Chapter 3-The Adventure Begins!
I was standing in the throne leaning against a pillar attempting to stay out of the main conversation between Ginger & company, the old man who I learned was named Eldore, the guard captain from the battle, and the royal counselor. The main topic was how should they set about rescuing the princess but all I really cared about was the man who lay in the casket with the green banner over it…I would miss him. I was wearing the remains of my Master's Lorica, my father's sword Radiance leaned against the pillar, and I had my side bandaged due to the wounds I suffered from the battle.
"Leonard's not part of the army," Yulie shouted, "You've no right to tell him to do this."
"It's all right Yulie," Ginger told her, "I'll do it."
"What, are you crazy Leonard?" Yulie yelled shocked.
"Excellent," the counselor cheered as he clapped his hands together.
"Sarvain are you mad?" The captain inquired, "He is but a boy."
"He possesses the Knight," Sarvain told the captain, "He's the best hope we have of rescuing the princess Sir Cyrus."
The captain grudgingly agreed with this and the debate continued with me again quickly dismissing it as I turned my attention back to the casket. I did catch bits and pieces of the conversation…both Yulie and Eldore agreed to accompany Ginger on his journey.
"What about you young man?" Sarvain asked turning towards me, "are you going to accompany them."
"That depends," I stated wondering how much I could earn, "are you willing to pay my fee."
"You scum," Sir Cyrus snarled, "You'd dare to ask for money to see the princess returned…do you have no honor."
"He's a mercenary Sir Cyrus," Sarvain sighed, "His only loyalty is to the person who can pay him…what is your price?"
"Fifty thousand now," I answered, "and another fifty thousand when I get back."
"One hundred thousand gold pieces," Cyrus roared, "That's outrage-."
"Agreed," Sarvain said.
"Sarvain no sellsword is worth that much," Cyrus cried out in shock.
"Sir Cyrus this man is the legendary mercenary Phoenix," Sarvain stated.
"This boy is the legendary Phoenix," Cyrus stated with utter disdain, "I doubt that this whelp is him."
In the blink of an eye I had my war fan out and pointed it at him a sneer on my face.
"I was fighting in battles before you even knew how to use a blade," I snarled.
"Do you think you'll intimidate me," Cyrus hissed drawing his own blade.
"Sir Cyrus control yourself," Sarvain pleaded, "We're all on the same side after all."
"His loyalty is to nothing but gold," Cyrus snarled, "Who's to say that the Magi won't buy him later!"
I lost it then and there, I charged Cyrus and before he could even lift his sword to defend himself I had him held in the air by his throat.
"Don't you ever accuse me of that," I roared the rage evident in my voice, "While your warmongering king sat and plotted the destruction of my people, while he sat and cowered with in this city until Faria was at his very gates, and while he ordered his forces to abandon us when the Magi burned my homeland…Your king was nothing but a sniveling backstabber who dreamed of conquest but did not have the strength to do it."
As everyone stared at me I dropped Cyrus began to storm down the stair.
"I expect the money to be delivered to me before I leave the city," I hissed continuing my storming.
I burst out into the open air of the courtyard and I stopped to examine my surroundings. There's so little battle damage…it's almost as if they didn't want to damage the city…What the hell is going on…They didn't show my people any mercy…Why…Why does this have to happen? I knew that I'd need to gather the last bits of my equipment so I set off for Rappci's Winery where my chest was still. I walked through the city streets noting that there was little panic so I doubted that news of the princess's kidnapping had spread beyond the castle itself…which was disturbing. I know it would spread chaos but to completely silence witnesses would require more than money it would require death…something is wrong in this city. I was approaching Rappci's when I saw an old face standing between the buildings.
"I hope you're not going to war in those rages," Farlend laughed, "I mean you've not looked this bad since Dalem brought you to the capital as a small boy."
"I know I've looked better," I smiled glad to be with a friend, "but I've never faced such a dangerous opponent."
"Well I've some things that the Archduke wanted you to have and so you don't look so shabby," Farlend stated gesturing to a crate behind him.
"What's in it?" I inquired approaching the crate.
"It's what you left behind," He told me the grin vanishing, "…They miss you."
