Chapter 3: A Dangerous Journey
Akitan joined up with the duo, even though Razain didn't trust her. After a few weeks, the three grew close. Jiro the Loyal Warrior, Razain the Assassin for Hire, and Akitan the Pick Pocket. The three were doing odd jobs for money, and rare items. Upon their travels, the three heard of a dark presence in the Ant Tunnel, which was just passed Sleepywood. The group intended to head down, and investigate, but what they would find proved to be even more deadly than they could handle...
His heavy armor weighing him down, Jiro was having trouble maneuvering through the dense swamps outside of Sleepywood. The sound of the moist ground was loud, as the warrior moved his way through. In front of Jiro was Razain, who had been down here many times. He was using a Topaz bladed dagger to cut through the vines. The dagger's blade was an S shaped blade. Behind Jiro, Akitan was following closely behind. Both Akitan and Razain were making no sound at all, while Jiro's armor in the swamplands echoed through the darkness. This sound attracted the creatures that lived deep within the swamps; The Curse Eyes.
Curse Eyes are hunter green grotesque worm-like creatures with one eye, two feet extending from the spinal area, right after the skull, and razor sharp teeth. The Curse Eye's head features some relatively small spiked mounts. Along the tail end, some mounts are found. Besides Dark Stone Golems, these are by far the most deadly monsters in the Sleepywood swamps. Curse Eyes have a tendency to always have fresh blood on their teeth.
The rustling of the overgrown, unused section of the swamps was heard instantly by the trio, who raised their guard immediately. Out of the growth came a single Curse Eye. Its teeth covered in blood. Behind it were at least a hundred more. Their queasy breathing couldn't be mistaken - And it was loud due to the huge number. The odds were clearly against the trio, but that wouldn't stop them.
Razain charged head on at the Curse Eyes, and threw the dagger smack into the eye of the lead Curse Eye. Blood spurt out, and it collapsed on the ground. From his pouch, using his claw, Razain used his Avenger skill, manipulating the throwing stars to four times their size. Tossing one, it cut through one Curse Eye, another, six total before sticking into the last one's skull. Each Curse Eye hit collapsed in a pool of their own blood.
Akitan opened the small pouch, which inside, looked like it could hold a fully grown Balrog. Inside, Akitan's throwing stars were nicely ordered; Icicles, Tobis, Subis, Kumbis, Tops, and the legendary Hwabis. She decided today would be a good day to use them, so Akitan selected the Hwabis. Hasting herself, Akitan's speed increased by double. Leaping into the air, Akitan threw seven Hwabis at once, each hitting a different Curse Eye. All but one of them fell to the ground, dead. The remaining one stood there in pain, before finally collapsing on its two legs. She continued to do so, slowly dwindling the Curse Eyes before they got too close.
Jiro, our Hero stood still for a second, with a dumbfounded expression. It took him several seconds before he realized what was going on, and Jiro charged forward. He took advantage of his Slash Blast skill, giving a powerful down thrust into a group of Curse Eyes. Of the six hit, four were cut clear in half, while the other two had their heads lobbed off. Every time a Curse Eye tried to bite his head off, Jiro raised his shield, blocking the hit, and jammed the Hero's Gladius right into its mouth, thusly killing it instantly.
After only five minutes of fighting, the trio were exhausted. They had only killed about half of the attacking group. All three moved together, making a half circle. Jiro in front, shield out, Akitan to his left, and Razain to his right. Each one breathing heavily, they had exhausted all of their mana, and strength. "Well, it looks like we're done for..." Jiro said. At the same instant Jiro said that, Akitan and Razain used their Dark Sight skill, to become virtually invisible. The two moved away from Jiro. One third of the Cursed Eyes followed Akitan, one third followed Razain, and the other third continued moving in on Jiro. "Screw you too!" he shouted.
