Big thanks to Hotaru Shizuma and Yukiko Shiroryuu for the reviews.


Chapter 2: Uh...what is this power?

"Attacked by a giant beast...and protected by the light from your talisman. Child, do you think I'm senile?"

"It's true!" I looked at her angrily. She was treating me like a little kid!

Emma sighed. "Whatever. First things first - we need to get out of here." She headed toward the exit, making it clear I was to follow her. I noticed a small glowing trophy with a light similar to that of my talisman.

I raised an eyebrow. "What is that?" I asked Emma.

"It's a treasure chest - a type of remnant. They're not that uncommon."

Stepping up to get a closer look, I asked, "Remnant, huh?"

"You do know what a Remnant is, right?"

I paused to think about it. Back on Eulam, Mom and Dad hired tutors to teach Irina and I. Writing, math, history, geography, magic, and my favorite, martial arts, particularly sword fighting. Damn! Not that my wooden katana would have much effect on fighting monsters...but I left it back at home. Not wearing armor or having a weapon made me seem rather weak in comparison to Emma. "Uhh...they're very powerful ancient artifacts right?"

"A rather...simple...explanation, but you are correct. Although not all Remnants are that powerful. Take this treasure chest for example. There could be any number of things inside. Find out...bind it."

I glanced at the glowing treasure chest. "Bind? What do you mean?"

"You have to 'bind' a Remnant to use it. In this case, just reach out your hand ask it to show you what's inside. It's simple enough that even you can do it - provided that someone else hasn't bound it first."

I reached toward the treasure chest. It still looked like a trophy to me. "Oh mighty Remnant, might I see what you are holding?" Soon enough, the top unscrewed and inside was a simple broadsword.

"You really don't have to say that aloud." She peered closer. "A sword, hmm? I suppose you can keep that. You won't be quite as useless."

"Umm...thanks."

"Let's move out," Emma replied, and began moving toward the exit yet again. I crept along behind her. A few minutes later, I hear Emma speak yet again. "Quiet," she said. I peeked around her. Looking down I saw a rather large looking lizard. It was fast asleep.

"Perhaps we should sneak by," I told her.

"My clinking armor is hardly stealthy. It would be best to attack while it's unaware. You know how to use that sword, I presume?"

"Yeah...duh. Of course!"

"Then let's move out." We headed towards the dark-scaled beast. As it slept it let out a soft roar.

"Maybe we should reconsider tactics?"

"Stay behind me and don't do anything stupid." We crept along toward the monster. I could see what Emma meant about her armor; it was quite loud. A growl from a beast indicated Emma to charge! She grabbed her two swords from her back and got ready for combat. I took a defensive stance, still behind her. Emma lunged at the monster left to right and managed to gash its side. ROAR! The monster was awake now. Awake and quite angry. Emma attempted to strike again, but the monster dodged. I took this as a sign to attack myself. I attempted a rather elegant looking flourish but missed. That broadsword was a lot different than I was used to. More slashes from Emma ensued, as well as the monster swiping at us with its claws and tail. This was getting nowhere…

I felt a sudden energy begin to encase me, pulsating from my talisman. I grabbed it with my fist in hopes to contain it, but the glow spread throughout my body in a similar way in the battle with my sister. Grinning, I jumped towards the monster. I felt awesome! Using bare fists I punched and kicked the beast, each blow landing perfectly. Flying across the air I felt so alive. Before I knew it I was back on ground and the monster knocked out beside me. The glow receded back into the talisman. I bent down and gasped, out of breath.

"So, your talisman is more than a fashion accessory after all," Emma said. Movement from the exit indicated some troops coming in. They must have been the people looking for Emma. A qsiti, sovanni, yama, and a mitra (like myself) made up their ranks. I had never met any of the other races in person, only saw pictures from books. The mitra were also known as humans, the most common race. The short frog-like qsiti were stereotypically known as scholars and mages, especially with their small stature not having as much strength in battle. Sovanni resembled something like a cat, but with two sets of arms. Oftentimes they wielded four swords at once. They could live thousands of years, often stoic and shy and keeping to themselves. Yama were huge, gigantic even. They had fins across their bodies and reminded me somewhat of a fish. I wouldn't want to face one in a fight; they were strong and fierce in battle.

