Note: This is where it gets a little trickier, as events now will have to take place in a particular order. There will be some filler in this, yet it's to correlate with the events taking place and make everything fit more naturally with each other. Duran and Angela's are interchangeable, as well as Kevin's, but Hawkeye's, Charlotte's, and Riesz take place in a period. The only thing is to find which order fits best and give each character the natural progression to get there. Again, some journeys start sooner than others, but all gather at the same place.
Though at the moment, I think it'd be best to look into some of what the eventual adversaries are doing, specifically the Three Evils. Though I still love the game, some things are a little wonky in the story, mainly how some people and things pop up out of nowhere, and things are left entirely to exposition. While there undoubtedly might be some of that later down the line, I want to flesh things out as much as possible; thus, little segments like this will be in the story too.
I've also been compulsively looking at the game's map and trying to decide how things will correlate and make sense in the context of how things'll happen and how the characters get to certain places, as while, yes, this IS a world with fantastical creatures and magic and all that, there is still the suspension of disbelief element in there. Plus, I'm so fussy and obsessed with details that I'm afraid it may be my undoing.
Also, I got a review questioning why I decided to forgo the class system. I'll admit, I was worried whether or not I'd be able to balance it out, as there are so many, and thus, there'd be so many decisions to make, as I feel that some are not seeing their favorite might be disappointing to them.
But, I think, emphasizing think, I found a way to include them in this. True, it may be a bit different, but I think if I do it this way, I could give all of them a bit of time to shine.
Three Shrouds of Darkness
Three Weeks Prior
Should one be brave or foolish enough to travel west of the bitter tundra of the isolated Kingdom of Altena and northwest of the horizon spanning grasslands of the Kingdom of Valsena, one would stumble upon a desert whose size is exceeded only by its peculiarity. To the casual observer, the desert would seem to be formed of millions upon millions of grains of "sand." Still, a more discerning eye would find these grains to be compacted shards of glass, so small and finely worn that unwittingly swallowing some could cause one to bleed out from within. The canyons that compose the landscape are crafted from large, towering structures of shimmering crystal all around; the few creatures that dwelt here built for survival and bore little mercy for others, even their kind. And should one be fortunate enough to make it through the unforgiving, unpredictable domain, they shall find the large entrance to an even more enormous cavern.
The inner dwellings of the cavern were even deadlier than those outside, the creatures that called it home seemingly an unholy mingling of the natural and the unnatural. Beings that hid in the darkened places of the world and those that were never meant to see the surface of the world, let alone the land of the living. So, for one to intentionally come here, either told that they were the highest degree of foolishness or, like the one entering the cavern had, they had a plan.
The dwellers of the cavern didn't strike him, however. The intruder could pass through freely without any threat to his person. No, he was known well to the master of this place, as well as the master to these creatures. Making his way through the winding tunnels, he finally reached the innermost section of the cavern, it appearing as a sanctum of sorts, a 'throne' of carved rock near the northern wall. Going to it, the figure garbed in shadow knelt to the figure stationed on the throne, another figure present with them, standing off to the side in complete silence.
"You're actually on time." the figure on the throne spoke, voice deep and rumbling, as if they were speaking through an ever-continuous growl.
"Of course." the one that had just arrived stood up, dusting himself off. "I am ALWAYS on time."
The one on the throne didn't respond to the quip, only interested in discussing the matter. "Have you informed...her 'majesty' of what must be done?"
The figure nodded. "Yes. She sees the effects already. If not me, then one among us would suggest something similar to what I've told her. I'm the only one who can bring it up openly without being dismissed."
The sitting figure rose, looking at the one that had come to report to him. "And I trust that she only knows what she needs to?"
"She knows nothing. Especially you."
"I would hope not. But, seeing as you are still quite vital for me." he then turned to the other figure in the chamber, hidden in the shadows. "Has she sent you on assignment yet?"