I opened the crate to reveal black heavy Farian armor that is embossed in gold, a modified black Farian heavy helm that instead of the antler holes had a rope of white wolf hair that extended about two feet from the top, and a Farian sabre.
"It's a Gallant Sabre," I whispered in awe picking it up, "These are only given to the most valiant of Farian heroes."
"Dalem would have wanted you to have it," Farlend told me, "You've done more for Faria than any native Farian has in the last century…normally there would be a huge celebration but given the circumstances…"
"I understand," I told him sighing, "but don't expect me to go back to them even if I wear the armor."
"I know," He stated, "but they will always be waiting for their captain…but I digress I must go and attend to our lord."
"I know," I sighed, "but tell them that they will see me again."
"I will," He whispered the smile returning, "but make sure you don't make me a liar."
With those last words Farlend strode off for the palace to begin escorting Dalem's body back to Faria. I looked back into the crate seeing the armor that I'd forsaken years ago and I picked it up and headed into Rappci's to change and gather my equipment.
-Half an hour later-
I strode back into the main room my armor rustling softly. The Farians can really craft a fine set of armor…I'm glad that hasn't changed. The armor was as comfortable as I remembered it to be and the sabre sat strapped my back as I now had my dual Katanas strapped to my left hip samurai style and my war fan strapped to my right hip. The helmet rested upon my head shadowing my eyes and I knew I looked intimidating.
"You're looking good," Rappci complimented, "I'd say that armor suits you."
"Thank you," I told him, "I've not worn this type of armor in about a decade."
"Oh I just remembered," Rappci told me taking out a small pouch of gold, "Here's your payment for watching over Leonard…there's a little extra because of the problems you faced."
I nodded extending my hand to take the pouch of coins when a shout ripped through the rooms.
"What the hell," Ginger's voice screeched, "How in the hell did a Blitz Guard get here?"
I turned around and glared at Ginger whose next retort died in his throat as he saw it was me.
"What are you doing here?" Yulie inquired glaring at me.
"I'm here to collect my payment for keeping an eye on you two last night," I shot back growing tired of all these dumb questions.
I took the payment and began heading for the exit of the winery before I was stopped by Eldore.
"Where should we meet you after we're done here?" He inquired.
"Meet me at the gate leading to the Greydal plains," I answered, "I'll be there in about a half hour."
With that I walked out into the day light drawing many stares from people walking about their business. I know it's not every day that you see a man dressed in the combat attire of the Blitz Guard…god I really do miss those fools. I was walking to the apothecary where I would buy reagents to mix my own healing items such as salves and poultices and where I could buy healing potions mainly for my companions on this quest as I knew they were nowhere near my level of power or skill. I spent most of the money I earned from my job for Rappci so I went to wait near the eastern gate leading to Greydal plains. When I arrived there were several Balandor soldiers there guarding a couple chests I knew were full of my payment.
"I pray that all of my payment is there," I stated.
"Yes it is sir," the captain answered.
"Then you are dismissed," I told them.
They dispersed and I set about storing my money into a pouch that had been enchanted to hold nearly infinite amounts of money and though it was already bulging with wealth it easily held all fifty thousand of the gold pieces I'd already been paid bring the grand total of my wealth to about two million five hundred fifty thousand. I've enough to raise an army but not enough to rebuild my kingdom…my home. I stood there waiting another fifteen minutes before Ginger & company came strolling out, Eldore still in his original attire, Ginger wearing Copper armor, and Yulie wearing chainmail armor. They approached me talking among themselves and I hoped they were coming up with a plan.
"I pray you've come up with a plan," I drawled, "Otherwise this will be a very short mission."
"Our plan is to rescue the princess," Ginger snarled.
"I wasn't talking to you Ginger," I hissed, "You may be the leader of this band of misfits but Eldore is a much better choice for strategist than you."
Ginger glared at me and stormed through the gates towards Greydal plains with Yulie tearing after him.
"I bet you fifty gold that the boy gets himself knocked out before we even get through Nordia," I told Eldore.
"I'll take that bet," Eldore chortled.
"We'd better catch up to the kids," I sighed, "Before they get themselves hurt."
Eldore and I left to catch up to Ginger and Yulie before they got themselves killed by who knows what. When we caught up to them Ginger was still fuming as Yulie tried to calm him down. They were now just outside the gates to Greydal plains.
