CHAPTER 1: THE BROKEN THREADS OF FATE

Payon Town, Payon… 7 years later

Payon town has not changed much throughout the years. There was still a huge variety of merchants scattered in random places in the square, selling their goods to the townsfolk who darted in and out of each stall, looking for bargains. On some rare occurrence, a few merchants from Prontera would arrive and the warriors of the town would swarm over them not unlike marketing housewives in the morning. For one knew that if it was good and it could be bought, it came from Prontera.

Master Damienus walked this place many times in his life. When he was a young acolyte, he searched the world for more undead enemies to vanquish. In a seemingly innocent cave just yonder at the Archer Village, he had his quests along with other adventurers. There were a variety of monsters he could test his skills in those caves and now he has grown strong and his skills were among the best. He may be old. No… older. But nobody doubted his skills. But this time, he was not on his way to the cave. He was to visit the house of an old friend. Well, the daughter of an old friend. He was too occupied with these thoughts that he didn't notice the approach of a graying old man.

"Master Damienus! This is a great honor! When I heard the news that you were walking our humble streets, I could hardly believe it. It has been, what, 10 years?" The old man bowed first, then extended his hand.

"Yes. A long time, Xen Luo. Sometimes, I do regret being an Elder Councilor. Makes me miss out on a lot of good times. But our Grand Councilor, Master Wepz, gave permission for me to come up here." Damienus took the hand of another old friend. And it could come as a surprise to some to know that an Elder Councilor of the Grand Church of Prontera and The Mayor of Payon Town do greet friends just like ordinary people do.

"How are the young acolytes these days, huh? If they were half as troublesome as you were when you were their age, I pity the Church." Xen chuckled, remembering when Damienus was a feisty young adventurer/acolyte and he was but a mere temple guard. Thinking of those times made both men feel ancient but both would never admit it, at least not to each other. Damienus was still an instructor in the church and also was active in the quest scene. Often called upon to vanquish demons, ghosts and the undead. And Xen would of course, even now, personally train every new batch of Temple guards.

"Well, they're all a bunch of good boys and girls. I have one chap in my personal care. He seems to be the weakest in the Church but determined to learn. There's also one young lady, very skilled, might make priestess soon but sort of a rascal. Kinda conceited, you know?" Damienus smiled, remembering his young charges.

"Reminds me a lot like somebody I know." Xen said with a mischievous look in his eyes. Then both men laughed. Xen just had to make the connection. The two old friends started walking. It was then that Xen noticed where they were heading.

"You… are not paying a visit to the Temple?"

"No." And then suddenly everything was so serious. Xen knew the story even if it had been 7 years ago. It had happened in his jurisdiction, after all. They were quiet for a few moments.

"They say it was a Wanderer," Xen spoke again, breaking the uncomfortable silence, "It had been a long time since I saw any of those. And that was only once. I didn't think that any would venture out from that cursed castle."

"How sure were they that it was a Wanderer that killed our good friend?" Damienus asked as they were approaching the outskirts of the town. The houses grew more scarce and there were just more trees. But the path they walked on was clear enough. Proof that it was trodden so many times.

"Pretty sure. Before… the killings, there were a few sightings of a figure with a long sword. Extraordinary speed and skill. A lot of the forest critters have also been seen leaving the area. Guess the presence of a demon can do that even to fellow monsters." Xen shrugged, "I have long since placed that entire section off limits to anyone and the entrance under strict guard by an entire brigade. We have also built a wall so as to prevent anyone from sneaking in."

But both men knew this was unnecessary. Who was foolish enough to try to venture out into that section of the forest when one of the vilest demons in Midgard history was standing guard over it? But even with this, they knew the answer to that question.

"Sometimes I wish that no one believed in that damned legend anymore. I would walk from house to house just to convince everybody that the story of the Legendary Weapon was just a myth. No truth to it. Many travelers have died in that section of the forest, trying to find the mystical lake. Even before the Wanderer appeared there, it was a most dangerous place full of evil and dark magic. The lake they said, holds the key to the location of the weapon. But NOBODY has seen it." Xen said in frustration.

"One claimed he did." Damienus answered blankly. Both men were quiet again for a while but Xen did not like where this was going to.

