Lunar: The Era of Masters IC

[Rose]

Aurora woke slowly from a strange dream that she couldn't exactly recall. Something about travellers...

She shook her head. There was no time for thinking on a silly dream.

Today is the day ... I'm leaving my home.

Aurora sat up and frowned. It had to be done. She wanted to know who she was, where she had come from, and most importantly, why she had the strange powers she possessed.

She quickly changed clothes before any servants could hear her and brushed her long, golden hair back. Her small bag was already packed and ready, resting on her vanity. She picked it up and looked one final time in the mirror.

I just have to have courage. Don't be afraid, Aurora! There's nothing to be afraid of.

She smiled a bit at her reflection and nodded, then went out to breakfast to meet with her father one last time.

[DarkAries]

The small villiage of Lyton lay at the base of a series of hills, between a pair of rivers, both of which emptied into a series of caves out of which the wind roared. The Lyton Highlands, at sunset, were a shadowy, fearful place, laced with mists and roamed by creatures who preferred nothing more than the flesh of a vagrant shepherd.

At the base of one hill, a long shadow seemed to ripple as if it were water.

Out of it rose a tall, cadaverous man, clad in black and gray robes, his long-fingered hands placed together before him, his head shaved, and a blindfold over his eyes.

Though totally blind, when Requiem Innovatia turned his face up towards the villiage of Lyton, he saw something that made him smile.

A prime, juicy target.

As Requiem strode onto the streets of the villiage, he could see that the Vile Tribe had thought the same. They had fallen upon the villiage, part of which was in flames. The human villiagers were fighting back, with farming and fishing implements...and they were losing.

"Hmm..." he said, with a slight grin.

Chased by a loping troupe of Tribesmen, a screaming woman, her dress torn, hid behind him without seeing him. She only saw someone with power, someone who could potentially save her.

She clawed at his robe. "Please, please, sir! Save me! You must save me, please!"

The Tribesmen halted for a moment, registering the thin unsettling man who stood between them and their quarry.

The woman continued to plead. "Please, please!" she pleaded, and Requiem finally turned his face to her. "Please, please...oh, Althena...you're blind!" she gasped.

Requiem smiled broadly. "Yes..."

"You!" the Tribesmens' leader barked. "Blind man! Stand aside or die!"

The man looked back up. "Hm," he said, then did not move.

The Tribesman blinked. "Are you deaf as well, human? Stand aside or die with the woman!"

"Hm..." he said again, then raised his right hand, the sleeve of his robe falling off it, revealing the black ring set with a black diamond in the center. "You hold power over death, friends?"

The Tribesmen didn't seem to know how to respond, except by tightening their grips on their weapons.

"Allow me to show you...my power," he said with a vicious grin, as his ring began to glow. It built, and the Tribesmens' resolves began to falter. By the time several ribbons of black light released themselves from the diamond, they looked about ready to break and run.

Each resolved themselves into an armored warrior, mostly human, some elvish; some with swords, most with bows. The Tribesmen looked even more disconcerted.

"Gentlemen," Reqiuem said, lowering his ring and waving a hand dismissingly at the Tribesmen. "Remove these...other gentles from this town. Please. All of them."

The bowmen loosed a volley, gunning down every one of the Tribesmen, and the swordsmen broke with a yell, beginning to charge into the streets.

An hour later, the Tribesmen were all dead, and the villiagers were cheering and chanting before their blind savior, and slapping the shoulders of the magical warriors who he had summoned.

Reqiuem smiled again. "Where is your headman?" he asked.

The villiagers had been more than enthusiastic as they conducted the man to their headman. The man had greeted him with open arms. "Thank Althena you showed up when you did, kind sir! How can we ever repay you?!"

Reqiuem bowed his bald head. "I am pleased by your hospitality, sir. Tell me, though. Stories tell of the Blue Dragon Fiend, lying in slumber inside one of the caves near here. However, there are several. I am a simple scholar from Vane..."

"The floating city?!" the headman asked excitedly.

"Yes, indeed," Reqiuem answered. "I wish to study the Blue Dragon Fiend. Which cavern do your stories say it is in?"

The headman smiled. "Why, the north cave, sir, the Cave of Cold Winds!"

