The Age of Apoline

[captaingammer]

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Here's the archives for my Fiesta fan fiction, The Age of Apoline!

Just a few "warnings..." Most importantly, This is a PG-13 fan fiction!!

Next, my chapters can be long. The first prologue is short, but after that, there'll be TONS to read. Then again, if we're all here, free time isn't a problem, right?

Also The first six chapters or so will be prologues introducing the main characters of the story. After the introductions are done, THEN we'll have chapter 1, which will be a more typical "starting from level 1" sort of affair.

Lastly, it is true most of the characters and guilds in this story are based off of players and guilds from the Apoline server. HOWEVER, I will never confirm nor deny who each character is based off of, since that is blacklisting.

I'm hoping that my style and the unique touches I add to the Fiesta world can make for an interesting read. It all starts next post!

Enjoy!

-

The Age of Apoline

Prologue I: Isya and Rayne
Prologue II: Angel Gammer
Prologue III: Cons Gammer
Prologue IV: Cora Gammer
Prologue V: Cap Gammer
Final Prologue: Colonel Rayne
Chapter 1: Mischievous Monsters
Chapter 2: King Slime's Counterattack
Chapter 3: Mara Pirate Avengers (PART 1)
Chapter 3: Mara Pirate Avengers (PART 2)
Chapter 4: Rage of the Mara Pirates(PART 1)
Chapter 4: Rage of the Mara Pirates(PART 2)
Chapter 5: If you Wish to Become Stronger!

-

If you wish to have a cameo or more, feel free to add an application to the topic! You'll need the following.

In-game name: Just post it raw
Name you want: I won't be accepting underscores, numbers, names of licensed characters, etc. Something original. I'll make up something based on your in-game if you can't think of anything.
Class: Make sure to post it as your real class instead of the basic class (post "Scout" if you're a 7x Archer, etc.)
Gender: Formality, really.
Weapon of choice: And why. Hint: "More damage lol" is not a good enough reason. Bashing the weapons you don't use will not reflect kindly on you.
Personality: I'd like to improvise as least as possible.
Back story: Not necessary, but it might give some more material for me to work with!
Picture: Give a link, of course. Show me the closest picture to your ideal character. Feel free to screenie yourself in the beauty shop if you can't afford a coupon. If there's anything you can't get in a picture (like a CS suit), add that.


Make them as long or as short as you want!

-

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[captaingammer]

The Age of Apoline

Prologue I: Isya and Rayne


Hello! My name is Teva. You may ask yourself, who is this young woman, auburn of hair and eyes, her slender - even stocky - body in this conservative maid suit? Do not be fooled by my humble appearance. I am actually a goddess! If you are here, talking to me, that means you are interested in knowing further.

The world I reside over is called Isya. It is a world very similar to yours, where the residents are much attuned to the elements. It's a beautiful world of all extremities and mysteries, the natural and the magical, of swords and shields, bows and arrow, chivalry and ambition. You say you've seen such a thing many times before? I take no offense at all! Such a thing cannot be helped.

My world of Isya, was created by a god named Legel. Even though he did that, he still wasn't a very benevolent god. He just created worlds on a whim to watch them develop and then come back later and destroy them! Maybe I knew this the entire time after he created me and I presided.

Isya's time came and so did Legel. Even though I had accepted Isya's fate, I just couldn't let it pass. There was just something about the dominant inhabitants, the elves and the humans, that forced my hand in resisting Legel. Even though I fought back, Legel was just too strong. His influence spread throughout Isya, cracking and decaying the land, warping docile creatures into nightmarish beasts, and inciting conflict amongst my beloved elves and humans.

Suddenly, a miracle occurred! The people of Isya saw my plight and deemed me a goddess of hope. The elves, intelligent and dexterous, picked up their hunting tools and began to fight back! The humans, strong and enduring, took up their swords with which they enforced peace and now fought for the sake of all they knew.

