VANA'DIEL
TRAGEDY
Chapter Thirteen: Home
A book with a tan leather cover laid open on a wooden desk covered with newspapers articles. Over the desk was a window spilling light into the room. Bathing in the sun was a rose in a fat green vase touching the book. The hardback held a piece of paper between its pages. On it were a few lines of text written in pen. The book had the same text from the paper, but uncompleted. Next to the book was Challistalle's broken sword, snapped in half, with a scratched up sheath beside it. Near the sword was a handful of Hintah's kunai. Finally, hanging on a coat-hook was Kurin-Juran's ripped and bloody tunic. All of them were sealed in a clear plastic wrapping. On the paper it read:
The Serenade Truth - 883-885(888) (Exact time of end unsure)
A series of events and people involved within them. Most of the people involved were killed or killed themselves. The tome that caused all the trouble, The Vana'diel Tragedy, an ancient Galkan book filled with even more ancient poems and the original song of "Lay of the Immortals"; now remains under heavy guard in the Bastokian International Storage of Historic Relics. The Serenade Truth began and ended the Age of Adventuring, when adventurers were branded as outlaws and executed if resistant because of the incomprehensible damage caused during The Serenade Truth. The revival of the Tavnazia and the destruction caused during this short period of time are easily the highlights of it. Even to this day, in the year 934 of the Crystal Era, the names of the heroes are sang unhidden, as the truth is finally known. The Second Age of Reconstruction began soon after, as Jeuno no longer blocked trade to lands outside Quon and Mindartia and democracy spread to other nations. What exactly happened in The Serenade Truth is still debatable.
The book was simply titled "Masters' Encyclopedia 1st Edition, dedicated to the grand alchemist Lykshi-Kashi, my father".
51 Years Earlier…In the rigid dry wastelands north from the Sarutabaruta, the Meriphataud Mountains as the area was called, a group of people stood. A crime scene it was. The land was unforgiving when it came to climbing. Not far from sight was the large spine of cermet that lay across the valley, Drogaroga's Spine.
"This is the body?" A tall Hume wearing a black coat and slacks looked at a tan sheet that swallowed a small body on the ground. His hair was black, like his greasy beard. On the back of his right hand was a tattoo of the Bastokian flag. "She's only a child…" he sighed.
Two other Humes and a Tarutaru looked sad. The Tarutaru had a pair of glasses and a piece of paper. All of them wore the same clothes as the Hume. The Tarutaru walked up to the man, near the child's body.
"She is a young Mithran girl, about the age-wage of ten. Itaru's pretty obvious she was swiped from a passing caravan, but we haven't confirmed it yet. The method in which she was killed in…" the Tarutaru began to speak then stopped, leaving only a face of disgust. The man gazed down to the Tarutaru with blond hair. "She wasn't abused sexually and the killing seemed to be quick. The murderer simply slit her neck and… cut out her eyes" he shivered.
"What kind of sick-" the Hume was appalled.
"Wait! That method… wasn't there a few murders back in Bastok between thirteen and fifteen years ago. A Hume man used to do the same to his victims until he himself was killed by one of his targets" another Hume stepped forward, wearing a wool cap lined with a brass ring.
"Yes, he was pretty infamous for awhile, back in the day. A copycat?" the Hume waved his tattoo above the child, "The location of the killing, its almost out of sight. Copycats are always egomaniacs and love to show off. This one isn't like that".
"Just another psycho with a very sharp knife running around?" the Hume questioned aloud behind them. He was bald with blue eyes.
"Either way, people are going to die if we don'taru stop this guy soon" the frowning Tarutaru couldn't get his eyes off the child. "You poor thing" he whispered.
The terrain Kurin-Juran, Sakeru, and Cronin walked was very similar to Meriphataud Mountains. Tahrongi Canyon, the area one had to walk through before reaching those mountains and peninsula.
"Ugh, I hate hiking" Cronin wiped the sweat away from his head with his right forearm. The group had been trekking through rough, uneven grounds. Above them the sun was beating on their backs.
"If I get sunburrrn for this…" Sakeru finished the sentence in her head, upset.
"Oh guys don't complain! I had to do this when I was five" Kurin said while pulling himself above, "We are almost at the end of this valley". Sakeru and Cronin smiled down to him, flushing away their distress.
"We really need to hustle and get to the peninsula before sundown. This place can get very cold at night" Cronin warned the other two.
After a few minutes of climbing the rough ground and passing a few animals, the land finally started to flatten. He was almost there. Kurin-Juran's father died only a few yards away from where they stood. After passing some small crevices between the tall hills, they reached an open area closed off by the walls of the valley.
'This is where we got attacked…' Kurin remembered painfully. Towards the left rock wall were a few planted flowers. They were a special kind of plant that could survive the harsh conditions of the land, purple in color. "Wow these have grown so much!" Kurin was surprise at their progression. He had planted them when he returned to Windurst only a few weeks ago. He walked towards them and kneeled. This was his father's unofficial gravesite. The body however, was not buried here. It had been buried by a sandstorm before anyone could return to it.
"Is that yourrr father's grave?" Sakeru looked down at the Tarutaru. Kurin turned his head and nodded, doing his best to hide his painful expression but failed horribly. He turned back, looking into the petals. Cronin gripped his saddened friend's shoulder.
"Sorry, could we stay here for a minute-winute longer?" Kurin asked the group.
"It isn't a problem" Cronin nodded. He released his grip on Kurin and sat on a rock. Sakeru made room beside him and sat down too, making sure she didn't sit on her tail. They both stared at Kurin's back.
To their left, coming from a crevice was a Yagudo with a great katana. On his arms were two bright red kotes. Quu Xuchi the Judgment lowered his head away from the sun. He noticed the three adventurers. He thought for a second and continued behind them.
From behind Cronin heard a footstep. He spun his head and spotted him.
"A Yagudo!" Cronin shouted. Kurin's heart began to race, not daring to turn around. Cronin words burned into his chest.
