Post by SwitchKun on Aug 13, 2008 13:57:21 GMT -6
Enter Aska
' My name is Aska Undara, I was born and raised on the Etchfeld plains. My father was a renowned swordsman, and even though I've never met him before, I always look up to him. The people in the village always said that he was a valiant man, who gave the Undara a name. Someday, I want to be just like father... I want my name to be passed down through history! My mother seems so happy, even though father is always gone... she has tended to my every need but now I am older, and ready to start out my life on the right track!'
It was the first day of spring, for the people of the Etchfeld Plains, and everyone was quite to get the jump on the next planting season. The plains were slowly turning from the dark amber gray to the lively green and blues it was known for. The plains were home to many small villages, who knew nothing of kingdoms or rulers, they just lived in their own communities happily raising their children to be farmers... but not everyone wanted to be a farmer rest assured.
"Mom! I don't want to be a farmer!" Aska pouted on the doorstep of his home. He appeared average in every which way, medium cut brown hair, which was slowly brightening from the return of the golden seasons. His eyes were blue and they shimmered in the early morning light. His mother smiled, and continued to stir a large pot in the middle of the home. "Now, dear... not everyone can just pick up a sword and become a man like your father..." she had read his mind but Aska didn't care-- he knew where he wanted to be and it wasn't stuck on a farm his entire life. "Listen my boy... your sister is still young, and we can't manage a farm like this by ourselves."
This was true, Kara, Aska's younger sister was only twelve years old, very much mature, but not strong and able like her older brother was. His fears were realized that he wouldn't be able to become a powerful warrior like his father in till he was at least twenty years old! Such a long ways off for a boy of sixteen, who had just got his first sword-- a gift from a mysterious person at that. "I am going to practice my swordplay then!" he said leaving the cottage with his sword sheath and in his hand. "Don't forget to plow the field!" his mother called after him.
My name is Aska Undara... sixteen years old and is stuck on a filthy farm!
The day went on, and Aska eventually got around to doing his chores, it had occurred to him oftentimes while plowing the field or herding the various farm animals they kept, why his father was even gone. His mother never said he had died, so naturally Aska assumed his father was still among the living. It was if he knew this would make his son stronger, yet it was harder for mother...
"d**n, sometimes I wish I knew..." Aska said to himself putting the plow down and unsheathing his sword and giving it a few practice swings. "Not bad for an amateur!" a female voice broke out and Aska turned around to see his younger sister with a rake behind him. "Hey! If only you were stronger, then I could leave all the work to you!" he retorted and the girl stuck out her tongue, "Yeah, well I'm a girl so I don't have to be strong if I don't wanna!" she called back and Aska shrugged, "Fine, fine... make your only brother suffer..." he said quietly and the girl titled her head to one side as a sign of confusion. "Hmm? You... you really don't like me and mother that much?" she was good at playing the hand quite well and Aska knew that his sister could always think of something to say in response to him. "No... my dear sister... life as a farmer just isn't my calling..." he said dramatically and then they stopped for a moment.
Off in the distance there was a clear noise that struck the fear in many of the farmers who lived on the outskirts of the Etchfeld Plain. The Orguru Goblin Horn. "Run back inside Kara!" Aska yelled running off towards the sound of horn. "Brother...your still an amateur what are you doing?" she yelled back, but he didn't pay any attention, now was the time for him to prove that he was better off as a warrior then a stupid farmer. The horn sounded again, Aska peaked a hill and could see a war band of goblins with torches and spears.
Why are the goblins down here... it is spring, we don't have any money or crops yet... Aska thought, knowing that the goblin raids were most frequent during the fall harvests. Now there was nothing to steal so why were they here?
"NO please!" a voice called out and Aska could see the goblins waiting outside of a particular farm. "Grusha...Silent human! You promised us double come spring time, now give us what you owe..." the goblin said waving a torch threateningly. Aska could only sit and watch, his hand firmly on his sword. "Please... I beg of you that was just my husband!" the woman said and the goblin smacked her with the butt of the torch causing her to crumple to the ground. "Ha! Wretch, I will teach you your place!" he called.
"You stop!" Aska yelled descended the hill and holding forth his sword. "Eh? So you've hired someone to protect you?" the goblin asked and the woman shook her head, "No boy, please stay out of this!" she said but Aska shook his head, "You can't barge into our farms any longer!" he shouted, even though his bravery was shrinking away as the goblins came closer. There were five of them and the main goblin drew out a sword of his own. It became quite clear that hacking at old corn stalks was much different that combating a well armed goblin pillager. They stared at each for a moment, "I can tell you are untrained boy, the way you shake in your boots!" the goblin snarled and Aska clenched his teeth. "I am Aska Undara! Son of the feared Satoshi Undara!" he called out and the goblins paused for a moment, "Sounds like a bunch of orc nuts to me!" one of the goblins said, "Yeah I haven't heard of either of those names, so I guess we can get on with business!"
They circled around for a moment, when finally, the first goblin attacked, and Aska blocked it with his sword, but it vibrated fiercely in his hand. He readjusted his grip, and was about to swing when an arrow pierce the leader goblin's head. The other golbins turned around. "Flee at once or I shall defeat you all!" the voice commanded, and the goblins jumped up and down and ran off in a hurry. Aska stood still, uncertain of where or what he was when the archer came down from the hill to greet him. "My boy... what you did was very, very foolish... but brave beyond compare..." he said and Aska looked at the ground, "Um, I am sorry..." he said and the man placed a hand on his shoulder. "Do not blame yourself... you are untrained...but you did not hesitate to do what was right..."
"Aska!" a voice called out and he could see his mother and sister running towards him. "You scared me half to death, rushing off to face a goblin band all by yourself!" she shouted, "It is quite my fault ma'am... If I had only arrived at the appointed time..." he said and Aska looked up curiously. "What do you mean?" he asked and the woman, who finally got up and brushed off the debris explained it.
"He is a mercenary who I hired to protect me from the goblin raid that was surely to come..." she said and the man nodded, "Indeed but the rains last week had thrown me off course and I arrived just hours late... I am sorry for the inconvenience." He bowed and then he lead the woman away, most likely to politely ask for his money. Whereas Aska ended up getting his share of lecturing from his mother, and went to bed thinking of how to further improve his skill so that his mother would not have to worry about him. His mother did not intent for things to turn out that way of course... her plan involved not letting Aska get such foolish ideas into his head... although she knew that with Satoshi's blood flowing in Aska's veins there was no way that it would turn out that way...
A few week later...
Aska sat in the field once more, continuing his array of daily chores, and it was worrisome for his mother to learn that he had taken it quite nicely as of late-- although there was a period of time in the afternoon when Aska would go off, only to return back home for supper... Wherever it was he was going he had no intentions of revealing it, which made her believe that he was off trying to get stronger. "Where is it you've been going?" Kara asked raking a patch of weeds and uneven dirt. "Hm?" Aska said turning around trying to pretend that she hadn't mentioned anything at all. "Oh stop it, even mom knows you've been sneaking off every afternoon doing who knows what!" She said and Aska shrugged, "None of your business, besides I can do whatever I want in the afternoon." he stated casually, continuing to clean up the field of last years compost. "You've been working out... that is why you've gotten all sweaty at suppertime!" she eventually said and Aska stopped, "Hey--" but she wasn't finished with her inferences just yet. "And you've been carrying around that sword, what have you been doing, sparring or something...?" she leaned in real close and Aska tried to brush her off. "Hey, get out of here, I am trying to do my chores!" he shouted, "Well hmph, have it your way, I worry about you Aska... you try too hard to be like father..." she said quietly and he wasn't sure this time if she was being serious or not. "You don't know what father is like!" he finally stated, "Neither do you, so why do you try so hard!" she yelled back, and he stopped, "Are you angry at me?" he paused for a moment, and the two of them stopped.
"The goblin could have skewered you alive!" she said bringing up the incident from last week. "I know, I've heard my fill from mom and I don't need it from you!" he shouted back, "Well fine, I don't care if you just want to go off and die! Leave me and mom if you hate us so much!" she yelled back, dropping her rake and effectively stunning Aska. He knew that he had made a mistake, trying to rush of and grow into his father, but Kara knew just as well as he did that without him, they wouldn't have enough money or food to survive the winter. It was true he had been sneaking off in the afternoon taking personal lessons from that mercenary who had rolled into town. His name was Drakor, and he was quite good with all sorts of weapons; bows knives, swords, poles, staffs... Aska was taken aback at how well trained a person could be! He wanted to be stronger and the mercenary obliged, and he seemed to enjoy Aska's company.
'Maybe... Kara does care more about me than I thought? He asked himself staring down at his hands, he felt really bad-- for the first time in years he felt that he understood his family better. He had been brought up to be polite and chivalrous, but his mother did not expect him to take such a liking to a man he barely even knew. He had grown on the idea that he would become a legend... Aska the swordsman!
"My boy... still trying to grow up too fast..." the voice belonged to Drakor who had come over from the other farm. Aska turned around, "I guess... I shouldn't be training with you..." he said, saddened but Drakor merely stared off into an empty space nobody could see... and Aska could tell that there was such wisdom there.
"The sky is blue my friend, and there is still time for you to become an even better swordsman! Your mother and sister are very attached to you, but you have done nothing wrong by seeing me this past week..." the man replied and Aska was mystified at why this man wanted to train him so bad. "Why... why is it you take such an interest in me?" he asked and Drakor put on a puzzled face, he rubbed his short black hair for a time and then smiled. "Because every legendary swordsman has a master. You can't train all by yourself and become great just like that! Unless of course you are a Sho'duka..." the man said. It was true, and Aska had known about it since he had been at school. The legendary seven Sho'duka... in all of the history of the world, only one has been known to fallen, and he was the youngest of the seven. Still, the name has been sealed, there can be no more Sho'duka. Still he was beginning to understand what Drakor was saying... "So you want to be my official master because..." he trailed off, "Because I need to have an apprentice, to carry on my style..." and that was all he said.
So Aska and Drakor continued to train during the brief afternoon periods that were granted to them and so it was that Aska grew stronger and stronger. Eventually he told his mother of his intentions, but he promised that unless he had to, he would not leave them behind. It was quite different after that time... that one year from the start of our tale that young Aska, now seventeen began his first real adventure outside of the Etchfeld Plains...
The tides of War...
Much to say that within a years time the people of Etchfeld had a rude awakening from the empire that oversaw them. They felt little loyalty, although they were never oppressed, they were more like isolationist, but such that it was that their fair emperor had a call to war, and the summonings finally reached the Etchfeld province and the males of each family were to go off and join the army. For Aska's family they tried to make special circumstances, but seeing that the cold tides of war could not broken they had to sadly part with the boy.
However, to his liking Aska got to travel with Drakor to the Inferiate Gate, which lied to the south of Etchfeld, and housed a rowdy group of orc-demons. It was here that the empire's borders were cracking under the assault of the orcish armies, and in order to keep the empire safe they need warriors who knew the land well... and who better than the Etchfeld dwellers? However, despite being apart of the empire, Drakor had other plans for him and his new found apprentice.
"So we aren't going to answer the summon?" Aska said as they walked together, isolated from the other chosen male warriors, and the man nodded, "Sh, we need to keep quiet about it, but my plans will take us just outside of the borders... there might be a small skirmish, but at least your family will be safe this way..." Aska wasn't sure exactly what Drakor was talking about, but he did know that if they were caught ditching then his family would suffer for it. They had traveled a few days south, and the plains had been flooded from the spring rains, causing pools and streams to form all about the massive plain. Such it was that they had to weave across and eventually, on the fourth day they sighted the Inferiate Gate. The sky was more amber over that way, and someone had said it was a deed of magic, although magic was something foreign Aska...
