyes to water. She hopped around and came to rest on a stump set out for seating. Takao and Hiromi took their places opposite her, on the ground.
"So, why'd you want me to come?" Takao asked angrily, he didn't like being in the humid, dark space with this freak-woman and no weapon. He had left dragoon in his hut, Hiromi had convinced him not to bring it.
"Takao the lazy blob! Nikaka brings you here because she wants to know why he so lazy?" she replied, talking in her strange tone of third person.
"Lazy? I'm just tired," Takao shrugged.
"Why? Why is Lazybones so tired when all warriors have had no fights nor anything to worry about?" she asked, leaning forwards.
Takao bit his lower lip, should he tell her about his dream? He wasn't sure if it was right to tell her, Shaman always were given the signs that something was about to happen, not warriors.
"Girlie, leave now. Nikaka no need you," the shaman said. Hiromi nodded and stood up, bowed, and left.
"Lazybones can tell Nikaka anything. Nikaka trustable," she said.
"It-it's nothing. Nothing at all. I'll be over it soon!" Takao said, he stood up to leave.
"No!" Nikaka suddenly shrieked, "Nikaka has not seen anything for many, many moons! You have seen something! Nikaka know it! She knows!"
Takao turned and ran as hard as he could. The old hag was left screaming and dancing around her hut. The warrior ran as fast as he could, to where, he didn't know. He tripped and stumbled over roots and was hit by branches.
WHY? Why am I running? She posed no threat to me! Am I… am I scared… scared that I had a vision when she didn't? No. I'm a warrior. I don't get scared. He thought angrily.
Takao came to a stop on one of the many hills surrounding his tribe. He panted for breath, hands on his knees. He looked around at the scenery. The green hills rolling on and on, mountains to the west. Forest spread even further than the hills. This was an untamed land, as it was meant to be.
A horn suddenly sounded in the distance, whirling around, Takao came to find a company of Arleim, headed for their tribe! From his position, he couldn't tell if they came for battle or for peace. He turned on his heels and ran through the woods, back to the tribe.
He didn't quite run the whole way back. He rolled most of the way.
As Takao shot through the woods, trying to avoid the shaman's clearing, he tripped on an outcropped root and fell forwards; he rolled most of the way down the hill. Tumbling head-over-heel.
"WaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" he screamed as he narrowly missed trees. He ran over a few rocks, cutting his back and his legs, but besides that, he was pretty much fine. He came to a stop at the base of the hill and ran as fast as he could to the tribe.
Takao came bursting into the center of the village, light-headed with exhaustion and fatigue. He caught his breath for a moment and opened his mouth to call out the announcement.
"You messengers… are a little slow aren't they?" a deep voice suddenly laughed.
"Help, Dragahn warrior. Help is needed."
"Wait! Who are you! Let me help you!"
"Help Dragahn warrior. Help is needed."
"Come back!"
"Come…"
"Come Back!" Takao screamed. He bolted upright… in his hut. He shivered slightly; realizing someone had undressed and lain him in his bedding.
"Oh, don't worry. I wasn't gone that long," a cheery voice, not the one he had heard before passing out, but a lighter and more friendly voice, said.
Takao looked over and saw a young healer coming in through the deerskin flap he had for a door. The healer was dressed in a large-far to large for him- brown robe tied at the waist with rope. He wore sandals on his feet. (Not the sandals we wear nowadays, but the ones that have string that goes between your toes and a slight platform on the bottom. There's also two strings that crisscross over his foot to look like an 'X' and they're closer to his ankle)
He seemed smaller than all the healers that Takao had seen before, though he actually hadn't seen many. His hands were small, as were his feet, but he actually, from his size, seemed to be about Takao's age.
"You- you're an apprentice?" Takao said aloud.
He nodded from under his large hood. With a chuckle, the apprentice healer pulled back the hood, revealing bright blue eyes and long, blonde hair. His face was tattooed with freckles and a kitten-like grin.
