AN: Okey-dokey! I'm back after a long vacation in the middle of nowhere (specifically a small town in Arkansas) wherein I am completely cut-off from modern society and technology (except for an IPOD and a PSP). Okay, thanks to my reviewers, Shy Guy 32 and Akein. Disclaimer: I do not own Maple Story, nor its towns, characters, or monsters. On to the story! I hope!
The market of Sleepywood was lively even in the early morning, as Akuji wove through the crowds, searching for a vendor who's wares were helpful to him. Merchants hawked their wares, trying to outdo their competitors. "Get your Hwabi stars here! Ya can't buy em anywhere else folks, unless ya wanna take down Zombie Mushmom on your own of course!" Assassins flocked to this vendor, creating a mob of pandemonium. Akuji shouldered his way through the mob and came to a merchant who had a rather large group of people outside his stand.
"Selling armor and weapons at cheap prices! For all you bums without any money! C'mon! Real cheap here!" Akuji finally reached the front of the crowd and surveyed the goods strewn across the vendor's area.
"You call these wares? You only have beginner stuff!" Akuji accused.
The vendor looked up, a gleam in his eyes. "Ah, a ranger... We don't see many of you around these parts... I see you are in desperate need of some new armor... Here, follow me. I'll tell my assisstant to take over here and I'll show my... higher priced goods..." Akuji nodded and stepped through the flap of the vendors tent. A few people were wandering around, looking at the weaoins and armor laid carefully out. Akuji walked over to a shelf of bowmen armor. He inspected the clothes, then pulled out a Dark Ades. He moved on to the next shelf, this one carrying bows. He picked out a Metis, then walked over to the closed off area of the tent that served as a dressing room. Moments later, he walked out, his dark, disheveled hair splayed over the black robe. He walked quickly to the vendor.
"How much will this all cost me?"
"Hmm... About 600k." The vendor smiled.
Akuji's eyes flared a deep red, and unbeknownst to him, the Mark of the Balrog burned brightly. Akuji shoved the merchant into the cloth wall of the tent. "How much was that again?" In scarcely a second, he plucked an arrow from his quiver, fitted it into his Metis, and held it underneath the man's chin.
"I-its free!" The vendor stuttered, quivering with fear.
An evil smirk appeared on Akuji's face, and he threw the man through the tent. The vendor landed in the throng of people surveying his goods. Akuji sauntered through the crowd, people moving out of his way. He reached the edge of Sleepywood, then passed into the jungle, heading towards Henesys. He remembered nothing of his threatening the vendor.
XxX
The morning mist rolled through the quiet jungle outside of Sleepywood. It was still dark, and most people were still sleeping, so the monsters that dwelled in the jungle were left in peace. The Jr.Neckis raced each other through underbrush while the Green and Horny Mushrooms paced back and forth on their respective platforms. Suddenly, a shadow flicked through the air. The Jr.Neckis paused, looking around for signs of danger. Another rustle in the trees. The Neckis darted onwards, hopefully away from danger. In the flash of an instant, a throwing star erupted from the bushes and embedded itself in the body of one of the Jr.Neckis. The other flicked away, trying to get as far away from whatever killed its kin. A shadow shot by it and the Jr.Necki skidded to a halt. A man stood in front of the small snake, and an Ilbi Star hung loosely from his hand. The man grinned in a cocky way and threw the star. The Necki dodged this star and turned to run. The man threw another. It struck the Jr.Necki in the neck and the snake fell forward with a forlorn deathcry.
The mist dispersed, and sunlight glinted down on the man. He wore his blonde hair in the catalyst style, a Dark Pireta Hat perched upon his head. He wore a Dark Pirate Top, Purple Osfa Pants, and Dark Pirate Shoes. He yawned then grinned again in the same cocky attitude. His name was Ryker, a Hermit, and (in his opinion) the strongest thief in Victoria and Ossyria. He had a Casters equipped and he was in the height of his game. He strolled lazily through the jungle, quickly slaughtering any monsters that crossed his path. He jumped from platform to platform, destroying the inhabitants. He reached the highest platform, then stopped for a rest. Ryker lounged about, quietly studying his finger nails and grinning his cocky grin. A noise in the distance caused him to look up startled. Several monsters were screaming, and an explosion rocked the jungle. As Ryker struggled to regain balance and try not to fall from the ledge, he saw a man run from the jungle, monsters streaming behind him. Ryker frowned. This is my spot to train! What's that little weakling doing here? He thought. I'll just have to go down there and get 'im to leave. With a smile, Ryker leaped from the platform, blonde hair streaming behind him, as the man rushed onwards with monsters in quick pursuit.
XxX
Akuji stealthily manuevered through the underbrush, his Metis clenched tightly in his hand. He leaped quietly up onto a small platform. Below him, the platform was teeming with mushrooms. He steadied his bow, and pulled an arrow from his quiver. "Arrow Rain!" He yelled. The monsters looked up in surprise as hundreds of arrows fell from the sky and killed the monsters. Akuji sighed. Most of these monsters were far too weak for him. He thought back on what Druce and Alda said. Akuji searched his mind for anything that might unlock any memories. When the search turned up empty, Akuji slipped down and picked up the mesos dropped by the monsters. He grinned. "Heh, that was easy." He pocketed the money and ran onwards, looking for more easy prey.
