The Initial Impressions
"Greetings to those who braved the Demon's cave," a teenage girl welcomed them, "My name is Serena Fischer. I am one of the Defenders of the Priesthood." Jessica looked at the girl. She was about a year younger than Jessica herself with long black hair and green eyes. Her dress was a simple tan one with an orange moon and son on the skirt. Along the bottom, collar, and the edges of the sleeves ran a design of triangles with white ones pointing up and red ones pointing down. A belt in the same style was around her waist, with a leather pocketbook painted in purple with an orange flap hanging from it. Finally, she wore a pair of leather boots on her feet. The girl named Serena bowed to the two and their new pet.
From what Jessica was told before about the Defenders of the Priesthood, they were chosen by fate. Every generation a pair of twin girls was born to protect the priests of that same generation. Since the color she wore was red, that meant that she would Invoke the powers of Fire, Wind, and Darkness. Her identical twin would have blue triangles and use the powers of Water, Earth, and Light. It was done that way to create balance between the sisters and the powers if they were needed to fight for Filgaia.
"We have found the monster in the cave. I trust you know what this creature is," Jessica told the girl. Frisky walked forward and began to purr. Serena reached out her hand to pet the animal before she began winding her body around the Arcana Master in her typical playful fashion. Both teenagers giggled.
Serena said, "Sorry about that. Shane was going into the cave to look for an item his brother had left there before when he heard noises. We were worried for him and hoped that getting rid of any threat would allow him to find what Gallows lost. Thank the Guardians our hired help knew about the Golden Tigers. Else we would be trying to lift the curse. For to slay a Golden Tiger condemns you to wander the world in eternal physical pain. Also, you would be invisible to all other eyes but your own and the others who suffer the same fate. If we saw a Golden Tiger pelt just floating towards us, we'd be looking for a cure as fast as possible. But you'd still have to go through the pain in the first place so you're lucky."
Laura stepped up to the front. "You mean we're lucky Jessica knew. Not that I would have shot an animal that was licking my friend's face and purring like a housecat. My name is Laura Hammilin. I came here to finish the mission with my new associate; Jessica Enduro. I must see the High Priestess."
"Very well," Serena stated, "Come with me. High Priestess Halle and her grandson, Shane, are in the shrine. They're praying for her other grandson who left on a journey about a week ago with three friends. And he was only home about a day after his last three month trip. Oh well, that's life for you."
S...S
"So, it was a Golden Tiger in the cave. Well, I'm happy you're both ok. And the little one will be going with you. You are really fortunate. Golden Tigers bring good luck. That is why it's a sin to kill one," Halle informed the two Drifters. She wasn't fazed upon hearing Jessica's name; her introduction to the future Maxwell Gang the week before had been really informal and she only knew them by first names. It made things doubly ironic; if Jessica had mentioned her quest and the names she might have had a lead.
Jessica replied, "I know. Mother always told me about them when I was growing up. I was really interested in monsters and other beasts; wanted to know all I could. And when your mother is a priestess at Oodoryuk's Temple then you will hear a lot of interesting tales of the creatures that inhabit this planet."
At that moment, another girl came running in. She looked exactly like Serena except for the blue triangles on her clothing and the fact that she had no purse on her belt. The girl was out of breath. There was a frantic look about her eyes. Jessica could tell that this one had a kind heart and there was some sort of trouble. "Lady Halle! I found a man unconscious at the gates of the village. He needs help badly!"
S...S
"Lyla," Serena inquired, "What happened to him?" They were all in the twins' home where the girl named Lyla was using her Aqua Wisp Medium to heal the man. He couldn't be any older than the age of Jessica's two friends; Virginia and Emily. His blond hair was worn short; cut just below his ears. He had on a red shirt and blue jeans. Leather gloves were on his hands with leather boots on his feet. Those, along with his leather jacket and belt, had been taken off to make him more comfortable. Jessica was looking at the pistol he had in his holster. She had seen pistols used before; Virginia had showed her.
"Well, I don't know sister. If I did know I would be able to figure out how to help him beyond just healing his wounds. When he wakes up I will be able to get all the information you need from him," Lyla quipped back. She looked at his closed eyes; they showed signs of immense pain around the creases.
Jessica whispered, "Wow, a Destroyer RE. This is one high caliber pistol he's got here. Must come from being all alone. Unless he lost his friends. Let's say that I try this puppy out. I know how to do it from watching Ginny. Besides, if I aim at the ceiling there won't be any injuries to the people here."
As Lyla bent down to cast another Heal spell on the injured boy, Jessica fired the ARM. At that moment, out of shock, the youth woke up with a jolt. Ironically, his lips managed to knock right into those of Lyla. They turned away quickly and began blushing furiously. Jessica simply put the ARM away so she wouldn't attract any more attention to herself. Not that she hadn't gotten enough of it already now.
The boy looked at Lyla once more after his blush cleared. "Thank you for your help. My name is Vincent Maxwell. I'm traveling in search of my true identity. You see, as a baby, I was abducted from my mother and raised without knowing my real family. I always was told that I was adopted. But I recently found out what my foster father really did to me. Upon learning my true last name, I took it and began to search. However, all of this has proven futile. Has any one of you ever heard the name Maxwell before?"
"Can't say that I have," Laura replied, "I'm not a names person; unless it comes from a story that I was told as a child and it stuck with me for some reason. No need to get friendly with clients when you're a Drifter. Well, unless they're willing to buy a round of drinks and have some seriously X-rated fun later."
"Thank you for that…interesting insight Laura. Well, for me I've just begun my journey. So I don't have any clue who else has your name. But perhaps you have heard the names Elliot Enduro and/or Jet Enduro. If you have then can you please tell me? They're my long lost father and brother," Jessica said.
Vincent informed her, "No, can't say that I have. But perhaps we can help one another to look."
Laura looked at them. "I'll give you a hand as well. With my Sniper ROD66, I am invincible."
"All of you seem so determined," Lyla responded, "I want to come along as well. It could be a good idea to have a Baskar in the party with you. Let's go see the High Priestess, she might help us."
Teefa's Last Words...
The whole chapter was used to introduce our other two Drifters. They'll begin the journey in the next chapter. And yes, this is the same Vincent from "A Mother's Legacy". Just this time he finds out the truth a little sooner. His injuries will come up again later when he talks about what happened after he found out the truth and his journey. It's vital to the story if you wait on it.