"Aye, only powerful demons and older people know magic... it takes years for humans like us to master such spells and the complex languages they are written in..." Drakor murmured when Aska brought it up. Aska could only feel a mixture of emotions as the gate came in sight. If he was successful here, he could return home in a few months, but if he was forced to fight, and got killed, his family farm would be ruined. He thought constantly of his sister and his mother and their images plagued him.
"Don't let your guard down boy... we are going straight into the camps... battle awaits..." Drakor moved them through the camp, which was full of canvas tents and large pavilions full of armor soldiers and they were stopped at an official looking booth were the commander in charge was waiting for them. "Names, please..." he said "Drakor Laborata" Drakor stated, "Aska Undara!" Aska said, slightly enthusiastic that he was here, doing something important... "Alright, I have had word of your coming, now let us see here, you two will be in the same camp, and battle together as you will... battles fought as one aren't common here at the gate-- we understand this isn't really organized, but still...try not to run away." the commander was brutally honest, and Drakor knew that if they did run away at this point it would bring suffering to those back home. Drakor had nothing to lose of course, he was a powerful mercenary who could hold his own against and orc fleet himself. However Aska was here with him, and there was a slim chance that it would not turn out the way he had planned it.
Unlike the fields, the gate was by a massive forest, and Aska couldn't help but stare at the trees. The two of them did not wear any armor, instead they wore the casual robes of sword fighting masters. There were few murmurs about, and Aska was curious about the others who were hanging around here.
"Don't yourself situated... we are going into battle, and perhaps we might not return here..." Drakor said setting up their tent. The place was really free form. Aska for one could not sleep as he laid down in the tent and could hear the faint roars of orcs and men fighting. He realized that it was just a massive collaboration of various warriors who rested whenever they wanted, and fought whenever they wanted. There was no direction, and he wondered why it was that way.
"It is how the orcs are fighting this war, personally here. Guerrilla warfare. They hide in the trees and try to surprise us-- however it doesn't work as well when the empire counters like this. Sometimes groups of five or so go out into the forest and take out a few orcs, and it all varies there is no plan no strategy to detect... The orcs know this, but it hasn't moved for nearly six months..." Drakor stated slowly opening his eyes, it was barely dawn at this point and they were getting ready for there first attack. Aska still had his first sword, and he had trained for a year now-- and he was eager to train on something more than just his master. This was really just another training exercise for him.
There was just a speck of lighting coming off of the horizon when the master and student pair came to the gate and climbed a ladder and then onto the other side. The trees were fresh with green leaves, and the scent of fresh rain seemed evident as they plunged into the trees. They were offically now in orc territory and they moved as quietly as they could...
"Aska! Look out!" his master yelled as a volley of arrows came flying out from an unknown location. Aska blocked the shafts with his sheath and then drew out his sword. The two of them crouched down to the ground and they counted at least five shafts on the ground. That means five orcs, five bows at least. "Stay here..." Drakor ordered and he leaped from the bushes they were huddled in and landed on a tree branch. The mercenary removed his bow and drew out an arrow. He fired a few shots, and then he waited... it seemed like forever.
"TO the right Aska!" He yelled and the boy, being extremely nervous rushed to the right slashing out blindly. He did not his target instead he left himself wide open to an arrow assault he barely avoided.
'He is still... untrained... Drakor thought as he watched Aska make an obvious mistake. The orcs then came rushing out, there weren't five or six, but fifteen of them. Drakor had to move at this point, dropping his bow he drew out his own sword and arched down on top of the first orc slashing down his face and into his chest. Upon landing the skilled swordsman uppercutting the intended target slaying him on the spot. The other orcs mobbed him, but he jumped back using the reach of his sword to stay them for a time. Another orc fell, then finally two of them squared off against him, leaving the other thirteen of them searching around for the boy...
Aska however had moved from his position. Still unharmed, yet shaking in his boots, he gripped his sword and thought about how he wasn't getting anywhere. He turned around and he could see the orcs looking for him. Challenging them in the open would only get him killed-- especially if they had archers watching for him. He couldn't be certain how many there really were so he climbed up onto a tree, to wait for the right moment. His master had taught him patience. There was a rustle of leaves to the north, someone was coming... friend or foe?
Enter Kail the troubled wanderer...
"Where the hell am I?" the young man screamed as he knocked brush and other debris from his path. He knew he was in some god forsaken forest knowing that the place was crawling with orcs and demons, but still... they didn't bother him. After all he could smell them with his heightened senses. After all Kail was of the Narazan family, the last one in the line and he had quite a foul mind about him. His sword, which was now in his hand was a cruel black-- and his hair was long and black, with a hint of silver in certain places.
"Damn it all to hell more orcs, and humans as well!" he shouted standing on a branch staring down at the ensuing battle, he could tell that it was two humans, against fifteen, no thirteen orcs. "Well, maybe if I will help them they can aid me..." he said diving from the tree and landing on his hands and knees and rushed the first orc he could see. The beast went down as quick as lightning flashed the sky-- the half demon, Kail Narazan had come to the battle without even knowing it!
Aska stared as someone who was about his age come out of nowhere, and hack two orcs to bits as fast as any skilled swordsman could have. Even Drakor would have trouble with that kind of speed. This somehow made Aska jealous and he jumped from the tree and found himself an orc. "Die!" he shouted and gutted the orc from behind and the beast fell down. It quite surprising how quickly the beast fell down, but Aska found it quite exhilarating that he had done something to help, it made him want to continue. "watch yourself boy!" a voice called down and then the orcs finally began to flee, the suspected an ambush but did not even realize that there were only three of the warriors.
The hub-bub faded and there stood three warriors. They remained silent for a time, staring at each other for a moment and then, Kail moved first sheathing his sword and slowly leaving.
"Hey wait!" Aska yelled but the man had gone, ignoring the words, "Leave him be, Aska, you do not want to trifle with him, he is much stronger than he appears to be..." Drakor said wiping the black blood from his face and Aska could only stare after him...
"A demon!" came the roar from the northern wall as archers and swordsmen came running from their camps. They got to the wall and began to fire at the fast approaching demon. There were a volley of orcs riding on top of this demon, which appeared as a giant lizard. It's green scaly skin was radiant in the sunlight, but it stroke a wave of terror into it's enemies. This was the first time that such a massive demon had appeared-- and this close to the wall at that. Arrows were shot into the creature, but it was all pointless. Nothing could be done, except run away in till the beast's weakness was revealed. Some of the warriors were obviously more skilled than the others, still trying to stave off the beast, but the orcs it brought with it was too overwhelming. Tents burned, people were dying, not all was well.
Kail Narazan watched as the lizard terrorized the camp, and he knew all to well not to get involved. "What I am after is not here, so why should I help a bunch of filthy humans?" he asked himself standing on top of a tree. A voice in his head told him that he should not hate the humans, but still... it was his cursed father's blood that made him an outcast. Not a single Narazan since the time of Ivan Narazan had been accepted in society, and that is why D'ka made the Sho'duka centuries ago... so that humans would fear and respect the name of those who are different. But Kail could not become a Sho'duka, not even after his father had been killed by a foolish Necromancer Lord who went by the name of Divara...
Such it was that Reigi Narazan was the first Sho'duka to die-- all of the others still have life, and yet Kail's father is the one that had to die, and such a funeral it was. Only Ivy and D'ka were there... and such a sight it was to see his human mother, crying for the loss of her husband. Kail could not stand it, he couldn't say that he hated her, but shortly after words he left home.
His thoughts were interrupted by an arrow which came from a nearby orc archer. He merely side-stepped it and flew down to the ground, unsheathing his sword and slicing the beast's head clear off. "Fear me..." he whispered even though he knew the creature was already dead. Other's came, but he quickly finished them off as well.
'Why did I save those humans? Those orcs were a bunch of cowards anyway... but still I just left, I guess... there is no sense in worrying about a spur of the moment thing, but I have to get to Etchfeld, there is someone who lives there I must meet... he sheathed his sword, and vanished through the spaces of the chaos... the battle served it's purpose. He could remember all of what D'ka had told him before, they were such cold words, yet it was excepted from the ancient demon lord who created the Sho'duka.
"You are too much like Reigi, Kail... however, there can be no more Sho'duka...you have to find your own answers, unlike your father, you can still have a heart-- don't betray your friends."
They stun, they were cold, Kail had no friends, he couldn't even trust his own mother-- all humans were the same! That is why Divara killed Reigi, because he wanted power, and he proved he was more powerful by defeating a Narazan. The Lord of Pandemonium was still alive... and someday, Kail knew he would slay the man who had destroyed his life. But that didn't matter anymore, all that mattered was that he reach the Etchfeld province and find the man he was looking for, the only man left who could tell him where it was...
The sun had set, surprisingly, he couldn't even believe it had been hours since he was in that godforsaken forest. He had however picked up something while trying to get un-lost. "That boy I saved, he was from Etchfeld, and I knew that it was north...." his senses were sharp. He knew that the empire was attacking the orc and demon shared lands to the south-- such a pain that Kail had to leave his home to prevent the empire from destroying it. Such it was that many demons were killed in the eastern mountains. Such it was a pain that he had to climb over the middle range just to get stuck in the enchanted forest... the orcs were trouble enough, but now he was in the safe land. Etchfeld was soon in reach, and even though it was still flooding, Kail had a way of traveling quickly through the land.
"Well, well... it looks like I have found it at last!"
Two days have gone by since Kail had left the forest, and it had taken him a while to reach his destination, but here it was, the farm covenant of Etchfeld. 'Now all I have to do is find this, Undara person and then I will be able to get going!' he thought as he began to ask the people about this legendary swordsman he heard to hear about. It wasn't every day that one met someone quite like Kail.
He did have longer hair than most humans, and it was a mixture of black and silver. His eyes were a strange reddish brown, white skinned, like most of those in the empire, and his robe was long dark-- his sword was hidden in a sheath concealed. A lot of people thought he was some wandering monk or priest-- for they often wore robes, and as long as nobody saw the sword they could not be certain as to who he was... if word got out that he was in fact a half demon, they might try to kill him.
"Excuse me... but are you looking for... Undara?" someone asked him as he sat at a rundown bar, which few people every went to on the weekdays. Kail could see that it was a girl who spoke, and she was young, maybe thirteen or so-- 'This girl looks just like him, that boy must be her older brother. he thought and then nodded, "Yeah, do you know something?" he asked trying to be polite. Such it was that his uncle's words rang out in his mind.
"Hear me young demon child... whence dealing with human kind, proper etiquette is the way to success..." and such it was that Kail could change his personality to get what he wanted. "That is my name!" the girl said and Kail could hardly believe it. This girl, in front of him was in fact Kara Undara! (Quite a rhyme).
"Can you take me to your home?" he asked and the girl nodded, leading him from the bar, down the street and to the home of the Undara. It was evening, the third day since the forest. Here Kail sat next to Kara and her mother, who presumably was the wife to Satoshi Undara. "So you've come looking for my husband, I am sorry to inform you after coming so far that he has not been home since my first was young..." she said and Kara nodded, "Well... do you know anything about... hrm, damn it!" he shouted and the two seemed taken aback by the sudden vulgar reaction. "I am sorry... what could be the matter?" she asked and Kail shook his head, "I respect your hospitality and all but I have to get moving again... by the way I saw your son in the battle... should be alright I suppose..." and with that Kail left the home of the Undara, just as he had come. It quite disappointing for both of them-- but news of Aska seemed to cheer them up.
"He didn't give his name..." Kara said watching him leave.
Damn! So Satoshi has been gone! For nearly... fifteen years? No, he must have left after that Kara person was born, so... he has been on that journey since... for... thirteen years?