"I don't want any trouble, kaa" Quu said with arrogance in his voice walking on without turning his head. Kurin slowly turned his head. The Yagudo's curved sword… it was like a ghost from the past had come back to haunt him. Cronin pulled out his sword.
"You are not going anywhere!" Cronin roared and charged the Yagudo focusing on his large beak and beady eyes.
"Idiot" Quu sighed under his breath. He gripped his katana with his right hand and twisted his thin waist to kick. The knuckle of his right talon smashed into Cronin's nose. The forceful strike echoed in the valley and Cronin's butt dropped to the ground.
"Ughhh!" Cronin grasped his sword and swiped for the Yagudo feet. Quu hopped up gracefully and stepped on the blade. Cronin growled an unintelligible cuss, as he couldn't remove the sword from his opponent's weight. Kurin picked himself up with his body was still shaking.
"Get off of him!" Sakeru ran forward. Quu squinted in infuriation.
"What are you doing, kyah? Do you want to die?" Quu growled pulled out his great katana. He eyed her left arm, where he planned to slice the limb off. He sunk down and adjusted the position of his great katana: held by both hands pointing behind him over his right shoulder. Sakeru weapon swung forward. Just before Quu could hit her, Cronin jumped up and grabbed his right feathery arm.
"Not nice to hit a lady!" he shouted as he gripped unto him hard. Quu barely dodged Sakeru's stab sliding his neck and chest back, while Cronin clutching to his arm. Quu kicked Sakeru in the gut, knocking the wind out of her. She retreated a few steps and dropped to her knees gasping for air. Quu lifted Cronin in the air by the collar of his armor and tossed him into a rock. He swiftly moved to Sakeru, seemingly sliding. With handle of his katana, he smacked down hard on the back of Sakeru's neck while she tried to get back up still gasping for air. She let out a cry fell forward causing her to forcefully hit the ground.
Cronin got to his feet again, pretending the throw hurt him little. "It's going to take more than that!" he picked up his sword and readied it.
"You know you are going to die, correct? I am far out of your league, kyaa" Quu shook his head; "I do not want to kill you smooth-skin. Just let me leave in peace".
"You know I never was a fan of Yagudos," Cronin swung his sword around while he explained, "being called a smooth-skin, lame as it is, doesn't really help".
"Give it up Cronin! He is too strong!" Kurin shouted from afar. A sandy Sakeru sat up not ready to disagree with the Tarutaru.
"He is right, I am not even trying… No offensive to your ability as a fighter, but you simply do not compare, kwak. Grow strong, do not die young" Quu added on.
"Shut up Kurin. I don't run away from fights!" Cronin raced forward once again.
"Fine then!" Quu shouted with his loathing voice and his entire arm and great katana blurred in movement for a second. The tip of Cronin's sword hit something hard and bounced off. A second later he realized he had hit Quu Xuchi's well-placed right kote. Not a second later from being deflected, a powerful force suddenly slashed at Cronin. His body was thrown back with a painful expression on his face. A long, almost straight stream of blood shot into the air and down in the dirt, engulfing him in a small dust cloud. "I'm sorry, but I will kill you now, smooth-skin" Quu seemly teleporting above Cronin he was so fast, held his great katana only with his right hand above his left shoulder. Cronin's sword had been thrown back out of reach.
"Ah shit!" he cried holding the wound on his ribs, lying down on the dirt.
Just before Quu could land the killing blow upon Cronin, a whirlwind of sharp winds surrounded Quu Xuchi making whistling sounds. The wind picked up and tossed the dirt into the air, clouding sight. Before he could respond to the display of magic, it closed in on him. Many of his black feathers flew wildly in the small tornado. It cut his skin and shoved him back, kicking up more dirt. "The Tarutaru!" Quu groaned. The Yagudo slashed the dust of cloud twice, sending two dissipating winds to destroy it. As he could see, he noticed Kurin had finished casting a spell. The ground below Quu began to crack and crumble. He quickly jumped back, as boulders of various shapes and sizes ripped from the ground and shot toward his face. Using his kote he deflected three of the smaller rocks, breaking them on contact, breaking on contact. For the rest, he swung his great katana, cutting them all into pieces and sending them away.
Quu sucked in his breath, angry. From the wall of the valley, another set of rocks shot at him. Using swift footwork, he dodged them all and they smashed into the earth. Another boulder flew at him from behind. "Heh, nice try" he spun around and smack the boulder with his katana. It was crushed by the impact, instantly, turning into pebbles. Two more boulders flew at him as he spotted them with his beady eyes. Slashing twice, they shattered as they were deflected away. Yet another pair of boulders flew at him. He wasn't able to block them both and didn't have enough time to move. It took only a second for him to decide what to do. He slashed the ground as hard as he could, releasing an eruption of powerful wind. He was pushed up and the boulders smashed into each other sending the small debris bouncing off his beak and face. As he landed, he eyed Kurin-Juran.
"Who is this guy!" Sakeru was shocked by how quick he moved. Even Cronin was amazed. The Yagudo had only been slightly damaged from the Aero and Stone spell at the start, but wasn't touched once afterwards
The second his feet hit the ground he was off. The black blur of movement stopped suddenly in front of Kurin. Kurin was shocked and helpless, his eyes widen with fear as an icy chill made its way down his back. The blade cutting the air rang in Kurin's ears as he felt wind on top of his head. Slowly, in front of his eyes was a piece of silver hair sinking to the ground.
"You cast another spell, and I'll kill, do you understand that Tarutaru, kyaah"? Quu black eyes stared deep into Kurin's blue eyes. Kurin's body shook and fear grabbed his heart. He breathed heavily.
You shall be consumed by cowardice that binds you.
Cronin and Sakeru watched, afraid of what might happen to Kurin. Only a few seconds passed, but to Kurin it felt like more like a couple of hours. Quu released his stare off Kurin and returned his great katana to his side. Almost gently, he shoved Kurin-Juran to the ground with his large, right talon.