"Good," Reqiuem said. "The Tribesmen may come again, you know. I can provide a literal army to defend you, if you wish."

"Oh, my lord!" the headman exclaimed. "You have done too much to save us already!"

"It's nothing, truly," he said, then turned to the villiagers. "Empty the square, please!"

Whispering amongst themselves, they did so, as Requiem raised his ring again. It throbbed and glowed, then summoned forth over a hundred armored men, elves, and beast men, armed with a slew of weapons.

"Kastuma!" he called.

One of his summoned elves came up next to him, his brown eyes rimmed by dark circles. "Master?"

"You know what to do," Requiem said with a sly smile.

"Yes, master!" Kastuma barked confidently, then turned to the assembled army. "Kill them all!!!"

The army broke, beginning to run after the villiagers, who were wholly unprepared for this new assault. Dozens fell before they turned to run, screaming once again. The buildings in the square were fired, the flames licking up towards the dark sky.

The headman gaped at Requiem. "What...what are you doing?!"

Requiem grinned back at the man, the fire casting frightening shadows over his face. "Why, I'm seeking the Blue Dragon Fiend..."

"But...but...why? Why kill us?!"

"Because others are seeking my quarry," he said with another, less friendly smile. "I am merely securing my investment."

The headman gaped at Requiem, then fell back onto his rear and began scuttling backwards.

The Sorceror raised his left hand, fire beginning to build above it. "Nothing personal," he said nonchalantly, before his Tartauros Fire lashed out at the headman in wickedly-pointed spears.

[Ai]

Lok drew closer to Lyton. He had finally made it out of the Stadius Zone, and was but half a day's trip from it. However, he was tired. He sighed, and sat down near a small clump of trees. He lies against a tree, and smiles to himself.

Soon...Soon enough, I shall have my revenge...

Lok thinks back to the day that he lost his arm...

Lok stood by his father, as the group of warriors charged them. He looked over to him, with a look of worry on his brow. Lok had fought many times before, but never against such a numerous foe.

"Father, what are we to do? They out power us..."

"Only physically, my son. Only physically. Besides, we have more than adequate healers and summoners. These fools think nothing of their mind, but we know the true capabilities of the mind!" His father replied. With a wave of his wand, he summoned forth a volley of ice shards. They tore through the first wave of enemies, and the fighters of the Grey Wolf tribe, Lok included, charged at the downed foes. For hours, steel and magic clashed in what is perhaps the most intense tribe war known. Lok had to be treated for some wounds. He was lying on a cot in the medical tent when his father was brought in. And arrow had gone through his chest, his head, and his throat. Lok jumped up despite his injury, and hobbled over to him.

"Father!! No!" Lok screamed. Several medics held him back as he reached for him. He struggled to reach him.

"Why?! Why have you sacraficed yourself?! In the name of Althena? Of a "goddess" which may not even exist?" The medics gasped at his outrageous claims. They tried to shut him up, but Lok pressed.

"I CURSE ALTHENA'S NAME! MAY SHE DIE BY MY HANDS!! I WOULD GIVE MY SOUL TO SLAY THAT WENCH!!" The medics had heard enough, and finally were able to hold him down. One came up behind him, and with a sap, knocked him out. He came to hours later, and the battle raged more furious then ever. He leapt out of his cot immediately, and grabbed his sword. He ran out of the tent, and towards the fray. As he drew close, he heard a female voice talk to him.

"Drop your sword." Lok turned to look at the woman. She looked possibly familiar, but not now. Lok could only think of death, of rage, of revenge. He charged at her, and took a large swing at her. She was too agile, however, and with a swift blow, took off Lok's arm. He stumbled back, staring at his arm in horror. He looked at her, and fell to his knees, screaming in agony. The woman could not help but aide her son. She went to him, and began trying to comfort him. Lok pulled out a hidden kris, and jammed it in her throat. He stood up, with a smirk on his face. While he grimaced in pain, he took joy in carving the woman's flesh, making sure she was dead. Not long after, the battle was done, and mind had conquered the field. As he was being treated for his wounds, he reconsidered his words earlier.

