Ventuswill was just sitting alone, winter had just passed and her duties as the protector of Selphia were going perfectly. That is, until today.
"Waaaaahhhh! Oww… what the heck! Did someone just fall from the sky?"
The divine dragon sat up after being used as a cushion and prodded the unconscious man, "H-hey? Are you alive?"
Pov Hale*
"Eep! What the heck was that? Standing up, I was hit with a wave of nausea, making the world around me blurry, forcing me onto my knees, barely able to hold onto the bile in my throat. My whole body felt hurt and hard to move. After another minute, I could hear someone trying to talk to me, but with how hurt my body felt, I couldn't catch what they were saying, '-No! -old Still! -am trying to help!' While I couldn't understand what they were saying, it sounded like they wanted to help, so I rolled onto my back and slowly opened my eyes."
Directly above me was the head of a large green dragon… mouth full of large pointy teeth with some kind of green aura building around it… It's going to eat me, isn't it…
"'NOPE!' I screeched out, forcing the last of my body's strength into my legs, making me wince in pain as I jumped up and ran (or attempted to run) towards the large door, only to immediately fall as my legs gave out from the lack of strength."
"'-Hah, this is why humans can be so annoying! They never listen!' I watched as the green, feathery dragon in front of me spoke out."
"'…Eh?' I paused from the absurdity. 'That voice, was you?' I asked the now rather sass-filled dragon in front of me."
"The dragon did a very exaggerated look around the room and spoke out, 'Well duh! Who else is in here but us? Now hold still, child! You've got a few broken bones I couldn't heal because you wouldn't stop moving!'"
"I stood still, holding my newly acquired fire-poker pointed at the dragon. 'Alright. I'll trust you for now, but no funny business! And the name's… Hale… I think…' I worriedly spoke out, memories failing to appear as I tried to recall anything."
"The dragon raised an eye before shaking its head and speaking, 'I see… I'll add memory loss to the rather large list of things wrong with you. And you can just call me Ventuswill."
The neurons firing in my brain, one little pulse of connection to Ventuswill, a native dragon (something I don't remember) but remembering that she was the only female native dragon among the four.
In a matter of seconds runes rose up from the earth, flying into Ventuswill and, I'm assuming powered whatever aura she was using to 'heal' me.
She sent the green aura towards me in a tornado like whirl, surrounding me and infusing my very being with what I can only describe as magic but… magic doesn't exist right? Now my head hurts more…
The blast of energy made my entire body feel light, better than it ever has in my… 19? Years of life. Bah the more I worry about this the harder its gonna be to remember it… I think? Who knows.
As the blast of energy finished, I looked back up to the dra-Ventuswill, who was looking at me with a rather obnoxious smirk and started talking, "good now that you're not half dead, why did you fall out of the sky into my palace?" finishing with a slight deadpan.
Scratching my head, I tried going against my earlier decision…but got nothing, "I don't actually know… but I do remember the feeling of something hitting me then… then falling down… I think?" I spoke out with confusion, just as a butler ran into the room.
"Lady Ventuswill! Are you alright! What was that crash!?" he yelled out while running, and then noticed me. "HOH- An Intruder! How dare you enter Lady Ventuswill's Palace! Don't worry my lady I will get him out of here in short notice!" "VOLKANON STOP!" she cried out, but alas for me, it was too late as I had received a clothesline to my throat and was already on the ground.
"Oops… I apologize for the error my lady. May I ask, who this young man is?" Volkanon spoke out as I attempted to breathe air once more.
*ahem "he fell from the sky, most likely from an airship… he claims to have memory loss, I believe him as he did not seem to recognize what I was when he awoke. I tried to heal him but… it seems it didn't take." She finished rather somberly.
"…its unlikely he fell of his own volition my lady, the ships have protections against that, its more likely he was pushed off… could he be the prince we were expecting? He was scheduled to arrive soon, he also shares some of the characteristics, although the prince is supposed to have blond hair while his is a light mint in color…" Volkanon questioned, making Ventuswill go into thought. "That very well could be true, until we get notice from the capital we can't truly know."