"Damienus, Ferdomear was desperate… He was our friend but back then I knew that it was madness. To avenge his wife, he wanted to claim the power of the weapon. Old as he was, he believed that with it he could hunt down the demon, Baphomet, and end the appearance of monsters in our land. An honorable pledge, yes, but one which was unfortunately unrealistic. Damienus… my old friend, you are not thinking of following his footsteps, are you? If that is so, then as Mayor of Payon Town, I firmly ask you to reconsider." There was force in these words. Xen did not want to lose another old friend. "I know that Ferdomear was a close comrade. You know him much more than I do. You have been in the great Morrocan War and have shared many adventures when you were but an acolyte and he was a swordsman. But facing a Wanderer is lunacy beyond anything. Entire parties have fallen in that place. Those with enough number could not last that long and many appear in town driven mad… and that was without encountering that accursed monster!"

"Xen Lou… relax. I am merely here to see the daughter of my dear departed friend. Would you place a restraining order on that?" Damienus replied with a stoic face. With that, Xen calmed down. But he had a bad feeling about this.

"I suppose not. Very well, give my regards to young Rahne. She looked for you at the burial. Damienus, please remember what I said. I was devastated when Ferdomear died. I do not wish to feel that way any time soon. Visit me in the Temple while you're still in town, alright?" Xen said before stopping and slowly turned back to town, not waiting for the priest to answer. Damienus also did not look back. He was deep in thought and with each step he was drawing nearer to his destination. He wondered how Rahne would look. She was probably eighteen by now, a young lady in all respects. She would probably be tending the house doing what young girls would be doing. Has anybody been trying to win her heart? Most probably. Rahne's mother, Eleina, was beautiful and many noblemen tried to woo her, but it was to a young soldier she fell in love with. Rahne would probably have the same caring attitude and sweet nature her mother had. She was such an energetic child. Selfless and cheerful. The apple of her father's eyes.

Damienus smiled, remembering both father and daughter the last time that he had been in Payon. Rahne was barely seven then. The priest was so occupied with these thoughts that he did not notice the something had been watching him, lurking in a nearby bush just waiting for him to pass. It was only when the leaves rustled that he snapped out of his thoughts.

"Who goes there???" Damienus asked, firing up his SP force. A blue aura filled his body as he called upon the MAGNIFICAT spell which increased his SP force's regeneration ability ten-fold.

"GRAaaaaaaaaaaaOOarrrggghh!!!"

A blood-curdling scream filled the air and just as suddenly, Damienus' mind shifted from thoughts of old friends and their daughters to thoughts of how a Zenorc was now a few steps away from him bearing down with full speed and teeth gnashing.

"There! I saw him!"

"Are you sure?"

"Positive! C'mon! It's the perfect opportunity!"

"Well, if you say so…"

The city of Prontera was its usual busy self. The Jewel of Midgard never had a day gone that merchants were not lined up in its streets and people walking to and fro. It was a virtual smorgasbord of people and those of different species. At one corner a small group of young swordsmen were looking at a stall of swords sold by an eager merchant. At one side, a few novices were picking their way through the crowd looking for their respective academies to join. And to add to Prontera's population and tourists, more than one type of monster can be seen among the crowd as the craze nowadays was to try to tame a few of Midgard's creatures instead of killing them.

Among this sea of humanity and creatures, two young ladies were running at top speed, darting through the alleyways and barely missing a knight with his pecopeco laden with weapons. One was a Mage, a student of the arcane arts while the other was an Acolyte, a disciple of the Pronteran Church and training to become a master of the Divine Magic. Both were obviously far from their classes and at the moment were on a mission that to them was of greater importance. Well, to one of them at least.

"C'mon, Lilly! It's the perfect time to test it out. You don't say no when fate knocks on your door, right?" The Acolyte asked her panting counterpart as they hid just behind a barrel filled with clothes.

