Chapter 2: With A New World Comes New Friends
After several years of training, and maturing, Jiro has made a name for himself as a loyal and trustworthy warrior. Of course, with the fame comes the flame. Jiro has been accused as a faker, a fraud, a moron, and above all, an attention seeker. It is clear that these people do not have a pure heart as Jiro does. Luckily, people didn't recognize Jiro at first sight, because they had expected someone different. Good thing, too. Because if he screwed up, everyone would know him.
One day, when Jiro was traveling in Kerning on quest he had been assigned, he stopped off in the bar for a drink. There was only a single person there besides himself. A black haired red eyed rouge, with a claw on his right hand. Along the right side of his face rested a scar. Most likely from the receiving end of a blade. On his back was a huge shuriken. He was dressed in Dark Scorpio, with a Dark ID covering most of his black hair. This man was obviously on the road of an Assassin. He lifted his glass to his mouth, and took a small sip from it.
"Oh man... This guy might kill me if I make a wrong move..." Jiro thought. "Well, here it goes."
"So... Have you noticed how many idiots are running around these days?" He asked, trying to start a conversation.
The man set down his glass of vodka, and slowly shifted his head so his view met Jiro's shifting eyes. The intensity on his expression showed the man would obviously kill him if he offended him.
"You're right. It has become troublesome for me to go through town without being bugged by them." He stated in a calm manner. "The name is Razain, and yours?" He offered a handshake.
Jiro eyed the man carefully, and smiled. "The name is Jiro. Jiro Uzumaki. Nice to meet you, Razain." He said, firmly grasping his hand. They both shook hands. He thought he made a new friend, and he had. Razain went back to his drink, and kept at it in small sips until the glass was empty. Jiro ordered something rather soft, so he wouldn't find himself drunk when he was truly needed. Razain ordered a second drink, and they enjoyed their drinks until Jiro brought up something.
"So, uh... Do you mind coming along with me to help with some errands I'm running?" He asked, showing a sign of being frightened by Razain. "I mean, if you're not too busy, of course..."
Razain nodded. "Sure. I've got nothing better to do, why not?"
Razain reached into his pouch of mesos, and pulled out the cost of his two drinks. Jiro did the same, for his single drink. The two stood up, and left the Fusion Bar. The streets of Kerning were made of scarlet red bricks, and the buildings, a silver steel. This town is the only town in all of Victoria Island to have a city-like structure. It is no wonder that the party quest to take on the King Slime resides in this city. Kerning City's residents sell weapons mainly used by the rouge class, and is a good place to buy items off the black market.
In the center of the town lays the entrance to the sewer system, which ultimately lead to the swamps. Under the town resides the subway, which is mainly abandoned, minus a single track. Wraith, Giant Bubblings, and Stirge can be found in the abandoned subway. To the north of the city is a long line of construction sites, until the mountains of Perion come into view. To the south of the city lays another construction site. To the east of the site, you will find the Kerning Forest, and beyond that the three way split into Henesys, town of the archers, and the Harbor city of Lith. Beyond the hills of Henesys, you will find the forest town of Ellinia, a beautiful paradise city built in the trees. Fairies reside here, along with the magicians In the center of the island, deep in the dense swampy forest is Sleepywood, a dreary town with the most famous Sauna in the world; The Sleepywood Sauna. Victoria Island is a truly wonderful place, indeed.
A swift blur sped past Jiro and Razain, bumping into Razain ever so slightly. Next, Jiro felt a slight bump. Within a matter of seconds, Razain's Ilbis were missing, as was Jiro's Hero's Gladius, which he had received from Manji after completing a troublesome task of reviving the sword. Jiro's Steel Tower Shield was still secured in his left hand. They both blinked, unaware of what had just happened. Only seconds later, a dust trail picked up from the direction the blur came from, and passed the two. Who ever, or what ever did this was fast.
"...My Ilbis are gone..." Razain stated, startled.
"...Where's my Hero's Gladius!? This isn't good!" Jiro exclaimed.
"...You were holding it, and you didn't even realize it was taken? How dense are you?" Razain asked, and took off in the direction of the cloud of dust.
"Shouldn't we go after I----Hey! I'm not dense!----Wait up!" Jiro stated, and followed after Razain.
