Well, this is it: my first fanfic! (YAY!)>
(Wipes tear from face while holding a trophy that says: "Congradulations New Author!" and says, "Thank you! I would like to thank the academy! Even though the only one I ever went to was the public school!") J/K
I hope you like the story! I know that the summary is a little cheesy, but at least I put one, right! (wink, wink) Please review! I don't care if you put flames, just be honest!
Chapter 1: The Legend
"Long ago -so long ago that, despite the many stories and fables passed down generations,not one being, monster or person, remains that knows the whole story- a powerful darkness fell over the land. This darkness, known as miasma, took the light out of everything that crossed its path. Many lives were lost to this great power…
"When there seemed to be no hope, the one substance that repelled miasma was discovered. Crystals, the source of light and all that is good, are now placed in the center of villages and cities around the world to protect the citizens that reside in them.
"Though the power of the crystals is strong, it is not everlasting. Crystals must be purified each year by myrrh.
"But…myrrh cannot be found everywhere. Myrrh can only be obtained by drawing the dew from sacred trees found only in the darkest depths of dungeons, across the most forbidding mountains, and even beyond the deepest seas.
"Caravans of up to eight people from each town the world over are sent to obtain myrrh from these trees. Each of these crystal caravans must obtain three drops of myrrh in the crystal chalice, no matter the obstacles in their way. If they succeed, the power of the crystal shall continue to keep the miasma at bay, but if they are to fail, their home, their people, their dreams, all will be lost to the miasma and its everlasting darkness.
"Now, as a new year draws ever nearer, the power of the crystal has began to wane. It is the beginning of the journey for the caravans. Crystal caravaners, let you bring us another year of hope!"
The sound of applause filled the air as Elder Haku sat down after telling the Legend of the Crystals. Elder Haku was a kind-hearted Clavat with a wrinkled old face that could make anyone smile. In his youth, he was a great warrior, but now he shares his wisdom and knowledge with the citizens of Alfitaria.
Elder Haku smiled at the sight of the happy people. Tonight was a special night, a night bidding farewell to this year's crystal caravaners. Not a single Alfitarian was at home not enjoying the festival.
Clavats, the most kind and calm of the four tribes, were everywhere, playing music and dancing; they believe in peace and cooperation. Though plump and small, Lilties used to rule the world with an iron fist, but now they live in peace with the other tribes. The Alfitarian Lilties were making the feast; there were what seemed to be miles of tables lined with all kinds of foods: barbecue, salads, fish, fruit, deserts, and many other delicacies. Dancing alongside the Clavats were the Selkies, formally looked down upon because of their tendency to steal. Like the Lilties, this tribe now lives peacefully with the others. The fourth and final tribe is that of the Yukes. When the Lilties ruled the world, this tribe kept the Lilty warriors at bay using their mastery over magic.
Suddenly, an array of colors filled the sky. Shining designs, words, and symbols hovered over the heads of the Alfitarians, lighting up their faces. Another boom of applause came from the excited crowd.The sources of these magical fireworks were the Yukes, creating different shapes and forms.
As a dragon of purple sparks soared through the air, a young Lilty girl walked up to Elder Haku. "Wow, Elder," the young girl began, her face beaming, "you always tell the greatest stories!"
"Why, thank you little girl," Elder Haku replied. "Well, why don't we go over the feast! I hear they have an incredible eight-layered cake this year! Let's go check it out."
They had only taken two steps towards the banquet table when an older Lilty female came running right at them.
"Mia! Oh, Mia!" called the lady, "You had me so worried! Thank you Elder for looking after her!"
"Oh, it's fine, Laila," said Elder. "Is this your daughter? She's so adorable."
"Yes, she is, and thank you," said Laila. Now looking at her daughter, she said ,"Mia, why don't you go over to your father?"
"Okay, Mommy!" said the little girl, skipping happily towards the feast.
"So…does she know?" asked Haku.
"No. I know she should, but I just can't get myself to tell her. Her father will tell her in the morning when she wakes up."
"Do you know who your companions are in the caravan?"
"Only Bane."
"Come. I will introduce you to the rest of them. They are at the gates."
All the time that the two were walking towards the gates, Laila was thinking of her daughter, of how she would react, and of what would happen if her mother never came back.
Arriving at the gates, Laila and Haku came upon two Clavats, two Yukes, two Selkies, and one Lilty. Laila instantly recognized the Lilty as the one called Bane, and waved.
"These two Selkies are Kratos and Ayame Ikanoru, the children of the legendary Dirk Ikanoru," said Elder Haku. The two Selkies waved. "Those two Yukes are Rouki Makoto and Dark, the black mage. Mizumi and Takashi Fujishima, the couple that run the town shop, are the two Clavats, and I believe you know Bane, son of Alfitaria's blacksmith?"
"Yes. He is my next-door neighbor and a childhood friend. Hello, everyone."
"Hi," they all said simultaneously.
Leaving Laila to talk with the others, Elder Haku went over to talk to Dark and Kratos.
"Kratos, this year I need to ask you to be the leader of the crystal caravan. Are you fine with that?" asked Elder.
"Yes, Elder. I know what I must do," replied the Selkie.
"And Dark," began Elder Haku, now turned towards the Yuke," if anything should happen to Kratos, you are to take his place. Is that clear?" Dark nodded.
"You two are the only ones who came back from last year's journey. You are the only ones who know how to fight. I am counting on you two to teach and protect the others."
They nodded and walked back to the other six crystal caravaners.
Elder Haku strolled back to the festival, thoughts of the journey of the caravaners on mind. Upon arriving at the table, he spotted a young Liltian girl and walked up to her. He asked, "So, Mia, How's the cake?"
The little girl beamed at Elder Haku, her face covered with vanilla and chocolate frosting. Haku smiled back at Mia and went to get a piece of cake himself.
"The poor girl," he thought to himself. "I really should let her father tell her tomorrow. I should let her have one more day without any worries."
The moment that Haku returned to the table, Mia asked him to tell her another story, about himself.
"Now why would you want to know what happened to an old man like me!" inquired Elder Haku, an eyebrow raised. "I'm not that great, you know!"
"But you tell the greatest stories! I wanna hear another one!" Mia whined, the "puppy-dog-look" on her face.
"Well, I suppose I can't say no to a face like that. Now, what kind of story would you like to hear?"
"Aromantic story!"shrieked Mia, perkily jumping in her seat with a hopeful smile on her face.
Elder Haku just stared at her for a moment, scratched his head, and then replied his face red, "Umm… well, there isn't enough of that in my life to remember… so…"
Some were trying to hold back their laughs, but others were clutching their stomachs, crying tears of laughter, and rolling on the floor.
"So… Mia. Do you still wanna hear a story?" said ablushing Elder Haku.
"No Elder, it's okay. That cheered me up," said Mia, wipingseveral tearsfrom her face.
The rest of the festival went on without the slightest sign of negativity, just pure joy. All were happy, and before they knew it, it was almost midnight. The Elder greeted all good-night, and, walking back to his home, he turned to see the eight caravaners walking home as well.
"Good luck to you all," he said silently. "Go to sleep. You need your rest, for tomorrow, the day of destiny, approaches…" He turned around, walked through the front entrance of his two-story house, and slowly closed the door behind him.