"I don't like running that much, Roxy. And really, I think I should be back in Geffen. You promised me you'd warp me if I helped you sneak out of the church." Lilliana Loran or Lilly to her friends looked very doubtful as to what they were about to do. Her friend was really such a troublemaker for an acolyte. It wasn't the running part that Lilly was uncomfortable with. Its that she was in her academy regulation uniform and it was a little too… revealing for her tastes. But a mage always follows rules and one of them is that the young ladies should wear a sort of two-piece type of wear that showed everybody that she was an in-training mage and should be treated with respect. It also showed her butt too when the wind was too strong.

"Don't be such a pansy, sister. It's the perfect time to try out your new skill. Come on! And what better way to use it than to help out other people!" Her friend Mariana Roxanne scowled at her friend's indecisiveness. Both looked just beyond the corner. A fat lady was screaming her throat off to people, commanding them to buy her apples. It wasn't exactly the best sales approach but the two girls were not interested on her but mainly on a spot just to the right of her apple stall.

"Patience… wait for it. Wait for it…" Roxanne whispered and Lilly could but only shake her head and just stood ready. When Roxanne sets her mind to something, nobody can say no. The two watched for a few seconds at the apple stall. At first nothing happened. Then the area around the stall seemed to waiver as if it was water and something had just faintly crossed over the surface. A blink later, everything was fine again. Then after a few more seconds, one of the apples started twitching as if it had a life of its own. Both girls watched as the old lady did not seem to notice anything, it didn't help that she was looking in the other direction too.

"C'mon… what are you waiting for…" Roxanne said in frustration as she clenched her fists and got ready to run. The twitching apple was rolling down now until it reached the bottom part of the heap of apples. Then, just as suddenly, it started floating in mid-air, moving slowly away from the stall.

"NOW!" Roxanne shouted and both girls ran towards the direction of the stall. Lilly ran ahead trying to keep in focus as she remembered the lines that would trigger her newest spell. Intense yellow light was suddenly around Lilly's petite frame and it gathered in intensity until it was burning in a spiral around her. Yellow turned bright red and the area around Lilly seemed to be affected with her magic.

"Rings of crimson from the air of V'lainya, mold itself and wash upon those that creep in shadow and illusion… give me…. SIGHT!" And as the young mage completed the spell phrase, the burning ring flowed out in a circular ten-meter radius, pulling a handful from her SP force and causing quite a spectacular display to those who saw. The ring of concentrated energy ruptured the flow of the air and scratched through the energy flow of any skill in the area that dwelt on stealth and illusion. True enough, on the spot where there appeared only empty space, there now stood a scrappy-looking young man in a dirty shirt with an apple in his hand and a very surprised look in his face.

"You! Stop! Stop, THIEF!" Roxanne shouted in anger and she increased her pace, leaving Lilly puffing after, trying to regain her energy spent from the Spell while running to catch up. The young burglar they were after stood still for a moment looking confused and then after realizing he had been caught and his HIDE skill was now useless, threw the apple at the two running magic-users and ran like hell.

The zenorc moved in with murder in it's eyes but Damienus merely stood his ground and brought out his bible. The age-old cleric was not to be intimidated by a brainless brute. The monster swung it's right arm straight at the priest's neck but Damienus merely waived his hand and the zenorc's attack slammed into a white residual barrier. The zenorc had a surprised look in its eyes as it stumbled back, clutching its hurt arm. This time, it was Damienus who approached the stunned monster. Grass and debris were swept aside as a holy boundary surrounded the priest's steps. The monster could not understand what was happening, could not even comprehend that such a skill called KYRIE ELEISON can block any attack from his claws. Sentient as it was, hunger and murder are the only things that were on its mind.

The zenorc coiled back not noticing that surrounding its body was a circular aura of divine energy. Damienus closed his eyes and the bible floated in front of him. And even as the monster ran towards him, the first words of the spell called HOLY LIGHT can be heard floating in the Payon Breeze...

"Waaaa! Please don't hurt me! Please don't hurt me!" The thief yelled and darted through an alleyway missing the exasperated look on Roseanne's face as she swatted the apple aside.