"I am to investigate the whereabouts of the Mana Stone located in Valsena." the one that had just arrived answered. "And, given I'm there, I'll perhaps pay a visit to an old 'friend' of yours."
A smile came to the lips of the one that had risen off the throne. "Is that so?" He then went to the third individual, who had been silent for the entire time. "Hear that? We shall be visiting your old home soon." the figure was still quiet, unmoving as if he were composed of the very stone that surrounded them all. "And even more, you shall have a chance to...reconnect, if you will. Isn't that grand?" Again, the figure was mostly silent, yet surprisingly, he did give a slight reaction. He looked to the others as if what had just been said managed to snag his interest. "When shall you depart for Valsena?"
"The Queen believes I am on assignment already. However, given that the location is unknown to us, I have some extra time."
"Time you chose to use wisely." the figure sat back on his throne. "Long...it's been so long...dear Richard." he sighed as if reminiscing some fond memory. Given how his fingers clutched against the 'arms,' it was clear that it was anything but something he wished to remember. Yet it mattered not. Now, it would be paid in kind. And not just for dear Richard, but to everyone else as well.
Should one be brave or foolish enough to travel northeast of the city of Jadd or north of the mighty kingdom of Laurent, one would find a cavern similar to that which lies at the end of the desert of glass, this one also home to a bevy of terrible creatures that are not of this world. Should they be unfortunate enough to see them, some would declare that they had come from Hell itself. And perhaps they would be right to assume so.
Though should one be able to make it through the treacherous tunnels swarming with the residents that were never meant to see the upper world, they would come to find themselves standing at the gates of a massive palace. The structure stands tall, with several towers and spires, clearly gothic architecture, offering a silent but firm warning that this was not a place one should enter lightly. Yet, should one be daring or foolish enough not to heed this warning, it might seem an invitation to try.
The palace's interior consisted of dark shades of bronze lining the walls and pillars with floors of the blackest obsidian. Despite the windows, no light shone through, casting the whole area in a perpetual, everlasting night. Not even that, for the moon was not even allowed to shimmer its lesser light down.
Should one make their way even further into the expansive abode, a door rests in the center of the palace, the bronze visages of the Angel of Death standing on either side of it, and scythes are held as if seemingly waiting to cut down whoever dared come this way. Thankfully, however, the one entering through the door was more than welcome here by the owner of this abode. So documenting, the young, beautiful woman, who was no stranger to sights such as this, nor the residents that resided in the cave that had to be traversed to get here traveled to the throne and knelt in respect to the figure sitting on it, his pale features visible due to the flickering flames of the two torches on either side of the throne, yet not much else could be seen.
"My dearest Majesty…" she greeted, emphasizing 'dearest.' "You wished to see me?" another figure stationed in the corner nodded, having been the one to deliver the message that their master had sought an audience with her.
"Yes." the voice answered cooly. "It's been some time since I last heard from you. Ever since you traveled to that desert country, Nerval, your words have been sparse."
"Forgive me, dearest Majesty." she drew closer to him, caressing his hand. "I'll admit to having gotten somewhat...sidetracked."
The figure on the throne raised a brow. "In?"
"During the search of the Mana Stones, she came across a rather interesting figure." the individual hidden in shadows answered, the woman shooting him a glare.
"Is that so?" the one on the throne questioned. "Who could be of such interest that you forego your duties?"
"I've done no such thing, dearest, I assure you," she told him, still glaring at the figure in the shadows. "I was doing JUST as instructed. THIS one here was more interested in satiating his 'cravings' than the assignment at hand." the figure in the shadows stiffened, now glaring back at her. "Had I not stopped him, we would've been worse off."
"I'm not interested in hearing you compliment yourself or arguing amongst you two. I'm interested in what you've been doing that's been so important all this time."
"Oh, it's nothing much." the shadowed figure stepped forward, the outlines of a cape with a rather large collar able to be seen in the tiny bits of light. "She's just managed to snag a place amongst the Thieves of Nerval."