The words left unsaid were if the man in front of them was not the prince but that wasn't a chance they wanted to take.
Once again, I stood up rubbing my throat, as Ventuswill had Volkanon guide me to the room I would be staying in for the next while.
As we got to me room, Volkanon cleared his throat, "ahem… I apologize for my earlier action Prince, I assumed you to be an intruder and acted as I thought best ignoring my ladies command, and in doing so hurt you, I ask for your forgiveness." He finished his apology with a professional bow.
"Your name was Volkanon, right? Its fine I would have done the same in your shoes." I answered sincerely, I had no reason to lie… that I could remember anyway, but what's all this talk of a prince anyway, like did they not look at me? In what way do I look like a prince? I can't be certain but I don't have any knowledge that I can remember that would benefit me as a prince.
"And please, I might not have my memories but I'm almost certain I'm no prince." I asked, I really didn't want to be hoisted as some sort of prince, especially since I don't have any knowledge or training a prince would have.
"Alas Prince, until it is confirmed you indeed aren't, Prince Arthur, you will be treated as such."
….. huh?
Arthur? That's what they think my name is? "No, No, No, my name is Hale, I might have lost all of my memories but I'm certain my name is Hale." I stated.
Volkanon just nodded, "alright then Prince Arthur" he said completely ignoring what I said, "you should retire for the night, its gotten very late and the healing Lady Ventuswill's bestowed you will have taken a lot of your energy, its best you get some rest, I'll have one of the apprentices wake you in the morning as Lady Ventuswill will want to talk more in the morning." He spoke out, guiding me to my bed.
After saying good night to Volkanon, I got ready for bed. I tried and tried to remember anything but the only thing that came to me were more questions. Why don't I remember anything? Why does everything I've seen so far look so old? Where is all of their modern amenities? Why Is there a DRAGON? Those aren't supposed to exist! Right? If dragons exist, was the aura she used magic?
Too many questions and no answers can really exhaust a person mentally, and I swiftly drifted off to a deep sleep.
*yaawwwn "Time to… wake up." a gentle but tired voice called out, slowly waking me from my slumber.
Sitting up and stretching I opened my eyes to the bright light, and saw a girl, my age with a pleasing shade of purple hair tied in a braid, sleeping… while standing? Another question to the ever-growing pile, I guess.
I got up and tapped the girl's shoulder to wake her up, "Uh… Hello?" I spoke, waking her up as she cleared her eyes and look at me, "Oh good you're up. I am Clorica, an apprentice here learning from Sir Volkanon, Lady Ventuswill wanted me to wake you early to go and meet the other apprentice" turning to the door near the back wall of the room, "-Vishnal out in the field behind the palace."
Nodding my head, I get dressed in my freshly cleaned clothes form yesterday, which now that I take a closer look, I don't recognize… which isn't saying much, but they look strange. A white and brown trimmed robe/shirt, and a pair of dark brown pants… and leather shoes?
Shaking my head as I watch Clorica leave, almost dropping her head in a daze as she exited the room.
Heading off to the bathroom brushing my teeth, looking up into the mirror, I freeze. My face looks off... am I younger? Or… bah! This damn memory loss! The little memory I have dictates I should be taller and my face looks way younger! I think I'm at most 17 not the 19 I'm pretty sure I am… oh god! My hair! I'm almost certain I had brown hair… but now. It's minty green and long enough to reach my shoulders… another thing to add to my growing ignorance pile! (that's right I've given up asking questions mere hours after memory loss!)
After leaving the bathroom and following Clorica, she leads me outside where I see a young blue haired man with a pretty boy face, happily waiting outside.
Once he saw me, he was surprised for a moment before happily rushing over and excitedly speaking, "Good Morning Prince! Its an honor to work for you! Ah, I should introduce myself! My name is Vishnal, and Lady Ventuswill has asked me to teach you some farming basics this morning!" he somehow managed all of that within a single breath.
