Disclaimer: I do not own Maplestory in anyway.
A/N: Chapter Eleven hah!
Anonymous: Awesome! :D Here is the long awaited chapter. Hope you enjoy it!
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Chapter Eleven: Return to Shiver Village
The snow that had blanketed the land lay pristine and untouched. The sun was slowly rising over the mountains of El Nath. The sounds of the animals' leisurely awakening from their nightly slumber greeted the morning sun. The spirit of darkness gazed out the window from the third story. His dark purple eyes were shining with darkness that only he could pull off. The sound of the bathroom door opening alerted Umbra to look at his partner. For once, Eckhart wasn't wearing the bandages that covered his entire body. His hair was slightly damp still. Eckhart observed the sky that was welcoming the warm rays of light.
"Are you planning on freezing to death?" Umbra asked softly. Eckhart was simply wrapped in a towel around his waist. Eckhart ignored the spirit and pulled out of his bag, another pair of clothing and put it on. "They're going to find you soon."
"I'll deal with it." Eckhart replied flatly. He finished buckling the belts on his boots, before picking up his plain porcelain mask. "That's the only choice I have." He whispered under his breath.
"No, it is not the only choice you have left." Umbra said strongly. "Eckhart, you are strong. There are still things you must learn for yourself."
"Fighting them is the only choice I have. Learning about things for my own reasons, I know I still have a longs way to go." Eckhart retorted and put on his mask.
"Ask Arec to train you in the arts of an assassin." Umbra said sternly. Eckhart looked at the spirit. Umbra could feel his piercing eyes from beneath the mask. "You'll understand why you need to learn it." Umbra waited patiently for Eckhart to acknowledge. There was a quiet sigh, before Eckhart nodded silently in acknowledgement. "Eckhart, what is bothering you?"
"Zeru Orpheus Erebus," Eckhart glanced up at Umbra, "I think I know him. It's just that I don't quite remember how I know him." There was a gentle knock on the door.
"Eckhart? Are you awake?" A quiet childish voice whispered through the door. Umbra looked at Eckhart as he walked over to it and opened the door. Evahart was standing there with a small frown on her pale face.
"What's the matter?" Eckhart whispered softly.
"Do you remember what happen to you before the age of five?" Evahart asked perplexed.
"Why?"
"I saw you in my dream, but you were five I think." She replied with her eyes scrunched in confusion. "I think I was…really young." Eckhart stared at Evahart closely. Umbra could hear the gears in Eckhart's head moving and clicking into place. The sudden dream, the little girl in front of him, and the vague feeling of knowing a man that he'd never seen before; he ventured into the Forsaken Palace. "Eckhart?"
"When I was five, I remember running away from something, while carrying a little baby girl." Eckhart whispered softly. Umbra's purple eyes widen in surprise.
"It couldn't be…" Umbra slipped out accidently. Eckhart and Evahart turned to stare at the spirit. Umbra recovered sheepishly. "Sorry, I was just thinking out loud." Eckhart looked at Umbra suspiciously.
"Does that answer your question?" Eckhart inquired gently. She nodded slowly; Eckhart could tell that she didn't seem satisfied with his answer.
"Master Arec told me to tell you to see him once you're ready. He said he'll be on the first floor." Evahart said quietly. She smiled weakly and turned to return whatever it was that she was doing. Eckhart watched her leave before looking at Umbra.
"It looks like I might not have the need to ask the man." Eckhart said with a smirk under his mask. Eckhart glided down the stairs to where Arec could be found. Arec was standing near the fireplace in the same type of outfit as always. It never changes…ever. "Master Arec, you wanted to see me?"
"Eckhart, I need you to take Evahart back to her village today. Something tells me that she'll come asking soon, after that we'll start on your training."
"Are you not coming with us?" Eckhart asked with curiosity. Arec smirked under his hood.
"We, instructors, are not allowed to enter that village. No matter how much we look for it, we will not find it." Arec replied softly. Evahart knocked on the wood column to get their attention. "Evahart, how long were you standing there?"
"I've been here long enough to know that Eckhart and I are going back to the village today." Evahart answered quietly.
"You two be careful when you're there understand. Do what you have too, but return as soon as possible. I don't want to see you both returned as corpses." Arec advised swiftly.
"We understand, Master Arec. We'll take our leave then. Are you ready Evahart?" Eckhart asked quietly. Evahart nodded. The two bid Arec farewell as they walked through the forest. Eckhart watched as Evahart lead the way back to the village. She really did know how to return there by heart. Umbra summoned himself and walked along with them. When they reached the village, there was nothing left of it other than ashes that were beginning to disappear as well due to the snow. Evahart walked to where her house should have been and went to the back of the house. She cleared the snow off and low and beholds a door. Umbra glanced at it with interest. Evahart pulled it open it and revealed an underground cellar or basement. Evahart pulled out the candle from the holder and lit it. Eckhart's widened in surprise at what the cellar stored. Weapon and a whole lot of them from daggers, claws, throwing stars to knucklers, swords, knives to staffs and shields littered the little basement. "What is this?"