The Sacred Tears
A long, long time ago... there were five great warriors... each had their own goal in mind, each wanting something else. They were powerful in many sorts of ways... magics and combat alike. Those were the days when manna flowed freely through the world, and it had caused an uncountable amount of pain and sorrow... so the five warriors sought to put aside their differences and seal away the power of all the manna into five shards. However, they were all deceived by a vile demon. They were all killed and their tears were collected to fuse with the five shards, making manna even more powerful. When the tears were brought together, they created a vibrant star... which fueled the demon's powers... however the five warriors were not so easily bested... they each relented their souls so that the power of the tears would rest in till their rightful master returned to slay the demon forever...The legend has been lost to all except a few of the noble families. The Narazan king Ivan, had passed on this legend through his family, and such it was that it came to the knowledge of a very young half demon known as Kail Narazan...who else might learn about the powerful tears?
Two months have passed. And Kail had reached dead end after dead end. There was only one place left to go, seeing that Satoshi was untraceable. "That damn idoit must have run off to collect the tears for himself!" he shouted to nobody as he sat in an orchid near the Etchfeld province. He had gone north, only to find out that the ships did not sail at this time of the year due to the increase of storms. He would have to wait till summer's calm, which would not happen for another month. He did not even bother waiting for Aska to return to question him, it was quite clear that he did not know anything about the tears, or his father's whereabouts. In the center of the empire there was a massive desert, and in the very center of that desert there was a city, buried underground. Kail had known about it, but was afraid to venture there... there were rumors that powerful magic wielding demons resided there... and awakening them could mean death... one way or another. "Such a pain in the ass..." he muttered...
"Do not go into the library if you seek the tears..." D'ka had warned him, "Unless it is as a last resort." That last part was starting to make seem more clear. Obviously there was only one thing left to do, and that was to go to the library. Why D'ka did not go after the tears was a mystery for a time, but when you are a Sho'duka you don't need such trinkets. "Well I best be off... even though my knowledge of magic limited to the point where it is useless, I might as well try and retrieve the legendary book..." he jumped from the tree and began his trek eastward.
The book in mentioning was the sole diary of the five warriors and where they had hidden the tears with their last breaths. Such it was that the book was stolen and sold so many times that eventually it ended up in someone's tomb. The whereabouts were seldom known, only a few people would know about the book...
Meanwhile, Aska returns home to his mother and sister.
"I am home!" he called placing his sword down on the table, and his mother and sister came running and there was much rejoicing. "Ah... where is master Drakor?" his mother asked but he shrugged, "I am not sure... we parted ways halfway home so I guess he had better things to do than watch his apprentice blossom into a swordmaster!" he was half lying, the truth was-- that Drakor was looking for someone. It seemed that ever since they had encountered that 'half demon' as Drakor had put it in the forest, that Drakor was on edge.
"Anything happen while I was away?" he asked and his mother shook her head, "Uneventful." she stated, "Not true mother... that strange man came here looking for father!" Kara shouted, this instantly perked Aska's curiousity. "Hm? What did he look like?" Aska asked, something was quite worrisome about this tiny detail. "He had long black hair with silver highlights!" Kara exclaimed.
'The man from the forest... what on earth was he doing here asking for father... unless was Drakor mentioned was true... that... somehow this is connected to some ancient story!' Aska thought, staring hard now and giving his mother and sister quite a scare. "Oh, er... hm... is there something you know about... father?" Aska suddenly asked, and his mother shook her head, "I am not going to say anything I promised."
It was the first time that she had spoken about it. The whole idea behind Satoshi leaving his children behind and moving out so quickly afterwards. "He was going... on a journey... it was some odd birthright he had stumbled upon..." she said quietly, and the two siblings crowded around their mother curious as to what secret would be revealed to them.
"Such it was that five warriors would come to revive the five tears... supposedly, and defeat the evil manna possessing demon that threatened to consume the world... but the legend was exaggerated of course. It was more of a fight between the warriors of the demon... two beliefs. Should be prosper with magic, and take heed of it's consequences? Or should we be weaker more simple yet less in danger of throwing our lives into chaos...? Your father went off... and he made me promise not to tell, but I can not keep a lie from my children..."
"Mother..."
"He set out to find the tears, with four other companions at his side. Such it was, that they believed to be the reincarnation of the five warriors... having all possessed knowledge of the five tear shards... it has been thirteen years since he had left and I can only assume the worst... that he has fallen..." she wept, revealing such a burden all at one time.
"Mother! Don't give in like that, father could be stuck somewhere... don't worry I'll find him!" Aska said, but his words were lost in a void of sorrow. "Don't you understand why Satoshi did not want you to know of the legend? He was afraid that his children would go in search of the tears... and leave me all alone..." she said and Kara wrapped her arms around her mother. "Do not worry... I am not strong like Aska, I will always be here..." she said giving a hopeful glance to her brother. Something told him that she wanted him to go... to go find father... to go and make things the way they should be. "But Aska... you can not... you are not strong enough..." she said, "I can do it mom! Don't worry... I'll find dad and bring him back here!" he said and all three of them hugged each other. It was silent, and yet a growing fear was rising inside of Aska. The words of Drakor returned.
"That was a half demon... known as Kail Narazan... I have heard about him from the sole fact that he is the son of Reigi Narazan, one of the seven Sho'duka warriors... however. He seeks the tears as a way to become more powerful than his fallen father, and to extract revenge on the man who killed him... Divara of Pandemonium."
If he was here, he was obviously trying to find out more about the tears... but I don't think he'd be stupid enough to stay around for anyone to catch him! Aska thought, hoping that Kail, wherever he was wasn't too far away.
"I have to go mother... I have to find that half demon and stop him from getting the tears!" Aska said firmly. "Half demon... you mean that young man who came here two months ago?" Kara asked and Aska nodded, "He is trying to abuse the tears so he can become more powerful; not so he can save the world from some demon!" he stated and grabbed his sword.
"Stay one night."
And so it was that Aska Undara became aware of the legend of the Tears. What had become of his father? What would happen if he couldn't stop Kail... where would he even begin? Drakor had headed East to a massive desert. The obvious choice would be to start there!
The night was not long enough for Kara. She couldn't help but feel that her brother was rushing off too quickly, that he would make things worse... but she wanted to meet her father for real. "Big brother..." she said, like she used to when she was younger. "Please don't leave like father..." she said and Aska nodded.
"I won't be defeated! I won't back down in till I come home with father!" his determination was strong, and he knew he had improved, more than ever while residing next to the forest of enchantment. He had never traveled alone before, and this would be his first real test to see if he was ready to be a real swordsmen, like his father.
The next morning was long. It was full of goodbyes that he thought would never end. His mother had prepared herself... her faith was wavering. Would Aska be able to succeed here Satoshi had failed? Would her only son perish just the same? She watched as he left home, waving, even though her arms felt like lead. Not all would end peacefully, she couldn't help but feel it thus.
Enter Leanna, the optimistic Heroine!
The was had risen, and a few hours had past. Just beyond Etchfeld was a place where the grass began to die, yet it was not as hostile as the desert sands. The High Bluffs of Amoriad. Here various cities and settlements had grown over the years under the nourishment of both the Empire and the northern country of Ikatuskar. The bluffs and wildlands had slowly been cultivated, and were known to be the last place in the empire left to be tamed by civilization. There were two peoples who lived in the bluffs before being united by the empire. The Akon who lived in the caves during the days and hunted during the night, the Akon were great warriors and prioritizers. However... the other people, the Mishi, were wise sages who created medicines and healing tomes beyond compare-- they were thought to be magical geniuses who learned how to suck the manna from the land itself. It was when the two people met that the wild bluffs became more and more tame... eventually the hunters and gathers became bluff farmers...
Before the rule of the empire, the combined people had set up a trade with those of the north...
In the city of Akonia, a young girl sets out on her journey...
"Don't worry mother!" Leanna shouted from the doorway of her home. She had slightly tanned skin, as most people from the bluffs did, and her hair was a light silky brown color. Her eyes were dark and deep, but full of love and kindness. She wore hardly any clothes, except for short tanned skirt, and a small white robe top, which was about half of the size it should have been, so it wrapped around her body tightly. She carried a battle staff, that had a leaf shape at the head, which held a strange crystal ball in it.
"You can't go off into the desert dressed like that!" her mothered called, but the girl wasn't willing to wait much longer. "Relax...I'll be fine, I'm seventeen now!" she stated before grabbing her tiny pack and ran down the street of Akonia.
The city itself was built in a valley between two cliff like bluffs. Various houses and shops had been built all alone the sides of the cliffs. Leanna was proud to be a villager in this town, especially her family was one of the main branches who first created it. Her full name was Leanna Corlina Akonia...
She was ready to begin her first adventure-- to retrieve the sacred book that related to the legendary five tears. Her mother claimed it was her birthright to have possession of the book, and so it was that she ventured forth to retrieve it. She did not really care about the book, but she was afraid that someone evil might try and steal the book for their own ends. This is what drove her, and nothing would stop her-- but her determination alone would not be strong enough. She traveled along the worn path, leading from Akonia and out into the trails, known to her people and outsiders alike. Frozen death and Flaming death-- two paths, two destinies.
"Which one should I choose?" she asked herself looking down each path, both eventually lead to the desert. The frozen one seemed too cold, besides she preferred the high road dangers over the lower paths dangers...
The drakes and the sand devils often dwell in the shadows of the bluffs and this is why she avoided it like the plague. The road was more commonly traversed, for gnoll and orc travelers. Those were much easier to take care of then fending off the more powerful creatures.
The wings of destiny child, you have been chosen... yet you are unlike the others... you accept your fate in full bloom... whatever sorrow you hold you hide so that nobody else can see it... people sometimes hate you for it... you don't understand... how can someone be so happy all of the time when they have to go on such a perilous journey all by themselves...? Leanna you are truly blessed... I pray for your safety!.
The girl had moved for quite a portion of the day before spotting someone laying in the middle of the path. "Oh dear me... a traveler? This far out?" she asked rushing forward, she had prepared for something like this and had brought an extra canteen. "Here, please drink!" she said forcing the water into the man's mouth. He was quite odd looking...
Black and silver hair... "Is he some kind of demon? I can feel chaotic energy...but he obviously wasn't careful enough!" she stated continuing to pour water into his mouth. He slowly began to breath clearly and then his eyes slowly opened. "Hmm...?" he said staring up at Leanna with dark eyes. "Are you alright?" she asked and the man slowly got up onto his hands and knees. "This area gets fairly hot, you passed out on the road!" she exclaimed and then he gave her quite a stare that confused her.
"I was taking a nap..." he finally said and the girl was taken aback. "A nap? are you crazy, even if you aren't human you surely can expect to take a nap in the middle of this wretched heat!" she exclaimed, and now it was his turn to be taken aback. "You know I am not fully human?" he asked and she nodded, "The people of Akonia have power mystical abilities... and so we can sense auras inside of people... well at least the elders can..." she stated and the man, who was obviously not from around Akonia knew that he was out of place. "Oh... whoa... okay, so why are you out here?" he asked, not seeing a nearby town or anything, "Or is it common for young maidens like yourself to go wandering off in this heat?" he said sarcastically, and she shook he head. "See how I am dressed? For the weather..." she tugged on her skirt and tight robe and the man nodded, "Yeah yeah...I know I know... but someone like me should be alright, I don't help from you!" he began brushing himself off and headed down towards the path. "Well suit yourself... you don't have any water on you... and the bluffs cool down really slowly during the night..." she said and the man stopped, "What are you suggesting? That I travel with you?" he asked, and the girl shrugged, "I am going the same way as you, you don't have to commit too much..." she said walking down the path. "What? The only thing down this path is a desert!" he stated, and once more the girl nodded, "Quite so... that is where I am going..." she said and continued walking.