"Um… nice to meet you as well Vishnal. Though, can I ask why Ventuswill wants me to learn farming? That doesn't seem like something a prince would do… Right?" I asked rather puzzled as to why I would be doing some farm work of all things after falling from the literal sky.
"No idea Sir! I'm just doing my best to learn everything from Sir Volkanon!" Vishnal exclaimed out.
Good to know? I guess. "Okay then. I suppose we should get started! What do I need to do first?" asking while rolling up my sleeves.
After a half hour of basic explanations, explaining the very basics of farm work and how runes vitalize the earth giving crops an incredibly fast growth speed, as well as how to use and what kind of crops should be planted in certain seasons.
"-and that should cover the basics! Any questions?" Vishnal asked, finally looking up at me, I just shook my head, "I'm good for now. Is it alright for me to ask about anything I'm unsure about later?" Vishnal just smiled and nodded, "More than good, I would be glad to answer anything anytime!"
Smiling back, "Perfect! But I should probably head out, Ventuswill wanted to talk to me this morning so I should go see her." I told Vishnal, getting a nod in response. Taking that as my queue to leave I put the tools he gave me in my room and followed the path Volkanon took my on last night.
As I was walking, I started to look around, man everything here looks medieval... augh! Damn my memory loss. I keep almost reaching it. It feels like its on the tip of my tongue every time! Fuck! Maybe that dang dragon will know more… and maybe a different way of helping… who knows maybe there's a doctor nearby that can help.
As I walked into the main palace room, I could see Ventuswill talking with a scholarly looking blond man dressed in expensive looking robes. "-it seems the, false prince has arrived Prince. What do you believe we should do?" I heard Ventuswill ask, wait… she's acting like I said I was the prince, she's gonna get me in trouble that damn dragon! quickly walking over to the side of her I elbow the damn worm, "Pssst! What the hell are you doing! Do you want to get me thrown in jail! I told you I wasn't a prince! And that my name wasn't Arthur! But noooo I'm a big dragon I don't have to listen!" I annoyedly whispered trying not to let, Prince Arthur? Hear me.
"I'm sorry but it's the only way, for now can you just stay at the inn? It was a small mistake for certain, but you must understand in the circumstances it made sense. So please? Just for now and in a bit, we can find a more permanent solution." She pleadingly asked, but no sooner than she finished did Arthur speak up
"Its quite alright, in fact." He spoke turning his head to me pausing to study me for a moment, "Your name was Hale, correct? How would you like to act as the prince in my place? I have many topics I wish to study but don't have anywhere near the time to due to my position but, if you were to take on some of them, you could continue to stay here and act in my place?" he asked tilting his head.
Raising an eyebrow in disbelief, "Is… is that even allowed? Also, I have no idea what I would need to do… And, why are you so willing to let a stranger take over your position so easily?" I questioned,
"I'm the prince, correct? Then if I say it shall be allowed, it can be. The duties I would need you to accomplish would merely be organizing festivals as well as any requests that come through the request box. This would allow me ample time to research my more… vital studies. Finally, I'm trusting you as its clear Lady Ventuswill believes you have no ill will, and if she is so willing to believe I shall as well." He finished, pushing his glasses up his nose.
I looked up to Ventuswill, who did nothing but an encouraging nod, sighing at the troublesome situation I found myself in, I looked over at the prince and nodded… guess I'm being forced into this aren't I… hah.
"Alright Arthur, you have yourself a deal." Stating as I held out my hand to shake his.
Shaking my hand, he directed me to the 'order board', a place where I could commission construction projects to the town, and my own room/farm in exchange for something he called, PP (prince points) after explaining to me that as long as I had the points, anything I ordered off the board wouldn't be selfish as I had earned the right to commission the order.
"-and that about sums up the use of the board, any questions, no? Perfect! Now, if you ever need advice, I will be staying over at the inn. I thank you for the help your giving me with this." He spoke bowing slightly with a small smile on his face and leaving.