Legel began to spread himself too thin. Even though the land suffered, the elves and humans adapted to and fought Legel's malice. The thoughts of mutiny were willed out of their thoughts and Isya's strongest fought against the twisted beings. In turn, Legel adapted to his own situation. Instead of using what little energy he had left to crush me or the people, he split himself into many other gods. What followed is a very complicated series of events, but all you need to know is that everything is okay now! Also... Don't tell anybody you saw me! I'm supposed to be dead.

The various gods that Legel split into all had their chances to ruin Isya, and they all had failed, which makes me happy. However, the last god - goddess, actually - worries me. Her name is Apoline. She does not deal with wrath or hatred or anything direct like the other gods. She is the goddess of desire. Even now, her influence is spread throughout Isya. Her whispers are carried by the wind, a soothing lullaby promising riches, companionship, and prestige. I have called this era of Isya's existence "The Age of Apoline."

Apoline's influence has become so great as to segregate my people! I do not play favorites, but it is my observation that elves are more attuned to the land and to each other. Their mental strength and emphasis on the bonds between people has allowed them to avoid the siren song of Apoline for the most part.

The humans, on the other hand, are a very hardy people. Their concentration on survival and efficiency has lead them on the path of hard work and economic stability. Though their basic philosophies lead to the same principles, the ideologies of the elves and of the humans were different enough on the surface that a significant number of Isya, a vast majority of them human, moved to another continent and created an entirely new country! The first name of this human country has long been lost, and it now goes under the name "Rayne."

Isya and Rayne have had a great relationship. Well, okay, the cultural differences have chafed a few. Some fights broke out. Okay! Several times each country attempted takeovers of the other in attempt to reunite the population! Gee... But like I said, everything is okay now! I'd call the relationship between Isya and Rayne like two former lovers who had a lot of arguments and now don't remember why they didn't like each other any more so they are now friends but can't forget their history against their better judgment.

Even though the fight for Isya ended a long, long time ago. Very interesting things still happen in my world! With interesting occurrences come interesting people! I know you'll enjoy hearing about them! Sit down, have some tea, enjoy the Roumen skyline, and open your ears and hearts.

[captaingammer]

The Age of Apoline

Prologue II: Angel Gammer

Perhaps one of the biggest examples of exceptional people in Isya during the Age of Apoline is Angel Gammer. At the fitting age, she enrolled for loans from a guild Parfait. Most guilds in this time were dedicated to comparing might of battle in "wars." "Person versus Person" combat, known to them as PvP, has become a big deal. By contrast, Parfait was a philanthropy guild. With their help, Angel joined the clerical academy.

The Second Skin is a mysterious phenomena which protects its users in a layer of protective energy. Where the elves use nature and are the archers and mages of Isya, humans looked into their own races for empowerment, becoming the fighters and clerics of Isya. Clerics are a class built around using the Second Skin for preservation of life. They harnessed the power of nature not to throw fireballs or thunder bolts, but to stimulate the body's regeneration. In other words, clerics can heal wounds and other bodily afflictions. Because of this, many clerics resign themselves to lives of assisting others.

In the Age of Apoline, clerics have begun to integrate their healing abilities into combat. The earliest clerics used any blunt object around to defend themselves when under attack. In time, maces were fashioned and became a part of clerical training. The modern era sees clerics now using hammers. I'm talking about big hammers! Dense and with impact surfaces as big as your head! A cleric trained in using a hammer can not only defend her or himself, but even slay monsters efficiently.

For Angel, a mace was good enough. Her head full of romantic thoughts, she sought not to be aggressive but to stay back and only offer assistance to those who need it. Perhaps then she could meet somebody to fulfill her life.

-

It was a day of no particular importance when Angel's school for clerics joined the other three schools for a training exercise. Angel took her seat in the Elderine cathedral. Not because the clerics are a particularly religious people, it just so happens that the master of the clerical school was also a priestess.

"Listen well, children..." announced Paladin Master Keast. At this point in time, she was a middle-aged woman, short and of pale complexion, garbed in holy robes, her golden hair well on its way to a wise gray. "Today you will be taken to Forest of Tides. The healer in Roumen has issued a bounty on the King Crab that has been disrupting her deliveries. The council has decided that it is a fitting task for testing out the strength of the up-and-coming students."