He slowly became aware of a low thumping sound, coming from behind him. He turned and froze with fear. The sound was one that terrorized many people in their dreams. Four Jr. Balrogs were flying towards him, eyes alight with fury and bloodlust. Akuji looked down and notices that a huge number of monsters were runnong towards him in a frenzied stampede. The ground shook with their footsteps. They appeared to be running from the balrogs, and Akuji quickly turned and ran forward, not wanting to be trampled by the monsters or killed by the balrogs. He turned around quickly and noticed the monsters were gainingon him. In an effort to slow the monsters, he raised his bow and aimed it at the monsters. "INFERNO!" He bellowed. Fire rained down upon the monsters, causing many to die, but more just took their place.
The balrogs were hit as well, though Akuji doubted the attack did much damage. The balrogs slowed, pain evident on their faces. "METEO!" They shouted as one. Akuji shook his head. He couldn't have understood them, they have a seperate language, one he had never learned. It was comprised of grunts and clicks. Akuji looked up and saw the effects of the balrogs' spell. Huge meteors fell from the sky, directed towards him. On impact, they caused a huge explosion that caused the whole jungle to shake. Akuji turned and ran all-out, only managing to keep a few feet ahead of the other monsters hoping to escape the huge rain of death. He raced forward, looping through the trees, dodging meteors as they fell down. As he ran on, he noticed a man was falling down towards him. He landed beside him and Akuji looked over at him. The man started running alongside Akuji, keeping up easily.
XxX
"Dude, who are you?" Ryker asked as he ran beside the man. He was a bowman (It was a dead giveaway since he was carrying a bow), and had black disheveled hair. He had gray and distant eyes. The bowman carried a Metis, proving he was no beginner.
The man quickly glanced over at Ryker. "Akuji. You?" He asked casually, as if there weren't a parade of monsters behind them. Ryker glanced behind them and saw the enormity of the stampede, though not seeing the cause of the earth-shaking run.
Ryker sighed and answered Akuji's question. "Ryker. Why are you running from these monsters? I'm guessing you're strong enough, they should be no prob' for you!"
"I'm not running away from them, I'm running with them!" Akuji said calmly.
"Oookay. Why?" Ryker asked. The monsters had caught up with them, and as they talked, streamed past them. They slowed to a jogging speed, then gradually a halt.
"I'm running--" He paused as he breathed deeply to catch his breath. "From them!" As he said this he pointed to the balrogs as they erupted from the trees.
Ryker eyes bulged and he stepped backwards. "Damn. I haven't seen any of them around here before." He took out a Hwabi Star. "You ready?" Akuji nodded. "Right then. Here we go!" Ryker leaped up to throw the star at one of the balrogs, but it lifted up a hand and swung it at Ryker knocking him back. He landed on his back, and his Dark Pireta flew off his head.
All of the balrogs raise their hands in a preparatory stance. "METEO!"
Akuji shivered. "There! Did you understand what they just said?"
Ryker shot a bewildered look at Akuji. "Wha' are you talking 'bout? It just sounded like the same old grunt to me." The bowman was beginning to bewilder Ryker, first he shows up with four balrogs on his tail, then he acts like he can understand their language.
Akuji sighed. "Man... why can I understand--"
"HOLY CRAP! RUN!" Ryker bellowed. Akuji glances up. His mouth pops open in amazement. "GO!" Ryker calls. Akuji couldn't move. He stood frozen in fear as a huge meteor descended slowly down upon them...
AN: Sigh... I brought in Ryker, a Hermit, and now Akuji and Ryker have to duel with four balrogs. Next chapter will be fun to write! Alright to answer my reviewers questions:
Akein: Thanks for the compliments, I really appreciate 'em. He doesn't have any money, so he can't buy new armor, so that's why he still wears it.
Shy Guy 32: Yes... there are alot people not good at summaries (I am among them, and first and foremost 'cause I suck the most). Yeah, I know if you die you only lose exp, but I mean, it'd be weird if Akuji goes through everything to beat Kronos and then when he's finally beat him, Tatum pops up and says: Hey, Akuji! Guess what! I'm still alive! I just lost some exp! Cool huh! Anyway, please R&R. I really appreciate your noble contribution of criticism and sarcastic wit. Good-bye, and so long for another day! (Cloud of Smoke billows up) (Chaos Flare emerges coughing) Uh, whoops I was supposed to run then wasn't I? (Runs away) REVISION/UPDATE/NEW: Yeah... Oh, Hwabi stars are the newest throwing stars. They've got four crescent blades on each side and are wicked cool. +27 attack. Rejoice Assassins! But then get sad because they're only in MapleSEA. But, MapleSEAers, they only drop from Zombie Mushmom. Anyways, review please!