"My Lord!" Emma went running over to the group. "You did not have to come all this way for me." She bowed to the mitra who must have been the leader of the group. He reminded me a bit of myself: he looked rather young, and a similar hairstyle, except blond. It looked a bit odd in contrast with his tan skin, yet he was still good-looking. Well…for a guy that is. "Please, accept my apologies," Emma continued.

"Seeing you safe is apology enough," the man spoke. He sounded so formal! I wonder if he's royalty. His clothes did look rather fancy. "And who is this?" He looked at me, interrupting my thoughts.

Emma glared back at me. "He claims to be the son of Dr. Sykes." His clothing did seem to have some armor underneath, colored with crimson and teal. I wonder…what city is he from?

"I see." His words interrupted my staring. I've never seen people like these before! Eulam was so small, and the only one I was close with was Irina. We'd often wonder what it was like in the bigger cities, bustling with people, buildings, sounds, and who knows what else! Still in a daze I barely noticed the imposing looking Sovanni approaching me. He was wearing red as well.

"I am Torgal, one of Athlum's Four Generals," his deep commanding voice spoke. Well, that explains where they are from. "Our lord, the Marquis of Athlum, would like to extend his thanks." Wow, he was the Marquis of Athlum? He couldn't have been a year or two older than me! "Step forward," Torgal continued. He motioned behind him, and left to take his place by the Marquis' left.

"I will have you know that your actions have won my gratitude," the blond-haired royal spoke.

Emma glanced at him. "My Lord, permission to speak?" she asked.

"Of course, Lady Emma," he smiled at her.

"This child…this boy, claims that a man has kidnapped his sister Irina. That was why he was on the battlefield, trying to 'chase down' the kidnapper. I don't believe his story fully, but he seems…sincere enough," she admitted grudgingly.

The Marquis of Athlum looked thoughtful. "As of right now, we have very little information about your sister, Rush. But if the men you seek have entered Athlumian territory, we cannot turn a blind eye." I looked down, crestfallen. They had no idea where Irina was either. The Marquis raised his arm slightly and said, "I shall accompany you to Athlum."

"Huh?" They were taking me to Athlum? Why?

Luckily Torgal clarified. "Our lord would like to aid you in your search for your sister." I stepped up closer toward the group. Torgal glared at me and started to draw one of his swords.

"It's fine, Torgal," the Marquis said, which caused Torgal to back away from me.

I patted the Marquis on the shoulder. "Thanks a lot! I chased that weird flying thing here, but I didn't have a clue where to go next. But hey, if I've got an important guy like you backing me up, I've got a whole lot less to worry about!" I shook his hand. "This is ace!" This was so exciting! "The name's Rush…Rush Sykes! Who're you?"

"I am David Nassau, the Marquis of Athlum. You may address me as David."

"Sure thing, Dave!" I grinned.

"Let us return and see what tidings await us in Athlum. All troops return to Athlum immediately!"

The four generals faced him. "Yes my lord!" they responded in unision.

I patted Dave on the shoulder again and spoke, "C'mon Dave! Let's go!" Emma and Torgal didn't seem too fond of me, but Dave was a friend, I could tell! I'd have to work extra hard to get on Emma and Torgals' good side. I had a feeling we'd be spending a lot of time together and it would be great if we could all get along.

As I turned to walk away Emma shoved me to the floor! "You whelp! Have you no manners? That is no way to address the Marquis of Athlum!"

Now she was just being mean! "Geez! What's your problem?" Still on the ground I scooted away from her.

"He's surprisingly simple, wouldn't you say?" I heard Torgal speak to Dave…errr…Lord David.

"We have yet to see," he replied mystically.


So what did you think? ^_^

I noticed in the game David knows Rush's sister is missing without being told about it, so I had Emma mention something. I also tried to make some of the dialog seem less tutorial-ish, which is helpful in the game, but silly in a story!