"Idiots…" Quu Xuchi huffed quietly. He walked away a few steps and picked up Cronin's sword. "Do not ever attack me again. I will kill the Tarutaru and Mithra, along with yourself, kawk" Quu said seriously, staring into Cronin's eyes. He increased his grip on the sword with talon-like hands. A cracking sound began to emit from his grip. Finally the sword's blade cracked into pieces letting out a screeching noise. He dropped the ruined sword and a few shards of the blade. He was cut slightly by his cocky display of strength.
He began to walk away. Sakeru and Cronin stood up, as he got farther. He was out of sight shortly. Kurin watched him go, still sitting. They all released their breath.
"Looks like we aren't invincible" Cronin joked, still wounded, and he coughed. Kurin and Sakeru looked at him, without a smile. "Right… right… not funny" Cronin tried to pick himself up, but cried and sat back down. He held his right hand over the bleeding wound near his ribs.
"How hurrrt are you?" Sakeru rushed to the Hume, dropping her stare of impatience.
"Not too bad. He obviously was toying with me, didn't hit a single vital organ" Cronin examined his wound. Sakeru picked him up, holding him up via his arm over her shoulder. Kurin-Juran looked back down to the ground.
"The fear… it controlled me… I swore for a second there, I was going to die. I was almost certain" he said under his breath. A cool icy feeling of pain stung in Kurin's chest, probably an aftereffect from the scare.
"Lets get going," Cronin broke Kurin's thought, he lifted himself away from Sakeru, "I can walk, kind of…". He stumbled for a second, but acquired his balance.
"I am surrrprised you are putting on such a good face. You, and us all, almost died thanks to your dumb-ass actions" Sakeru sighed.
"I am sorry" Cronin looked away embarrassed.
"Let's just get going" Kurin snapped at them as he tugged his hood over his hair. Both of them looked surprised for a second, but nodded. So they walked, past a few crevices until finally they exited the pass.
"The peninsula isn't far now. Just follow this dirtaru road" Kurin pointed to the path. They turned right out of the pass and began to walk east. Over them flew a pack of vultures. A dhalmel walked near them, chewing on the yellow grass that grew in a small hole. Dhalmels had long necks and tall legs, totaling a height of at least fifteen feet. Its hide was orange and red stripes on white fur. It had hoofs for feet, a long tail that barely skimmed above the ground, and a large belly. It raised its long snort from out of the dirt and looked towards the adventurers. It gave a mighty sniff and snort, it sensed no danger and returned to its food.
"Those are just like the ones of the farm, in Windurrrst" Sakeru watched the creature.
"This is no time to be side-tracked" Cronin mumbled. He hadn't cared much at the time, but now he felt slightly upset with his sword gone.
Over an hour or two passed, until the terrain finally started to change. The land was less dry and dusty. The earth began to pick up a lighter shade. The passage was tight, then widened quickly. Finally they had officially entered the peninsula. Buburimu Peninsula stabbed out into the Strait of Pamtam, a tropical sea that wrapped around lower Mindartia and Kazham. In the air, you could hear the seas and wind whistling music together.
The somewhat sandy soil of Buburimu was far less dry than Tahrongi Canyon. Grass scattered about in small patches. Bushes of yellow weeds also grew here. Many rocks there made unique beautiful shapes. They were attacked by erosion and gifted all eyes by the outcome. The three adventurers walked passed a rock that lay in the middle of the path. They had reached an outpost, under the control of Windurst. It was a wooden house, with barred doors. Fencing surrounded the front and back of the outpost. A tall watchtower sat next to the house armed with a bell. A male Tarutaru wearing a white breastplate and a green beret stood next to a pole displaying the Windurst flag. He nodded his head to the adventurers. The three of them returned the gesture together simultaneously. Behind the Tarutaru, within the building, they could hear more voices speaking.
"Beware of the major goblin tribe that roams-woams in this region" he warned them.
"We will" Cronin assumed him as they walked by. They continued to travel on a smooth road. Birds with short yellow beaks with black and white feathers flew above them in a flock.
"Those birds are called Zu's. They are flying to Sarutabaruta for the coming winter" Kurin pointed to them.
"Does it really get cold here?" Cronin asked, unbelieving.
"Cold enough. I think it has to do something with mating too" Kurin turned his attention back to the path.
"Heh, picky birds" Sakeru smirked with a cat-like grin.
The road became slightly annoying, the way it turned and shifted. They had entered a forest of tall stones. All of the stones were shaped differently. Walking under a natural bridge, they exited the forest of stones and the path became more straightforward. The elevation dropped slightly and next to the road was a signpost made of stones stacked on top of each other. "West, Tahrongi Canyon… Southeast, Mhaura" Cronin read the carved words slowly. A few yards later they walked under a wooden arch holding a sign with the words "Mhaura" on it.
"Its only a half-mile away, now" Kurin smiled. The sky had reached dusk. Everything was getting darker now under a reddening sky. They spotted more dhalmels there, their snouts slightly more bull-like. A few rarabs also hustled about, slightly afraid of the adventurers. After walking a short bit, they reached another arch just like the one before.
"We are here!" Kurin-Juran announced excitedly
"Finally!" Cronin said and staggered, "My feet are killing me".
"Yeah, I need som-e-uhhh sleep" Sakeru yawned stretching the last part of her speech in gibberish.
They walked a few yards farther until a knee-high wooden fence with an open door met them. Once in the town, Kurin-Juran made sure his tunic's hood laid at rest.
Mhaura's main street was just as Kurin-Juran remembered it: a long road with a set of stairs at the end and a bridge above. Also along the right wall sat another set of tall stairs. Smoke poured from the steam pipes coming out of all the houses and buildings that lived in the walls of the rocky valley. Lanterns hanging off the buildings lit the streets, just enough so it didn't dim the lights of the stars. Mhaura, much like Giddeus, was carved out of the rock of the land. "Come on my mom-wom is waiting for us" Kurin pulled their arms forward.
