…No matter what…
I'll come back to you two…
I promise.
Ocean waves can be heard.
The Dark Margin. Called that for it being on the border between the Realm of Darkness and the Realm Between. Organic looking rocks dotted the shores. A howling wind can be heard, even if there is no wind. The soft glow of the 'moon' shines down onto the shores.
Of course, those who had visited the beach calls it as that – it IS a literal margin between the Realm of Darkness and the Realm Between after all. And the Realm Between is the only thing that can connect the place naturally with the Realm of Light.
…If one has the means to escape, that is.
Someone soon steps up to the shores. They walked, until they're near the water's edge. The person is a man. A man with short brown hair. He looked to be in his mid to late 20s. His outfit once resembled a tunic with a pair of pants but…it has seen better days. Parts of it ragged and torn. As if something had tried to get at him. Many times. Something with long claws or even a blade. Or even teeth.
The man stared out at the soft moonlight, the waves rolling in and out. In a continuous loop.
Soon, another person steps up beside him. He seems a little older in his early thirties. He has a hood over his head and has more muscle on him than the other man. He has parts of armor on him, and a sword on his back. His outfit isn't as ragged as the other, but it has some scratches and dents here and there. The cloth that makes up the hood has some holes in it.
"…End of the road?" The older man asked.
It took a moment for the younger man to answer. "Yup. Sure looks like it."
The older man grunted. He removed his sword, before sticking it into the sand. He carefully sat down on the sand, lowering his hand from it. Always in reach, just in case. You may never know what could ambush you, even at these shores.
As they had both seen. For now though…
"We should rest," the older man said to the other. "It's been a long walk."
The younger looked at him, then at the moonlight. He sighed. "Yeah…" He eased himself down, his arms over his knees.
Silence hang over them, even as the 'wind' blew and the waves rolling in and out. The younger man heaved a sigh, slumping forward a little. The older man noticed it. "Are you all right?"
"No. Just…I dunno," he answered defeatedly.
The older man considered him. "…What is your name?"
"Hm?" The younger blinked his brown eyes at him.
"Your name," the older repeated.
The younger man considered it. Why would he…? Oh. Right. He appreciates it. He nodded. "Quinn."
"Good. You still remember your name," the older man nodded. "What else do you remember?"
Quinn began to think about the question. Trying to dreg up memories. He had been down here for so long…most of his memories are either gone or…just buried in his heart, due to the darkness. He remembers his name, what he is…but everything else. It was tragic. Some would say those were better off not being remembered…but, they remind him of who he is.
And the reason he had lasted as long as he did.
Quinn looked out. "…I remember…my love. And the child we had. They're the reason why I'm trying to find a way out of here."
The ocean waves rolled. Quinn felt certain that the two are a reason why he's still alive.
"…Do you remember their names?" The older man asked him softly.
Quinn nodded. "Yeah."
"What are they?"
Quinn had a soft smile. "Mila. And our son, Lea."
The older man nodded. "Good. You still remember. Your reason to escape."
Quinn looked at him. "Do you remember your name?"
The older man nodded. "Argent."
"How about your own family?"
"My wife, Mera. And our son, Isa."
Quinn smiled. "Guess we both kept our minds intact. Thank goodness."
The older man looked out at the shore. "Yeah…"
Silence befell the two men once more. Quinn looked up at the moon. "What do you think happened earlier?" The older man hummed curiously at him. "The worlds and such? The beach we were on earlier…I could tell that it wasn't within this place for long…but the others? Longer."
Argent knew what Quinn was referring to. Earlier, when they were near the mines near a cottage, Quinn suddenly felt…something. He tracked it to the dwarven cottage. He lingered there, before he sensed that it went further out. They had arrived at the area after going through a dense jungle. Most of the worlds had started to pop up after a while. Quinn had explained that they had 'fallen' into the dark realm. Their 'hearts' taken by the monsters that lurks within the dark realm. For what purpose, they don't know. But since the visit to that woodland, Quinn had followed the 'trail' all the way to a forest of thorns. Almost to an…obsessive degree. The man had nearly gotten himself into danger more times than Argent could count. Muttering 'he was here' at certain places before he rushed off. Argent had to take out a particularly big dark monster before he had to set the man straight.
Quinn had rambled of how 'he was here, he was just here', until Argent had to hit him over the head. With his head cleared, Argent asked him to calmly explain what he was talking about. Quinn admitted to sensing something…similar to him. Argent had heard of a few things about a particular race of people who could just…sense things, and with Quinn's proficiency in magic without a catalyst of a sort, it made Argent wonder if Quinn is a part of that race. He put it at the back of his mind to ask for more details. Quinn quietly admitted that he had sensed his son. His son, who he only saw as a baby – he was in the dark realm for some reason. There were two others, one of them had felt like Argent. Seemingly implying that someone else related to Argent is also down in the dark realm…his own son?