"So what's the plan?" Ginger inquired glaring at me.
"Both Eldore and I agree we should make for the Nordia tunnels," I told him sounding utterly bored while in all reality I was excited by the prospect of fighting the Magi.
"What about the beasts of Greydal plains?" Yulie inquired the discomfort evident in her voice.
"I've traveled through the Greydal before and the worst you've got to watch out for our Sylvan Trolls," I told her, "there's also trents but you can just walk by them if you don't get to close…they have horrible eyesight."
"Whatever," Ginger growled, "Let's just get going."
Ginger took off running dragging both Yulie and Eldore with him and leaving me behind at the gate sighing. His impatience is endangering not only himself but his companions…Why doesn't he grow a goddamn brain in his skull. I took off after them and as they were a couple of minutes ahead of me I could no longer see them and I only hoped that they were alright. I had drawn sabre and began my advance through the Greydal Plains. As I ran through the plains I heard growling and snarling behind me and so I turned to see a several boars advancing on me recklessly. I halted and turned to engage the monsters as they charged me. The first I turned his own momentum against him and allowed him to pass right by me and carry himself over the cliff to his doom, a second charged me and so I simply cleaved him into two halves his own charge making that easier, the third attempted to maul me but was too slow as I brought my sabre down upon its neck severing the head from its body, while I was doing this a fourth had circled around to strike at my side which I blocked by severely twisting my torso but in doing so I reopened my wound causing nearly debilitating pain. I looked around and saw I still had five to go as I failed to kill the last one. I'm not going to die here…I've got too much to do to simply accept this fate.
"I'm sorry," I huffed through the pain, "but you're going to have to find another meal…Apocalypse!"
I turned and limped away hearing the yowling and the tearing as my spell to affect and began to rip them apart. I reached into my bag and pulled out a healing salve which I began applying to my wound and almost instantly the relief began coursing through my wound as the salve resealed it and increased my natural healing rate. I was soon able to begin running again hoping to catch up to Ginger & company before anything bad happened. My wound was soon fully healed which was something I hadn't wanted to do due to how difficult it is to create Healing salves and how expensive they are to buy. I was now sprinting through the plains ignoring the monsters as they ignored me. I was rounding a bend when I saw two trolls attacking three people one of them lying prone on the ground his ginger hair evident. Looks like an easy fifty gold for me. I rushed the first troll cutting it clean in half vertically and before its companion even knew what happened I'd whipped around and cut it in two at its waist before its companion's corpse had even hit the ground.
"What power," Eldore whispered, "No normal man should be that powerful."
"We can talk about how strong he is later," Yulie screamed panicked, "We've got to save Leonard."
"Ginger will be fine," I sighed taking the fifty gold from Eldore, "I'll show you."
I walked over to his prone form, dug my armored toe into his side causing him to yelp in pain, and his eyes shot open.
"That hurt," Ginger said groggily sitting up.
"You're burning daylight Ginger," I sighed, "So unless you want to sleep here get off your ass."
I turned and began walking away as Eldore and Yulie helped him up as he glared at me.
"I just got flattened by a troll," Ginger snarled, "Show some damn sympathy."
"Oh I'm sorry do you want me to bandage your boo-boo," I hissed fed up with his prissy attitude, "Grow the fuck up…You're going to go through things that are much worse than this so either toughen up or go slinking back to Balandor with your tail between your legs now."
He stood there glaring at me the fury evident in his stance and I was about to snap when something unexpected happened.
"He's right Leonard," Yulie sighed, "If we can't handle a couple of trolls what are we going to do against the Magi."
"We've beaten them already," Ginger argued back, "So why shouldn't we be able to beat them again this time."
"You've fought nothing but greenhorns," I sighed, "Their veteran forces can easily decimate over confident punks like you."
"Oh and how in the hell do you know this?" Ginger snarled.
"I've fought the Magi for a decade," I stated uncaring, "and I've seen more death than you'll ever hopefully see in your life."
"So you've killed people big deal," He taunted me.
I walked up to him and back handed him finally reaching my breaking point.