"Oh wow you set up a place already?" Cronin was a little surprised.
It only took a few yards walking before they reached an old oak door. On the door was the number '182'. It was somewhat short, but Cronin and Sakeru could fit. Kurin knocked at it with excitement. "Is thataru who I think it is?" a voice from inside called. It sounded of an older woman. The door was swung open, its top edge narrowly missing Cronin's nose.
A female Tarutaru with red hair walked out wearing a pink blouse and long red skirt. The tips of her red hair, tied up in a ponytail, were a bit gray. She spotted Kurin-Juran, and his two friends instantly.
"Hi mom!" Kurin reached out his hands for a hug. The woman nearly tackled him to the ground and squeezed hard.
"My Kurin is home!" she said in a cheery voice.
"Mom… I can'taru… breath" Kurin gasped, with the woman still hugging him.
"I think that's some type of choke hold they use in the Far West" Sakeru jokingly whispered in Cronin's ear. He let out a short giggle. Finally Kurin-Juran's mother let go of him.
"I was so worried aboutaru you! You didn't talk to me at all on your way here" she suddenly slapped the back of his head.
"Ooooh, Kurin is in trouble with his mommy" Cronin giggled with Sakeru joining in.
"Mom! I brought guest" Kurin did his best to change her focus, and he pointed to his two companions.
"Oh, well hello there! My name is Hinono. Nice to meet you, Cronin and Sakeru is itaru?" she smiled to them.
"Yeah" they both said and nodded gracefully.
"Well letaru us get inside, I smell something tasty" Kurin ended the conversation. They walked into the house. The ceiling wasn't what Cronin was used to, but bearable.
"Oh don't worry, the top-wop floor, is a lot more spacious" she smiled to them.
"Hey, don't see me complaining" Cronin said and smiled, nervously trying to please Kurin's mom. They walked a short hallway into a kitchen. At the room's center was a round oak table decorated with four plates and vase filled with magical purple flowers that lit the room in the middle. All along the wall were cabinets and a sink, above the sink a window.
"Hmm, you knew we were coming?" Sakeru looked curiously, at the plates.
"Me and Kurin-Juran talk via linkshell pearl, all the time" she smiled. Both of them were quick to show off a black pearl.
"Oh… I see, that's cool" Sakeru smiled.
"Sit down, I have cooked a fine meal-weal" Hinono let out a gracious smile.
"Oh you shouldn't have" Sakeru blushed.
"Speak for yourself! Mothers are the best cook's in the world" Cronin complimented.
"You guys…" Kurin laughed and sat down. They did the same. Hinono pulled out a pot and slid meat with a white sauce onto the plates. She then poured orange juice in cups for them.
'I hope its enough, we Tarutarus don't eataru too much" she worried.
"Oh, anything is fine. By the way, it tastes great" Cronin assured her.
They talked for a half-hour about various subjects while the meals were being eaten. During the conversation they heard a bark, from a dog of some type. A small dog, even to a Tarutaru, with white curls and black eyes walked slowly to them, looking slightly tired.
"Wow you got a dog mom?" Kurin was surprised.
"I am afraid of dogs…" Sakeru mumbled to herself and cringed.
"Oh looks like little Kurin woke up from his nap" she smiled. Kurin-Juran, the Tarutaru, looked puzzled for a second, then realized she was speaking about the dog.
"Haha, hey Kurin… that's a good name, you two kind of look alike" Cronin picked up the small dog and lifted it close to Kurin-Juran. The dog seemed to like the attention. Sakeru shifted her chair back frowning.
"What's that suppose to mean…" Kurin narrowed his eyes at Cronin, sounding offended. They all laughed, except Sakeru who was busy staring into the eyes of the frightening beast with her own ears slicked back representing her uneasiness. Shortly after the dog was snacking on a dropped piece of meat then walked away to nap somewhere. As the dog left their sights, Sakeru released a sigh of relief. Finally all four of them had finished their meal. All seemed satisfied with it.
"I guess we should rest now" Cronin commented and used a napkin to wipe his lips.
"Good idea, I'll show you three to your rooms… Kurin wash the dishes, please" Hinono said and got up.
"Oh whatever happened to me being a guest" Kurin-Juran groaned as a joke while he collected the dishes and cups. The older woman led Cronin and Sakeru up the stairs. The second floor's ceiling was taller, like she had promised. There were three doors, for three bedrooms.
"Cronin and Kurin-Juran can share his old room. Sakeru can get the other guest room" she told them.
"Alright, see you tomorrow morning" Cronin nodded and opened his door. Sakeru walked into her room, opposite from his. Cronin's room had two beds and a balcony. He lighted a lantern on a small table between the two beds, illuminating the room with a weak light. A few minutes passed until Kurin walked in. They both took off their adventuring armor, wearing only the common clothing under it. Both of them were wearing white shirts and green shorts.
Night in Mhaura was very peaceful, somehow different than Windurst. Kurin stared at the sea from his balcony. The moon was a new moon. It hadn't been a new moon since he left Mhaura for Windurst. The fireflies were out and about. Every few seconds there would be an eerie cycle of glowing lights coming from near the ground. The light of the stars, piecing through the darkness of the sky, all reflected upon Kurin's face, much like the ocean that lay before him. His eyes continued to stare at the sea. That night was the darkest night of the month, yet the lighting was just fine for Kurin.
"Hey, you look occupied" Cronin said, lying on his bed.
"Just… thinking" Kurin said as he turned Cronin, then returned to the sea.
"About what?" Cronin shifted his body and sat on the side of the bed.
"I don't know… everything" Kurin said lightly. Cronin walked onto the balcony and stared with him.
"Ah, I used to always look at the stars when I younger…" Cronin looked up. Kurin-Juran joined him.
"You know they say the souls of the dead are each one of those shiny orbs of lightaru" Kurin smiled to him.