Unaware of each other's intentions, the two newly found comrades venture high into the bluffs, hoping not to run into orcs or what not. "Hey, um, what is your name?" the girl asked and the man sighed, "It is Kail..." he stated and the girl nodded, "Alright I am Leanna... huh, come to think of it, why are you going to the desert?" she asked and the man shook his head, "How about this... er, Leanna... you keep your secrets, and I will keep mine."
"But I don't have any secrets..." she said trailing off staring off at the sky and it was just Kail's luck that he wound up here in the first place. The supposedly "impassable cliffs to the west of here" were easy enough to climb compared to the southern range, and even still when he had landed in the villages around here, the people shunned him. He couldn't get close to their wells.
The girl is right... the elders knew I was a half demon... big deal... once I get the tears I will avenge my father, then surpass him in the process and make my own organization! One that matches the Sho'duka!' He thought darkly, staring at Leanna, but he couldn't help but feel that she was different from her fellow villagers, she knew he wasn't fully human, yet she still gave him water-- he had to lie about needing it, just in case she changed her mind. It was growing dark soon and they would have to make camp.
"Let us rest here, there is little chance of falling off, and there is a place to refill our canteens... that is if you need it..." she said climbing a ridge, and she was quite good at it too... For a human that is... Kail thought jumping over her and landing on top of a strange oasis. "They call it moonlight oasis..." she said and she removed a small blanket from her pack. She seemed to fall asleep instantly, and Kail stared at her as she slept. He could steal her water and go onto the desert, but what was the point? People hated him enough as it was... but this girl didn't. He could ask her where she was going, but he had a bad feeling that it was the same place he was going. The ruined library wasn't very well known, the chances were slim, but destiny and fate...
"I don't know what I should do... I don't want anything but to kill Divara! I want to be better than father, I want to be like Nedrik our ancestor who had being king of a human nation... he had infinite respect... but his children are treated like dirt!" He accidently shouted awaking Leanna. "Hm... Kail you are still awake? You should get some sleep!" she said rubbing her eyes, and he looked at her for a moment. Then something diverted his attention. "Orcs!" he shouted quietly at her and pulled her down next to a tree. The orc were marching steadily across the path, they were armored, but tired as well.
"Stinking humans... I could've sworn I could smell a fresh one, I female at that!" one stated just below them. "Hurgah! It isn't safe... demons on the prowl down there, I can smell some demon up here too..." another orc stating, "Maybe it is a half demon?" another voice said and the orcs turned, they were traveling with a silent companion who was robed in black. "Hey... ye spoke! A half demon up here? They are vicious I knows..." the orc stated, "That is odd, most people do not like half demons..." the robed man stated and the first orc grunted, "Huh... a few months back a friend of mine saws a half demon cut an entire troops, they be more dangerous than a normal demon me thinks!" the orc continued on the path and the man smiled, from behind his robe, he paused and the orcs continued on. There were a few more orcs trailing behind, but the man merely let them pass on. "Your senses are keen... but you failed to feel my presence..." the voice spoke, although nobody was clearly around.
Kail's eyes widened, that man... what was he talking about? "I know you are there, half demon or otherwise, heading to the desert?" the man's voice seemed familiar yet how? Months back it was... back when he was south... in the forest? Kail whispered in Leanna's ear.
"Stay here..."
He jumped down from the cliff and onto the path, where the robed man was, with just a sword. "You've come all this way on your own? But to fail here..." the man stated and Kail drew out his sword. "I remember your voice! You are that mercenary from the forest... the one who was with Undara's kid!" Kail exclaimed and the man removed his hood revealing his black hair and his longsword at his side. "Such it is. I wont have you getting the book." he stated and Kail's eyes narrowed.
What... he knows of the book, and most likely he knows about Satoshi and the tears... he must know that I am after the tears for myself! Such a bother... Kail thought knowing it was best not to attack, and to see if his enemy was planing on going on the offensive.
"Do you think you can win against me?" he asked and Kail shook his head, "You are playing on my arrogance, it won't work..." his voice was louder it seemed, stronger more clear. "Oh really... all I desire is to stop you from gaining the tears... there are no tricks in my game!" he rushed forward, slashing out taking a chunk of the cliff face out. Manna? what kind of an attack is that? there was an explosion and through the debris the man emerged, nearly on top of Kail, expertly swinging down his sword on top of the young half demon. Kail dropped his sword, and grabbed the man's wrist with clear accuracy, and the he lift his foot and kicked the man back and then picked up his sword and was in the man's face instantly as well.
"Very good, but let us step it up eh?" Drakor said repositioning his sword and slashing out at Kail with a wave of fire coming towards him. Manna? But how... this is no ordinary mercenary! Kail thought leaping over the fire attack and striking back at the man who nimbly dodged it. They switched places again. Drakor swung his sword again slashing out another wave of energy-- Kail couldn't move out of the way fast enough! A bright light came suddenly engulfing the flaming attack and smothered it.
"Stop it!" Leanna shouted jumping from the cliff and onto the path. Drakor paused, "An Akonian?" he spoke slowly drawing his sword down. 'I wasn't expecting her to be able to draw in my attack... she is good!' the mercenary thought wondering why she was protecting Kail. "You have even presuaded this innocent girl to do your bidding?" he questioned and Kail shook his head. "Now your being ignorant! You just want the tears for yourself!" Kail shouted jumping over Leann and catching the man off guard, successfully throwing him off the side of the cliff. There was a faint murmur and then there was nothing.
"I guess...this means goodbye..." Kail said softly sheathing his sword. There was no way a girl like Leanna would trust him anymore. "What do you mean? We are going the same way..." she hesitated, "Unless... it's true that you are planning on using the tears for yourself?" she questioned and Kail shook his head, "It isn't like that... I...you...?" he was confused did she have something to do with the tears as well? There must have been something he had missed. "Oh I never had the chance..." she paused, "Don't worry about it... we'll go together!" Kail said slowly making his way back up the cliff. It was still dark out, and he needed some well earned sleep.
So she doesn't care... but still if she is going after the tears it could get messy. I don't want her getting in my way. I don't know what I am going to do... if she knows about the tears and the book... then there might be others too... this whole thing stinks, and I have a bad feeling that Mercenary will be back, and even worse if Undara's kid comes looking as well... he'll prusade the others to kill me...
The remaining two...Selk and Valerie, wandering pair.
The East Lands.
The thin trek of forest, Kalbuca ran all the way from the Nordic lakes to the rocky south. Ikatuskar all the way down to Seborisam. Born of the wood, and born of the water, coming from the north lands, were two enigmatic figures cloaked in opposite robes of black and white. The black robe was donned by a young man, who had short black hair and dark gray eyes, he bore no weapon but had a strange aura around him. He was Selk Godrea, the second male ever born in his family name, and his uncle Xren was more elfin than anything. He bore his mother's name, Ciandra the wise fey of J'drakon. Outcast by the empire much like how demons were outcast, but he would not be detained this time through.
His compain was in a similar boat, her name was Valerie Amyaku, the only daughter of Ivendra. They had reached the border, between Ikatuskar and the Empire (*the Empire bears no name except it is sometimes called Doshu) The next post may be direted for more history on the Doshu).
"Well, well... a border guard..." Selk muttered and his companion nodded, "We can not have them killing us..." she spoke softly and they moved quickly towards the towering walls, lined with archers. "Who is it that comes to the Empire!" a guard called out and the pair stopped. "Two travelers who seek entrance to the desert, we bear no harm to the Empire!" Valerie spoke, and the guards murmured for a moment. "Alright, you may pass... but if you leave the desert you will be imprisoned." the guard had the gates opened and the two of them passed. They managed to make it half way towards the desert when they began to run, arrows raining down on top of them.
"It's Selk and Valerie! Do not let them go into the desert!" the guards yelled and soon a calvary unit was after them. They could feel the sand under their feet... but the horses would catch them unless something else detained them. "Should I paralyze them?" Selk asked and Valerie looked at him for a moment, "If you can get them all I drained my manna already..." she said out of breath. Selk nodded, and then stopped, jumped and grabbed the first man on his horse and ripped him off. This allowed Valerie to get away and the other horse men surrounded Selk. Then half of the circle simultaneously fell down causing confusion among the remaining half, and that is when Selk moved against them causing the sand beneath them explode into their faces while he got away.
Later Valerie and Selk met up in the midst of the desert. They looked at each other as the sand rippled with the wind. "Fey-Song?" Selk asked and Valerie turned away as if ashamed by it, "It is better than violence, the violence that claimed our family..." she trailed off. "You are still mad at me aren't you?" Selk said quietly and she nodded, "Once we get the book from the other's it is everyone for themselves, I won't be so nice to you..." she continued walking and Selk shrugged, "That is fine...you know I'd give it you Valerie, your heart is more innocent than your words..." he replied and then stopped and looked up at the sky.
"What is it?" she asked still annoyed by what had happened in their past, but Selk wasn't really listening to her words. His eyes closed and then reopened. "We may have a problem..." he spoke quickly and this made Valerie instantly become urgent. "What?" she tried to sense what he was feeling but she was already exhausted. "Narazan..." he spoke the name quietly and they both knew what it meant. The half demon family, and now one of them was moving towards the secret library. "Is there anyone else involved?" Valerie asked anxious to learn of who else was after the book. "...The Akonian girl... and the son of Satoshi..." Selk continued and Valerie began walking towards the library. "Come. We must get there first." and Selk quietly followed, he knew that he could over power the girl, but he wouldn't. His intentions for coming were completely different from everyone else's. If Valerie had not insisted that they come then he wouldn't have left Ikatsukar at all... he would have tried to make amends to her some other way...
I owe you my life... but you... you aren't even interested... he thought with a smile, surely she would forgive him even if it took one hundred years, they were eternal after all... they had no fear of death... at least death from old age. The sand blew as the two fey moved into a wretched sandstorm...
[[And So the five have all been introduced! Aska, the bright child who wants to follow his father's footsteps and become a legendary swordsmen of world renown. Somehow his father is connected to the legendary tears of the five warriors. Then there is Kail Narazan who has the intention of stealing the tears all for his own ends! However there is a spark of light in the half demon's heart... has he started to doubt his intentions, or will he continue as planned? Everyone seems to know his name, the Narazan name fairly well. Mostly because of his father and his father's father's father... Lord Reigi and Lord D'ka of the Sho'duka. Those of the Sho'Duka are known to be the most powerful warriors in the entire land. This is what fuel's Kail's motives to see that he makes an even better organization than the Sho'duka. Because he isn't even liable to join because the name was sealed away... also his revenge on Divara is another, secret motive of the half demon. The third of the five is Leanna Akonia, who is knowledgeable in the arts of magic, despite the slowly fading of manna in the world. She met Kail, and despite figuring out his plans to use the tears for himself decides to help him anyway because she is an innocent girl...
Then there are the two final of the five... Valerie and Selk... the most mysterious of the five and yet their true pasts will be revealed in other*book* they appear to have similiar ideas as Kail....]]
[[What is going to happen in the next book, they all meet in the library and the show down presumes when the legends of the first journey are finally revealed... the truth about Satoshi... and the a glimpse into Valerie's and Selk's darkened past... will the five bound together, or will they all race to the resting place of the tears and see which of the strongest will win? And what of Drakor? The strange mercenary who seems to know all too well about the tears and the library...]]