"You coward! Come back here, you!" the feisty acolyte placed both hands together in front of her chest in a sort of gesture used only in prayer and a sliver of white magical energy encircled her feet. Her running speed increased three-fold with the use of her AGI UP Skill and soon she was gaining on the thief who was jumping over carts and stalls in an attempt to throw off his pursuers. Roxanne may be running fast but she didn't have a spell that made her as agile as the thief who zoomed in between carts and slid beneath pecopeco legs. No, she had to run around the obstacles and that gave the thief more time to escape. He looks behind him and sees the acolyte stalled by a passing cart. He breathes easily and slows down into a jog.

"Heh, Im such a lucky thief. They'll never—WHOOMF!!" His body bounced off something so hard he felt like he just hit a wall. Which was virtually what it was anyway. Except that it was not made of stone. The thief lay flat on his back shaking his head and looked up to see a wall of flames furiously blocking his path. He just realized that his shirt was singed and his face was a tad red. It took all his strength to move into a sitting position just as the flames moved aside like a curtain and Lilly walks through, dispersing the FIRE WALL easily with a swipe of her hand as if it was nothing but air.

"I didn't know Cramps left the culverts at this time of the year." The mage smirked just as Roxy screeched to a halt a few feet away, her face red and looking like she was about ready to explode with anger. And just as suddenly, Shinbo, "the lucky thief", knew that his short-lived Pronteran escapade was over. Oh well. At least he would have free food in jail.

It was truly odd to see a Zenorc in payon town. Their natural habitats were near the orc dungeon or the provincial fields of Geffen. It was really peculiar. But strange as it was, it is no joyous occasion and one which he will surely not allow any further. His spell is almost done. Closing his bible dramatically as he looked the monster straight in the eye, Damienus's Holy Light spell was about to rip through the zenorc's soul when suddenly a spear went through the surprised monster's chest. The zenorc gave one final gurgle as he looked at the equally surprised priest in front of him before flopping down, its green blood staining the payon soil.

Damienus was still pretty much shocked by it all but in truth, the strangeness of the zenorc's death would seem much milder compared to knowing who the killer was…

"Uncle Damienus?" a girl's voice. What?

The priest shook his head and looked up to see a young girl in a not-so-typical girl's dress. The skirt and the blouse were pretty much normal, but the sheathed sword and warrior's gloves were not. The rainbow and different-colored blood stains on the skirt gave away the true nature of the wearer if not the sword and warrior accessories. This was a swordmaiden standing if front of him. Her long black hair was tied in two pigtails from the back much like a little girl does. And her eyes were the greenest ones he saw, which in fact, he has seen before. He could see but he could never believe who just killed the zenorc with a single decisive blow.

"R-Rahne?? Rahne? Is that you, my girl? I-I don't believe it. This is certainly a surprise!" Damienus said, still shaken as the young girl ran and hugged the priest so tight that he almost lost his balance.

"Young lady, do my eyes deceive me? Is this a swordswoman's clothes and weapons? When did all this happen?" Damienus asked as he gently pushed her away to have another good look at the little girl he used to sit on his knee and was the happy cowgirl of countless piggyback rides. The young girl giggled, stood back, and rubbed her face and the old priest saw her rub a tear or two subtly enough. He pretended not to notice and folded his hands on his chest. It wasn't the best of moves. He smudged all the new stains on his robe.

"Oh no, Uncle, I stained your coat!" Rahne said, embarrassed. She took off a small towel from her belt pouch and proceeded to wipe the stains off the priest's robe. Damienus waved it off politely.

"Nah, im ok, young lady. You'd better use that on yourself, though. You look like you've just slain a zenorc!" Damienus winked and both laughed nervously at the little joke. Rahne excused herself hurriedly, but politely, running to her shack to wash up. Damienus smiled as he looked after her. He took one last look at the fallen monster before walking after her and tried to place the smiling young girl's face he used to know looking from a knight's helm and riding a pecopeco into battle.

He didn't have much luck.

Prontera Castle, Prontera...

Zynogard.

That was his name. It was the same name he heard his adopted father and mother tell him when he learned how to walk.

Zynogard.

It was the same name he screamed to the street bullies who harassed him while he was walking home and said his name was "skinny". It was the same name he kept telling them as he victoriously walked away after beating them all to a pulp.

Zynogard.