Our hero and is companion followed the cloud of dust all around Victoria Island, until finally, they found a lone girl standing, holding the Hero's Gladius, and Ilbis Throwing Stars Over the edge of the Ellinia Dock. "Come any closer and I'll toss them over, and you'll never see them again." She said in a soft, happy-go-lucky voice. On her face was a smile. She wore a red vest, with a purple shirt underneath. Her pants were a moderately blue-gray, and baggy. Her shoes, black snow shoes lined in a golden yellow. The girls hair was black, and covered by a straw hat with a red band around it. The girls eyes were covered by golden shaded sunglasses. On her left hand, was a Dark Slain. It matched her Gold Sylvia glove on the right hand. Along the knuckles of the slain was a golden brace, which extended between her middle and ring finger. Her Sylvia had a golden brace along the knuckles, and a golden brace around her wrist. It was obvious the girl was well funded.
Jiro and Razain stopped in place. They couldn't risk losing their possessions. The Heros' Gladius was one-of-a-kind. The Ilbis were a very rare type of throwing star. A horn blew, and the boat from Ossyria to Victoria slowly begun to dock at Ellinia Station. The girl jumped at the sound, and almost dropped the stolen items. Of course, she was able to hold onto them. Jiro and Razain saw their chance, and rushed the girl. Razain, using his Assassin speed, was there in a flash, and secured the items. Jiro jumped, and tackled the girl at an angle, so the two wouldn't fall off the edge. He pinned her down until the boat pulled in, which allowed for the passengers, whom were now unloading, could see.
"Augh! Get off me!" The girl demanded. "Rape!"
"Be quiet... You stole my Hero's Gladius." Jiro stated, as the girl struggled.
"As well as my Ilbis." Razain interrupted, inspecting the items for damage. "Mind explaining why?"
"Gah, I was only joking! I was going to give them back!" She explained, still struggling.
"That doesn't give you any right to take something from us, and make us follow you all the way around the continent!" Razain snapped.
"You have your stuff, now let me go!" She demanded. "Before I file rape charges!"
"...How can it be rape? I'm holding you down so you don't run." Jiro said.
"Psh, let her go. I could have snagged them back at any time." Razain admitted. "Besides, I got something extra."
Razain pulled out a necklace from his pocket, belonging to the girl. She saw it instantly, and her eyes widened. The necklace was laced with diamonds, and had a Garnet and Black Crystal carving of a mysterious person. Jiro released the girl, as Razain had instructed. She made a quick break for the necklace, but to no avail. "Give it back! Now!" She demanded. Razain simply shook his head. He was taller than her, and was able to keep it out of reach of the nimble pickpocket.
"What is your name, girl?" Razain asked, in a darker tone than normal.
"That's for me to know, and you to never find out! Now give it back!" She demanded yet again. The girls name was Akitan, but she had yet to reveal that. A childhood friend of Jiro before she left home due to hatred for her parents. She had no idea it was Jiro, as he had no idea it was Akitan. They had an insurance policy over her with the valuable necklace, but would it be enough?
"Jiro. Get ready, we're leaving." Razain said with haste. Brushing past Akitan, he made his way along side the passengers whom were getting off the boat. Three Priests, A Cleric, Two Fire Wizards, a Bandit, two Assassins, five Spearmen, and a Ranger. Clearly a remarkable boat ride. They must have been hunting the powerful Crimson Balrog. Jiro followed closely behind Razain, recovering his Hero's Gladius from the Assassin.
Akitan's eyes opened wide again, hearing the name 'Jiro' being said. Her best friend as a child was named Jiro. The name was not common. "Don't be silly. It can't be him. He would never have left home. Not the Jiro I know..." she thought.
"Your name is Jiro, correct? Your last name wouldn't happen to be 'Uzumaki' would it?" She asked, in a calm tone.
Jiro instantly stopped, after hearing that. "...How do you know my last name?" He asked without turning around. The red headband he wore on his head blew in the wind, as the engines of the boat started up. "Only Razain, and the people of my town know that name."
"Its me, Aki. Remember?" Akitan had finally revealed herself.
"That... That's impossible. Aki ran away years ago... I heard she was dead!" He said, and turned to face the girl. "Do you get your kicks posing as peoples friends?"
"...Jiro... Its me... We played games all the time. Your favorite was playing as the legends. You were always Tylus... You had me being Rene, Ice was Arec, and Moppit was Robeira. Remember?" She said, instantly responding to his comments.
Jiro turned, and examined the girl. She had taken her glasses off, to reveal shining navy blue eyes. The same eyes he fell in love with when he was younger. "Aki... It is you!" He accepted, and ran to her. Akitan came at him, and gave Jiro a hug. Two friends had been reunited after years of separation. Razain stared at the two, still holding onto the necklace. He didn't say a word.