"Like our fathers…" Cronin peeked his eyes down to Kurin for those words, but looked back up a second after. The abyss of the night scared away by the souls that lived in the sky. Kurin thought hard about his father and his face gave off an expression of sadness.
"I don't cry… not even after he died. I will never cry, ever again" Cronin preached after seeing Kurin's face change. A decent amount of time passed of them just staring.
"Would you cry… if I died?" Kurin looked into his eyes. Cronin no longer looked to the sky, but his friend, with an expression of surprise.
"Don't say stuff like that. Seriously, we aren't going to die or nothing. Adventuring is dangerous, but it's not that dangerous. We aren't like soldiers in a war" Cronin tried to convince Kurin otherwise.
"Heh… okay. The encounter with that Yagudo was tough though" Kurin returned his sights upon Mhaura's bay.
"Yeah… I hope we see him again when we get stronger" Cronin agreed and joined him. Everything was quiet again, for a long while. The fireflies illuminated the ground and the souls in the sky mimicked them. The ocean was hit with all this light with no option but to return it. Between Mhaura and the rock wall opposite to it, the ocean drifted back and forth. The hissing sound of the waves whispered into their ears. The peace was invaluable and eternal. To Kurin, it was the place the priests called Paradise.
"I think I'll go to sleep now…" Cronin spoke softly and turned his way back to go back into the room. He jumped into his sheets. "Sleep soon okay? The light from this lantern is keeping me up" he smiled and turned to his side. He pulled his sheets above his head. Kurin gave the ocean one last gazing and turned back inside. He pulled over the black sheets to cover the door of the balcony. He turned off the lantern and lay in his bed. His eyes slowly closing for sleep, looking up at the ceiling. He passed out with a smile on his face.
Also under the new moon a man walked alone. The man with the strange clothing and eyes of powerful darkness; the man who needed to reach Bastok for reasons he did not know. His hair covered his eyes as his stance was menacing one. He looked to his right arm with the ancient words and he thought for a second. The street in Mhaura was empty and barely lit. Another man, a Hume, began to walk down the street. He was just a fisherman, with an opened blue vest and black slacks. His hair was thin and blond; he was over thirty years of age. He walked past the black-eyed man. The fisherman nodded his head as he did. The ancient one felt a sudden pressure in his chest.
"I must…" the black haired and eyed man mumbled after the fisherman had passed him. "I must…" he whipped his left hand down and from his sleeve came a sharp blade. "I must…" he grabbed his chest. He turned around slowly, looking at the fisherman. "I must!" he shouted. The fisherman stopped for a second. A flash lighted the street for a second. Running footsteps were heard from behind the fisherman. He didn't know what hit him. The night turned into day soon after.
A scream echoed in Mhaura. It woke Kurin and Cronin. "Wow, did you hear that?" Cronin yawned.
"Sounded like a came from a woman" Kurin scratched his head and yawned as well. Both of them washed up and dressed up and headed outside to see what it was.
"Sorry, you can not come any closer to the scene" a Mithra dressed in a white armor blocked the two. A crowd had formed, all blocked by officers dressed in similar armor. Kurin's hood rested on his shoulders. Cronin sighed at the guard. Kurin was able to peek past them all and saw a sheet over a tall body of an older Hume.
"Just a simple fisherman. Why would someone do this…" Kurin heard a detective.
"Hmm, it was justaru like the case in Meriphataud Mountains with the little Mithra girl. The same guy did it for sure" another detective said.
"Lets question the woman who found him first" the first one finished the conversation.
"Daddy! Why won't daddy get up! He shouldn't have the blanket on him!" a little girl with short blond curls cried trying to reach the body. A crying woman with matching hair on her knees held on to her crying into the little girl's pink shirt. "Why are you crying mommy?" the little girl stopped her frantic movement and grabbed her mother's ears softly looking deep into her parent's tearful eyes. Kurin mouth was left opened as he watched the little girl, almost heartbroken. He shook his head and lost focus on the little girl as the growing crowd blocked his view.
"Lets get goi-" Kurin said as he turned around and bumped into someone as he walked away. It was the ancient one with the strange clothing and dark eyes. Kurin first eyed his tattoo, then his dark eyes. "I'm… sorry" he said slightly intimidated by the eyes of the man.
"Don't be… Has anyone ever told you, you have very nice eyes" he voiced as he stared back, looking like he was ready to say something else. Kurin smiled nervously and rushed out of there, being followed by Cronin.
'What a weird looking guy' Kurin thought to himself and pulled his tunic's hood over his silver hair.
'His eyes… they were… different than… the others… I must…' the dark-eyed man couldn't stop staring at Kurin-Juran as he walked away.
Sakeru looked around the boy's room. She was dressed in her armor, all ready to go. "Where the hell are they?" she sighed. From behind they popped in.
"Hey Sakeru" Kurin-Juran said and smiled. She flinched.
"I thought you were that blasted dog! Wherrre were you guys?" she asked.
"At some crime scene, just burning time" Cronin replied.
"Oh… what happened?" Sakeru looked curious.
"No idea, the officers were being stingy about information" Cronin walked out of the room, "Lets go check in at the VERMIN headquarters"
"Yeah, he is right, we are going to be late" Kurin walked out.
"Why do you think I came up herrre!" she yelled and stomped. The dog raced into the room seeking her attention. "Ahhh!" she cried and hissed as she hopped on to the nearest bed.
The three traveled to the headquarters of VERMIN. Jody was beside the door, in his green and brown clothing.
"Ah, you are the new guys?" Jody asked the three while he cracked a knuckle in his brown gloves.
"Yes, we are" Cronin answered for the group. Kurin and Sakeru smiled along.
"Renza is out for a few minutes, I'll instruct you though. Come inside" Jody took off his cap and walked inside. His messy black hair was let loose.
Mercutio stood breathing hard, at the center of his room. He wasn't wearing his red coat, but a small white t-shirt. He was sweating too. In his hand was a rapier, the very same that he fought off Aument with earlier that month. Renza walked in, scaring Mercutio slightly.