"You're nothing but a fucking child," I snarled, "Have you ever watched the life leave someone's eyes, heard the last rattle of their breath, or felt their body shudder as it shuts down."
Ginger pulled back his arm to punch me only to have his wrist caught by Eldore.
"Leonard control yourself," Eldore warned, "You've just started this adventure and out of all of us Eddoe has the most combat experience."
"What about you Eldore?" Yulie inquired, "You're much older than he is."
"I've fought in battles before," Eldore sighed, "but nothing as large scale as the ones he's fought in."
"Oh and what battles have you fought in?" Ginger barked at me trying to act tough.
"I was participated in the siege of Balandor," I sighed.
"Wait that was a decade ago," Yulie said shocked.
"Yes it was," I answered, "So I was only nine years old but that wasn't the first time I took a life."
With that I turned and walked towards the lakes edge where I stood there just gazing out at the clear water. It reminded me of the lake in my homeland where I used to play as a child. I…I won't allow the Magi to destroy this land…I will reclaim my homeland…It's my duty as the Last of the line. I turned as I heard someone approach me.
"Why are you so hard on Leonard?" Yulie inquired.
"I see all the potential he possesses," I answered, "and he needs to learn now that the world is a dark place where people will stab you in the back without a second thought."
"What happened to you to make you such a pessimist?" Yulie questioned.
"I'm a realist," I answered chuckling, "I attempt to see the world as it truly is rather than as what other's wish."
"But you seem to have such a negative outlook on life," Yulie told me.
"When you've been through as much as I've been through," I stated, "You begin to realize that there is more evil in the world than good."
"How can you say that?" Yulie asked shocked.
"You've never left the area of Balandor," I told her, "When you've seen more of the world you'll understand."
I turned and walked back towards Ginger as Eldore attended to his minor wounds with healing magic. I couldn't risk getting attached to these people after all we were going on a dangerous mission and the odds of survival were against us. I'd lost too many friends already to war and I couldn't stand the thought of losing more friends.
"What do you want?" Ginger questioned angrily.
"I was making sure that you're ready to get moving again," I hissed, "and don't even start whining about the trolls or must we forget what happened to me yesterday."
"He's right Leonard," Yulie sighed walking up to us, "He got nailed by that troll and sent flying into the cart yesterday."
"He's right," Eldore said standing up, "We must be strong and continue on no matter the odds…things will get much more difficult than they are now."
"This means that if you don't pull your weight without your knight," I began smiling wickedly, "I'll tie you up and mail you back to Balandor myself."
Balandor does have a post service right…I mean I know Faria does but does Balandor. I stood there noticing that Ginger's glaring expression was dissipating to be replaced by one of nervousness as he rose to his feet.
"Is it finally starting to sink in?" I inquired calmly, "Just how serious this entire situation is?"
"I-I just want to rescue the princess," Ginger sighed the tears forming in his eyes, "I mean what is something happens to her."
"Please don't start crying," I sighed exasperated, "and besides they wouldn't take the princess alive just to kill her…They must need her for something."
"Do you have any ideas?" Eldore inquired, "After all it seems you have more experience with the Magi than we do."
"It's true I've fought the Magi for years," I answered with a sigh, "but as far I know they've never kidnapped royalty."
"Then how do you know they won't kill the princess," Ginger shouted in a panic.
"Though I'm loath to admit it they are intelligent people," I assured him, "and to hold the last royal of a nation is alone enough power to bring the nation to its knees."
"That poses a serious threat to Balandor," Eldore commented turning to continue down the path, "So we'd better continue onwards before they completely outdistance us."
We all then began to advance down the path Yulie, Eldore and Ginger talking among themselves about what the Magi could be planning.
"How did you know the Magi are heading for the Nordia tunnels," Yulie inquired.
"It's the only logical descion," I told her, "There is no reason for them to head towards Parma."
"I guess you're right," Yulie sighed.
We continued walking in silence and for some reason the monsters of the plain were nowhere to be seen. I was beginning to grow nervous when I heard something in the distance. It was the footfalls of a large creature.
"Prepare yourselves," I warned, "Something approaches…and it's big."
A strange almost musical cry rent the air as a giant white beast appeared on the cliff above us.
"These animals normally don't attack unless provoked," Eldore commented drawing his Longsword.