"Perhaps I was to hasty...It was just in the heat of the moment. Father could not bear for me to turn my back against what he beleived in."

"Lok...Your father has a few more minutes until...well..He wants to speak to you." Lok nodded solemnly, and stood, walking to his father's cot. As he stood by him, he was old of his conception, and how his mother was a warrior from the opposing tribe, with striking beauty and several disticnt marks. It was at this point Lok recalled the woman he had slaughtered. Grief overwelmed him. Nothing could calm him now. This was the breaking point. With a howl of rage, he flung over an empty cot. Several men attempted to wrestle him down, but he flung them off with unusual ease. As his rage increased, his body began to transform. His skin grew dark, his eyes burned like hot coals, his muscle mass doubled, and his voice went deep and demonic. He rampaged throughout the entire village until there was nothing left but ash, and he burning fires...

And with that, Lok awoke. Yet he still smelt smoke. He looked in the direction of Lyton, only to see smoke coming from the town.

"Goddamn them all to hell!!" Lok yelled, as he climbed to his feet, and made a mad dash for the town.[/i]

"The fiend had best still be there..."

[Triyun]

An endless terrain of rocks and snow passed by as Mablung and Silver Fang moved through the mountains. Mablung being an elf, could of course stand on the snow and thus was able to keep pace with Silver Fang whos ability to use all four limbs for running gave him a decisive advantage on normal ground.

"So, hir, you say you come from the Elenedhel and Gwaithehdel, I have heard not of these elven families."

"There are none left save myself, we spent the early years on this world keeping the night safe in the frontier and vile regions. Both of the families were wiped out in surprise attacks. There were to few of us to stand a chance against the large armies they amassed, we were better suited for smaller battles."

"I know your story, we to suffered becaused of lack of numbers."

"So your people worship the nature spirits."

"Indeed. I detect scorn in your voice. How do you know your goddess is any greater than they?"

"Because I've seen my Goddess, seen her in her glory. I assure your her splendour is beyond compare. Can such be said about your spirits."

"The spirits I worship are that of my ancestors and the land. They gave me life, and allow me to keep it. They sacrifice themselves so that I may live."

"Ah I see, reverance for the land and those that came before us is a trait we share in common. But..."

He stopped and motioned for Silver Fang to do the same.

"Vampires? Strange I do not detect their scent."

"No not the vampire but rather something far deadlier. A great fire demon approaches."

"Fire demon?!"

He slowly grabbed for his sword, unsheathing it. Silver Fang readied his axe.

"I shalln't ask you to fight this demon. Its strength is great, few have had such experiance."

"Its kind were responsible for driving from my home, I know its strength, I have readied myself for the day I fight one."

"Then you should know, you aren't ready."

Mablung jumped backwards flipping as large whip of flame cracked the crust beneath them and a demon burst forth. A large horned wing demon let loose a great cry and then twin pillars of flame burst forth from his nostrils as the two warriors ran to avoid them. Mablung began letting his magic channel into his sword and the blade seemed to glow orange with a flame, (thus of course the swords name).

"Ankauer of Zophar, your caracass shall be laid down upon the mountain, the dark flame shall not avail you against my holy fire."

The elf dodged the demon with great agility and struck its leg. The beast screamed and swung its whip. Mablung would have fallen if it hadn't been for his armor. Never the less his skin was scorched underneath.

Behind the firey demon, Silver Fang threw forth his axe and the creature let out a scream moving its tail around like a whip sending the shaman into the side of the mountain breaking his arm.

Mablung rushed forth slicing the demons right arm. Molten rock issued forth from it as it began to come apart. Mablung then began to form fog around him, he would be hard pressed to be seen, but the bright glow of the demon and its tremendous size made it visible to both of the warriors.

Meanwhile the shaman began injesting herbs to heal his arm. He could make out the feint glow of the El-Anchagel and the firey figure of the demon and its whip as the elf moved around dodging the attacks occasionally attacking. He raised himself up and removed the totem from his back calling on the strength of his ancestors to aid them.

Mablung smiled as the demon tried to hit him. He began seeing elven songs of mockery and the demon grew frustrated attacking more and more without regard for defense. He brought his sword down and smote the fire demons hand carrying its whip. A column of fire came forth from the arm striking Mablung down. With his last bit of strength he hurled his sword into the fire demon striking him down upon the mountain. The fog began to clear and the strength of the elf seemed to be failing.