"You gave quite some effort, trying to make it back before us. Fortunately, we came only to discuss important matters, not fight. Warrior of Dragahn," he smiled.
The words from his dream came back to Takao suddenly.
"Help, Dragahn warrior…""D-did you?" Takao gestured to his bed.
The boy nodded, "Yeah. I brought you in here after you fainted. By the way, my name's Makor!" he grinned widely, "nice t' meet'cha… uh…"
Takao nodded, "Takao. My name's Takao."
Makor nodded, his cerulean blue eyes glittering brightly in the evening sun.
"Oh! Here's your tunic. I had it washed and mended after your trip through the hills," he said with a slight chuckle.
Takao accepted it gratefully, "Thank you," he said humbly.
As soon as he was dressed, Takao noticed some out of place furs in the corner. Makor noticed his gaze.
"Yeah, uh, I guess I'm going to be bunking with you while we're here."
"Not to be rude or anything, but, how long will that be?" Takao asked.
"I don't know. A few days at the least," Makor said quietly.
Takao woke early that morning. He was breathing hard, once again; he had had that dream. Why did it keep coming back to haunt him? He heard a stifled moan and looked over to see Makor tossing and turning in a way that could only mean the healer was having some sort of nightmare. Makor's yellow lochs of hair stuck to his forehead in a cold sweat that bathed the apprentice healer's body. Takao suddenly found the movement in his limbs and shook Makor awake.
It had been a few days now, since the arrival of the Ariel Company. Makor and Takao had bonded as good friends; both were saddened though, knowing they would be parted soon.
"Ma-Makor! Are you alright?" Takao asked.
Makor blinked stupidly a few times over, remembering where he was, then nodded quietly.
"I-I was having the weirdest dream. There was this… this other being calling me. I can't say if it was a boy or girl, I could only see the silhouette of them, but there were two others with me. I… I think one of them was you," Makor said in a voice that was below a whisper.
Takao's eyes widened. He couldn't deny the fact that his dream was just a simple tale now. Makor had had the same dream! It couldn't be coincidence! Someone was calling them!
"Yeah, well, that's kind weird," he said quietly.
The two of them dressed and went out into the brisk, foggy morning. A chilly wind whistled by and Makor shivered, though, being from the north it was strange, but they didn't have wind chills in Arleim.
Takao smiled, "Dragahn speaks this morning. I wonder what he's saying?"
Thou hast been chosen. Follow my voice…Takao blinked and looked to Makor, "Did you… say that?"
Makor looked up from inside his large robe, "N-no. I thought you did."
Come…"Takao! Makor!" Daichi came screaming up to them, digging in his heels at the last moment and stopping right before them.
"What?" Takao snapped angrily.
"I think the Arleim guys are leaving! I saw some of them packing up their stuff!" Daichi cried back worriedly.
Makor nodded, "That's right. We still need to move along to Forsath and visit the lord there. He is in the most potential danger, from the Mainland at least."
Takao turned to Makor, "W-why did you even come? What's so important?"
Makor looked into Takao's dark blue eyes, "Trouble. The mainland has been filled with dark magic and sorcery lately. It traveled through the water to us, by ways of the Being D'ceila. We must warn all of Naratamoth, for Dark Beings are coming soon. We are sure of that. The Guardian must be awakened, but he is in the MainLand. We have come to gather the greatest warriors in each land to help us bring him to save us. Though… rumor has it that the Guardian knows of this and is calling to his chosen ones…" Makor trailed off, Takao knew he was talking about his dream.
Me? One of the Guardian's chosen ones? Impossible!"Wait… I thought the story of a mortal protecting the Beings was just a legend. Are you telling me it's for real?" Daichi cried.
Takao looked down to the apprentice and with his look, the younger boy immediately quieted.
Makor nodded and continued, "The Guardian, rumor has it, has chosen his own warriors. I've heard that only the Guardians chosen ones can awaken him… and that they're blessed by the Beings themselves."