Angel herself was a bright-eyed young woman at the time. Of average height and build, she wore her cleric's suit of armor proudly. She was a rather naïve person, despite the intelligence that shines in her mature, narrow amethyst eyes and sharp chin. In contrast, her dark green hair was pulled back into a long ponytail. She stood out next to the big fountain in Elderine where all the schools meet when they need to. By lottery, Angel was part of a full group of other students and they were walking to where they needed to be.

"It looks like we're going to be partying up for this training exercise!" Said Angel, exercising her extroversion, "My name is Angel. What are all yours?"

The blonde, statue-esque young man fighter turned and smiled widely, "Nice to meetcha. I'm Marty."

A mage young man, short and soft of features, including short dark red hair and the elfin batwing pointed ears, looked around and at Angel. "Calhan."

The other cleric of the group, a young man with slicked back bright blue hair took his turn, "dolf."

The last member of the group, a surly-looking young woman fighter with long dark brown hair, seemed to not be paying attention. Marty jabbed her with the hilt of his sword, which she scowled at him for doing. Now that everybody was looking at her, she might as well have said it, "Ruby."

"I'm gonna marry her some day and THEN she'll calm down!" Marty proclaimed with a laugh. Ruby rolled her eyes, keeping her focus forward. Had a man said that about HER, Angel would have blushed. There was no such thing on Ruby's face. Only the disdain.

-

Magic in Isya had made things so convenient that it was a matter of walking to the Warp Guard to arrive in Roumen, another major city, and then walking to a Warp GATE to be sent to Forest of Tides. It was an area very appropriately named, for to come from Roumen you'll find yourself in a path surrounded by tall trees and lush flora. However, the part of the area of interest was past the hills to the west. From there the Forest became the Tides. Miles of glistening sand littered with enormous clams, starfish, and crabs. There was a cool wind that blew around the salty smell that kept everybody on the height of their wits.

Angel was ready. She had practiced casting Heal spells and was determined that nobody under her watch worried about their health for a single second.

A single high cleric apprentice had been sent to oversee the training, just in case there were injuries. "Somewhere in this beach is the King Crab we're looking for. If we can beat it back to its island or kill it, that should make it safe for the healer's suppliers to harvest again. Stay in your parties and when you find it, give a shout. Second Skin will pick it up and we'll be right there."

The three parties of five began to comb the beach. As was expected, Ruby attempted to keep to herself but could not shake off Marty's advances. Dolf, on the other hand, unceremoniously just broke away from the party as if he weren't in one. That left Calhan within conversation distance.

"Are you part of a guild?" Angel asked so that the waves weren't only thing filling the silence.

Calhan nodded, "Of course I am! My father pulled some connections to get me in the academy of the Isyan Vanguardians. They've represented Isya in the international guild wars for the past three years. In a row!" At this point, the young mage was beaming, "Everybody's saying that until a new guild comes along, or any of the founders of IV leave, there's no reason to compete against them."

Angel feinted looking around for King Crab to cover her glazed-over eyes. "That's pretty cool. I guess you want to be a PvP mage then?"

Calhan scoffed, "As if there was any other way to go. I mean, what is there to do in this country? Kill monsters. Everybody does that! Be a merchant? That's like saying you quit life."

A blue crab, as big as either of them, walked between them. It didn't feel its territory needed protecting. Angel looked back at it before returning to the conversation at hand, "Are you ever happy with just what you have?"

The snicker Calhan emitted made Angel feel cold, "You've got to be kidding. What I HAVE will always be inferior to what I COULD have. To settle, I might as well cut my throat."

Well, that was enough of that. Angel walked faster. The tone of her increased pace was not lost on Calhan, who reached out a hand, "Oh! No offense!"

Angel turned around, a little red in the face, and was about to speak her mind when a distant "help" took them both by surprise.

Instead of speaking her mind, Angel whirled around again and yelped, "That was Dolf!"