Silver Fang rushed over and placed a leaf then a potion to wash it down in his mouth, both were of great healing properties. He then raised the elf in the air, placing his sword in his belt and started up the mountain. The dead carcass of a great demon such as this would undoubtedly attract the lesser viles to it. It was unwise to tarry.

[Juan]

Rawanuk could not help but grin as his beast entered the village. People seemed ignorant of its passing at first, until finally slowly person by person, they see the gigantic abomination named Ambiath'c walk to them.

Most of the village was outside, sitting around fires mingling. The first to die was a sentry outside this perimeter, crushed beneath the creature's immense bulk through it's foot, not making a single sound of scream in his death. The creature immediately opened its slavering maw and ate the already mangled and bleeding corpse, relishing every taste.

Ambiath'c eagerly looked for more prey, sighting the fires just a little away, it began lumbering speedily yet quietly towards the flame.

They didn't see the creature as it moved closer at first, they were looking towards the flame. Finally, at the other side of the flame, someone happened to look up. One of the sparce number of the village's warriors saw in the shadows, moving into the light of the fire, the great beast, blood and bones still covering its maw, and let out a great shout.

Rawanuk's grin beneath his mask could only become more malicious at the sight on the fools mouthes and eyes, moving from the purest suprise to complete and utter horror.

The people scrambled up, and tried to begin to flee. Ambiath'c let out a bone shattering screech filled of near carnal delight, salivating more. It pounced apon the people, crushing several. Not stopping to eat these, he continued after the others, smashing many with his long outreaching legs. Some finally stood to fight, raising swords against the beast.

Ambiath'c's eyes looked strangle at the blades, with a vague sense of recognition. It quickly smashed at the men's hands, knocking the blades away. Rather than just crushing these, it opened its slavering jaw again, and it stretched larger and larger. It quickly clenched down on man after man, the sound of bone and flesh crushing in ever mashing bite.

Soon, none in the village was left alive. The spider moved back at ate those it had crushed and not eaten, savoring each being it ate.

Rawanuk nodded savagely at the beast, quite satisfied. This creature would do. He walked up to the creature.



"Ambiath'c" He said, "You have done well. Now, it is time for you to consume ever more for me, my pet. There is a island to the north west, past the accursed floating city of Vane. You will head towards that isle, and reak havoc on there as well as you can, to ready for my potential future arrival. I might in the end need to head there, for I believe on that isle is the location of the White Dragon Fiend. You will consume all that you can, and by doing so hindering any progress to beat me to the place." Rawanuk paused. All of Ambiath'c's eyes were on him, as it listened. Rawanuk took notice of this, and as how at each mention of the words eat, feed, and consume the beast stirred in anticipation.

"But before you reach there,"Rawanuk continued, "You shall make a stop at the town of Meribia. A branch of the Cult of Zophar is there in the sewers. They have been building up strength in the area. Those pathetic fools think they know how to find power, not having the faintest idea in reality. My beast, I wish for you to level that city, consuming man, elf, vile tribesman and all. Eat everything, spare nothing!"

Ambiath'c chattered its bony hard fangs together. Its solid-yet-not body moved around, in what Rawanuk had started to catagorize as it's "anticipation shuffle". Rawanuk raised his hand, pointing in the direction of Meribia.

"Go!"

The spider lumbered off, rushing in a speedy burst in the direction. 'It will not take tbe beast long', estimated Rawanuk. Mountains and Water would do nothing to slow it down.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ashra, after a few days ride up the mountain, had reached the cave. To think, such a fool would just broadcast his intentions! And such great intentions they were. Few could stand against such a mighty creature, and alone it would seem to be an impossible task.

Ashra's steed shuffled again on the hard rocky ground. It had been a hard ride for the horse, and deserved the rest.

Ashra saw a rustling nearby in the air. Forgetting his last thought about the horse, gave it a hard tap, sending them rocketing forward to the spot. There, he spied, trying to fly, a vampiric like demon. A weak looking creature, made even weaker by it's injuiry.