"A fight is a fight no matter how distasteful," I told him preparing to draw my sabre.
But before I could the creature jumped off the cliff with the impact of it landing, stumbling everyone and during the confusion it charged at Ginger.
"Move it Ginger," I roared shoving him out of the way and taking the charge myself which wasn't one of my smartest moves.
I was sent flying across the battlefield where hit the lake and went skipping across it like a stone until five skips later I submerged into the water like a stone. As I submerged I noted the beauty of the underwater scenery as I sunk I prayed that those three could hold their own in battle. Damn it…I suck at swimming…Wait I felt something. I had felt the water vibrate as I sensed that something approaching so I spun in the water with difficulty and I saw something that made my blood freeze. What the hell is an Ocean Snake doing in this goddamn lake…I mean it is smaller than normal but still this thing shouldn't be here. I was looking at a snake like creature except that its head was narrower and it had fin like appendages coming off of its cheeks. I estimated that I could hold my breath for about another thirty seconds if I didn't get hit so I decided I would use only one attack to end this battle before I ran out of oxygen and suffocated. I drew both of my Katanas, floated there as I concentrated, and felt the energy begin to crackle around my body as my physical strength skyrocketed. This ability took years to master and it will give me only one shot to kill it…damn it why does Demon's Aura have to lower your defense so much. The snake circled me biding its time which was pissing me off. 20 seconds. Finally the snake lunged at me from the front which I made no attempt to dodge. 15 seconds. As it rushed at me I brought my blade cleaving through its neck severing the head completely from its body and as its blood began clouding the water I swam for the surface with all of my strength. 10 seconds. My vision was beginning to darken at the edges as I emerged from the cloud of blood and I saw the sun glimmering just ten feet above me. 5 seconds… I was beginning to see red now, my lungs were screaming for oxygen, and my sight was beginning to blur. I was five feet from the surface. 2 seconds. My vision was going, my lungs were giving out, and I was losing consciousness. To have come so far only to fail…I'm sorry I failed you…I'm sorry Dalem. I passed out under the water mere feet from the surface and I drifted.
Where am I…?
Is that all you can do…come on get up.
Xaidra…is that you?
You promised me you'd come back…WAKE UP!
My eyes snapped open with the memories of an old friend and I looked up at the surface and swam with all my might feeling new strength coursing through my limbs. As I burst through to the surface the first breath of fresh air felt like the breath of life but I knew I couldn't relax as I heard the sounds of fighting still continued. I knew that it would take too long to swim to the shore so I used my magic to freeze me a path across the water which I pulled myself onto. As I sprinted across the ice using more magic to maintain my balance I noticed that the beast had been wounded in its right leg and I would use this to my advantage for if there was one thing I truly understood it was vengeance. When I reached the shore I used my momentum to launch myself forward and drive one of my Katanas into the beasts wounded leg causing it to screech in pain.
"Eddoe you're alright," Ginger yelled.
"Talk later," I shouted back, "Kill now!"
Yulies arrows were doing little more than pissing it off, while Ginger's and Eldore's attacks were not doing enough damage, and so I decided to go attack it head on to finish it quickly. I haven't done this twice in a row before but I need to end this now before things get really out of hand. I again activated my ability Demon's Aura which again drastically increased my attack but my defense dropped to nearly nothing. I withdrew my blade and leapt into the sky where I maneuvered myself so I landed on its head where I began impaling my blades repeatedly into its skull until it hit the ground unmoving. I slide off of its neck sheathing my Katanas while I began wiping the gore off of my armor as the others approached me.
"I can't believe you're alive," Ginger said the awe evident in his eyes.
"I'm difficult to kill," I stated a grin on my face, "and besides this creature was only a threat due to its size."
"You always have to seem superior don't you?" Yulie hissed.
"Of course," I answered, "I am superior to you two in combat after all."
"Not all of the blood on you is from this creature," Eldore commented.
"Believe it or not there was an Ocean Snake in that damned lake," I told him.
"That is strange," Eldore stated a concerned look on his face, "When we get back we should tell Balandor."
"I agree," I told him, "but can we continue…I would like a chance to clean my armor off before the blood dries."