To his surprise, it seemed that his Majesty was intrigued by this news. "Recently?" he questioned.
"Indeed," she told him, still caressing his hand. "And even more, it was the very leader of them that we happened upon in the desert."
"What would someone of his status be doing in such a place? What sort of leader would endanger himself in such a way?"
"One of his children, the boy, I think, was stricken with illness and was on the way to gather some herbs to ease his fever." the caped figure explained. "However, I suppose mortal men don't entirely understand that nature does not surrender to their whims simply because they have a mission in mind."
"Had I not been there, he would've met his end in one way or another." the caped figure snarled. "And since then, he believes that he's indebted to me and has offered me a place amongst them. He believed my words that I was merely a homeless ward with nowhere to go. That my family has abandoned me, and I am a lost soul wanting a home." she smiled. "The old man may be the head of a guild of thieves, yet he has little sense of discernment."
"He probably wouldn't have satisfied my taste anyway." the caped figures scoffed.
"I'll get you some of the women there, don't worry." she sighed, turning back to her master. "It took some time, but I think the old man's warmed up to me."
"Has he now?" her master questioned; she nodded in response.
"Daresay, I think that I'm his most trusted confidant. He tells me everything. Especially matters regarding his children. A son and a daughter from his second wife. The first was lost to him. There is another youth there that's good friends with his children, though where he came from, he hasn't said. I suppose some secrets last forever."
"But does he know the location of the Mana Stone in that country?"
"Yes," she answered. "And even better, I know how to acquire the others for ourselves."
He grew interested. "How so?"
"Well...going back to the old man's children, I've been talking to him about them. Their futures, whether or not they shall be guaranteed protection and be protected accordingly. After all, even with the loyalty that he says is in the guild, they ARE thieves. And maybe, just maybe, honor amongst them doesn't apply for some. Not to mention that the depletion of Mana is hitting the area hard. So his children, and his children's children, his grandchildren, and those of the rest of the guild, are at stake if he doesn't do something."
"And has he given you an answer to your proposal?"
"Not yet...but I sense that his resistance is waning. And in more ways than one," she answered, eyes glistening with unnatural power.
Suddenly, the figure on the throne rose, taking her hand from his. "Then make sure that he sees things your way. Yet do not believe that either work is done by simply doing this." he then turned to the caped figure. "You STILL have a vessel for me to find. The Mana Stones are crucial, yes, but there is one especially that we MUST find. No exceptions. Until a vessel is found, our efforts will be for naught."
"I shan't disappoint you, Majesty." the caped figure assured him, bowing.
"I would hope you wouldn't. For your own sake. Lest I give you a small taste of Hell before sending you there myself." With that, he made his way out of the throne room, leaving his two servants alone.
"You would do anything for him to notice you." the caped one smirked, the woman frowning.
"And all you ever think about is your next meal."
"You will NEVER know of such things as true hunger." he snarled.
She clenched her fist, glaring daggers at him before leaving, her master's face, the feel of his hand in her mind. You have NO idea.
Should one be brave or foolish enough to travel southwest of the already difficult Duskmoon Forest and the beastman Kingdom of Ferolia, they would find themselves in an expansive, dense jungle. The flora was thick with roots of unnatural strength, and the fauna consisted of several creatures that housed dangerous abilities and a high place on the food chain. Like the other two dwellings that no one should go to, many dwellings there were not of the natural world. However, should one make their way through the thickened brush and survive, not becoming a meal and being torn into pieces, there are two directions one could go.
One could go to the east and come across the remains of an ancient kingdom, the city once belonging to a robust and prosperous people that were cut off from the entire world and regarded as an enigma. Despite this, the people there held a significantly advanced culture compared to several others in aspects of the artisans, mechanics, and even sorcery. Yet, in a turn that no one could have foreseen, the kingdom waged war on the rest of the world, its foolish boy king and his cunning, female general heralding the attacks. Yet their ambitions were not simply for waging war; they had ideas about reaching the realm of the divine by releasing power from places all over the world, not caring for the miserable lives of those they ruled. Then, as those called to defend the world arrived in the city, the boy king and the general escaped and attacked from their airship, costing several lives of their people. This also left the once great and mighty kingdom little more than a reminder of the great war and the several lives lost in the conflict.
