Yo! I haven't updated in a long while… Been very busy over the summer and now with school work…

Finally! Chapter Two is here!

Disclaimer: I don't own Ragnarok!

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Chapter Two-Truth

Hikari moved on to the milk section of the square. She tried to forget the person she saw earlier in the square but she was still shocked. She absentmindedly ordered milk for the church, forgetting to be polite to the milkman.

As soon as she finished ordering, she ran back to the church as fast as she could, while trying her best not to break the eggs.

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The sun started to set when Hikari walked into the church, panting. She carelessly tossed the basket aside, breaking some eggs in the process.

She staggered up to the sleeping quarters and ran up to her room. She opened the door and threw herself onto the bed.

"Boy, I'm getting paranoid in here," she thought. "The swordsman I saw in the town square can't be the same person who shouted at me this afternoon. Maybe I was just imagining things…"

She tried to convince herself that she was imagining things. But she wasn't very successful. Instead, she decided to think of other stuff to preoccupy her mind. Unfortunately, the only thing she can think of was the dream that haunted her for weeks…

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Knock, knock.

Hikari snapped out of her reverie when she heard a knock on the door. She groaned and reluctantly got up from her bed and opened the door. It was Father Augustine, the head cleric of the Prontera Church. He was a man in his sixties, with graying hair and a beard. He wore the usual cleric's stole and a Biretta.

Hikari gestured to the table in her room. Father Augustine sat down.

"My child, has anything been bothering you lately?" inquired the elderly priest.

Hikari paused for a while and sat down on one of the chairs, directly facing the priest. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and replied, "No… father…" lying outright to the priest.

The priest looked at her dubiously, seeing her guilty face, then replied, "But, Child, you haven't been acting yourself lately. You seem so…distant. Really, are you sure nothing is bothering you? I mean, before you go…" He trailed off.

Hikari thought for a while. Should I tell him? Or not? After much debating, she reluctantly replied, "Father… I had this nightmare. There was this man…killed…arrows…" She shut her eyes and shook her head, "No, there was this man…he was being chased by a bunch of people, killed by some arrows… I… I…" She burst into tears.

Father Augustine realized that the girl was clearly traumatized by the dream. He patted her awkwardly on the back and said, "Wait here. I'll be back…" He exited the room.

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Father Augustine went back to the room. He carried a small box with him.

"Hikari…this came with you."

"Huh?" Hikari gave him a puzzled look.

He took a deep breath. "Hmm…where should I start…well, it was a very stormy night when we found you. It rained endlessly for 3 days. On the third day we found you in the steps of the church. We took you in and adopted you. We raised you to become a God-fearing and generous acolyte. I've been looking for an opportunity to give you this…"

He handed her the box and a yellowing-shriveled up letter. Gingerly, she opened the letter.

Dear Hikari,

We are sorry about doing this to you, but we really have no choice. Anyway, now that you're older, you can have these items. And

"Huh? I don't understand this letter, father." She told him. "And why is the letter torn?"

He merely shrugged. "Why don't you check the box?"

She opened the box. There was a necklace and a ring inside. The necklace was gold and fine, with some sort of crest/symbol etched on it. She was about to ask Father Augustine what the symbol meant when she saw him looking at her in surprise.

She looked at him questioningly. He finally said, "I don't know, but all of us have been trying to open that box, and none of us have been able to open it, even when we gave it our best efforts…" He gave her an embarrassed look.

Deciding to ignore Father's revelation, she examined the ring. It was silver, pretty thick and had an encrusted ruby on it.

A note fell out of the box. It landed on the floor.

Please wear at all times. For your safety.

Hikari was baffled by everything, from the torn letter to the weird accessories. Anyways she decided to follow what was written in the paper and wore the necklace and the ring.

She then turned around and happened to glance at the clock. It was already late.

"Father! Oh no! I have to get ready for tomorrow!"

She hurried to the closet and started throwing stuff on her bed.

Father Augustine exited the room quietly, without Hikari noticing.

When he got out, he breathed a sigh of relief. Making the sign of the cross, he murmured, "Oh God, I'm sorry for not telling her everything…"

Little did he know about the shadow watching the church…

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Izlude Harbor: The Marina and Mulawin Restaurant

"Grr… Midori! Why did you choose this restaurant? I know the food is great and stuff, but my tux is so uncomfortable!" Akiru complained. "And what kind of name is 'Marina and Mulawin'? Where did that name come from? It sounds like some sort of soap opera…"

"Stop complaining and eat your food!" Midori shot back. She sliced the tuna belly in half and gave part of it to Akiru.

"Well, you are giving everyone the impression that we're boyfriend and girlfriend." Said Akiru.

"We are." Replied Midori casually.

"WHAT!"

"Not in the way you're thinking. There's nothing wrong with being best friends, you know."

"Oh…"

"I'm hungry!"

Akiru glanced at Setsuna the Yoyo, who was jumping up and down, trying to get Midori's attention.

"Here," Akiru bent down, offering his fish slice. The Yoyo looked at him disgustedly and Midori gave him a hard hit on the head.

"Ouch! What was that for!" Akiru moaned, rubbing his throbbing head vigorously.

"You idiot! Yoyos like bananas, not fish? They're not carnivores!"

"B-but—"

"Setsuna, here is your banana juice."

"Yay! Thanks!"

"Akiru slumped on his chair, swearing and muttering something about lack of gratitude. Midori said, "Look, I'm sorry for getting angry with you over such a petty thing, but… I guess I'm getting worked up over—" She stopped, a look of panic swept over her face. "Wait, forget I said that—"

But it was too late. Akiru asked, "Worked up over what?"

"Oh… never mind." She looked down, embarrassed.

"C'mon, Midori… I know you were about to say something…" Akiru insisted. "I know that something's bothering you!"

"Eh… well…"

"Midori…" he took a sip of his drink.

"…I'm going to be a knight."

Akiru choked on his drink. "W-what?" He coughed. "But I thought you promised—" He coughed again.

"I'm sorry, Akiru! I just got tired of waiting for you!" she exclaimed, nearly bursting into tears.

Midori stood up. "If you need me, I'll be in Prontera tomorrow." Not being able to look at Akiru, she left a bag of zeny (for the bill), took Setsuna with her and ran away.

"Wait! Midori!" Akiru shouted. But Midori didn't seem to hear him.

Akiru sat there in shock.

I can't believe she's doing this to me…

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Okay! That's the end of the 2nd chapter! I promise to post the 3rd chappie soon!

Only Filipinos will be able to get the Marina and Mulawin joke…

See ya!

Kaylee Ishtar

P.S. Please review the story… I will probably post the chapters more often if I know someone's reading my story…