Ashra approached it on its horse.

"Demon," He called, "From whenst did thou get that injuiry?"

The demon was suprised at the sound, and turned and saw the knight. A look of disgust took to it's face, next to the feel of anguishing pain.

"Get away from me, human! Leave me be or else you'll regret it, weak fool!" Ashra's eyes narrowed at this comment from the creature. Ashra raised his mighty sword, holding it for the demon to see.

"Do you know what this is, demon?" The demon looked at the blade for a little while, until suddenly over it dawned a sense of utter fear.

"It-tt its the Soul Crusher! That accursed sword that they say is fed by a mighty demon power!" the demon said in fear.

Ashra nodded, then spoke. "Now answer me demon, or taste its blade and never taste anything again in this world or another! From whenst did thou get that injuiry!"

The demon gulped it's throat in fear, then spoke quickly yet quietly. "The small group I lived in had attacked a small village of beast men," it began, while pointing the way towards the village "We made easy work of the village, until a strange Elven knight appeared and slaughtered the entire pack. I barely escaped with my life before it! It was a holy knight of Althena!"

Ashra's eyes narrowed. He put the sword back into its scabbard, and turned the horse to where the creature had pointed. He began the ride towards the location, leaving the creature behind him without a word. The creature, angry at the man's reaction, lunged out at him. Without a sound, Ashra lept off of his horse's saddle and struck the demon in half, killing the demon and destroying its soul in a single slice. He landed back into the horse's saddle, and continued riding, leaving the bleeding corpse behind.

[Triyun]

Mablung awoke as they moved through the mountain pass. He found himself tied to the totem carried on Silver Fang's back.

"What are these bonds?"

"Forgive me, hir, it was to much for me to labor to carry you in my arms, plus when I am of all fours, I make much more progress. You are truly a great warrior."

"I thankyou shaman."

"Hir, we will soon be upon the Vampire enclave. I smell evil afoot."

"As do I, an evil which has trailed me since I left the protection of Althena's realm. Her power keeps all evil astray, but outside the high paladins have prices higher than all others in this land. The enemy has dispatched a champion to meet me. Let me off we must make haste to reach the dragon temple before it is sullied, after we are there we will face the viles who took your kin."

The bear man stopped and untied Malbung. Malbung then started off through the mountains. This last terrain would be difficult to pass. He was very glad now he did not bring Moonstrider. It passed through darkness and shadow, halls of beast lords of old. Now it reaked of vile demon. Malbung unsheathed his sword and Silver drew forth his axe. The two entered into the cave.

The beast mans other senses and Malbungs eyes allowed them to move through the darkness with little in the way of surprises. Though a great foreboding fear passed over them. Malbung suddenly spun around, his sword aglow with flame. He swung striking down a moderate size spider demon. It fell to the ground with a shriek. Suddenly the walls began to sound as if they moved.

"Run!! We this is a spider liar. One of the great spiders of the elder days must have laid her brood here."

"I hear you my friend."

The two began running as behind them red eyes seemed to move endlessly. They came to a place where a hint of starlight came through.

"I can use the sceptre here."

Mablung unwrapped his sceptre and the jewel let out a light burning the spider lessers into piles of ash. For the light, they hated and could not bear, there evil was only great in the darkness. As the two looked around the lighted area they saw in horror. Lesser demons of all sorts were in webbing. Few of men or beast and none of elf kind travelled these caverns anymore.

"A great spider, a light feeder must lay here. Ever hungry."

"True it would be wise to move on. I sense a blinding hunger, it has no regard for the life of even its kin."

"Neh beast man, our strength in the light is our chance to assail it, for it must surely know of our presence, and in the utter darkness we are at its mercy."

Suddenly Mablung pushed silver aside as the spider dropped. Malbung swung his sword in one arm the scepter in the other driving the great spider back.

"Let this beast be mine."

Silver Fang charged forward, determined not to let the knight have all the great sleyings of this quest to his name and song.

The fell creature lashed out with its forward legs and Silver Fangs axe sung to meet them. Then the legs were sundered and the beast shrivelled. It let forth webbing and the beast man was covered. The spider came forth towards it and an arrow sprung forth from Malbungs bow into its eye and it shrieked in anger.