[{The five is a long continuing story that lacks an artistic view for an idea... that someday (if the right ability to draw comes to me) will hopefully become like a manga... I really enjoy making my characters come alive like this... oh well...See you next time! ~ ))
' My name is Aska Undara, I was born and raised on the Etchfeld plains. My father was a renowned swordsman, and even though I've never met him before, I always look up to him. The people in the village always said that he was a valiant man, who gave the Undara a name. Someday, I want to be just like father... I want my name to be passed down through history! My mother seems so happy, even though father is always gone... she has tended to my every need but now I am older, and ready to start out my life on the right track!'
It was the first day of spring, for the people of the Etchfeld Plains, and everyone was quite to get the jump on the next planting season. The plains were slowly turning from the dark amber gray to the lively green and blues it was known for. The plains were home to many small villages, who knew nothing of kingdoms or rulers, they just lived in their own communities happily raising their children to be farmers... but not everyone wanted to be a farmer rest assured.
"Mom! I don't want to be a farmer!" Aska pouted on the doorstep of his home. He appeared average in every which way, medium cut brown hair, which was slowly brightening from the return of the golden seasons. His eyes were blue and they shimmered in the early morning light. His mother smiled, and continued to stir a large pot in the middle of the home. "Now, dear... not everyone can just pick up a sword and become a man like your father..." she had read his mind but Aska didn't care-- he knew where he wanted to be and it wasn't stuck on a farm his entire life. "Listen my boy... your sister is still young, and we can't manage a farm like this by ourselves."
This was true, Kara, Aska's younger sister was only twelve years old, very much mature, but not strong and able like her older brother was. His fears were realized that he wouldn't be able to become a powerful warrior like his father in till he was at least twenty years old! Such a long ways off for a boy of sixteen, who had just got his first sword-- a gift from a mysterious person at that. "I am going to practice my swordplay then!" he said leaving the cottage with his sword sheath and in his hand. "Don't forget to plow the field!" his mother called after him.
My name is Aska Undara... sixteen years old and is stuck on a filthy farm!
The day went on, and Aska eventually got around to doing his chores, it had occurred to him oftentimes while plowing the field or herding the various farm animals they kept, why his father was even gone. His mother never said he had died, so naturally Aska assumed his father was still among the living. It was if he knew this would make his son stronger, yet it was harder for mother...
"d**n, sometimes I wish I knew..." Aska said to himself putting the plow down and unsheathing his sword and giving it a few practice swings. "Not bad for an amateur!" a female voice broke out and Aska turned around to see his younger sister with a rake behind him. "Hey! If only you were stronger, then I could leave all the work to you!" he retorted and the girl stuck out her tongue, "Yeah, well I'm a girl so I don't have to be strong if I don't wanna!" she called back and Aska shrugged, "Fine, fine... make your only brother suffer..." he said quietly and the girl titled her head to one side as a sign of confusion. "Hmm? You... you really don't like me and mother that much?" she was good at playing the hand quite well and Aska knew that his sister could always think of something to say in response to him. "No... my dear sister... life as a farmer just isn't my calling..." he said dramatically and then they stopped for a moment.
Off in the distance there was a clear noise that struck the fear in many of the farmers who lived on the outskirts of the Etchfeld Plain. The Orguru Goblin Horn. "Run back inside Kara!" Aska yelled running off towards the sound of horn. "Brother...your still an amateur what are you doing?" she yelled back, but he didn't pay any attention, now was the time for him to prove that he was better off as a warrior then a stupid farmer. The horn sounded again, Aska peaked a hill and could see a war band of goblins with torches and spears.
Why are the goblins down here... it is spring, we don't have any money or crops yet... Aska thought, knowing that the goblin raids were most frequent during the fall harvests. Now there was nothing to steal so why were they here?
"NO please!" a voice called out and Aska could see the goblins waiting outside of a particular farm. "Grusha...Silent human! You promised us double come spring time, now give us what you owe..." the goblin said waving a torch threateningly. Aska could only sit and watch, his hand firmly on his sword. "Please... I beg of you that was just my husband!" the woman said and the goblin smacked her with the butt of the torch causing her to crumple to the ground. "Ha! Wretch, I will teach you your place!" he called.
"You stop!" Aska yelled descended the hill and holding forth his sword. "Eh? So you've hired someone to protect you?" the goblin asked and the woman shook her head, "No boy, please stay out of this!" she said but Aska shook his head, "You can't barge into our farms any longer!" he shouted, even though his bravery was shrinking away as the goblins came closer. There were five of them and the main goblin drew out a sword of his own. It became quite clear that hacking at old corn stalks was much different that combating a well armed goblin pillager. They stared at each for a moment, "I can tell you are untrained boy, the way you shake in your boots!" the goblin snarled and Aska clenched his teeth. "I am Aska Undara! Son of the feared Satoshi Undara!" he called out and the goblins paused for a moment, "Sounds like a bunch of orc nuts to me!" one of the goblins said, "Yeah I haven't heard of either of those names, so I guess we can get on with business!"
They circled around for a moment, when finally, the first goblin attacked, and Aska blocked it with his sword, but it vibrated fiercely in his hand. He readjusted his grip, and was about to swing when an arrow pierce the leader goblin's head. The other golbins turned around. "Flee at once or I shall defeat you all!" the voice commanded, and the goblins jumped up and down and ran off in a hurry. Aska stood still, uncertain of where or what he was when the archer came down from the hill to greet him. "My boy... what you did was very, very foolish... but brave beyond compare..." he said and Aska looked at the ground, "Um, I am sorry..." he said and the man placed a hand on his shoulder. "Do not blame yourself... you are untrained...but you did not hesitate to do what was right..."
"Aska!" a voice called out and he could see his mother and sister running towards him. "You scared me half to death, rushing off to face a goblin band all by yourself!" she shouted, "It is quite my fault ma'am... If I had only arrived at the appointed time..." he said and Aska looked up curiously. "What do you mean?" he asked and the woman, who finally got up and brushed off the debris explained it.
"He is a mercenary who I hired to protect me from the goblin raid that was surely to come..." she said and the man nodded, "Indeed but the rains last week had thrown me off course and I arrived just hours late... I am sorry for the inconvenience." He bowed and then he lead the woman away, most likely to politely ask for his money. Whereas Aska ended up getting his share of lecturing from his mother, and went to bed thinking of how to further improve his skill so that his mother would not have to worry about him. His mother did not intent for things to turn out that way of course... her plan involved not letting Aska get such foolish ideas into his head... although she knew that with Satoshi's blood flowing in Aska's veins there was no way that it would turn out that way...
A few week later...
Aska sat in the field once more, continuing his array of daily chores, and it was worrisome for his mother to learn that he had taken it quite nicely as of late-- although there was a period of time in the afternoon when Aska would go off, only to return back home for supper... Wherever it was he was going he had no intentions of revealing it, which made her believe that he was off trying to get stronger. "Where is it you've been going?" Kara asked raking a patch of weeds and uneven dirt. "Hm?" Aska said turning around trying to pretend that she hadn't mentioned anything at all. "Oh stop it, even mom knows you've been sneaking off every afternoon doing who knows what!" She said and Aska shrugged, "None of your business, besides I can do whatever I want in the afternoon." he stated casually, continuing to clean up the field of last years compost. "You've been working out... that is why you've gotten all sweaty at suppertime!" she eventually said and Aska stopped, "Hey--" but she wasn't finished with her inferences just yet. "And you've been carrying around that sword, what have you been doing, sparring or something...?" she leaned in real close and Aska tried to brush her off. "Hey, get out of here, I am trying to do my chores!" he shouted, "Well hmph, have it your way, I worry about you Aska... you try too hard to be like father..." she said quietly and he wasn't sure this time if she was being serious or not. "You don't know what father is like!" he finally stated, "Neither do you, so why do you try so hard!" she yelled back, and he stopped, "Are you angry at me?" he paused for a moment, and the two of them stopped.
"The goblin could have skewered you alive!" she said bringing up the incident from last week. "I know, I've heard my fill from mom and I don't need it from you!" he shouted back, "Well fine, I don't care if you just want to go off and die! Leave me and mom if you hate us so much!" she yelled back, dropping her rake and effectively stunning Aska. He knew that he had made a mistake, trying to rush of and grow into his father, but Kara knew just as well as he did that without him, they wouldn't have enough money or food to survive the winter. It was true he had been sneaking off in the afternoon taking personal lessons from that mercenary who had rolled into town. His name was Drakor, and he was quite good with all sorts of weapons; bows knives, swords, poles, staffs... Aska was taken aback at how well trained a person could be! He wanted to be stronger and the mercenary obliged, and he seemed to enjoy Aska's company.
'Maybe... Kara does care more about me than I thought? He asked himself staring down at his hands, he felt really bad-- for the first time in years he felt that he understood his family better. He had been brought up to be polite and chivalrous, but his mother did not expect him to take such a liking to a man he barely even knew. He had grown on the idea that he would become a legend... Aska the swordsman!
"My boy... still trying to grow up too fast..." the voice belonged to Drakor who had come over from the other farm. Aska turned around, "I guess... I shouldn't be training with you..." he said, saddened but Drakor merely stared off into an empty space nobody could see... and Aska could tell that there was such wisdom there.
"The sky is blue my friend, and there is still time for you to become an even better swordsman! Your mother and sister are very attached to you, but you have done nothing wrong by seeing me this past week..." the man replied and Aska was mystified at why this man wanted to train him so bad. "Why... why is it you take such an interest in me?" he asked and Drakor put on a puzzled face, he rubbed his short black hair for a time and then smiled. "Because every legendary swordsman has a master. You can't train all by yourself and become great just like that! Unless of course you are a Sho'duka..." the man said. It was true, and Aska had known about it since he had been at school. The legendary seven Sho'duka... in all of the history of the world, only one has been known to fallen, and he was the youngest of the seven. Still, the name has been sealed, there can be no more Sho'duka. Still he was beginning to understand what Drakor was saying... "So you want to be my official master because..." he trailed off, "Because I need to have an apprentice, to carry on my style..." and that was all he said.
So Aska and Drakor continued to train during the brief afternoon periods that were granted to them and so it was that Aska grew stronger and stronger. Eventually he told his mother of his intentions, but he promised that unless he had to, he would not leave them behind. It was quite different after that time... that one year from the start of our tale that young Aska, now seventeen began his first real adventure outside of the Etchfeld Plains...
The tides of War...
Much to say that within a years time the people of Etchfeld had a rude awakening from the empire that oversaw them. They felt little loyalty, although they were never oppressed, they were more like isolationist, but such that it was that their fair emperor had a call to war, and the summonings finally reached the Etchfeld province and the males of each family were to go off and join the army. For Aska's family they tried to make special circumstances, but seeing that the cold tides of war could not broken they had to sadly part with the boy.
However, to his liking Aska got to travel with Drakor to the Inferiate Gate, which lied to the south of Etchfeld, and housed a rowdy group of orc-demons. It was here that the empire's borders were cracking under the assault of the orcish armies, and in order to keep the empire safe they need warriors who knew the land well... and who better than the Etchfeld dwellers? However, despite being apart of the empire, Drakor had other plans for him and his new found apprentice.
"So we aren't going to answer the summon?" Aska said as they walked together, isolated from the other chosen male warriors, and the man nodded, "Sh, we need to keep quiet about it, but my plans will take us just outside of the borders... there might be a small skirmish, but at least your family will be safe this way..." Aska wasn't sure exactly what Drakor was talking about, but he did know that if they were caught ditching then his family would suffer for it. They had traveled a few days south, and the plains had been flooded from the spring rains, causing pools and streams to form all about the massive plain. Such it was that they had to weave across and eventually, on the fourth day they sighted the Inferiate Gate. The sky was more amber over that way, and someone had said it was a deed of magic, although magic was something foreign Aska...