Takao fingered Dragoon's handle, feeling the familiar comfort of his blade against the strange things Makor was telling them.
"And then again, what if the Guardian doesn't even exist? Then all our efforts will have been in vain and we will have to fight this dark sorcery on our own… Naratamoth has no sorcerers…"
"What? But how do you fight magic without magic?"
"It was something that we never needed before, we had all the peace we needed. Now that... that we do need a sorcerer, there's no one in Naratamoth that can help…"
"Makor! Takao! Daichi! Come quick!" Hiromi cried. The three boys turned and ran in her direction.
"What?" Takao and Daichi cried in chorus.
Makor had a strangely distant look in his eyes.
"The shaman has Seen something! She's request that you two, "she pointed to Makor and Takao, "go to her immediately."
"What? Then why'd you call me over here?" Daichi huffed.
Hiromi smiled, "I need a scout with me while I go do some laundry in the creek."
"Take care you two!" she laughed as she dragged Daichi off with her.
Takao placed a hand reassuringly on Makor's shoulder, "Well, should we go?" he smiled.
Makor blinked and looked at him, "Yeah. I'm coming," he muttered quietly.
Takao, oblivious to the sudden change in his friend, continued along, for once bursting with energy. Makor followed at a slower pace.
Takao's sudden energy bust decreased the closer they came to the shaman's hut. Soon he was walking alongside Makor; both encased in an eerie silence.
The shaman was waiting in her hut when they arrived.
"Hello, hello, Nikaka so happy to sees you!"
"What do you want this time?" Takao asked nervously, his fear of the last encounter with the shaman coming back.
"Nikaka has seen him, yes, the Guardian comes!"
"Here? He's coming here?" Makor echoed loudly, seemingly caught up in the Shaman's words.
"No! Not at all, stupid," Nikaka hissed rather rudely, "he is comes to his Chosen Ones. Nikaka believe one of you two lazy bones be chosen! You see him in your sleep, no?"
Makor nodded frantically, "Yes! That's it! That's who it was in my dream, Takao! I've seen him!" Makor rounded around to face Takao with a look of ecstatic bewilderment in his eyes.
Takao found his friend's easy-going feelings towards the Shaman relax him, he opened his mouth to speak, but Nikaka began talking again.
"Yes! You are the first to be found. He says to Nikaka 'I have chosen my warriors' yes he has! He has! Now you," she pointed a bone-thin finger at Makor, "you musts find the others! Must, must, must!" she cried before, arms flailing, she fled into her tent.
Despite the Shaman's strange exit, Makor was still smiling, "I am a Chosen One, of the Guardian!" he cried, "Takao, you have no idea what this means! Come on, tell me what you think!"
"I… I… I need to think by myself for a while now, Makor, sorry," Takao brushed past Makor and proceeded up into the hills. Makor nearly slapped himself for being so stupid; of course Takao would be jealous! Why had he gone and rubbed this new fact in his friend's face?
It was near nightfall when Takao returned. He found Makor sitting in his hut, with his bags packed up. The once-energetic face of the blonde was now stern, with his lips set straight.
"I-I'm so sorry, about what I said earlier. I shouldn't have waved that in your face, Takao. Please accept my humble apology," Makor stood and held out his hand.
Takao stared at his friend. He had never known someone so humble… or to act like this so quickly. Makor was a true friend.
A smile appeared on his face, "Thanks, Makor." He shook hands with the young apprentice healer.
Makor nodded to his bags, "I'm going to find the others. So I guess I should leave soon."
Takao smirked, "You mean other, I've been… I've… I've had that dream and I've been seeing him too!" he finally admitted, feeling somewhat stupid.
Makor's eyes lit up, "Oh Takao! How come you never told me? Why didn't you say anything to the shaman? This is so great!" he flung his arms around the warrior.