"I am still in the fight Malbung no need to aid me. Ancestors, give me strength."

And with that the webbed bonds were broken and the shaman rushed forth letting the spirit of the wind guide him as his axe strung the vile creatures head thrice. Much waling was heard and all in the caves felt fear. A mighty roar followed by laughter was given as Silver Fang leaped into the air and brought down the hammer end of his pole arm upon the neck of the spider and smashed it bringing it to the ground. In another swing of the axe the spider was cast down as its exo skeleton split and inards sundered. And victory was upon the old shaman, another of the great demons of the moutain was cast down. The two continued on their journey through the caves and none assailed them as the viles were overcome with fear and in short time light was upon them again, and they began ascending the long steps towards the temple of the red dragon.

[Rose]

Aurora sat straight across from her father at their dining table in the midst of their majestic kitchen. Both were silently picking at their breakfast.

What can I possibly say to him...?

Her father pushed a bit of food around on his plate and then put his fork down with too much force, making a discordant sound of silver on fine china.

"Aurora..." he started, trying to maintain his dignity, "today is our final day together."

"Father! You know I'll come visit you and--" Aurora started.

He silenced her with a wave of his hand, his ruby signet flashing in the light. "Hear me out, my dear. Please."

Aurora leaned back a bit in her chair, regaining her composure, and nodded slightly.

He cleared his throat a bit and continued. "You are now a woman. I have no power over you ... that being said, I have something to confess to you."

Aurora leaned forward a bit, her eyes begging him to go on.

Her father squirmed a bit in his chair. "When I found you, the pain you were in had nearly driven you mad. Some of your memories are not exactly ... pleasant. When I brought you here, I used a forbidden magic to seal away your memories. It was only to protect you and to take you from the pain you were in!"

Aurora bit her lip, reigning in the torrent of emotions that filled her. "I ... I understand."

Her father's eyes glinted with tears, tears that he was far too proud to shed. "I myself am not sure how to remove the magic. However, the magician who performed the ceremony lives on Black Rose Street in Meribia. Surely he can help you. Sadly, I never asked for his name ... I thought this day would never come."

Aurora clenched her hands into fists under the table, digging her nails into her smooth, pale palm. How was she supposed to react to something like that?

"Father..." she said, biting back tears, "I understand your decision. I know you did what was right for me. Thank you, papa." She somehow managed a smile.

Her father smiled back, seemingly filled with relief. "I'm glad. One more thing before you go, my child. I know you are not of my own blood, but I love you as if you were rightfully born to me. Never tell anyone about your powers. Not one single soul. Do you understand me?"

Aurora nodded gravely. Her father smiled a bit.

"Then go, my dear. I'll miss you ... ever so much..."

Aurora rose and hugged her father tightly, the man who had taken her in and shown her all the luxuries she could ever want, and did her best to hold back tears.

"I love you, papa," she whispered into his rich velvet tunic.

"And I love you, my daughter. Now, you may take your leave. Go with the Goddess," her father said, smiling with what seemed to be relief tinged with poignancy.

Aurora maintained her composure until she got outside her home. There, on her lawn, she sat on the edge of the fountain and wept until she couldn't weep anymore. Things would be different from now on. Much different.

[Mega Raptor]

A few hours later...

Seris and Kal had traveled in silence in what had been a fairly uneventful trip after rescuing the merchant. They stopped by a small stream, and Seris had declared he was going to try and catch some fish.

That had been nearly a half hour ago.

Sighing to himself as he watched the line floating in the water, he had nearly decided he wasn't going to catch anything.

Suddenly there was a tug on the line.

Grinning to himself, he tried to reel in whatever it was he caught, but it proved to be quite a challenge. Not only that, but the tug suddenly got MUCH stronger.

Hehehe, got something big! he thought to himself as he tried harder to pull his quarry out of the water.

With a final heave, he yanked the fish out of the water and into the air... and along with the fish came... something else.

Seris stared at the sight in front of him. He had a large trout on his line, and firmly attatched to the back half of the trout was an odd creature. It was blue and somewhat cat-like, ignoring the fact that the average cat doesn't have wings.