Argent had many questions, but he put them aside as he calmly told Quinn that it wouldn't do anyone good if he gets himself killed trying to find his son. Not only that, the last time he had seen his boy, he was only a baby. He might not remember Quinn. Quinn knew that, but he so desperately wanted to meet his son. To know if he and Mila are okay. He misses them so much. Argent felt sympathetic; he missed his son and wife as well. He had a reason to leave. But he also knew that he would undoubtedly hurt them in this action. Yet, it would be better if he didn't hurt them though…
(It didn't change the fact he still left them, though. Even if he had his reason.)
(He had meant to return to them. Had been on his way, yet…)
Argent mentally shook his head, telling Quinn he understands. He missed his wife and son too. But again, it wouldn't do them any good if they had died before meeting them. Reluctantly, Quinn agreed. They still tracked the trail all the way to a mountain near a castle in the distance…but the trail just…ended. From what Argent could see, something had clearly happened in the area. Yet Argent doubted that they had met their end around there.
Quinn had concentrated…and then lead them into the depths. They were startled when the entire place shook. Following the trail, facing off against the dark monsters, they ended up at the remains of an island. They didn't take the time to look around, before a swarm of the smaller monsters came out of a small cave entrance. They knew not to underestimate the small swarm and fought against it as if their lives had depended on it (which is literal in a sense). After a long fight – including its deadly tornado phase that forced Argent to use his power – the two laid exhausted on the beach.
Something particular happened after though. The islands…returned to normal. The two men were surprised…stunned. It had been so long since they had seen the light. The rays of the sun. The blue skies. Even as the sky turned to night…Quinn knew.
The worlds are saved. The worlds that had fallen…are now returning to normal. Including the islands they're lying on. The spores of light fell around them…and they soon fell into the darkness. As the island was being restored.
…And after what felt like hours, came upon the shores.
Argent returned to the present, shrugging. "Who knows? Something happened at the Realm of Light. That much is obvious. We never did solve who was controlling those monsters to make the worlds fall."
Quinn hummed, nodding. His eyes shifted up to the moon. "…This is the 'edge' of this realm," he spoke up. "Connected to the 'edge' of the 'realm between'."
Argent looked at him curiously. He had held in several questions, as their survival was more important at the time. But since they're here…
"It's strange that you seem to know that," the man remarked. He tilted his head. "…Did the realm tell you?"
Interestingly, Quinn froze. "Uh…"
Looks like he had guessed right.
"Quinn, I don't exactly care on what you are," Argent told him. He pulled back his hood, scratching his head. He had gotten some stubble when he was away before he was banished to the realm by some maniac. "If you are what I think you are. I never met one personally, really. But I heard stories."
"Ah…yes, well…" he cleared his throat. "My story is…long and boring."
"I don't have to hear it now," Argent responded. "Though, I am curious of why you're sent down here. From the looks of it…you were put down here not of your own volition." Just like he was.
Quinn stared at him, before looking out. He sighed. "…I'll say that…I was holding back someone, to let Mila get away with our son. They were after Mila, mostly for her power. Though, this time around…they got a new trick; they made a portal of darkness and…next thing I knew, I'm down here."
Argent raised an eyebrow. "Why would this person be after her?"
"From what Mila told me, they're trying to get power from the strongest Mages," Quinn explained. "Not only that, they could take on the form of a man or woman with magic, so no one really knows what gender they are, or what they look like. Mila is the strongest fire mage out of everyone, gifted with talent. Those who are able to connect with Familiars are capable of using magic. And considering that I never needed to have a Familiar…"
"…I see," Argent said softly. He hummed in thought, eyes narrowed. Something about it is…familiar…
He glanced at Quinn. "So how did Mila manage to avoid them?"
Quinn hummed. "She has a friend. We don't know his species, but he's got a connection to her and my race. We call him 'Red'. She learned how to suppress her magical ability, and through my help, we remained undetected…" He frowned. "But, that changed when our son was born. He was only a few days old when it happened."
Hm. Did this person become desperate enough to tap into that forbidden power to find her?
…This tugged at his memories…
"I had spent eight years finding that wretch! I'm not going to let anyone stop me! Even you!"
…Could it be…?
Surely, it can't be a coincidence. Could it? If this is the same mage that sent Quinn down into this realm…and they had been searching for eight years…
A grim realization hits Argent. Two realizations. 1) This poor man had been down here longer than Argent has…
2) The person who sent him down there is the same one. And they were at Radiant Garden when he last saw them.
And if that mage was at Radiant Garden…
Argent felt his blood go cold.
No…
He was a fool.
Argent stood up quickly, grabbing his sword. Quinn blinked at him. "What's wrong?"
"Quinn, we have to figure out a way to leave this place." Argent looked at Quinn. "We don't know how much time had passed while we were down in this godforsaken realm, but we need to leave. Your son…and perhaps my own, are most likely in danger."
That got Quinn's attention. "What?" He asked.
"If our sons were down here, something had happened…and if you're unable to sense them, it's more than likely that they're either taken by those monsters…or, they managed to escape themselves," Argent said. "If this is the 'edge' to the so called 'Realm Between', we need to find a way to get there." He grips the hilt of his sword tightly. "We have to leave. I can't stay down here any longer."