"Aye, only powerful demons and older people know magic... it takes years for humans like us to master such spells and the complex languages they are written in..." Drakor murmured when Aska brought it up. Aska could only feel a mixture of emotions as the gate came in sight. If he was successful here, he could return home in a few months, but if he was forced to fight, and got killed, his family farm would be ruined. He thought constantly of his sister and his mother and their images plagued him.
"Don't let your guard down boy... we are going straight into the camps... battle awaits..." Drakor moved them through the camp, which was full of canvas tents and large pavilions full of armor soldiers and they were stopped at an official looking booth were the commander in charge was waiting for them. "Names, please..." he said "Drakor Laborata" Drakor stated, "Aska Undara!" Aska said, slightly enthusiastic that he was here, doing something important... "Alright, I have had word of your coming, now let us see here, you two will be in the same camp, and battle together as you will... battles fought as one aren't common here at the gate-- we understand this isn't really organized, but still...try not to run away." the commander was brutally honest, and Drakor knew that if they did run away at this point it would bring suffering to those back home. Drakor had nothing to lose of course, he was a powerful mercenary who could hold his own against and orc fleet himself. However Aska was here with him, and there was a slim chance that it would not turn out the way he had planned it.
Unlike the fields, the gate was by a massive forest, and Aska couldn't help but stare at the trees. The two of them did not wear any armor, instead they wore the casual robes of sword fighting masters. There were few murmurs about, and Aska was curious about the others who were hanging around here.
"Don't yourself situated... we are going into battle, and perhaps we might not return here..." Drakor said setting up their tent. The place was really free form. Aska for one could not sleep as he laid down in the tent and could hear the faint roars of orcs and men fighting. He realized that it was just a massive collaboration of various warriors who rested whenever they wanted, and fought whenever they wanted. There was no direction, and he wondered why it was that way.
"It is how the orcs are fighting this war, personally here. Guerrilla warfare. They hide in the trees and try to surprise us-- however it doesn't work as well when the empire counters like this. Sometimes groups of five or so go out into the forest and take out a few orcs, and it all varies there is no plan no strategy to detect... The orcs know this, but it hasn't moved for nearly six months..." Drakor stated slowly opening his eyes, it was barely dawn at this point and they were getting ready for there first attack. Aska still had his first sword, and he had trained for a year now-- and he was eager to train on something more than just his master. This was really just another training exercise for him.
There was just a speck of lighting coming off of the horizon when the master and student pair came to the gate and climbed a ladder and then onto the other side. The trees were fresh with green leaves, and the scent of fresh rain seemed evident as they plunged into the trees. They were offically now in orc territory and they moved as quietly as they could...
"Aska! Look out!" his master yelled as a volley of arrows came flying out from an unknown location. Aska blocked the shafts with his sheath and then drew out his sword. The two of them crouched down to the ground and they counted at least five shafts on the ground. That means five orcs, five bows at least. "Stay here..." Drakor ordered and he leaped from the bushes they were huddled in and landed on a tree branch. The mercenary removed his bow and drew out an arrow. He fired a few shots, and then he waited... it seemed like forever.
"TO the right Aska!" He yelled and the boy, being extremely nervous rushed to the right slashing out blindly. He did not his target instead he left himself wide open to an arrow assault he barely avoided.
'He is still... untrained... Drakor thought as he watched Aska make an obvious mistake. The orcs then came rushing out, there weren't five or six, but fifteen of them. Drakor had to move at this point, dropping his bow he drew out his own sword and arched down on top of the first orc slashing down his face and into his chest. Upon landing the skilled swordsman uppercutting the intended target slaying him on the spot. The other orcs mobbed him, but he jumped back using the reach of his sword to stay them for a time. Another orc fell, then finally two of them squared off against him, leaving the other thirteen of them searching around for the boy...
Aska however had moved from his position. Still unharmed, yet shaking in his boots, he gripped his sword and thought about how he wasn't getting anywhere. He turned around and he could see the orcs looking for him. Challenging them in the open would only get him killed-- especially if they had archers watching for him. He couldn't be certain how many there really were so he climbed up onto a tree, to wait for the right moment. His master had taught him patience. There was a rustle of leaves to the north, someone was coming... friend or foe?
Enter Kail the troubled wanderer...
"Where the hell am I?" the young man screamed as he knocked brush and other debris from his path. He knew he was in some god forsaken forest knowing that the place was crawling with orcs and demons, but still... they didn't bother him. After all he could smell them with his heightened senses. After all Kail was of the Narazan family, the last one in the line and he had quite a foul mind about him. His sword, which was now in his hand was a cruel black-- and his hair was long and black, with a hint of silver in certain places.
"Damn it all to hell more orcs, and humans as well!" he shouted standing on a branch staring down at the ensuing battle, he could tell that it was two humans, against fifteen, no thirteen orcs. "Well, maybe if I will help them they can aid me..." he said diving from the tree and landing on his hands and knees and rushed the first orc he could see. The beast went down as quick as lightning flashed the sky-- the half demon, Kail Narazan had come to the battle without even knowing it!
Aska stared as someone who was about his age come out of nowhere, and hack two orcs to bits as fast as any skilled swordsman could have. Even Drakor would have trouble with that kind of speed. This somehow made Aska jealous and he jumped from the tree and found himself an orc. "Die!" he shouted and gutted the orc from behind and the beast fell down. It quite surprising how quickly the beast fell down, but Aska found it quite exhilarating that he had done something to help, it made him want to continue. "watch yourself boy!" a voice called down and then the orcs finally began to flee, the suspected an ambush but did not even realize that there were only three of the warriors.
The hub-bub faded and there stood three warriors. They remained silent for a time, staring at each other for a moment and then, Kail moved first sheathing his sword and slowly leaving.
"Hey wait!" Aska yelled but the man had gone, ignoring the words, "Leave him be, Aska, you do not want to trifle with him, he is much stronger than he appears to be..." Drakor said wiping the black blood from his face and Aska could only stare after him...
* * *
"A demon!" came the roar from the northern wall as archers and swordsmen came running from their camps. They got to the wall and began to fire at the fast approaching demon. There were a volley of orcs riding on top of this demon, which appeared as a giant lizard. It's green scaly skin was radiant in the sunlight, but it stroke a wave of terror into it's enemies. This was the first time that such a massive demon had appeared-- and this close to the wall at that. Arrows were shot into the creature, but it was all pointless. Nothing could be done, except run away in till the beast's weakness was revealed. Some of the warriors were obviously more skilled than the others, still trying to stave off the beast, but the orcs it brought with it was too overwhelming. Tents burned, people were dying, not all was well.
Kail Narazan watched as the lizard terrorized the camp, and he knew all to well not to get involved. "What I am after is not here, so why should I help a bunch of filthy humans?" he asked himself standing on top of a tree. A voice in his head told him that he should not hate the humans, but still... it was his cursed father's blood that made him an outcast. Not a single Narazan since the time of Ivan Narazan had been accepted in society, and that is why D'ka made the Sho'duka centuries ago... so that humans would fear and respect the name of those who are different. But Kail could not become a Sho'duka, not even after his father had been killed by a foolish Necromancer Lord who went by the name of Divara...
Such it was that Reigi Narazan was the first Sho'duka to die-- all of the others still have life, and yet Kail's father is the one that had to die, and such a funeral it was. Only Ivy and D'ka were there... and such a sight it was to see his human mother, crying for the loss of her husband. Kail could not stand it, he couldn't say that he hated her, but shortly after words he left home.
His thoughts were interrupted by an arrow which came from a nearby orc archer. He merely side-stepped it and flew down to the ground, unsheathing his sword and slicing the beast's head clear off. "Fear me..." he whispered even though he knew the creature was already dead. Other's came, but he quickly finished them off as well.
'Why did I save those humans? Those orcs were a bunch of cowards anyway... but still I just left, I guess... there is no sense in worrying about a spur of the moment thing, but I have to get to Etchfeld, there is someone who lives there I must meet... he sheathed his sword, and vanished through the spaces of the chaos... the battle served it's purpose. He could remember all of what D'ka had told him before, they were such cold words, yet it was excepted from the ancient demon lord who created the Sho'duka.
"You are too much like Reigi, Kail... however, there can be no more Sho'duka...you have to find your own answers, unlike your father, you can still have a heart-- don't betray your friends."
They stun, they were cold, Kail had no friends, he couldn't even trust his own mother-- all humans were the same! That is why Divara killed Reigi, because he wanted power, and he proved he was more powerful by defeating a Narazan. The Lord of Pandemonium was still alive... and someday, Kail knew he would slay the man who had destroyed his life. But that didn't matter anymore, all that mattered was that he reach the Etchfeld province and find the man he was looking for, the only man left who could tell him where it was...
The sun had set, surprisingly, he couldn't even believe it had been hours since he was in that godforsaken forest. He had however picked up something while trying to get un-lost. "That boy I saved, he was from Etchfeld, and I knew that it was north...." his senses were sharp. He knew that the empire was attacking the orc and demon shared lands to the south-- such a pain that Kail had to leave his home to prevent the empire from destroying it. Such it was that many demons were killed in the eastern mountains. Such it was a pain that he had to climb over the middle range just to get stuck in the enchanted forest... the orcs were trouble enough, but now he was in the safe land. Etchfeld was soon in reach, and even though it was still flooding, Kail had a way of traveling quickly through the land.
"Well, well... it looks like I have found it at last!"
Two days have gone by since Kail had left the forest, and it had taken him a while to reach his destination, but here it was, the farm covenant of Etchfeld. 'Now all I have to do is find this, Undara person and then I will be able to get going!' he thought as he began to ask the people about this legendary swordsman he heard to hear about. It wasn't every day that one met someone quite like Kail.
He did have longer hair than most humans, and it was a mixture of black and silver. His eyes were a strange reddish brown, white skinned, like most of those in the empire, and his robe was long dark-- his sword was hidden in a sheath concealed. A lot of people thought he was some wandering monk or priest-- for they often wore robes, and as long as nobody saw the sword they could not be certain as to who he was... if word got out that he was in fact a half demon, they might try to kill him.
"Excuse me... but are you looking for... Undara?" someone asked him as he sat at a rundown bar, which few people every went to on the weekdays. Kail could see that it was a girl who spoke, and she was young, maybe thirteen or so-- 'This girl looks just like him, that boy must be her older brother. he thought and then nodded, "Yeah, do you know something?" he asked trying to be polite. Such it was that his uncle's words rang out in his mind.
"Hear me young demon child... whence dealing with human kind, proper etiquette is the way to success..." and such it was that Kail could change his personality to get what he wanted. "That is my name!" the girl said and Kail could hardly believe it. This girl, in front of him was in fact Kara Undara! (Quite a rhyme).
"Can you take me to your home?" he asked and the girl nodded, leading him from the bar, down the street and to the home of the Undara. It was evening, the third day since the forest. Here Kail sat next to Kara and her mother, who presumably was the wife to Satoshi Undara. "So you've come looking for my husband, I am sorry to inform you after coming so far that he has not been home since my first was young..." she said and Kara nodded, "Well... do you know anything about... hrm, damn it!" he shouted and the two seemed taken aback by the sudden vulgar reaction. "I am sorry... what could be the matter?" she asked and Kail shook his head, "I respect your hospitality and all but I have to get moving again... by the way I saw your son in the battle... should be alright I suppose..." and with that Kail left the home of the Undara, just as he had come. It quite disappointing for both of them-- but news of Aska seemed to cheer them up.
"He didn't give his name..." Kara said watching him leave.
Damn! So Satoshi has been gone! For nearly... fifteen years? No, he must have left after that Kara person was born, so... he has been on that journey since... for... thirteen years?