The cat-like being hovered in the air, flapping its wings and trying to tug on the fish.

"Hey, you mind letting go of my catch?" Seris said, reaching out to grab the fish.

The flying cat suddenly stopped eating and opened its eyes, turning to look at Seris.

"YOUR catch?" it asked in a somewhat high-pitched voice.

"Yes, MY catch!" Seris said, taking the opportunity to yank the fish off the lure before pointing at the fishing line.

"Oh..." the cat-thing suddenly started to look a bit sheepish, "Er... sorry about that... I kinda dove under to get a fish. Didn't know that one was already caught."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," Seris muttered as he pulled a knife out and started to gut the fish, "So what the hell are you, anyway? Never seen something quite like you."

The little cat thing landed and watched was Seris was doing, before puffing up its chest and taking a rather proud appearance, "You mean you don't know a dragon when you see one?!"

Seris stopped what he was doing and stared at the cat... before bursting out in laughter, "A dragon?! You!? HA!"

The 'dragon' glared at Seris.

This just made Seris laugh even harder, "I can't believe it... you're serious... hahahahaHA!"

The blue cat had just about decided it was about to leave, when Seris calmed down and resumed cleaning the fish. He cut a small piece off and tossed it in the cat's direction, "So then, 'dragon', you got a name?"

The cat quickly pounced on the piece of fish and started eating, between bites it managed to say, "Relm."

"Right, well I'm Seris. Nice meeting you, but I've gotta take the rest of this with me," he said, picking up the fish.

Relm stared at the fish... and started hovering behind Seris, following the man.

Seris turned around and saw it there, "What? You want some more?"

Relm nodded.

Seris sighed, "Fine..." He cut off another piece and tossed it at Relm.

Relm ate it and grinned, "Thanks a lot. I haven't had fish in a long time."

"Weren't you just fishing, though?" Seris was obviously a little confused.

Relm looked away, "Yeaaaah... but I'm not exactly good at it."

Seris started to realize where this was going, "Let me guess... you think you can get more fish if you tag along, don't you?"

Relm smiled and nodded.

"Well forget it, the last thing I need right now is a pet."

Relm's jaw dropped, "A PET? But I'm a dragon! Not some house cat!"

"Yeah, whatever you little blue pigeon," Seris kept walking back to where Kal was.

Relm puffed up slightly in agitation, before flying up in Seris's face, "Do you have any idea how it feels to finally find a decent person to travel with, only to be told to go away?"

"If by 'decent person to travel with' you mean 'free meals' I have no idea," Seris replied, stepping around Relm.

Relm just kept flying along, "Well it sucks. And ya know what, I'm gonna do something about it, since YOU can't force me to go away."

Seris just sighed, Althena, why me? Seriously.

"FINE! You can come along."

Relm shot up into the air and dived back down, smiling the whole time.

"BUT!"

"But what?" Relm paused and started hovering.

"You're catching your own damned fish," Seris said, before finally rounding the bend back to where he'd left Kal.

[Squall]

Crix took his first step into the city of Meribia.

"Wow.....large place"

He took off the orinital looking mask and stuck on a clip on his blet and started walking again thinking to himself. The city was huge compared to what he was usest to. The small town he lived in was made mostly of farmers. The next town over was its normal defense againest attacks,also the place of his training. He was porficiant with the rapier mostly,most of the guards could not match him. Crix was knocked out of his thoughts from a small figure bumping into him.

"Sorry sir"

They figure tried to countinue,only finding his arm held by the wrist. Crix put out his hand opening it

"Pouch"
"Uh.....what are you talking about sir?"
"I am not stupid,hand me my poach"

The figure produced the pouch. Crix let go of his wrist as he hurried away

"Not a very skilled thief...."

Crix sighed and countinued to the bar,hopeing to get something good to eat and a nice bed to sleep in

[Rose]

"This thing is ancient! I hope it's still correct..." Aurora sighed as she carefully inspected an ancient map displayed on the library wall.

She had come here to find the way to Meribia. Though the librarians had given her condescending looks for asking about any area outside of Vane, Aurora was not one to be so easily intimidated.

The only problem with Vane is that everyone is so self-righteous.