It was the name called out to him when he passed the swordsman test with flying colors, graduating at the top of his class. A year later, it was the same name called out as he began his first mission, now officially a knight who has again graduated with straight A's and hefty recommendations.

And now here he was, looking at himself in the mirror, blowing back his short brown locks and seeing his strong, stern features look back at him seriously as if daring him for a fight with himself. He sighs and walks out of the bathroom to his room, sits on the bed and puts on his boots. After making sure they're fastened tight, he walks to a far corner, where his armor is situated. It was quite heavy but his strong body handled it with ease and so did his trusty pecopeco who was waiting for him down at the cavalry's stables. He puts them on and walks over to a huge cabinet. In it were some of his greatest possessions. His Cranial Shield leaned against the left wall of the cabinet, shimmering as the light hit the splendid crystalline surface which was refined seven times by the king's armorers. But his pride and joy was his Triple Bloody Pike. His constant companion in all his battles. It was given to him by a king. King Tristam the 1st. Also refined ten times by a blacksmith, it had thrice the spirit of the Hydra monster embedded in it (thus making it "Triple Bloody"), making it one of the deadliest weapons known to man. It was leaning opposite the shield, looking as harmless as a child's pogo stick.

He took both, each in one arm and walked slowly back to the mirror. He wasn't a boy anymore, nor was he a swordsman. And no, he wasn't just any knight either. He had a different identity now but one that he also liked and knew that he deserved. He looked down at his pike and sees the name written in bold letters.

Dragonz'

Zynogard was no more. Barely a week ago, by royal decree, Captain Zynogard has been appointed head of the Pronteran army of knights. Now he can only be called by his monicker. One he earned after slaying the beast he now shared a name with. Today, and for the rest of his military life he is now known as General Dragonz' of the Pronteran Royal Army. But his happiness was overshadowed by a great loss. His great king and mentor, Tristam the 1st died of mysterious circumstances a few days after giving him the title of general. He would have gladly traded his position to bring his old king back. This was his dream he was living. But no matter what name he is known for, Dragonz knows that he would not be anything if not for that old man. But life isn't always fair. And if the death was the trade-off that fate wanted for him, then so be it. His king had taught him well.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. He walked towards it and opened it grimly to see another knight standing in front of him.

"Kram-Z reporting for duty, General Dragonz'!" the knight said with a huge smile. Dragonz' rolled his eyes and turned his back on the knight, walking back to the mirror to adjust his armor. They suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

"Zip it, Kram, you know I'm still not used to this General stuff. Everyone's treating me all high and mighty. I don't need any of that from you guys." Dragonz' scolded his old friend who chuckled as he walked in and closed the door.

"Hey c'mon man, you're living everyone's dream. It's what you always wanted. GENERAL Dragonz'… wow, its got a nice ring to it, too." Kram replied amusingly, watching his friend fidget uncomfortably. Kram was third overall in the Swordsman and Knight courses where Dragonz' was top of the class. Just a few inches taller than his childhood friend Dragonz', Kram was an imposing sight. With his bony cheeks, playful brown eyes, and darkened skin that looked like he came from some far-off eastern country, he has scared many an invader away with just an intimidating look. But off the battlefield, Kram was usually the joker to the gang and the brunt of his jokes was usually Dragonz', who took it all in good nature.

"It's time, you know." Kram said, and the flicker in his eyes told Dragonz' that Kram too wasn't very comfortable about what was to happen. Immediately after Tristam the 1st died, the second in line to the throne, the late king's eldest son, Tristam the 2nd , 17 year-old prince, was crowned the new leader of the kingdom of Prontera. Dragonz' had no problem with the young prince leading Prontera as he had shown to be of docile nature and a huge admirer of his late father's work. No, what was getting Dragonz', and Kram for that matter, was that they were going to walk up that familiar red carpet up to the throne and it wouldn't be the old king's kind face that they would see to welcome them.