The Sacred Tears
A long, long time ago... there were five great warriors... each had their own goal in mind, each wanting something else. They were powerful in many sorts of ways... magics and combat alike. Those were the days when manna flowed freely through the world, and it had caused an uncountable amount of pain and sorrow... so the five warriors sought to put aside their differences and seal away the power of all the manna into five shards. However, they were all deceived by a vile demon. They were all killed and their tears were collected to fuse with the five shards, making manna even more powerful. When the tears were brought together, they created a vibrant star... which fueled the demon's powers... however the five warriors were not so easily bested... they each relented their souls so that the power of the tears would rest in till their rightful master returned to slay the demon forever...The legend has been lost to all except a few of the noble families. The Narazan king Ivan, had passed on this legend through his family, and such it was that it came to the knowledge of a very young half demon known as Kail Narazan...who else might learn about the powerful tears?
Two months have passed. And Kail had reached dead end after dead end. There was only one place left to go, seeing that Satoshi was untraceable. "That damn idoit must have run off to collect the tears for himself!" he shouted to nobody as he sat in an orchid near the Etchfeld province. He had gone north, only to find out that the ships did not sail at this time of the year due to the increase of storms. He would have to wait till summer's calm, which would not happen for another month. He did not even bother waiting for Aska to return to question him, it was quite clear that he did not know anything about the tears, or his father's whereabouts. In the center of the empire there was a massive desert, and in the very center of that desert there was a city, buried underground. Kail had known about it, but was afraid to venture there... there were rumors that powerful magic wielding demons resided there... and awakening them could mean death... one way or another. "Such a pain in the ass..." he muttered...
"Do not go into the library if you seek the tears..." D'ka had warned him, "Unless it is as a last resort." That last part was starting to make seem more clear. Obviously there was only one thing left to do, and that was to go to the library. Why D'ka did not go after the tears was a mystery for a time, but when you are a Sho'duka you don't need such trinkets. "Well I best be off... even though my knowledge of magic limited to the point where it is useless, I might as well try and retrieve the legendary book..." he jumped from the tree and began his trek eastward.
The book in mentioning was the sole diary of the five warriors and where they had hidden the tears with their last breaths. Such it was that the book was stolen and sold so many times that eventually it ended up in someone's tomb. The whereabouts were seldom known, only a few people would know about the book...
Meanwhile, Aska returns home to his mother and sister.
"I am home!" he called placing his sword down on the table, and his mother and sister came running and there was much rejoicing. "Ah... where is master Drakor?" his mother asked but he shrugged, "I am not sure... we parted ways halfway home so I guess he had better things to do than watch his apprentice blossom into a swordmaster!" he was half lying, the truth was-- that Drakor was looking for someone. It seemed that ever since they had encountered that 'half demon' as Drakor had put it in the forest, that Drakor was on edge.
"Anything happen while I was away?" he asked and his mother shook her head, "Uneventful." she stated, "Not true mother... that strange man came here looking for father!" Kara shouted, this instantly perked Aska's curiousity. "Hm? What did he look like?" Aska asked, something was quite worrisome about this tiny detail. "He had long black hair with silver highlights!" Kara exclaimed.
'The man from the forest... what on earth was he doing here asking for father... unless was Drakor mentioned was true... that... somehow this is connected to some ancient story!' Aska thought, staring hard now and giving his mother and sister quite a scare. "Oh, er... hm... is there something you know about... father?" Aska suddenly asked, and his mother shook her head, "I am not going to say anything I promised."
It was the first time that she had spoken about it. The whole idea behind Satoshi leaving his children behind and moving out so quickly afterwards. "He was going... on a journey... it was some odd birthright he had stumbled upon..." she said quietly, and the two siblings crowded around their mother curious as to what secret would be revealed to them.
"Such it was that five warriors would come to revive the five tears... supposedly, and defeat the evil manna possessing demon that threatened to consume the world... but the legend was exaggerated of course. It was more of a fight between the warriors of the demon... two beliefs. Should be prosper with magic, and take heed of it's consequences? Or should we be weaker more simple yet less in danger of throwing our lives into chaos...? Your father went off... and he made me promise not to tell, but I can not keep a lie from my children..."
"Mother..."
"He set out to find the tears, with four other companions at his side. Such it was, that they believed to be the reincarnation of the five warriors... having all possessed knowledge of the five tear shards... it has been thirteen years since he had left and I can only assume the worst... that he has fallen..." she wept, revealing such a burden all at one time.
"Mother! Don't give in like that, father could be stuck somewhere... don't worry I'll find him!" Aska said, but his words were lost in a void of sorrow. "Don't you understand why Satoshi did not want you to know of the legend? He was afraid that his children would go in search of the tears... and leave me all alone..." she said and Kara wrapped her arms around her mother. "Do not worry... I am not strong like Aska, I will always be here..." she said giving a hopeful glance to her brother. Something told him that she wanted him to go... to go find father... to go and make things the way they should be. "But Aska... you can not... you are not strong enough..." she said, "I can do it mom! Don't worry... I'll find dad and bring him back here!" he said and all three of them hugged each other. It was silent, and yet a growing fear was rising inside of Aska. The words of Drakor returned.
"That was a half demon... known as Kail Narazan... I have heard about him from the sole fact that he is the son of Reigi Narazan, one of the seven Sho'duka warriors... however. He seeks the tears as a way to become more powerful than his fallen father, and to extract revenge on the man who killed him... Divara of Pandemonium."
If he was here, he was obviously trying to find out more about the tears... but I don't think he'd be stupid enough to stay around for anyone to catch him! Aska thought, hoping that Kail, wherever he was wasn't too far away.
"I have to go mother... I have to find that half demon and stop him from getting the tears!" Aska said firmly. "Half demon... you mean that young man who came here two months ago?" Kara asked and Aska nodded, "He is trying to abuse the tears so he can become more powerful; not so he can save the world from some demon!" he stated and grabbed his sword.
"Stay one night."
And so it was that Aska Undara became aware of the legend of the Tears. What had become of his father? What would happen if he couldn't stop Kail... where would he even begin? Drakor had headed East to a massive desert. The obvious choice would be to start there!
The night was not long enough for Kara. She couldn't help but feel that her brother was rushing off too quickly, that he would make things worse... but she wanted to meet her father for real. "Big brother..." she said, like she used to when she was younger. "Please don't leave like father..." she said and Aska nodded.
"I won't be defeated! I won't back down in till I come home with father!" his determination was strong, and he knew he had improved, more than ever while residing next to the forest of enchantment. He had never traveled alone before, and this would be his first real test to see if he was ready to be a real swordsmen, like his father.
The next morning was long. It was full of goodbyes that he thought would never end. His mother had prepared herself... her faith was wavering. Would Aska be able to succeed here Satoshi had failed? Would her only son perish just the same? She watched as he left home, waving, even though her arms felt like lead. Not all would end peacefully, she couldn't help but feel it thus.
Enter Leanna, the optimistic Heroine!
The was had risen, and a few hours had past. Just beyond Etchfeld was a place where the grass began to die, yet it was not as hostile as the desert sands. The High Bluffs of Amoriad. Here various cities and settlements had grown over the years under the nourishment of both the Empire and the northern country of Ikatuskar. The bluffs and wildlands had slowly been cultivated, and were known to be the last place in the empire left to be tamed by civilization. There were two peoples who lived in the bluffs before being united by the empire. The Akon who lived in the caves during the days and hunted during the night, the Akon were great warriors and prioritizers. However... the other people, the Mishi, were wise sages who created medicines and healing tomes beyond compare-- they were thought to be magical geniuses who learned how to suck the manna from the land itself. It was when the two people met that the wild bluffs became more and more tame... eventually the hunters and gathers became bluff farmers...
Before the rule of the empire, the combined people had set up a trade with those of the north...
In the city of Akonia, a young girl sets out on her journey...
"Don't worry mother!" Leanna shouted from the doorway of her home. She had slightly tanned skin, as most people from the bluffs did, and her hair was a light silky brown color. Her eyes were dark and deep, but full of love and kindness. She wore hardly any clothes, except for short tanned skirt, and a small white robe top, which was about half of the size it should have been, so it wrapped around her body tightly. She carried a battle staff, that had a leaf shape at the head, which held a strange crystal ball in it.
"You can't go off into the desert dressed like that!" her mothered called, but the girl wasn't willing to wait much longer. "Relax...I'll be fine, I'm seventeen now!" she stated before grabbing her tiny pack and ran down the street of Akonia.
The city itself was built in a valley between two cliff like bluffs. Various houses and shops had been built all alone the sides of the cliffs. Leanna was proud to be a villager in this town, especially her family was one of the main branches who first created it. Her full name was Leanna Corlina Akonia...
She was ready to begin her first adventure-- to retrieve the sacred book that related to the legendary five tears. Her mother claimed it was her birthright to have possession of the book, and so it was that she ventured forth to retrieve it. She did not really care about the book, but she was afraid that someone evil might try and steal the book for their own ends. This is what drove her, and nothing would stop her-- but her determination alone would not be strong enough. She traveled along the worn path, leading from Akonia and out into the trails, known to her people and outsiders alike. Frozen death and Flaming death-- two paths, two destinies.
"Which one should I choose?" she asked herself looking down each path, both eventually lead to the desert. The frozen one seemed too cold, besides she preferred the high road dangers over the lower paths dangers...
The drakes and the sand devils often dwell in the shadows of the bluffs and this is why she avoided it like the plague. The road was more commonly traversed, for gnoll and orc travelers. Those were much easier to take care of then fending off the more powerful creatures.
The wings of destiny child, you have been chosen... yet you are unlike the others... you accept your fate in full bloom... whatever sorrow you hold you hide so that nobody else can see it... people sometimes hate you for it... you don't understand... how can someone be so happy all of the time when they have to go on such a perilous journey all by themselves...? Leanna you are truly blessed... I pray for your safety!.
The girl had moved for quite a portion of the day before spotting someone laying in the middle of the path. "Oh dear me... a traveler? This far out?" she asked rushing forward, she had prepared for something like this and had brought an extra canteen. "Here, please drink!" she said forcing the water into the man's mouth. He was quite odd looking...
Black and silver hair... "Is he some kind of demon? I can feel chaotic energy...but he obviously wasn't careful enough!" she stated continuing to pour water into his mouth. He slowly began to breath clearly and then his eyes slowly opened. "Hmm...?" he said staring up at Leanna with dark eyes. "Are you alright?" she asked and the man slowly got up onto his hands and knees. "This area gets fairly hot, you passed out on the road!" she exclaimed and then he gave her quite a stare that confused her.
"I was taking a nap..." he finally said and the girl was taken aback. "A nap? are you crazy, even if you aren't human you surely can expect to take a nap in the middle of this wretched heat!" she exclaimed, and now it was his turn to be taken aback. "You know I am not fully human?" he asked and she nodded, "The people of Akonia have power mystical abilities... and so we can sense auras inside of people... well at least the elders can..." she stated and the man, who was obviously not from around Akonia knew that he was out of place. "Oh... whoa... okay, so why are you out here?" he asked, not seeing a nearby town or anything, "Or is it common for young maidens like yourself to go wandering off in this heat?" he said sarcastically, and she shook he head. "See how I am dressed? For the weather..." she tugged on her skirt and tight robe and the man nodded, "Yeah yeah...I know I know... but someone like me should be alright, I don't help from you!" he began brushing himself off and headed down towards the path. "Well suit yourself... you don't have any water on you... and the bluffs cool down really slowly during the night..." she said and the man stopped, "What are you suggesting? That I travel with you?" he asked, and the girl shrugged, "I am going the same way as you, you don't have to commit too much..." she said walking down the path. "What? The only thing down this path is a desert!" he stated, and once more the girl nodded, "Quite so... that is where I am going..." she said and continued walking.