Aurora slightly shook her head to shake away her thoughts and peered closely at the map one more time.

Well, assuming this old thing is right, my path won't be that difficult. Even so, I must be cautious at all times.

Aurora stared at the map just a bit longer, memorizing it, before turning out to leave. She quickly walked to the Transmission Spring, taking a final look at what had become her home.

"Come back soon from your studies, Aurora, and go with the Goddess!" The spring guard said, smiling cheerfully.

"Thank you," Aurora said with a soft smile. But I doubt I'll be back anytime soon...

One last look and she was gone, out into the outside world again for the first time in ten years.

[Ai]

"And so as you can see, magical powers are definetely not something to simply ignore." The teacher droned on. 'GOD,' thought Erin, 'Do they ever shut up? Praise Althena this is my last day here...heh.'

She glanced over at the hallway again. It was probably the 20th time during class. She had a good seat for spacing out, but she still had to be careful.

There! There, she passed. Erin grinned as she saw Aurora pass through the hall. Erin looked back up at the teacher, and raised her hand. The teacher rolled her eyes.

"Yes, Erin?" The teacher said.

"May I go to the bathroom?"

"...You've been good these past few days...Go. But be back quickly." Erin nodded, and walked out of class. It wasn't a complete lie, she did have to go to the bathroom. She had all of her clothes and things packed away there. She ran once out of ear shot of her class room, and grabbed her things. She made a dash back, headed for the Transmission Spring. She saw a guard there. With a dissapointed sigh, she ducked into a bush. Using her psychic grasp, she knocked over a pot on a column onto the guard's head, knocking him out cold. She couldn't help but let loose a small laugh. She walked to the Spring, and was teleported to the ground spring. Quickly she blinked out of the physical plain, and into the magical one. She made a dash for Aurora, which was no problem due to her status. She phased back into the physical realm, and smoothed her clothign quietly.

"Excuse me, Miss Aurora?"

[Nowhere Man]

*Lomar stood over the upper torso of the man he had just cleaved in half, in the early morning, right in the middle of the town's square. Other bodies were littered around, as well. People had just begun and to wake up, and a crowd had started to form around the bodies and the man with the great, bloody sword. Some people looked closer in wonder, while others sank back into the shadows.*
Villager: He's killed them! He killed the fiends, just as he promised he would! Those murdering, raping, plundering dogs are no more! Hero with no name, how can we ever repay you?
*Lomar turned his gaze to look upon the one addressing him, the inn and tavern owner. His expression softened and he smiled.*
Your hospitality last night was quite enough, innkeeper. Those in my line of work need only that. No one should have to suffer evil.
*And without another word, Lomar turned around and walked away, his bloody sword over one shoulder. The crowd parted in his wake, and he left the town in the same mysterious manner that he had entered: without an apparent purpose, destination, or name.*

[Triyun]

((I'll make a bunch of trials to slow myself down, if that works Ai. If you want to throw something at me that'd be fine also))

The shaman and the warrior began ascending the steps towards the temple of the red dragon. The steps began to rumble and two flames burst forth engulfing them then disappearing with no trace of the pair.

Mablung looked around the space he was in, before him lay a statue of a dragon, an avatar of a fully grown one. It spoke to whom.

"Who comes into my domain?"

"I do Hir Mablung Iauerog."

"I see, and your purpose is to obtain the red dragon for service."

"Service in the Goddess's name."

"Then let it be so. After you prove yourself worthy."

[Ai]

"My domain is not one to be accessed so easily, Elf. You must do what is impossible to prove your worth..." The dragon growled, as he faded into the darkness.

A sudden rumbling could be heard. The darkness fell fast, and with a mighty roar, a wave of lava tore through the land pass to the Dragon's lair, and pillars of flame burst from the ends of the path.

"Your trial begins."

[Triyun]

Mablung ran as fast as he could as the lava came from behind him. He ran towards the columns of flame watching there pattern, his armor most likely would protect him for only a few seconds. He'd have to make it out by then hoping there were no traps on this side of the path. With his elf eyes he scanned the ground.

((This is what I am guessing your describing. If I'm wrong I'll edit:

pillar of flame path pillar of flame
path
path
path
path
path
path
lava coming forwards