A hike in the direction of the shout brought Angel and Calhan to where Marty and Ruby were standing before a crustacean monster. Its ocean-blue body was shaped like a large, slanted teardrop and it had thin, but strong insect-like legs and two eyes were perched on top of flesh wires. It wasn't necessarily towering over anybody, but still the most noticeable aspect of this beast was its enormous pincers, one of which was holding up Dolf. This was the King Crab, all right.

"Don't worry about healing us!" shouted Marty, "I want to make sure your Second Skin holds until the proctor gets here!"

Dolf actually looked annoyed. "i thot i cud solo it but i lagged lame."

'Soloing' is what it is called when an adventurer fights a monster by her or himself. 'Lag' is what it is referred to when a person's abilities are improperly executed or slow, either by lack of concentration or poor communication with the elements.

"You did NOT lag." Ruby growled, "You're just an idiot. And speak properly for Teva's sake!"

"u dont have to b an ***" Dolf murmured back.

Ruby gave Dolf that said she's rather leave him to get crushed to death. She then turned to Marty, casting a look to the approaching Angel and Calhan before doing so, "What I'd like to know is how a monster got the idea to immobilize its enemy instead of just lashing out like monsters normally do."

Marty squeezed the hilt of his sword, "As if that matters now. It's less likely we'll just be chasing it off now."

"Right," Ruby concurred and took a few steps forward, "stand back, I'm going to get its attention and tank it."

'Tanking' is a term used for the action of taking a monster's attention and being the focus of its attacks, freeing up any other party members to attack or heal.

"You sure about that?" Marty chuckled.

"Yes. I'm the one trained in defensive combat."

"Yeah, and I'm the one with the scroll."

Ruby narrowed her eyes in contempt at seeing Marty pull from his bag a bright blue scroll. "Where did you get that?" she snapped, "You know we're not supposed to be using those while in training!"

"I bought it with my own money." Marty sighed, but then opened a single eye and tossed the scroll to Ruby, "Here. Like you said, you're better suited for it."

Ruby caught the scroll with an impatient swipe of her hand, "Thank you." She unfurled the scroll and then slapped it on her chest. The blue parchment resonated with the action and floated above Ruby.

Dolf rose his hand to heal his Second Skin again, afterward calling down, "omg wat r u doing u noobs"

Though 'OMG' was a term to express shock, the rest of the party took more offense to being called 'noobs,' the most derogatory term in all of Isya. To call one a noob was to call them incompetent beyond forgiveness. Often, the ones who use the word are the bigger examples themselves.

"I swear," Ruby growled, "If he continues to speak in that Rayninite degenerate dialect, I will attack HIM instead. Now that the scroll has buffered by Second Skin to be more tolerant to damage, can I count on your abilities?"

Angel took notice that Ruby was speaking over the shoulder to her and Calhan, "Y-yes! Of course!"

"In that case, I'm going!"

Ruby rushed the King Crab straight on, brandishing her sword and shield. She struck the beast a few times to let it know she was serious. Once the King Crab began bashing at Ruby's shield, Marty gave the signal to the other two that it was time to attack. Calhan stood within a safe distance and waved his wand to launch at the King Crab projectiles of pure force known as Magic Missile. Marty took to the King Crab like Ruby had, scratching at its armored body in an attempt to find a weak spot. He then motioned for Angel to also start attack to try and crack the shell.

"Just make sure you keep Ruby standing, all right?"

Dolf made a noise that the rest supposed was supposed to be a laugh, "she not pvp cleric she useless only good for heal"

"USELESS!?" Angel shouted to the cleric above.

Calhan called over his spells, "Ignore him, please!"

"YOU'RE ONE TO TALK!!"

"Calm down." Ruby demanded. She looked back after her shield absorbed a pincer strike, "You mean to tell me you'll take seriously somebody who speaks like that?"

"u all noobs" said Dolf.

"I believe my point has proven itself."

Angel even got a laugh out of that. She didn't need Dolf's, or even Calhan's approval to be the sort of cleric she wanted to be. She rose her mace to heal Ruby's Second Skin again, then gave a shout as she whirled her mace above her head, preparing the cleric's Bash attack, and struck a concussive blow into the King Crab's shell. Upon contact, there was an explosion of light and all that remained was a crack on the shell.