Suddenly, Six of the Curse Eyes attacking Jiro turned into snails. A man landed directly behind the group of Curse Eyes and snails. He was dressed in a Red Requiem. It consisted of a golden robe, covered by a scarlet red robe, and finished with a golden belt. His hair was snot green, and spiked. In his hand was the rare staff known as the Kage. Made of bone, the blunt end was made with a skull with two horns. On the back of the skull are two golden rings. He smiled, and disposed of the Curse Eyes easily. With his line of sight clear, Jiro went to support Akitan in her trouble. The 16 Curse Eyes she had would be split off into 8 each - easy odds now.
A female warrior, which had accompanied the mysterious priest had already finished off the ones attacking Razain by the time Jiro had given Akitan a hand. She rushed to Akitan, and Jiro, striking all 16 Curse Eyes at once. Returning to the mysterious Priest's side, the two smiled, and left almost as fast as they had arrived. Razain, returned to the side of Akitan and Jiro, and Akitan clung to Jiro's arm. Jiro's shield was dented with the razor sharp teeth marks of the Curse Eyes. The dents had still fresh blood from their teeth.
They had been through a lot even with their skill levels. The three rested for about five minutes, and didn't say a single word to the other. Jiro was obviously thinking intensely, while Akitan stared blankly at Jiro, not even thinking one bit. Razain had a serious look on his face, and didn't look at all exhausted. They remained like that, for five minutes, until Jiro finally said a word.
"I'm sorry, Aki... I couldn't protect you..." He said, his eyes resting on the gazing girl. She responded with a laid back 'whatever' expression. (or, F3 for those who play.) Jiro knew that deep down, she cared, but Akitan didn't.
"Jiro! Shut up. Akitan, are you ready, or not?" Razain asked, while the others sat around. Akitan stood up, and begun walking towards the small, secluded village known as Sleepywood. Jiro staggered to his feet, and struggled to catch up to Akitan. Razain was forgotten. He shrugged. "Nothing better to do." He thought, and lunged into one of the thick trees. Razain kept a close eye on his two new friends from above, since he was hiding his true talents. "Should I tell you... Or wait until the time comes?" Razain had a dark secret that he wanted to tell, yet he couldn't. His orders prevented him from doing so.
Looking up, Razain smirked. "Thanks, Jax."
The village of Sleepywood was eerily quiet, and inhabited by only a few people. They had huge foreheads, with white markings on their skin. The villagers skin was an unnatural brown. The villagers are masters at making custom shoes, and gloves. As well as refining minerals, with makeshift materials. They are master medicine makers, being the creators of most of the medicine that is used in this world. The One man in the village, known only as The Rememberer appears to be psychic.
The buildings are completely strange. They look like pale white melons with green leaves on the top. Almost mistaken as peeled bananas, shoved into the ground - Fat bananas at that. On an abnormally placed, and floating platform was a modern style cabin. The cabin was home to the world famous Sleepywood Sauna. An odd statue in the center of the village was an interesting attraction by all adventurers for many reasons. Unfortunately, that statue was crumbling. Just above the archway that lead into the village was a man floating in the air. This man was The Remembered.
To the eastern end of the town, closer to the exact center of the island was the Ant Tunnel. Deep down in the Tunnel was the Cave of the Evil Eyes. Just beyond that rested the Tunnel That Lost Light, even farther down was the mythical Cursed Sanctuary, which rested in the exact center of Victoria Island. All who entered the Cursed Sanctuary never returned alive. This included the Legendary Hero, Tristan. The only recorded person to return from this place was Manji. The Cursed Sanctuary was the destination of our Heroes.
Razain was still following from a distance, as Jiro and Akitan moved like a couple into the village of Sleepywood. There were several strong people standing around, talking - The Ant Tunnel is an excellent way to train yourself. Several weaker people walked the village, trying to find the Forest of Patience as an errand for John, in Lith Harbor.