Eldore nodded and we advanced unopposed to the mouth of the Nordia tunnels which were as impressive as ever in my opinion. Eldore and I stopped with me looking around as I searched for a place to camp.
"This seems like a good place," I said turning towards Eldore.
"A good place for what?" Ginger inquired.
"It's a good place to set up camp," Eldore answered.
"What we can't waste time," Ginger shouted angrily.
"Look Ginger I need to clean this armor before it's ruined," I growled, "and all of us could use a good night's rest after all."
"Another reason is that I'm old" Eldore stated, "And my magic gets weaker if I don't get enough rest."
"Leonard we couldn't have made it this far without their help," Yulie sighed.
"Fine," Ginger shouted storming off.
"It's going to be a long night," I sighed walking off to set up my tent.
-A couple of hours later-
I was sitting around the campfire wearing an Aeros Kirtle clothing while my Blitz Guard armor was drying and my other equipment was in my tent which I'd brought with me from Balandor. My tent was different from the others as it had a more Farian inspired influence and was made of a thicker material.
"What are we going to face in the tunnels?" Yulie inquired.
"Last time I went through there was nothing but Basilisks, Elementals, and Trolls," I answered.
I left it at that and gazed at the fire watching how it moved and flickered.
"Look I've got a couple of questions for you Eddoe." Ginger said a stern look on his face.
"Fair enough," I told him in a bored drawl.
"Look I don't car-," Ginger began, "Wait what?"
"I wouldn't expect you to wish to travel with me without knowing about me," I sighed, "but if I don't like the question I'm not going to answer."
"Fine," Ginger growled, "How did you become so skilled?"
"Years of training and conflict," I answered.
"How did you know Dalem?"
"All you need to know is he saved my life."
"Where are you from?"
"…"
"Well?"
"…"
"You're from Valeria aren't you?" Eldore asked.
"…I'm glad that my homeland isn't forgotten," I told him.
"Where's Valeria?" Yulie asked, "I've never heard of it."
"I'm not surprised," I sighed, "It fell fifteen years ago…when I was just a child."
"I'm so sorry," Yulie said the shock evident in her face, "That explains why you've such a negative outlook on life."
"To witness all you love burn around you doesn't just change you…It destroys you," I stated getting up to tend to the fire.
"Can you tell us a little about Valeria?" Ginger inquired the curiosity evident in his voice.
"As you wish," I told him, "Valeria was a beautiful city made nearly entirely out of white stone. The buildings were made of Marble while the walls were made from a nearly indestructible type of stone that I've failed to find elsewhere."
"Why was it called Valeria?" Yulie inquired.
"It was located in a beautiful vale," I answered, "I know it wasn't very creative but it stuck. The vale was filled with animals only found there. Animals such as wolves, bears, deer, and other such animals but that was in the past so I don't know if their still there. We were also a technologically advanced kingdom with machines similar to the Magi."
"Really you had Monoships?" Leonard inquired in awe while I nodded.
"I heard a rumor that your people even had been developing a knight," Eldore commented, "was that true?"
"Yes it was," I sighed, "but my homelands greatest achievement was never completed."
"How do you know so much about this?" Yulie inquired curious, "and I thought it was impossible to create a new knight."
"I knew about it because my father was head of the project," I answered her, "but I only know a little about how they did it from conversations I'd overheard between my father and his colleagues. If I heard him correctly they found a deceased knight."
"Hm," Eldore said putting his hand on his chin, "Where did they find it?"
"I don't know," I told them truthfully.
We fell silent with me leaning back to examine the stars until I heard a cooing and Yulie shouting something about a bigalow. As I sat up I saw a blue owl like creature with a strange pendant around its neck and I was shocked as a light emitted from its eyes projecting a bluish ghost image of princess Cisna.
"A bigalow," Cisna said surprised, "That means someone watching…Hello is anyone there?"
"Cisna," Ginger yelled jumping to his feet.
"Leonard…I'm so glad to see you," She sighed with relief.
"Cut the crap," I hissed, "We don't have a lot of time and we need information from you princess."
"What?" Cisna squeaked surprised.
"Your majesty," Eldore began with a bow, "We need to know where you are."
"I…," She paused turning away for a moment, "I see an endless ocean of golden sand as far as the eye can see."