"What you up to?" Renza asked with a lowered brow. He was wearing a new white gi, replacing the one ruined by Aument in the fight.
"I have been training with this sword. I want to get stronger, and not rely on you, Jody, and Siat-Diat for protection" Mercutio admitted quickly. Renza laughed a little.
"Well that's good. I see you have started building a muscle mass. Maybe I'll help you sometime, but now I need you to stay safe while I am away" Renza ordered and walk out.
"I'll be out of sight, you don't have to worry" Mercutio nodded. He picked up his red coat. He put it on and buttoned it quickly. He walked slowly to a wooden chair against the wall and sat down.
"Okay… there is a report of a mutated species within the Maze of Shakhrami, the tunnels in the mountain that separates the Buburimu peninsula and Tahrongi Canyon. It has begun feeding on larger scorpions, which in a chain reaction is pushing everything forward on the food chain. Crawlers have begun to appear in mass numbers outside the Maze, which caused us to begin the investigation. Our task is to remove the mutated species, whatever it may be, and restore order to the ecology there" Jody explained lengthily to the group, standing in front of a large map of Mindartia. The three, along with Siat-Diat, sat a table watching Jody speak.
"Sounds simple enough" Kurin responded.
"Yeah, I think we can do it no problem" Cronin agreed.
"Psh, I was morrre worried that you two would back down" Sakeru said and leaned back on her chair. Jody smiled. Siat-Diat raised an eyebrow at their cockiness. Renza walked in doing his best not to interrupt anything happening in the room. Jody looked up to Renza, as he did.
"I already explained the task, Renza" Jody told him.
"I see, okay, let's go outside… we are leaving in two hours. Meet up with the people that will be hunting along side us" Renza nodded his head. They began to walk out. Cronin noticed a blood-red great sword in a glass case on another desk as he left the room. Once outside, the sun shined on them all. Outside as well were a few people, of all five races, in the same clothing Lumomo wore: a nice, shiny threaded green coat and red gauntlets and boots. One person however wasn't wearing that type of clothing. It was a Mithra with silver hair, Roni Aha. Cronin spotted her and moved in close.
"Well hell-o, fine lady" he smiled, standing very close to her face.
"Hell-o, back at you, decent sir" she smiled nervously and pushed him back slowly.
"Must say I just love a Mithra with silver hair…" Cronin laughed and tried to put his arm around her shoulder. Roni Aha sidestepped out of reach, causing Cronin to almost fall over.
"Its my silverrr hair, you like so much? I see, hmm" she backed away slowly. Sakeru grabbed Cronin by his ear and pulled him down.
"Ouch!" Cronin cried.
"Sorry for this pig, he is uh… he thinks with the wrong head" and pulled him down further. Cronin finally broke lose.
"Cronin is his name, eh? Nice to meet you Cronin" Ronia nodded to the Hume in pain.
"Its my pleasure" he smiled while holding his right ear.
"And you are?" Roni Aha turned to the Mithra.
"Sakeru Ghiibi. You?" Sakeru asked back.
"Roni Aha… but most my friends in Bastok just call me Ron-" she was about to finish.
"Hey, that sounds like Ronia" Cronin said, and scratched his chin.
"Orz" Ronia sighed.
"Huh? What did you say?" Sakeru looked confused by Ronia's word.
Kurin-Juran, unlike his two companions, had wandered away from the pack of VERMIN members. He walked towards the Mhaura's bay. On the edge, he sat down. He looked at the boardwalk. It was in the middle of being repaired. A few men were working on it. Kurin grabbed a stone and tossed it at the ocean. It did three skips, until it finally submerged into the clear water.
"How… how did you do that?" an innocent, young voice asked. Kurin-Juran turned around to see a Tarutaru boy with short, blond hair. He wore simple pair of green slacks and a white-buttoned shirt. The kid couldn't have been older than five.
"Hehe, a wizard never letarus anyone know his tricks" Kurin smiled and sat up.
"Did you gwow up here?" the child asked.
"Yes, I did. Maybe you've seen me around when you were younger" Kurin said and was about to walk away.
"Its how you thwow it isn't it?" the child asked. Kurin looked confused for a second, then realized.
"Yep. Someone told me the trick a long, long time ago" Kurin answered the kid, turning back to him.
"I thoughtawu wizards never taught-waught others their twicks" the kid looked confused.
"She was… more of an archer. I am the wizard" Kurin smiled to the youth.
"Weru! Weru-Zeru!" a Tarutaru with blond hair spilling from under a red bandana raced towards the two. He was older. He seemed to be only sixteen or seventeen. He wore clothes a lot like the kid did. He picked the child up. "You can'taru be out now! Did you hear about the evil man who will… cut you eyeballs out!" he barked.
"Ah! Protect me bwother!" the little Tarutaru cried and hugged his brother. With the child in his arms, the older Tarutaru turned around.
"Sorry if he bothered you at al-… hey, wait… Kurin-Juran… is that you?" he peeked under Kurin's hood, until his red bandana almost fell over his eyes.
"Hehe, its me" he pulled his hood down.
"Wow, it's been a whole month hasn't it? Why are you back? Don't tell you have given up already" he asked Kurin.
"No, no, I am an adventurer till the day I die. Just doing a little task here" the adventurer answered back, "It has been awhile Leru-Zeru".
"Haha, I remembered I waved to you when you left" Leru giggled.
"So what have you been up to?" Kurin-Juran asked.
"Not much. Old Vera been teaching me how to use a sword, real good" Leru said.
"So you want to be that type of adventurer? Magic-wagic ain't good enough for you?" Kurin joked.
"Well ever since good old Koro-Roko passed away, Vera is all we got to teach us anything" he smiled, "Plus, magic is for wussies".
"Oh don'taru stop me from letting me show you what a wuss can do then…" Kurin laughed and flex.