Without another word, both quickly set to packing Takao's things. He tried to pack the least possible, carrying the clothes he had on him, and Dragoon. He took his chain-mail shirt for protection and a ring Hiromi had given him when they were younger. Once done, he took his flask and put some dried meat into his side bag, he would be able to get more food on the way. Takao tied his bag of coins to his belt and set out for the creek, to get some water.
Hiromi came to him when he had arrived back in the tent.
"Takao! Where are you going? Why didn't you tell me anything?" she cried, still unaware of his dream.
"Hiromi… I have to go. Makor and I must go alone, for the sake of Naratamoth itself, please understand," he said quietly, doing his best to be gentle.
Hiromi's ruby eyes lit up with unspilt tears, "But I don't want you to go! You can't leave!"
Takao wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a gentle embrace. She cried for a few minutes before pulling back, straightening up, she kissed him passionately upon the lips.
Takao rested his forehead against hers once they had broken apart, "Goodbye, Hiromi. I'll always love you," he whispered quietly, then followed Makor out of the hut.
Hiromi remained, crying.
"We'd best use some horses for travel. It'll go faster that way," Makor explained. They headed to the somewhat packed Arleim Company.
The stopped right outside the ambassador's tent, Makor looked to Takao, "Should we tell him why we need horses?"
Takao shook his head, "No, I don't think so. But it should be horse, not horses. I don't know how to ride," he admitted guiltily.
Makor nodded and then walked into the tent.
The ambassador was a large, burly northern man. He had white skin and a large, black beard the hung over his face. His robes were elegant and purple, the colors of D'ceila, the Being of Water. His eyes were hazel and narrowed, yet strangely fierce and cruel.
"Well now," he boomed in a loud voice, "our apprentice and the slow messenger have come to pay me a visit! What is on your minds, young ones?"
Takao recognized the voice from when he had passed out, trying to get to the village before the Arleim Company.
"We would like two horses, sir. We must go upon our own errand, of our business only," Makor replied firmly. Takao looked to Makor in astonishment, he had told Makor he couldn't ride!
The ambassador laughed, "Well, well, now! The lazy warrior and the killer healer want to try and help our land?" here he laughed again, "it'll be best if the two of you stay here and cause no harm!"
"So may we have to horses?" Makor asked again.
"Oh, shut-up you ignorant boy. Of course not! Now, go any play with the kids while the rest of us deal with important business," he dismissed him with a wave of his hand.
With a low growl, Makor turned and grabbed Takao, dragging him out of the tent. He marched straight towards the horse pen.
"Makor!" Takao hissed in alarm, "we can't steal the horses!"
Makor drew a dagger from under his robe and climbed over the fence. The horses, still tethered to the fence by rope, looked at him expectantly. He selected two stallions, side by side. One was a silvery blue/gray; the other was dazzling white. He cut them free and led them out; Takao unwillingly opened the paddock gate for him.
"Just sit on their back and they'll do the rest. But hold on." Makor instructed, he thrust the makeshift rope lead of the blue/gray stallion into Takao's hand. With some trouble, the two quickly mounted and Takao turned to look back at his tribe, just as the Ambassador came out of his tent.
"Hey! Thieves! Horse Stealers! Get Them!" he screamed.
"Ride, Takao! Ride, They Shan't Catch Us!" Makor cried, even louder. The sudden loud voices startled the horses and they reared up onto their hind legs, pawing the air before them with their front hooves. Takao cried out in alarm as they did this, but the horses, smart enough to understand that their riders wanted 'away', kicked off the ground with their hind feet and galloped away.
As they galloped away into the night, all that was on their minds was escape. But little did they realize, they had just taken their first step into the journey of a life time.
HOLY CRAP THAT WAS A LONG CHAPTER! Well, here's another story I randomly came up with, but I think people will enjoy it, so here it is. I doubt that the other chapters (if I happen to do more) will be this long, and many things will be explained in the upcoming chapters. Hope you enjoy, R&R please and thank-ums
Don't forget to review!
Demenior