The two knights left the room and both walked in military step towards the throne room. Before they got there, they were joined by another knight who was known by the name of Minos. The three knights merely nodded to each other and walked on without a word. If Dragonz' was the 1st overall in the swordsmand and knight courses, and Kram was 3rd, Minos was the second overall, losing to Dragonz' by a very small margin some observers would say. Some said that Minos missed the "General" position by a hair's breath. Dragonz' wouldn't mind Minos being General just as Minos didn't mind Dragonz' as General. Both were the best of friends and trusted each other with their respective lives. Minos's lithe, athletic frame generally complemented Dragonz' buff physique and Kram's height. Among the three, Minos was also the tactician and was usually quiet, competent and loyal. The short black hair, stern, strong facial features and cold, stoic stare gave him a subtle intimidating appeal that enticed people to obey and shut up. Upon Dragonz's request, Minos was his new XO and Minos wouldn't want it any other way. Together, Dragonz', Minos, and Kram were the most feared knights in Prontera. And now they were under the command of the youngest king in history.

King Tristam the 2nd , or "Prince Tam" as he was fondly called, for all his youth and apparent inexperience, looked as regal and noble as any king that sat on the throne. Just under 5'7" feet tall, he had rosy cheeks and dirty blonde hair that fell on locks to cover his brown eyes. He was athletic and was given only the best teachers on his daily classes. But his eyes now were swollen and there was no laughter or energy left in his stare. Rumors say that he has not stopped weeping for his father until now and only chose this time to make a public appearance. And it was a very important appearance indeed. For this was the time that the soldiers would pledge allegiance to him and give him sole military command.

The three finest knights of Prontera walked up to the throne and bent down to a knee. King Tam looked on all three and rose.

"My teachers, you all know why we are here at this moment." Tam said, his voice cracking a little but tried to be strong to show the army that he was going to be a strong leader in his own right. All three nodded and the young King bid them to rise.

"Then let us not waste any time. Although I do not wish to be in command of the kingdom at so early a time and undeniably so because of the… circumstances of my abrupt ascension, I would like to get this over with and start with the real work. I think my father would have done the same. Honor me as you honored him. And with this trust, my rule will be based upon."

There was a very inspiring strength in the words the new king had just uttered and at this moment, General Dragonz' just made up his mind that with nobility and class like what Tam had shown, it was just the right time that he was given command of Prontera. When he swore his allegiance to the young king, to himself, he swore that this king would never end up with the fate of his late father. Not on Dragonz's watch.

Approximately a hundred meters from the castle where King Tam had just received the allegiance of the Pronteran Army, a man who had made his own allegiance only to the gods of the almighty zenny stumbled on the road that led from Prontera and into the wilderness. He had just earned 2 million zennies and only by giving some information away. The information was false, of course, but by the time his "client" would find out about it, he would be long gone from Prontera.

He smiled as he half ran in the open road, whistling a song he just made up which glorified himself and his trickery. But his whistling came to an abrupt stop as he suddenly found his path blocked by a hooded figure in a long cloak.

"I pity people who do not value their lives, don't you?" The voice under the hood was unmistakably female and at the moment very, very pissed. The man recognized quickly that it was his "client". He felt the bag of zennies jingling close to waist. No, he was not about to lose such a large amount to this wench. He met her in the markets of Prontera as he overheard her asking around for a certain man. It was an easy fib to tell and he would have gotten away with it too. Upon sending the woman to Morroc, he would've made sure that he was long gone when she found out it was all a lie. Apparently, things didn't turn out quite as planned. He took a step back and tried to snake his way out of the predicament.

"Whu are ye still doin' 'ere, m'lady? I tol' ye all I knew. D' man yer lookin' for is in Morroc stayin' in with the dyemaker just west of d' pyramids. I swear on me Aunt Petunia's alcohol-soaked arse." He put up one of his hands for effect but he couldn't stop from sweating especially after the woman started to walk slowly towards him.

"I have friends in morroc. The man wasnt there. You played me for a fool. The last whoever did that wound up dead..." The lady took a step forward.

"And do you know who was the last one who played me for a fool?" The hood came off. The man could only gulp and shook his head.

"It was you."

There was no scream. Only the slicing sounds of a katar. And the "angel-beast" has claimed another victim in the name of her long search. A search which will soon come to end.

Author's Howls:

Well, there's both the Prologue and Chapter 1. I'm hoping I can get a few reviews before I post the continuation. I hope I've at least caught a few eyes or so. Hope you enjoyed it!