"When I getaru older. I'll be an adventurer too. You'll probably be famous-wamous and stuff, but you and me are going to team up. So act all badass now, but I'll catch up" Leru-Weru looked serious for a second.
"Okay, I'll promise that. By the way, when you said 'real good', it is suppose to be well" Kurin corrected, with a grin.
"Oh whatever! Go do your task! Getaru the hell out of here!" Leru roared.
"Getaru the hell of here!" his brother mimicked.
"Oh crap! Don't say that in front of mom!" Leru panicked, covering Weru-Zeru's mouth.
"Haha! See you around Leru-Zeru!" Kurin couldn't help but laugh and ran towards the VERMIN headquarters.
Leru watched Kurin run, towards the west, the sun was starting to descend below. "See you around, Kurin-Juran" he said under his breath.
"Bye, bye, wizard man" the kid spoke.
Cronin slapped his own forehead. "Ah crap, I need to get a weapon" he noted to himself loud enough for Sakeru to hear. "Hmm, I am sure there is a weapon store somewhere around here…" Cronin looked around. He reached into his pocket for some coins. 'I swore I had more gil than this' he sighed.
"There is a store down that street, and take a left. Its based on the top floor of the inn" Jody said, sneaking up on the pair.
"Thanks. Get to it Cronin, don't want to make these people wait" Sakeru rushed him.
"Okay I'll be back in a second" Cronin ran off.
"Kurin-Juran and Cronin are your partners?" Jody asked, placing his green cap graced with a leaf on.
"Yeah, sometimes they can be a real handful" Sakeru smiled to Jody while she fiddled with gil in her pocket.
Cronin was about to open the tavern door. He heard someone behind him. He turned around quickly, thinking it was a mugger. It was just an old Hume woman. She wore a cheap tunic over a white shirt and a long black skirt. "You are looking for weapon are you not dear?" she smiled with a crackling voice.
"Uh yeah" Cronin voiced, surprised by her.
"Well, I got a feeling you'll like this weapon" she wiped out a black bladed, red handled single-sided axe. Cronin almost collapsed with shock.
"Oh my goddess lady, you just can't walk around town with a weapon like that!" Cronin staggered.
"Don't worry about, take it" she handed it to him. Cronin still with a face of disbelief grasped the axe with his right hand. "You know how to use one?"
"Yeah sure" Cronin swiped, "Not bad, will this cost me?".
"It's free, but check up on me before you leave this town, Cronin" she smiled.
'How does she know my name?' Cronin seemed more surprised now. "Uh yeah sure thing nice lady" Cronin hid his feelings and smiled.
"Oh please, just call me Vera" she smiled.
"Oh well, I got to go now, but I'll check on you later Vera" Cronin began to walk away. 'So weird, so very weird' he looked at his axe. 'I know that name' he continued to think. Shortly after, while walking back to the VERMIN Headquarters, Cronin noticed he was side by side with Kurin-Juran.
"Hey Cronin" he spoke barely looking.
"This place, its nice. Must have been good growing up here" Cronin nodded.
"Yeah, but I kissed my mom goodbye. Its time for some work" Kurin pointed forward.
"Right, by the way, I was able to get a new weapon" Cronin showed off his new axe.
"Wow its nice. I always thought axe suited you better than sword" Kurin smiled, looking at the weapon.
"You two are back!" Sakeru shouted to them, Jody by her side.
Renza lay against a wall.
"Helllllllo!" a voice called out of the blue. It was powerful and over exaggerated, from the lungs of a male Elvaan. Renza looked around. With the corner of his eye he spotted three figures. An Elvaan with a short bowl haircut wearing a puffy gold and green threaded jacket and long slops with sandals. Next to him a tall female Hume with shoulder long black hair wearing a nice, thin circlet around her forehead. She wore a coat and slops the same as the Elvaan. A Tarutaru with blond hair stood next to the Hume, wearing the same uniform.
"I don't believe we have had the chance to meet yet. Jahin… Jahin of the Jahin Three" the female Hume spoke slowly, almost trying to act cool.
"Einlar-Winral of Team Einlarzer" the Tarutaru had a sharp voice and acted much the same.
"Samsa of Samsa Samsa Samsa" the Elvaan spoke, just weirdly.
"Uh… hmmm, uh" Renza was stunned.
"Really Team Einlarzer" Einlar-Winral whispered.
"Don't listen to him, he's like crazy or something" Jahin did the same.
"I demand an explanation this moment. Who are you three?" Samsa whispered. Renza was most confused by Samsa.
"Who… are you-" Renza tried to make out the words.
"Three" Samsa finished, with thumbs up.
"Right…" Renza still confused.
"These three worked for the old boss" Siat-Diat walked between them and Renza. "They are some of the few people who stayed… which I am not sure myself is a good thing or a bad thing" Siat-Diat looked to the three with concerned eyes, "They are rather skilled, I guess you could say and very inseparable".
"I see" Renza nodded, "I guess I'll keep them close to my side".
"Are you flirting with me, Mr. Renza Azure?" Einlar-Winral looked at him with serious eyes. Renza merely sighed.
"The bakery is giving out free bread" Samsa began to smell the air and pointing east.
"There is no… bakery… in this town, Samsa" Siat-Diat sighed as well.
After sometime had passed, Renza shouted to the group "Okay let's roll out!". There was Team Einlarzer/Jahin Three, Ronia, Sakeru, Cronin, Kurin-Juran, Siat-Diat, Jody, Renza and seven VERMIN members including Lumomo. "We are to meet with the field agent in place there" Renza informed them as they walked by the short gate.
The group began to walk up the road that led Kurin-Juran, Sakeru, and Cronin to Mhaura. The travel was uneventful. Team Einlarzer/Jahin Three spoke to each other about weird topics no one else understood or bothered to listen to. For thirty minutes Einlar made death threats to Samsa over the matter who could do most summersaults under water. Siat-Diat suddenly stopped at the sight of a Mandragora. He focused his small eyes on it. His right hand cupped the top its head. At first it gave a startled spasm, but stopped. It began to follow Siat-Diat.