"The Lagnish Desert," I sighed, "That's not very surprising…can you give us more information, maybe a land formation of some sort."
"I think we've stopped at a town somewhere in the desert," She said, "and I've heard talk of them beginning to…Wait, someone's coming…I've got to go all of you stay safe."
"Cisna wait!" Ginger yelled reaching out to the projection but it was gone before he even reached halfway.
"Looks like we're heading to Albana," I sighed, "I hate that place."
"Why, what could be so bad about it?" Yulie questioned.
"As wretched a place of scum and villainy as you'll ever find," I sighed, "And I'm not on good terms with the Don."
"Oh…," Yulie said not understanding.
"It's a nest of criminal activity," Eldore commented, "I would have tried to avoid it but it looks like that can't be helped."
"That wouldn't have worked out for me," I stated yawning, "I've business to conclude in Albana."
"Then why are you whining about it!?" Ginger shouted practically hysterical about the princess.
"Because I hate it, I'm not on good terms with the Don," I began snidely, "and I love the sound of my own voice…will you calm the hell down!"
This last comment was brought on by Ginger who began passing back and forth muttering to himself insanely. I actually found it quite hilarious that this girl he'd probably only known for about a day was causing him to act out like this. I would never let myself become this attached to someone especially someone our survival rate
"Ginger sit down before you wear a trench into the ground," I chuckled.
"But she's in danger!" He shouted the panic evident.
"Leonard calm down," Yulie comforted grabbing hold of his hand, "She'll be alright…I promise."
"Well I'm sorry but I'm going to bed before this gets any funnier," I laughed getting up to walk towards my tent.
As I approached it I noted how I set mine up away from the others as I preferred to be alone and these people weren't going to change that.
"Haven't you ever been in love?" Yulie hissed only a couple of feet behind me.
I stopped shocked by what she said, for the truth was I've never been in love nor could I truly understand it. I didn't bother turning around but instead continued to my tent choosing to ignore the comment but as I sat in tent gazing up at the stars through the hole where the poles came together my thoughts drifted back to my time growing up in Faria just before I left for Balandor…
-Flash Back ten years-
"Eddoe wait up," A young girl's voice called out to me, "Wait you're too fast for me to keep up."
"You have to learn the layout of the woods Lady Miu," I told her, "You're grandfather instructed me to make sure that you know the layout perfectly."
"But you're too fast," Miu pouted, "How does Grandfather expect me to keep up with you let alone beat you."
"That's easy," another young girl's voice snickered from behind me, "you've got to outsmart him…which shouldn't be too hard he is a guy after all."
I sighed turning around to see a young Farian girl of my age with bright pink hair tied back into a braided ponytail standing behind me grinning.
"Xaidra do you think you can do better than me," I taunted my friend.
"Yes I do," Xaidra snickered, "but it's not me you have to worry about."
I whipped around to see Miu rushing towards the next leg of the race with a huge head start.
"You tricked me," I stated incredulous.
"Well after all that's the only way she could beat someone like you," Xaidra sighed, "She'll never be as physically strong as you or Dalem but she can mentally strengthen herself so she can eventually pass you."
"I guess you're right," I sighed, "but I'd better catch up to her so nothing bad happens."
-Present-
I sighed gazing up at the stars as I remembered the sort of mischief Xaidra and I got up too when we were kids and I knew I missed her. It's been ten years since I've seen her…she probably doesn't even remember me. With these thoughts I turned over and drifted off to sleep a tear rolling down my cheek as I realized all I've lost.
Here ends Chapter 2: The Adventure Begins, Stay tuned for the next chapter titled True Terror. To explain something's I will be adding several new party members to Leonard's party throughout the story but these characters will have more to do with Eddoe's story than Leonard's. Eddoe's tent is similar to a Native American tipi. I won't be describing the armor or weapons they wear unless there unique because I'm mostly going to be using the actual equipment from the game. I will also be adding new types of creatures throughout the story for two reasons. Reason one is the Eddoe is much stronger than any of Leonard's group so these creatures are there to make sure that Eddoe has something to fight that's at his own level of power, while the second reason is pretty much to try and make Valeria have different forms of life than we've already seen.