Hello there, it's LiddoAiren and welcome to my new story, Tales of Maple World. If it wasn't obvious enough, MapleStory is my favorite game for a variety of reasons. Not only is it a game that's comforted me during tough times, it also contains so many interesting characters and storylines that brought me into a new world I always dreamed of living in (seriously, I'm still waiting for that Log Horizon moment where I'm transported into this game and get to actually live the experience). As such, this collection of short stories was born, which is an opportunity for me to expand further upon the stories that captivated me. Some stories will be based around in-game characters, NPC's, and possibly even monsters too!
Hope you enjoy!
The night wasn't young.
The moon shone brightly above, casting a long shadow over Kerning City. It was the perfect time for them to be about, shifting from shadow to shadow, patrolling for any possible threats.
Ryden frowned, covering his face with his bamboo hat. Operating out in the open like this wasn't ideal, but at this point he didn't have a choice. Ever since one of their own had taken the previous Dark Lord's journal, security around the city had been the tightest it had ever been. Flashing from wall to wall while under the surveillance of so many eyes would've just increased suspicion, and the last thing he needed now was a confrontation.
From every corner he could sense shadowers and night lords lurking about, surveilling the city for any possible enemies. Despite not making any eye contact with any of them, he could still feel their piercing gazes on his back as he made his way into the jazz bar. He let out a small tsk as he approached. Whether it be out of arrogance or pity, the fact that none of them had even stopped to question him meant that they all already knew he would be coming.
Arrogant bastards.
The interior of the fusion jazz bar was dark and quiet, with both the bartender and trainee thieves already having retired for the night. Beyond the crevice within one of the walls was an infinite blackness that felt like it drowned out all sound. Given such an image, an average person might've turned the other way thinking nobody was there.
But Ryden wasn't fooled. He calmly ventured into the infinite blackness to face the man within. The dual blade scrunched his eyes as he approached. The way the shadows moved, it was as if long black hands were inviting him into the abyss. Such sights were enough to drive anyone mad.
"I want the truth, Jin."
Standing tall before the shadows, he removed his easy going facade. His expression turned from a smile to a mixture of sternness and anger while his right hand rested near the two katanas attached to his hip. He needed this. The dual blades needed this. She needed this.
"I've read through Tristan's records. Is it true?"
Silence was his only answer, but Ryden knew better than to assume no one was there. He knew the Dark Lord was present and listening. Intently.
"I've also talked to Jeppi in Ellinia," Ryden continued. "All of their stories match, so don't you dare try to confuse me."
Once again, silence echoed throughout the closed bar.
"Why did you do it? The entire time, you were just stringing her along despite having the chance to tell her. Were you going to tell her at all?"
A deep and sullen voice suddenly came from behind.
"What good would telling you do?"
Ryden sharply turned the other way, but saw nobody. Despite having walked in one direction when entering the hideout, the entrance was nowhere to be seen. No trace of moonlight or the outside world could be found anywhere. A chill crept up Ryden's spine as he gripped one of his blades. He couldn't feel the Dark Lord's presence anywhere. There was no opening for attack.
"You saw it for yourself." the voice continued. "Tristan's diary, Jeppi's words, neither of their stories match the truth I gave Syl. The answer should've been obvious, and yet you're here. For what, simply the truth? Or is this your pathetic attempt at trying to rile me up?"
The shadows began to dissipate as he spoke, eventually revealing the hideout's interior. Dim lights lit up the room from above and an altar with a gold throwing star could be seen in the far back. Before him stood a tall man in a dark brown uniform accessorized by gold head guard and black wings he was so famously known for. The mask he wore did well to hide the Dark Lord's expression, but within that little slit that showcased his eyes, Ryden could feel his cold, calculating stare. It was a stare that so sharply betrayed the secretive but warm expression his trainee thieves often praised him for.
His tone was accusing, almost as if threatening Ryden to give him an excuse to act. Within a second, the Dark Lord shifted within the shadows until he stood before Ryden, blocking the dual blade from drawing his weapons.
"Say I didn't do what I did. Say I did tell the truth to that scared little girl then and there. Do you think she would've benefited from knowing? Did you think she could take it?"
Ryden's expression softened. Of course he had considered the possibility, but even if it were true, then what? The pain and hatred Lady Syl felt for Jin felt reverberated through all the dual blades. Her truth was their truth. Her pain was their pain, and it was just all too great for them to consider it all a lie. And even then…
"I…"
Ryden watched as the Dark Lord turned his back on him. This wasn't easy for him either.
"Syl is strong now. She's composed and tactical. But you should know that wasn't always the case. Back then she was headstrong but also overly passionate, emotional and naive. She often charged headfirst into conflicts, getting herself into trouble while my master and I often had to clean up the messes she made. Even when our master told her when things were too dangerous, she never listened."
The Dark Lord paused for a moment, as if trying to find the right words to describe that particular night.
"And on that day...I saw her. I saw her come out with blood all over her body. Her face was blank...as if she didn't know what she was doing. I couldn't believe it, so I went into the cave, praying that my fears were unfounded. That it wasn't real..."
Ryden's eyes widened as he visualized the scene, this time from Jin's perspective. Despite already hearing the truth from Jeppi and Tristan a part of him wished it wasn't real. Hearing the Dark Lord's admission, even if he was the one they trusted the least, felt like a boulder had crashed down on their entire world. But…
"That doesn't mean you had any business in hiding the truth. You knew it would come out eventually. All this time you prevented her from moving on…"
Once again The Dark Lord turned back to face the dual blade. His expression was softer, but maintained its imposing aura.
"She may have lost a father, but I also lost a master."
The following silence persisted for a while, with neither party having much left to say.
"I'll relay the message to Lady Syl."
The Dark Lord said nothing in return as he watched Ryden exit the Jazz Bar. Hearing the door close, Jin finally allowed himself to relax, once again retreating back into the darkness.
Playing through the Dual Blade storyline, I was a bit peeved at how the Dark Lord was so often painted as the bad guy. Even when the truth came out, he was still treated as the guy who did wrong while the dual blades were treated as blameless which didn't really sit right with me so here is my take on how the situation should've played out. Hope y'all enjoyed.