Turning my head up at an angle I looked up at Ventus- nah I'm shortening that, it's a long ass name, Venti… yea! Venti it is! Looking up at Venti, I can easily see that damn little smirk of hers…
"You are a real piece of work Ven." Shaking my head as she started fully laughing at my situation, from freeloading farmer to farmer/prince with actual duties.
As her laughing fit turned into a coughing fit, I left the room to go introduce myself to the rest of town. Hah this is gonna be so much trouble…
So! As it turns out I'm actually kind of good at this prince thing! It's a lot simpler than I thought, for festivals I just have to plan an event, Arthur will source everything else and get people to do the actual setting up, apparently he's just not very creative, or that's what I'm assuming, anyways its been a bit more than a week here and I've managed to meet quite a few people in this town, though I don't think I could meet everyone if I tried this place is fucking huge!
Anyways back on topic, my first festival you might ask? Restarting the bean tossing contest! Ha-ha-ha! Whoever gets hit by more beans wins and you lose points by getting hit with tomatoes! Whoever came up with this the first-time was a genius
It happened yesterday and it went great! Everyone loved it… although Doug had a bit too much fun throwing tomatoes at everyone… bah funs, fun!
Anyway, today is the day I'm going to head into Selphia plains. Volkanon has recommended I learn how to fight against monsters as it is the prince's duty to help defend his home… for some reason he truly doesn't believe I'm the prince no matter what I, Venti or a rather non-willing Arthur say.
But first! I have need of a weapon.
It took a while of hunting down Volkanon who was watering the flowers around the palace at an incredibly awe-inspiring level of speed, precision, and grace? But I found him watering the flowers in the kitchen.
"Aha! Volkanon! There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere! I've decided to take your advice and go out to get some battle experience, but I need a weapon. Do you know where I can get one?" I asked panting a little as it had been quite a long search to find him.
"Hello Prince! I'm glad to hear it! While we used to have a large assortment of weapons, after the last war we've been rather… subpar in that area. But! If you head to the east of the palace in the street nearby the clinic, you can find a blacksmith there by the name of Bado. He's an excellent smith but… he has a rather bad tendency to try and make money with cheap over-exaggerated items… though if you can get him to actually smith he produces some of the finest weapons around… if a tad overpriced. His smithy would be the first place I would go for a good weapon in the area!" he exclaimed rather heartily.
Nodding to him I started out to find the smith.
"This shop better be worth it…" I spoke feeling rather skeptical looking at the rather unimpressive shop.
Walking inside I see a small collection of tools but, more importantly a large wall filled with all sorts of weapons. Seeing as how I knew nothing about them I went up to the man behind the counter, he had dark blue hair and a rather unkempt beard.
He was scribbling something in his notebook, "Excuse me? My names Hale and I want to buy a weapon." I stated drawing his attention.
"Ah! A customer, now! Can I interest you in any of my special items! I've got gloves that let you grab things really well! A pair of glasses that let you see better if you don't have good vision! And a belt that lets your pants stay snug whenever you wear it! So! What'll it be?" he exclaimed rather shady-like.
"…just a sword actually…" "oh… well I have some basic ones over here." Pointing over at the nearest rack, "nothing special mind you but, its all the more basic options. Let's see… Warhammers… claymores… gotta have your longswords or short-swords… several basic magic staffs to channel your magic… oh! And some dual blades. So! What'll it be?" slapping his hands on the desk leaning in further as he spoke.
Hmmm. Looking over the weapons trying to see their pros and cons… the swords would let me use a shield but… I'm not really built for blocking hits like that, I prefer fast movements and dodging if my practice against Volkanon says anything…so maybe a staff? But do I even have magic? I don't think so, maybe I can learn more later but I think I've got my choice.
Nodding to my choice he rings me through taking most of my money. Man, Dual blades cost a lot.
Oh, but they are so worth it, doing a double slash against an orc rider, and before you ask no they are not the green kind I thought they'd be, no, these orcs are more like kobolds in appearance, but appear just as... simple minded.