Quinn slowly stood up. "Well, you're right about that." The man held out a hand. In a flash of light, a double headed staff appeared in his hand. He grasps it in both hands. "If our boys are in danger, we need to figure out how to get out." He gave a sheepish smile. "The best I could do is pray for us to exit." He joked.
Argent made a flat look to Quinn. He rolled his eyes, pulling his hood up to cover his head. "Well, we may have to try," he muttered. "We have little idea, really."
Quinn hummed. "…Well, I know I was joking," he admitted before shrugging. "But! I'm gonna give it a try."
"You're kidding." Argent deadpanned.
"Nope!" Quinn held onto the staff and closed his eyes.
They stood there for a few moments. Waiting. Argent planted his sword before him, resting his hand on top of its pommel. They waited. And waited.
After a long while, Argent sighed. "Quinn-"
He was cut off when the man began to glow softly. Argent stared in surprise at this. What…what was happening?
Quinn opened his eyes before looking at Argent's sword. He points his staff at it…and the glow around Quinn transferred over to the sword. Once all of it went into the sword, Argent pulls out his word to look over at it. "What did you do?" He asked, intrigued.
"I simply transferred the power I got into your sword," Quinn calmly explained. He looked sheepish, scratching his cheek. "Ah…I guess my prayer worked. We're given the power to leave this place now."
"Really now?" Argent looked over at the sword once more. If that's true, why transfer the power into the sword? He could have made one himself, right? The man looked up at the waters. Then again, he isn't sure on the limits of making a portal. Would it allow the both of them to exit? Or just one? Perhaps transferring it to the sword can allow the both of them to leave.
The man narrowed his eyes, determined. "I guess we'll see," he decided. He took his sword in both hands, steadying himself. He then raised his sword…and 'pierces' something in the air. Sharing a surprised, wide eyed look at each other, Argent looked back before he pulls it down… 'cutting' the air open. Soon enough, a portal formed before them.
"Huh. That worked," Argent mused. Unexpected, but…it worked at least.
But could this portal really allow them to leave?
Argent looked at Quinn, who looked over at it. Well, they had gotten this far. May as well see where it leads. "Ready?" He asked the brown-haired man.
Quinn blinked at him. The question sank in before he nodded. "Mm!" The two put away their weapons before they walked through the portal.
Once they had stepped through, the portal had shut behind them. Leaving the beach alone once more.
The waves rolled in and out.
~o~
At a small forest, the birds chirped and sang their songs. It was very peaceful.
Suddenly they scattered- just as there was a 'rip' in the air. It was cut open…and two men walked out of it.
Once they stepped through, the portal closed behind them. The lost men looked around in awe. There was green all around them. Above them, the sky is in a sun set.
"…Is this…?" Argent breathed out.
Quinn looked around. Bells were heard in the distance. Quinn closed his eyes. Calling to the world. To hear its name. Soon, it responded:
Twilight Town.
Quinn hummed. "Twilight Town. Interesting name," he mused.
"Twilight Town?" Argent parroted.
Quinn looked at him. "It's the name of this world," he explained. "…Also, it told us that there's a mansion nearby that we could use to lay low. Considering."
Argent rolled his eyes a little, shaking his head…but, couldn't argue with that. It's best that they get adjusted to being back, and not in the dark realm. "Right. Let's rest."
The two men then set off to find the 'mansion' Quinn was told of.
-End of Bridge 1: Time Between-
For those of you curious, there's a story behind the two. I plan on expanding their story in the future, but for now...explanation time:
Originally, I didn't think of the two, simply because there wasn't a need at the time. But when I watched the clip of Raven saving Yang in Volume 2 of RWBY...it sprang up for the Chain of Memories arc in the making. It was meant to be Isa's dad saving him but...I won't leave Lea out, so I planted his dad in too.
A couple of things will be fully explained about the two - why they were in the Realm of Darkness, who the person who sent them down there is and why were they after Lea's Mom...it will be explained in the future. As this series goes along, more and more of the world will be built up, including backstories. The 'incident' that was mentioned in Radiant Garden WILL be explained in the future, I can promise you that.
Also, I'm going to try to leave...well, hints about what race Quinn, and by extension Lea if you hadn't caught on already, he is, considering their powers and all. The only hint I could give is that they appeared in a Final Fantasy game...
But, real talk, this story's got five chapters, huh? The Lost Trio has a rather limited time before Chain of Memories pop in. Their time limit is approaching...
Yet with this, I'm gonna go ahead and work some more on Act 2. I had the outline up but this will take...time for me to do the rest. I may or may not post short stories of this series if I'm able to. It takes time and effort to create this universe...but, it'll be worth it. I'm going to see a story, a series completed. It may not be this year, but I WILL get it completed by god. I may not be the best at story telling - hell, I'm not on the same level as Genndy Tartakovsky, the guy who did Samurai Jack and his other, yet rather brutal, series called Primal. But I can learn, and I can try.
I hope you enjoy this story as much as you enjoyed the prequel. Even if there isn't a lot of reviews, at least people have read it. Mostly. (I'm still in shock they read my Red vs Blue one, to be honest.) In any case I'll see you all next time. Stay safe, and healthy...and stay determined.