Marty certainly took notice of that. "Amazing!" he complimented, "Have you been trained in critical?"

'Critical' is a skill common in Isyan combat where at seemingly arbitrary times, the Second Skin will gather strength and make the impact of an attack twice as great.

"I have..." Angel muttered, surprised herself, "Keast told me that if I do not train my strength, I should at least have something combat-related to help in dire times."

"Take pride!" Marty proclaimed, "You've opened the way for victory right now."

Angel grinned wide and looked up, "How's THAT for useless?"

"noob"

At that point, however, the party had pretty much forgotten about Dolf.

They continued to strike at the King Crab, Ruby holding the attention of its free claw effortlessly, until finally, Marty managed to stab his sword through the cracks in the armor. The beat gave a shrill, deep cry, but it wouldn't save it. Marty pushed the sword as far as he could. The metal tore into the King Crab fatally. With a final shriek, the beast fell on it side. Dolf was released and fell into the sand.

"FINALLY" he yelped, "im find new party this succcks lol"

It was common for those who speak in the Rayninite degenerate dialect to use the word 'LOL,' indicating a tone of humor, as if it were punctuation. In this case, it seemed that Dolf was trying to laugh at the rest of his party. The only person it made sense to was him. Nobody stopped him from running off toward the middle of the beach.

"FINALLY!" mocked Marty, imitating the expression, "Just another one for the black list, I guess." He looked for a response from Ruby, but she wasn't even looking his way.

[captaingammer]

In fact, when Marty looked in the same direction, he also tensed up. Calhan was the most tense, because there was a knife at his throat.

"We got some strong ones here, 'ey?" said the man behind Calhan. He was vulture-like, hunched over with a sharp nose and chin pointing down. He was garbed in shorts, shoes, and a vest of the same gray color. The bandana on his head clearly identified him as a pirate. "The world could keep spinnin' without a few of its interchangeable brats, it would." The knife was pressed against Calhan's skin. A swift motion would cut right through the Second Skin and beyond.

If only the pirate had gotten the chance. Instead, Angel's mace dismissed him from his position. A Bash to the pirate's temple toppled him over. The momentum cause the knife to scrape Calhan's neck, but only resulting in a reddened scratch as the worst. Calhan still shouted "AH!" and clutched his neck.

"Oh god I'm sorry!" Angel yelped, raising her mace to Calhan. Light descended on him and a sensation passed over his scratch that felt like a cool wind which soothed the burning of his scratch. When it had passed over, it took that scratch and its burning with it.

Calhan breathed a few times, "It was about to be worse. You saved me." There wasn't a drop of gratitude on that voice... More like he was coping with having been saved.

"You ARE strong ones, aren’t you?"

The party turned to see a new crowd arrive. The pirate had joined his crew. A taller, more muscular man, a woman with tanned skin and pink hair, and a girl dressed in white. The other two were dressed in more visibly pirate-like attire while the girl's white leather and gallon hat made her look distinguished.

It was the girl who had spoken before, for she spoke again, lifting her head and revealing her lighter green hair down to her chin, "You MUST be strong. Otherwise, you're arrogant. Which one of you was the tank, again?"

Marty held up a hand to keep Ruby from being noble, but she completely disregarded it and stepped past him, "I am."

"I love tanks," the girl muttered, holding a rapier in one hand and stroking it tip with the other, "They're the most surprised when I kill them."

Against anyone else's better judgment, Ruby grimaced in annoyance and shouted back, "You're just a child!"

The girl grinned, "And you're juvenile."

In moments, the girl had dashed in front of Ruby. In the same moment, she pivoted on her toes to twirl. Her rapier spun at the same rate, raking Ruby several times. When the girl planted her second foot down, Ruby's head hung and she bore her teeth, otherwise not moving.

"Crap!!" Marty shouted, kicking the sand to catch up, "She's been stunned!!"

Relying on Second Skin in Isya comes with its drawbacks. For instance, if an attacker uses excessive force in too little a time, it will be tricked into thinking the user has been incapacitated. It will lock up without becoming impervious to damage. The person inside will be unable to move and is rendered 'stunned' for a few seconds.