Another slash has the Orc flash into light dropping a piece of cloth. Oh yea, that's a thing here btw, monsters don't die in the traditional sense, they get sent back to a place called the Forest of Beginnings, which doesn't exist on this plane… yea doesn't make sense to me either, I can only hope none of the ones I beat come back with revenge plans…
"Ooh, Loot!" reaching down to pick it up I notice a clearing in front of me with trees growing up into an arch.
Walking through, I get a breathtaking view off a nearby cliff, I can see the entire town from here, hearing a rustle I turn around quickly seeing a group of Orcs, each preparing to swing their clubs at me.
"Shit! You thought you could be sneaky huh you fuckers!" shouting out at them, making a guard with my blades to catch one of their clubs and throwing it back towards the orc knocking him into the other two and forcing them back.
Not wasting any time or a chance for a free kill, I stab the one on top, causing it to vanish back to the Forest of Beginnings. Distracted as I watch it dissipate, the stronger of the two left jumps up and starts swinging at me wildly.
I don't know why but. It feels like I'm improving really fast with a blade, as if I can just see what I need to do… as if my body just does what I need to do in order to parry, swing or duck in order to grow, I'm learning more and more every battle.
Redirecting his next swing forcing the club out of hand, I strike his chest forcing it to dissipate in another flash of light.
Dodging another strike and tripping, I cry out as I feel a sharp pain in my leg, looking down I notice the third orc, had bitten me from the ground.
"OW! YOU LITTLE FUCK! God that hurts!" crying out, stabbing my blade in its head forcing it to flash away, dropping a leather bracer as he left.
"Hoooo…. at least I got some new armor. Urgh! I'm gonna need to bandage this." Sitting down as I grab a roll of bandages from my bag and tie a tight bandage around my leg, and grabbed a large Branch from the tree nearby for a makeshift cane, and started on my way back to town.
After a few minutes of walking, the pain began to be too much forcing me to take a break on a nearby rock. Checking my leg, and seeing a very swollen ankle I can tell I didn't just get a gash, more likely an infection. "Shit… I really should've had someone come with me. Next time definitely." Feeling a bit better, I started off towards town only to encounter a 'Buffamoo' imagine a wide buffalo crossed with a dairy cow the size of an elephant, and that's a Buffamoo.
Now, this Buffamoo seems rather docile, more likely a female since it looks bigger than a normal one, thank God for that as the males tend to be extremely aggressive.
*crack* …shit… looking down at my feet I see a small branch broken in half, now looking back up I'm face to face with a giant Buffamoo sniffing me… my day could literally not get anymore… anything.
As I internally had a panic attack at the very aggressive sniffing the cow in front of me was doing, I realized that this could be a good chance to take one of Clorica's suggestions. Taming a Monster.
Now while most people wouldn't bother with taming a Buffamoo since they aren't seen as intimidating, which is utter bullshit by the way this thing is massive, it would be really helpful to get me back home and to the clinic to get my leg fixed up.
As she stopped sniffing me, slowly I reached into my satchel, grabbing what would've been lunch and holding it out to the giant creature in front of me, my fruit sandwich looking comically tiny compared to her. She eats it out of my hand, and after a moment rubs her head affectionately against my hand.
"Hahaha! Imma call you… Ella!" patting her snoot as I speak, a grin growing on my face. Getting a rather large and happy sound moo in return. Getting Ella to crouch down, not a great amount of help since she's giant, I clamber onto her back, as I begin to direct her towards town.
As we approached town the sun was getting very low in the sky, meaning I was going to be in a lot of shit with everyone… hah… I'll cross that bridge later I suppose, for now, to Jones! Marching along through the gates of town I can see a relieved Volkanon sigh and gave me a look that I would describe as, mom completely done with her kids bullshit.
Smile and wave kid smile and wave! Turning Ella towards the east side of town we head over and in no time we're greeted by Nancy, the best damn nurse around and Jones wife.
"Oh, hello Hale, I see you've made a new friend." She smiled, but then noticed my leg and grimaced. "Ah I see. Let's get you inside so Jones and I can get you fixed up!"
Climbing down hitting the ground a bit to hard making the pain flare up again, "Urgh! that sounds wonderful." Straining a smile and nodding at her.