"Charming the local monsters for the hell of it, Siat?" Jody looked over, without turning his head.
"I got a good use for this one" he assured Jody. Siat-Diat turned back to his pet and focused into its large black eyes. The mandrogra started to speak.
"Pi pi pi pi" it called with a squeaky voice. Siat-Diat nodded his head to the creature. Some of the VERMIN members watched as they walked.
"Translation?" Renza asked sounding a little dumbfounded.
"I was getting to that… the goblins in the area have been very active. They robbed a few merchants and been hunting the rarabs" Siat-Diat spoke for the little white onion animal.
"Heh, they make good spies and scouts" Renza smiled at it.
"I demand you give me custody of that creature, Mr. Siat-Diat!" Jahin shouted from afar.
"No Jahin!" Siat-Diat yelled back.
"Damn it… one day…" she staggered.
"You get used to them" Jody assured Renza with a nudge.
"Damn I am getting tired walking these roads" Cronin groaned. Time passed by as they left the peninsula. Walking north in Tahrongi Canyon the Crag of Mea appeared in front of their eyes.
"We are close now" Renza spoke to the group.
"I wonder what's thataru thing was built for…" Kurin looked at the top point of the cermet structure.
"I have no idea, that's forrr sure" Sakeru added on.
In the streets of South San d'Oria, Shinato and Bleeding Wolf walked with Auricant trailing from behind. "God it's been one day, have you guys even considered killing an Orc yet?" Auricant sighed. They both turned their head back, looking at him.
"Well, we don't like to do things small" Shinato turned forward.
"I don't know any Orcs" Bleeding Wolf did the same.
"Where do they hang out?" Shinato asked. Auricant walked faster to catch up with them.
"Fort Ghelsba or Davoi are the two main camps, but Ghelsba is a lot closer" Auricant explained.
A few kids started tugging on Bleeding Wolf's tail. He genteelly turned around and flicked them on the top of their heads. "I am dangerous adventurer. Don't get near me or you might get hurt" he said with straight face. The kids laughed nervously and ran away.
"Well after you stop scaring the kids, could we do something?" Auricant told Bleeding Wolf as he turned back.
"It's for their own good. Adventurers are all glamorous and legendary, but that doesn't mean we aren't dangerous. He was warning them, not having fun" Shinato justified Bleeding Wolf spookiness.
"I just found that very fun" the Galka ignored Shinato's reasoning, "Also, I don't like it when people touch my tail".
"Well? This is getting boring" Auricant sighed.
"Okay. Who is the biggest leader Orc of Ghelsba? The head-honcho of them 'Vile-Bloods?" Shinato asked.
"Wouldn't be very smart… but his name is Vile-Blooded Vatgit. He is a war-chief and is the leader of that clan" Auricant explained.
"Well that will be our target if Shinato wants it to be" Bleeding Wolf shrugged.
"And so it is!" Shinato exclaimed mightily and ran forward.
"Well that's pretty much suicide" Auricant disagreed.
"You don't have to come" Bleeding Wolf told the Elvaan.
"Oh, I didn't say I wasn't… and that retarded brute is running the wrong way" Auricant stretched his neck.
"He may be a retarded brute, but he will be the guy you die next to on that mountain" Bleeding Wolf turned back. He noticed those kids were still following them, behind Auricant. "Boo!" he shouted with an angry face. They all scrammed, screaming.
"Now that's just over doing it" Auricant frowned.
In Bastok, behind the closed doors of the Iron Musketeer headquarters in Metalworks was the jail that held Gro'Asogo. He was standing close to the bars that imprisoned him. It was a dark long room with only the windows in the cells shedding light. Gro wasn't alone though. On the other side of the bars was another figure, mostly concealed by the darkness. It was tunic-wearing figure.
"So he also has lost his memories?" the figure's voice was raspy.
"Yeah, but totally, unlike the one already here" Gro'Asogo played with sand between his fingers.
"You can't get out of those bars with that seal? Haha" the figure giggled.
"Oh come on, that's uncalled for. So how's that body holding up? You don't look too great" Gro examined his friend's shape.
"Yeah, this piece of crap guard… I swore I could have done better, but it was all I had at the time" he coughed. His hand's skin and muscles slid off the bone and hit the ground like skin-color blob of some kind. "Yuck! They don't make them like they used to…" he began to shake the rest of it off.
"That's pretty damn gross" Gro turned away.
"Oh please, I've seen you do a lot worse to your enemies" the figure stretched back. His hood fell off his head, exposing a bloody face with the skin seemingly dripping off.
"Looks like you've reached your expiration date" Gro'Asogo peeked over.
A woman with red hair in a black dress walked in the room hold platter with a bowl and cup on it. "Mister, your food… Hey you are not suppose to be here" she called out when she spotted the figure in the shadows.
"Oh looks like your new body arrived with my breakfast" Gro said under his breath.
"Oh bless Altana. Short red hair down to her neck, skinny yet muscular, and even a pair of nice perky breasts. A good host" the figure laughed. He stepped out of shadows revealing his distorted face and body.
"Oh my, oh my…" the woman turned back for the iron door.
"Nu-uh, sorry" the mess of a person raised his bone of a hand and a force raced through the hall, shaking the bars. The door behind her slammed shut. The food almost fell off the platter.
"You better get her before she screams. Try not to get any blood on my food. And clean up when you done" Gro picked at his nails as he sat on his bed.
"Of course, Gro'Asogo" he slouched down and jumped into the air at the woman, pieces of his skin and muscle in form of the blob substance sprayed as he fell apart. Blood spat into the air as a cupped screamed rang in Gro'Asogo's ears. From the shadows came the very same woman holding his food. A streak of blood ran down her forehead. "How do you get this thing passed the magic seal?" the woman asked.
"Damn. Stupid lich" Gro sighed.