"My family was known for collecting weapons in case of emergencies and such. There is something here that might help you in your journey." Evahart answered solemnly. Umbra glanced around the room and went to look at the weapons in detail. Evahart walked to the back of the room and touched the wall. Stepping back, she watched as the wall revealed a door. She opened the door and walked inside the inner chamber. Eckhart followed her inside and stared at the box that was sitting in front of him. She opened it and motioned him to look at it. It was a blue black Raven's Claw. Eckhart blinked in plain surprise. How did her family get their hands on one of those? He glanced at Evahart.
"I can't possibly take that. Don't you know how much that is?"
"Yes, but it will do much more good in your hands then mine. You can return it to me once you are done using it. I'm sure you'll find a better claw in the future. Until then, you can use this." Evahart replied.
"Eckhart, I think it would be good to have it." Umbra stated plainly. "As long as you keep it in perfect condition then you'll just return it to her in the future."
"Are you sure this is okay, Evahart?" Eckhart asked while looking at her. She smiled and nodded.
"I have a feeling that it will help you." Silence rested in the chamber. "I believe that you'll be leaving very soon to continue your journey."
"Yes…I can feel them moving much quicker than I anticipated." Eckhart said softly. Umbra left the chamber to look around some more.
"Do you need more throwing stars? We have a few packs that might interest you." Evahart whispered soundlessly. Eckhart picked up the Raven's Claw and put it on. To his astonishment it fit perfectly, like it was waiting for him to find it and wear it.
"You're sounding a lot like a sales person, Evahart." Eckhart said while motioning her to show him. Evahart laughed softly.
"I suppose I do sound like one, only difference is that I'm not selling them to you. I'm giving them to you." Evahart responded briefly. Evahart led him over to a case full of different types of throwing stars. "Choose the ones that interest you. I'll sharpen them when you have the ones you like. I'll be over by that table." Eckhart nodded as she lit the candle on the wall and walking over to the work table in the middle of the room. Eckhart glanced at all of the stars and was again flabbergasted at the collection. Eckhart studied the ones that interested him and brought them over to Evahart and Umbra. Umbra was messing with the candle's flame in morbid curiosity. Evahart had the sharpening tools out on the table and was watching Umbra messing with the candle flame. "Did you find the ones you liked?"
"Yeah…what is Umbra doing?"
"He's playing with the fire. I'll sharpen those for you." Evahart mumbled softly. Eckhart gave them to her and watched Umbra try to burn his finger. The sound of metal to the sharpening rock vibrated through the room. They spent a few hours in there, before Evahart finished and gave them to Eckhart. "We should head back now that I'm done here. I'll just lock this up so no one can use the weapons irresponsibly." As they left, Evahart locked the cellar and casted a spell over the door making it impossible to locate unless you knew where it was. The three returned to El Nath in silence. Umbra unsummoned himself once they neared the house. Arec was waiting for Eckhart at the door. He motioned Evahart inside to rest while he glanced at Eckhart.
"It's time for your training. I'm sure you have some other things you might end up needing to do very soon. Come and we'll work." Eckhart nodded and the two of them disappeared into the forest for some training.
Inside the house
Evahart walked over to the chair by the fireplace. Rene was sitting a chair away reading quietly. Tylus was not at the house at the moment, which was surprising. Pedro was off doing whatever he does wherever he does it. Robeira was sitting at the table writing away notes and stuff that made Evahart's head spin in circles.
"Rene, I was wondering what will happen to me after Eckhart leaves?" Evahart asked concerned. Rene looked up from her book and glanced at the girl in front of her. Robeira put her pen down and walked to the kitchen.
"We'll find you a suitable place to stay and train. I'm thinking of asking Athena Pierce if she has anyone that will be willing to adopt you, since no one here in El Nath can afford to house another person." Rene said softly in return. Robeira returned and placed a tray of tea and cookies on the table. Robeira sat down in the chair next to Evahart.
"You'll be fine, Evahart. Athena Pierce is an understanding woman. She'll be willing to help. Now that I think about it. Isn't her apprentice already a Ranger? Nanayki was it?" Robeira questioned.
"Yes, Nanayki was made ranger a few months ago. I think Nanayki might be willing to help us with Evahart here. She told me that she'll help us with certain things after she deals with her work for Athena." Rene said softly.
"Is she nice?" Evahart asked with curiosity laced tone.
"Yes. Nanayki is extremely calm and gentle. Compassionate and in tuned with nature. She's also very knowledgeable and understanding, if you ever have questions for her." Rene answered.
"Can you contact her and ask her for me? I have a feeling that Eckhart can't stay here for much longer and I should get to know the world more and become stronger." Evahart stated softly. Rene and Robeira glanced at each other after looking at Evahart.
"We understand. I'll contact Athena and Nanayki about it. Until then, just continue to rest and regain your strength alright?" Rene replied.
"I will, Master Rene."
A/N: WOOT! Chapter eleven is done! Hope you enjoy this chapter, not much happened. Reviews are greatly appreciated.