A short observation later, and an incredibly nauseas Jones leaving the room once Nancy takes of my bandage and passes me a bottle with a pale green liquid inside. "Now Hale, I'm giving you a heads up now so you don't spit it out, this tastes horrid but it will heal the gash, you'll barely have a scar, but first I need to ask. Why didn't you use the escape spell in order to return to town?"
I couldn't see my face but I could tell from Nancy's that I must've looked idiotic. "Hah your memory must've been damaged more than we thought. To not even remember the most important spell in everyone's repertoire." She spoke gaining a rather soft look to her face, "The escape spell allows the caster to return to a set location in their area, while useful it generally only able to be set to the entrance of a town you've been in and the last bed you've slept in." she pointed at me with a rather stern look, "Now before you go out of town again, you will learn this spell! Otherwise, your next treatment won't be as pleasant. Do. You. understand?" she gained a rather large shadow over her face as she tilted her head.
Damn Nancy is terrifying when she wants to be. I feel worried for Jones…
"YES MAM!" the only response I could give without occurring the wrath of the scary nurse.
Immediately downing the potion she gave me, and by God she downplayed how disgusting it was, like someone left rhubarb out to rot in a marsh for two years mixed with what I can only imagine was some type of acid, that tasted like rotten meat and a small amount of orc drool, don't ask you don't want to know why I know that.
"Ooaghh! *Cak! *Hrm! Why is this so rancid!" I shout downing the pitcher of water Nancy had sat down on the desk ignoring the glass she had set aside for me.
Smiling at me, "Why as a preventative of course!" her smile growing into an incredibly 'innocent' one.
She really is terrifying, "Preventing what?! The want to be healed?" I half questioned half coughed. "of course not! Its to prevent from overuse them! If someone uses to many potions it can cause an incredibly large drain on their body as healing the body in repeated suggestions can potentially cause more damage if done in rapid succession.. and its also really funny to watch…" speaking in a whisper at the end, I shoot her a betrayed look causing her to start laughing.
"Now, Now Hale, no need to feel hurt, its an important lesson everyone needs to be taught, and since you forgot such an important spell I figured it be best for you to learn the 'hard' way about potions…" she explained covering her smile with her hand, clearly suppressing another bout of giggles. Just shaking my head at her I examine my leg only to see a faint scar that was disappearing in mere moments before me.
"You weren't kidding about the healing power… wow." I shockingly stated in awe of the magic I witnessed. Examining the now faint scar on my leg.
She just nodded and recommended I don't use any potions for the next full 24 hours in order to let this one flush out of my system.
As an hour had passed by in the clinic listening to Nancy's lecture night had started to fall, making the streetlights all the more useful as Ella and I trotted along back to the palace.
We were greeted by a rather calm Volkanon, "Ah Prince! I take it Nancy spoke to you?" he asked clearly already knowing she did if the slight smile on his face was telling me.
"You already know she did Volkanon. Also! Why didn't you tell me about the escape spell? It seems so useful… but I guess because of that I would never have met Ella. Oh! And can you help me find a place to house her? If she was smaller, I would let her stay in my room but…" I slowly turned my head at the rather innocent looking Buffamoo, she's a bit on the taller side." I sheepishly chuckled.
He just nodded, "Worry not Prince I shall have Vishnal construct a barn large enough for her to sleep in tomorrow but tonight she will have to sleep in the field, I shall head over and set up an area for her to sleep now, but you should probably head to bed, you look like you've had a very long day. And my apologies, had I known your memory took away your knowledge of the escape spell I wouldn't have let you leave the town without a companion."
Nodding back, and directing Ella to follow Volkanon, getting a rather gross lick to the face lifting half my hair into a cow lick… literally.
"Ah, and goodnight Volkanon, and goodnight to you as well Ella." I yawned out heading into my room and flopping onto my bed falling asleep immediately.
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That's the second chapter reworked. Anyways onto the question for the day I suppose. {Who is your favorite character and what is your favorite monster in Rune Factory 4?}