Silently, the two close friends moved through the small village of Sleepywood. They tried making as little noise as possible. Several meters behind was Razain, whom drifted in their general direction, completely unnoticed by the people in the village. As he passed under the arch where The Remembered was resting, the faint voice of the old wise man was heard. "You carry a strong burden on yourself. And if you fail, this entire world will be in grave danger, correct?" The Remembered said, without even opening his eyes, or looking down at Razain. Razain's eyes widened, as he froze in fear. "How did he... Impossible..." He thought.
"Old man, my business is not of your concern. If you wish to assume things, help the little ones find their way around the village." Razain said calmly.
"I sense a great burden on you, it is the only reason I have spoken. I wish not trouble you, young one. Good luck on your duties, and may the spirits guide you safely." The Remembered said, keeping the same position, facial and emotionally.
"I'll be sure to succeed, Thank you for your concern, old man."
Razain said, knowing The Rememberer is able to see the spirits
of the dead without using his eyes. The Assassin quickly moved off,
into the shadows of the village, which always seemed to be blanketed
in darkness.
Akitan, and Jiro were overhearing the rumors, which
had amazingly beaten them to the village of Sleepywood about the
three, Jiro Uzumaki the Loyal Warrior, Akitan the pick-pocket, and
Razain the Assassin for Hire. Everyone was talking about them, and
everyone seemed to know who they were.
"Did you hear? Those two, and their friend are going to the Cursed Sanctuary, for a brutal death."
"Nonsense! I heard they are really strong fighters, and are going to eliminate the devil that lives down there!"
"lol u c dem? u no they r noobs rite?"
"May their damned souls rest in peace."
"Hrm, those young ones are brave, indeed. I wish them safe passage to the Balrog. The Taurospears, and Tauromacis may be a bit of a challenge for them..."
Jiro couldn't take the criticism anymore. "You idiots! We're going to clean the sanctuary of the darkness. If you think you're brave enough, join us. If not, shut up." Jiro felt proud of himself after that outburst. Akitan nodded after his outburst and said: "You guys are cowards... We're risking our lives to do this, and you're just talking about how we're going on a suicide run!"
From the crowd stepped a single archer. She wore a pink kimono, decorated with elegant flower designs. The trimming along the edges was made in pure gold. Her bow was the hard-to-find Asianic Bow, and from the looks of it, the Bow was strong, and sturdy. Her quiver of arrows was full of steel pointed arrows. The girls hair was long, and black. Her eyes were blood red. In her hair rested a giant, and beautiful red rose. Her face seemed so innocent as she moved through the crowd. This girl attracted a lot of attention from mainly the males. "I agree with you... They are too afraid to face the dangers you are facing. That's why I'm going with you.---That is, if you don't mind..." She said.
Jiro stared at the archer, speechless. He had no words to say, but he wanted to say it was too dangerous. The words wouldn't come out... Jiro's nose started bleeding after prolonged staring at the girl. Akitan noticed, jabbed Jiro in the side, and turned to the archer girl. "If you want to come, come on. I won't be responsible for your death." She said, and moved away. Akitan didn't mind company, but when it was another girl, it meant she wouldn't have her men all to herself. 'Specially with the way Jiro was acting towards her.
The archer girl nodded, silently, and took several more steps closer. Everyone stared at her, silently. Nobody said a single word. Some sudden muttering caused everyone to move away, and go back to what they were doing. The silent murmur of the people in Sleepywood wouldn't have been ignored by ongoing travelers.
"So, what is your name, miss?" Jiro asked.
"...Miho. My name is Miho." The girl replied.
And so, a fourth member of this small party was added. Miho, the beautiful archer. It was almost too good to be true, but it was true. Completely. Miho walked up to Akitan, and gave her a warm smile. Akitan returned the favor, attempting a smile. Miho took it as a sign to leave her alone, and did so. She lowered her head, and moved back. Jiro, Akitan, and Miho made their way to the Ant Tunnel. Significantly behind the three was Razain, the man protecting them. He followed them into the darkness of the Ant Tunnel.