Unaware of each other's intentions, the two newly found comrades venture high into the bluffs, hoping not to run into orcs or what not. "Hey, um, what is your name?" the girl asked and the man sighed, "It is Kail..." he stated and the girl nodded, "Alright I am Leanna... huh, come to think of it, why are you going to the desert?" she asked and the man shook his head, "How about this... er, Leanna... you keep your secrets, and I will keep mine."
"But I don't have any secrets..." she said trailing off staring off at the sky and it was just Kail's luck that he wound up here in the first place. The supposedly "impassable cliffs to the west of here" were easy enough to climb compared to the southern range, and even still when he had landed in the villages around here, the people shunned him. He couldn't get close to their wells.
The girl is right... the elders knew I was a half demon... big deal... once I get the tears I will avenge my father, then surpass him in the process and make my own organization! One that matches the Sho'duka!' He thought darkly, staring at Leanna, but he couldn't help but feel that she was different from her fellow villagers, she knew he wasn't fully human, yet she still gave him water-- he had to lie about needing it, just in case she changed her mind. It was growing dark soon and they would have to make camp.
"Let us rest here, there is little chance of falling off, and there is a place to refill our canteens... that is if you need it..." she said climbing a ridge, and she was quite good at it too... For a human that is... Kail thought jumping over her and landing on top of a strange oasis. "They call it moonlight oasis..." she said and she removed a small blanket from her pack. She seemed to fall asleep instantly, and Kail stared at her as she slept. He could steal her water and go onto the desert, but what was the point? People hated him enough as it was... but this girl didn't. He could ask her where she was going, but he had a bad feeling that it was the same place he was going. The ruined library wasn't very well known, the chances were slim, but destiny and fate...
"I don't know what I should do... I don't want anything but to kill Divara! I want to be better than father, I want to be like Nedrik our ancestor who had being king of a human nation... he had infinite respect... but his children are treated like dirt!" He accidently shouted awaking Leanna. "Hm... Kail you are still awake? You should get some sleep!" she said rubbing her eyes, and he looked at her for a moment. Then something diverted his attention. "Orcs!" he shouted quietly at her and pulled her down next to a tree. The orc were marching steadily across the path, they were armored, but tired as well.
"Stinking humans... I could've sworn I could smell a fresh one, I female at that!" one stated just below them. "Hurgah! It isn't safe... demons on the prowl down there, I can smell some demon up here too..." another orc stating, "Maybe it is a half demon?" another voice said and the orcs turned, they were traveling with a silent companion who was robed in black. "Hey... ye spoke! A half demon up here? They are vicious I knows..." the orc stated, "That is odd, most people do not like half demons..." the robed man stated and the first orc grunted, "Huh... a few months back a friend of mine saws a half demon cut an entire troops, they be more dangerous than a normal demon me thinks!" the orc continued on the path and the man smiled, from behind his robe, he paused and the orcs continued on. There were a few more orcs trailing behind, but the man merely let them pass on. "Your senses are keen... but you failed to feel my presence..." the voice spoke, although nobody was clearly around.
Kail's eyes widened, that man... what was he talking about? "I know you are there, half demon or otherwise, heading to the desert?" the man's voice seemed familiar yet how? Months back it was... back when he was south... in the forest? Kail whispered in Leanna's ear.
"Stay here..."
He jumped down from the cliff and onto the path, where the robed man was, with just a sword. "You've come all this way on your own? But to fail here..." the man stated and Kail drew out his sword. "I remember your voice! You are that mercenary from the forest... the one who was with Undara's kid!" Kail exclaimed and the man removed his hood revealing his black hair and his longsword at his side. "Such it is. I wont have you getting the book." he stated and Kail's eyes narrowed.
What... he knows of the book, and most likely he knows about Satoshi and the tears... he must know that I am after the tears for myself! Such a bother... Kail thought knowing it was best not to attack, and to see if his enemy was planing on going on the offensive.
"Do you think you can win against me?" he asked and Kail shook his head, "You are playing on my arrogance, it won't work..." his voice was louder it seemed, stronger more clear. "Oh really... all I desire is to stop you from gaining the tears... there are no tricks in my game!" he rushed forward, slashing out taking a chunk of the cliff face out. Manna? what kind of an attack is that? there was an explosion and through the debris the man emerged, nearly on top of Kail, expertly swinging down his sword on top of the young half demon. Kail dropped his sword, and grabbed the man's wrist with clear accuracy, and the he lift his foot and kicked the man back and then picked up his sword and was in the man's face instantly as well.
"Very good, but let us step it up eh?" Drakor said repositioning his sword and slashing out at Kail with a wave of fire coming towards him. Manna? But how... this is no ordinary mercenary! Kail thought leaping over the fire attack and striking back at the man who nimbly dodged it. They switched places again. Drakor swung his sword again slashing out another wave of energy-- Kail couldn't move out of the way fast enough! A bright light came suddenly engulfing the flaming attack and smothered it.
"Stop it!" Leanna shouted jumping from the cliff and onto the path. Drakor paused, "An Akonian?" he spoke slowly drawing his sword down. 'I wasn't expecting her to be able to draw in my attack... she is good!' the mercenary thought wondering why she was protecting Kail. "You have even presuaded this innocent girl to do your bidding?" he questioned and Kail shook his head. "Now your being ignorant! You just want the tears for yourself!" Kail shouted jumping over Leann and catching the man off guard, successfully throwing him off the side of the cliff. There was a faint murmur and then there was nothing.
"I guess...this means goodbye..." Kail said softly sheathing his sword. There was no way a girl like Leanna would trust him anymore. "What do you mean? We are going the same way..." she hesitated, "Unless... it's true that you are planning on using the tears for yourself?" she questioned and Kail shook his head, "It isn't like that... I...you...?" he was confused did she have something to do with the tears as well? There must have been something he had missed. "Oh I never had the chance..." she paused, "Don't worry about it... we'll go together!" Kail said slowly making his way back up the cliff. It was still dark out, and he needed some well earned sleep.
So she doesn't care... but still if she is going after the tears it could get messy. I don't want her getting in my way. I don't know what I am going to do... if she knows about the tears and the book... then there might be others too... this whole thing stinks, and I have a bad feeling that Mercenary will be back, and even worse if Undara's kid comes looking as well... he'll prusade the others to kill me...
The remaining two...Selk and Valerie, wandering pair.
The East Lands.
The thin trek of forest, Kalbuca ran all the way from the Nordic lakes to the rocky south. Ikatuskar all the way down to Seborisam. Born of the wood, and born of the water, coming from the north lands, were two enigmatic figures cloaked in opposite robes of black and white. The black robe was donned by a young man, who had short black hair and dark gray eyes, he bore no weapon but had a strange aura around him. He was Selk Godrea, the second male ever born in his family name, and his uncle Xren was more elfin than anything. He bore his mother's name, Ciandra the wise fey of J'drakon. Outcast by the empire much like how demons were outcast, but he would not be detained this time through.
His compain was in a similar boat, her name was Valerie Amyaku, the only daughter of Ivendra. They had reached the border, between Ikatuskar and the Empire (*the Empire bears no name except it is sometimes called Doshu) The next post may be direted for more history on the Doshu).
"Well, well... a border guard..." Selk muttered and his companion nodded, "We can not have them killing us..." she spoke softly and they moved quickly towards the towering walls, lined with archers. "Who is it that comes to the Empire!" a guard called out and the pair stopped. "Two travelers who seek entrance to the desert, we bear no harm to the Empire!" Valerie spoke, and the guards murmured for a moment. "Alright, you may pass... but if you leave the desert you will be imprisoned." the guard had the gates opened and the two of them passed. They managed to make it half way towards the desert when they began to run, arrows raining down on top of them.
"It's Selk and Valerie! Do not let them go into the desert!" the guards yelled and soon a calvary unit was after them. They could feel the sand under their feet... but the horses would catch them unless something else detained them. "Should I paralyze them?" Selk asked and Valerie looked at him for a moment, "If you can get them all I drained my manna already..." she said out of breath. Selk nodded, and then stopped, jumped and grabbed the first man on his horse and ripped him off. This allowed Valerie to get away and the other horse men surrounded Selk. Then half of the circle simultaneously fell down causing confusion among the remaining half, and that is when Selk moved against them causing the sand beneath them explode into their faces while he got away.
Later Valerie and Selk met up in the midst of the desert. They looked at each other as the sand rippled with the wind. "Fey-Song?" Selk asked and Valerie turned away as if ashamed by it, "It is better than violence, the violence that claimed our family..." she trailed off. "You are still mad at me aren't you?" Selk said quietly and she nodded, "Once we get the book from the other's it is everyone for themselves, I won't be so nice to you..." she continued walking and Selk shrugged, "That is fine...you know I'd give it you Valerie, your heart is more innocent than your words..." he replied and then stopped and looked up at the sky.
"What is it?" she asked still annoyed by what had happened in their past, but Selk wasn't really listening to her words. His eyes closed and then reopened. "We may have a problem..." he spoke quickly and this made Valerie instantly become urgent. "What?" she tried to sense what he was feeling but she was already exhausted. "Narazan..." he spoke the name quietly and they both knew what it meant. The half demon family, and now one of them was moving towards the secret library. "Is there anyone else involved?" Valerie asked anxious to learn of who else was after the book. "...The Akonian girl... and the son of Satoshi..." Selk continued and Valerie began walking towards the library. "Come. We must get there first." and Selk quietly followed, he knew that he could over power the girl, but he wouldn't. His intentions for coming were completely different from everyone else's. If Valerie had not insisted that they come then he wouldn't have left Ikatsukar at all... he would have tried to make amends to her some other way...
I owe you my life... but you... you aren't even interested... he thought with a smile, surely she would forgive him even if it took one hundred years, they were eternal after all... they had no fear of death... at least death from old age. The sand blew as the two fey moved into a wretched sandstorm...
[[And So the five have all been introduced! Aska, the bright child who wants to follow his father's footsteps and become a legendary swordsmen of world renown. Somehow his father is connected to the legendary tears of the five warriors. Then there is Kail Narazan who has the intention of stealing the tears all for his own ends! However there is a spark of light in the half demon's heart... has he started to doubt his intentions, or will he continue as planned? Everyone seems to know his name, the Narazan name fairly well. Mostly because of his father and his father's father's father... Lord Reigi and Lord D'ka of the Sho'duka. Those of the Sho'Duka are known to be the most powerful warriors in the entire land. This is what fuel's Kail's motives to see that he makes an even better organization than the Sho'duka. Because he isn't even liable to join because the name was sealed away... also his revenge on Divara is another, secret motive of the half demon. The third of the five is Leanna Akonia, who is knowledgeable in the arts of magic, despite the slowly fading of manna in the world. She met Kail, and despite figuring out his plans to use the tears for himself decides to help him anyway because she is an innocent girl...
Then there are the two final of the five... Valerie and Selk... the most mysterious of the five and yet their true pasts will be revealed in other*book* they appear to have similiar ideas as Kail....]]
[[What is going to happen in the next book, they all meet in the library and the show down presumes when the legends of the first journey are finally revealed... the truth about Satoshi... and the a glimpse into Valerie's and Selk's darkened past... will the five bound together, or will they all race to the resting place of the tears and see which of the strongest will win? And what of Drakor? The strange mercenary who seems to know all too well about the tears and the library...]]
[{The five is a long continuing story that lacks an artistic view for an idea... that someday (if the right ability to draw comes to me) will hopefully become like a manga... I really enjoy making my characters come alive like this... oh well...See you next time! ~ ))