Yet if one were to travel north, they would find another structure. An expansive, darkly colored palace that, from the outside, appeared to have just emerged from the dense jungle surrounding it. Yet should one enter, they would find that nothing about it was as it seemed. The corridors twisted and wound in impossible ways and in impossible angles, the walls and pillars decorated with faces that one could mistake for being alive for how their eyes seemed to follow. Their mouths curled up into hungry grins. Visages of winged humanoids wielding swords stand all around, yet one figure passed all these sights with no amount of care. Daresay, he found the environment just to his liking. Walking through the door, he came upon a shadowed figure stationed upon a throne that looked akin to the giant, gaping maw of a demonish skull ready to swallow anyone that dared to get too close.
"You've returned with news, yes?"
The one that had arrived let out a ghoulish giggle, unable to contain his excitement. "Oooh hoo hoo! You bet I do!" he chuckled. "The beastmen are planning to invade Wendel and take control of the city! They're already making plans to move into Jadd!"
The mentioning of the Holy City made the one on the throne grow silent for a moment, a low sigh escaping him. It had changed...he inwardly chuckled. So much had changed. Had he been asked long ago, he would have thought that his being here now and what he was would have NEVER been a remote possibility. And to consider, it all started over so small a thing...so small a person… "Any more news on what King Gauser has said to his people?"
"Hee hee! Only that they've been oppressed for too long by the outside. Their aim is the same as ours. At least it will be once you plant it in their heads! First, the Mana Stones shall fall into their hands, then into ours!" the figure couldn't contain himself and trembled in excitement. All those souls! All those ripe, precious, delicious souls! All for him! Ooooh, it was too much to bear! "Can we proceed now? Pretty please?"
"Calm yourself." the one on the throne told him. "You've yet to introduce yourself to the good king yet."
"Well...yeah, there's that." he then thought. He knew the invasion would go on without them, but how to convince them of a potential alliance? Oooh! Wait! He knew! "But I DID see something interesting the other day in the woods!"
"Did you now?"
"Yep! The wittle Prince!"
The one on the throne raised a brow. "Prince?"
"Yessiree! He was out playing in the woods! Had a cute little puppy and everything!"
So, Gauser had a son, did he? Hm...it was perhaps too soon to tell, yet maybe he could prove helpful. Still, the mere mention of the word brought some rather unsavory memories to him—the visage of a particular young man infecting his mind. "Go then." he finally told his visitor. "Go and seek an audience with the king."
"Will do!" the visitor giggled, heading out to leave.
"But-" he paused, turning to his master. "I want the boy found. And I want him brought to me."
"The Prince? But what does he-"
"No, not him." his master shook his head. "This one, he hails from Wendel. He's young and fair." at least, he had assumed so. It had been so long, and truthfully...he had only seen him but once. "He is surely under the tutelage of the Priest of Light. Seek him, and bring him to me. Alive." The apparent disappointment was in the soon to depart visitor's features. No soul to reap? A pity. Still, what could the master want a boy for? If it were the prince, he could understand as means for a bargaining chip, but what use did he have for a wannabe priest of Wendel?
Well...no matter. Orders were orders. And besides...he didn't say anything about NOT having a few souls along the way.
Note: References to Heroes of Mana. Though I've never played the game, it does correlate with some of the events in Trials, so I think at least some bare-bones knowledge of it is required. Thank God for the Wiki of Mana. Forgive my overuse of words here. I want to keep identities secret (though not very secret) until the main characters themselves come to see and know them. That said, after this, I can get onto the introduction of some of the plights of the main six now.
