Rebel: I decided to write the first chapters of all the story ideas I've had, and this was the first. Don't expect an update too soon. Of course, if you review enough, then once I'm done with an Avatar chapter request from a pal, I may come back and update. If this chapter doesn't really appeal to you because Jak's not in it, know that he turns up at the end of chapter two so be patient. Until then, enjoy!
P.S. For all who care, all I really own are my little OC's, the places you never heard of like Dhel Valley, and this plot. Oh, and baynut butter. Yay baynut butter!
The Legacy Begins
Prologue
It was the dead of night, and the world slept soundly. Then the silence was rent by the cry of a newborn babe. Head Monk Geish of the Dhel Valley Temple walked through the dark with his apprentice, Orin, close behind.
"So Teacher," the young monk spoke as he followed Geish, "where are we going?"
"Do you remember the young woman who came to us a few months ago from across the sea?"
The monk nodded. "Yes, Gryn the mechanic. She journeyed here all the way from Haven City despite the fact that she was pregnant."
"Correct." Master Geish said, looking back at the monk. "The midwife sent me a message." Geish's normally cheerful face grew somber. "Gryn gave birth to a boy a few hours ago, and while her baby is fine, she passed away."
Orin came up next to Master Geish so they could chat easier. "So are we going to bless the child in Gryn's honor?" he asked.
"That is part of it." Master Geish said. "The other reason is that poor Gryn was not able to name her son before she passed on, and we don't know the father."
"Why can't someone else name the newborn?" Orin asked.
"Because," Geish explained, "people often grow up with personalities suiting their names. Only a loved one or oneself has the right to make such a decision."
Orin looked into his teacher's face with admiration. Head Monk Geish was so wise. Then Orin thought of something.
"The child should still have a name though." Orin pointed out.
"Yes, you are quite right." Geish said, flashing his pale-faced apprentice a smile. "This child seems special so he should bear a temporary name that will allow him the freedom to become whatever he wants. When the time comes, he shall choose his own name, and his own destiny."
The two monks walked in silence for a time, Master Geish stroking the short beard he had begun growing when he had become Head Monk. Then he broke the silence.
"I think you should name Gryn's son, Orin."
Orin almost tripped. "M-me sir? W-why?"
"You were accepted as my apprentice on this day so you should have the honor of naming the little boy. It is not a coincidence that he was born the day you officially became a monk. I think he was waiting for you." Geish said.
They walked the rest of the way without speaking. Orin couldn't think of a name that sounded right, and was becoming quite nervous. Finally the monks came to a small farm house with a field, and Gryn's make-shift track off to the side.
Master Geish came up to the door and knocked. He was answered by Gryn's neighbor and good friend, Simon.
"Ah, Geish. It's you." Simon's black hair with its purple streak was mussed up, and his face was worn with anxiety and sorrow. "The midwife is upstairs with the babe and…Gryn."
"Gryn?" Geish furrowed his brow.
Simon heaved a sigh. "The midwife is superstitious. She says that Gryn must be present when you bless the newborn, or her spirit will never rest." Simon shook his head. He was a practical man who didn't believe in such hocus pocus.
Geish patted Simon's shoulder and headed upstairs. Orin followed, pausing to bow to Simon before catching up with his teacher.
Master Geish and Orin bowed to the midwife as they came into Gryn's room. The newborn child was in the midwife's arms and the lifeless form of Gryn lay on the bed, her features obscured by a sheet pulled over her head.
"Master Geish." The midwife nodded her head.
"We have come to bless the child." Geish said. Orin came forward nervously, but seemed to relax as he looked into the baby's eyes.
"I bless this child with a name. He shall be known as Riff. With this name he shall grow strong yet gentle, both wise and kindhearted. And when the time comes, this infant, then a man, shall choose for himself a name that reflects the destiny he has chosen." Orin finished by sealing the blessing with monk hand signs.
Geish placed a hand on Orin's shoulder. "Well done."
Silence filled the peaceful room. Suddenly there was a ringing noise that shattered the tranquil moment.
Riff opened an eye reluctantly, and turned off his alarm clock. He rolled over in an attempt to go back to sleep, but then the morning sun shined bright through the window in his face. Riff tried to remember what he'd been dreaming about, but it had disappeared as if it were fog banished by the sunlight streaming into his room.
Riff yawned and forced himself to get out of bed. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Riff hunted for his shirt. Having found it, he put it on and tucked it in the pants he'd accidentally fallen asleep wearing. Then Riff pulled on his vest and slipped into his boots.
Riff stood before the mirror and looked at himself. A seventeen year-old elf looked back at him. He rubbed his hand against his chin, feeling the stubble.
'I'll have to shave before I go.' Riff thought to himself. His hand went to his messy orange hair. He'd have to brush that out, unless he wanted to scare everyone in town.
Riff cleaned up in the bathroom down the hall, and then headed downstairs.
Simon sat at the table eating toast and jam. Riff had lived with Simon as long as he could remember. His black hair had long since grown gray from age and working in the fields under the hot sun. Simon's purple streak had turned pale as well, but remained purple all the same. Despite his age, Simon was almost untouched by wrinkles, and his hands were still strong.
"I'm heading for the library in town." Riff said as he grabbed a warm biscuit from the plate on the table. "I almost have that old Precursor tablet I found deciphered." Riff popped the biscuit in his mouth and began to move toward the door.
"Hold on there, Tiger." Simon said. "Your friend, Monk Orin called. He said Head Monk Geish wishes to see you. Head over to the temple first. Oh, and drink some milk. That biscuit has baynut butter in it."
"Riff had noticed the baynut butter moments before Simon had mentioned it. He could feel the stuff sticking to the roof of his mouth, and was thankful when Simon handed him a mug of milk, most likely purchased just this morning from the farmer down the road who raised yakows. Riff quickly drained the mug and set it on the table.
"See ya!" Riff said and disappeared through the back door.
Simon listened as Riff started his zoomer outside and then sped off. Simon shook his head.
"That boy's hard to get out of bed, but once he's up, he's got more energy than a muse." Simon fell silent as he ate his toast, and wondered what Geish could want.
Rebel: I know that must've been kind of boring, so please forgive me. I had to have it because Riff's the main character. You'll like the next chapter once I have it up. Please review. It'll help motivate me to write sooner. Also, to Shadow Systems and Touch Me in the Morning, please tell me what you think. I tried to put in a little more detail. See you later Peoples!