The girl, knowing the routine of the whole 'rushing in to save' scenario, didn't bother to wait and just jabbed at Ruby. Had it not been for Ruby's defensive training and the Second Skin, the rapier would have pierced her through her stomach and out her back, easily. Instead, the Second Skin held and Ruby was shoved back into the sand.

"Ah, well..." the girl mused, "I guess we all can't be so blessed with criticals, can we?"

"SHUT UP!" Marty howled, pounding his sword down in the first strike of a duel.

Angel stopped at Ruby and rose her mace to heal. Ruby's left hand had been clenched which caused her Second Skin to shimmer red over her wounds. Angel's Heal was what allowed Ruby the strength to return to her feet.

"Thank you." Ruby said upon standing upright, "She... She's not a typical Isyan. I can't put my finger on where I've heard of a pirate girl before, though."

They both watched Marty spar with the girl. Despite her boots, she was very agile, not fearing Marty's blade a single moment. On the other hand, Marty's strength-emphasized style left him very open to Mara's attack, which she scraped and stabbed on him. Angel was on her way to make sure Marty's Second Skin kept in good health, and while she did that, Marty kept his left fist clenched, stimulating his Second Skin to patch up the most pressing wounds.

Calhan growled, "I'm ending this!!" and took a mighty step forward, conjuring a Fireball spell in his dominant hand, "Die!!"

The fireball sailed with ideal aim past Marty and plowed into the girl. Rather, her rapier. Despite dueling Marty, she had enough time to deflect the majority of the fireball's effect. Her face, midriff, and clothes were covered in burns and soot, but the girl on the whole looked just as fit to fight as before.

"Dammit!" Marty cursed, stepping back and reaching into his back to produce two more scrolls, one of them dark blue and another bright green. He broke the seals on them and slapped them on the opposite shoulders. The dark blue would enhance his Second Skin's ability to perceive an opponent's dodging, and the bright green would in turn promote the Second Skin's dodging abilities. In other words, Marty had enhanced his aim and evasion.

The girl clicked her tongue, "Is that what you Isyans must resort to? Tell me, is there an individual behind those buffers?"

Naturally, Marty did not take kindly to that. Even though he performed better in the duel with his buffer - shorthand 'buff' - scrolls, the girl's agility and stun would have killed him several times over had Angel not been healing. In fact, it was as if the girl was not aiming to kill, but just show off.

The action broke when several spells and arrows came flying from behind Marty. Most of the other students and even the proctor had finally come. They flung their attacks with reckless abandon, as if in target practice.

The girl sighed with playful regret, "It would appear that I'm outmatched now. I'd say something about how I look forward to playing with you again another time, but I don't want to sound like a fiction novel. So I shall just say 'farewell!'"

The ensuing chase did not last long. By the time the girl and the people with her had jumped on a tugboat and sailed away, the proctor was more concerned about the wellbeing of the students.

-

Despite having the most to celebrate, the party that had killed the King Crab was the quietest of all in the walk back to Elderine. They had no wounds and they were to receive the highest marks, but Marty had a wounded pride to nurse. Ruby was reluctantly nudged toward him to offer some poorly delivered comfort. Her lack of tact did not affect Marty's appreciation for her efforts.

Angel talked with those two on the way back, then noticed Calhan keeping to himself. When she parted from the fighters, she walked to him.

"Is everything okay?" She asked upon approach.

Calhan looked off in thought for a moment before merely uttering, "... Yeah."

Could it hurt him to not be so simple and easy to read? "Uh-huh. What's on your mind?"

True to Angel's preconceived notions, Calhan was (or acted) surprised that she picked up on his feelings. With another melodramatic sigh, he explained, "I'm... sorry."

"Sorry...?" Angel echoed, very intrigued.

"I should have been more careful. If you hadn't been there, I would have just burdened the party. How careless did I have to be to get snuck up on like that? If I let that happen to me in a guild war, the Vanguardians would never let me on the representing team."

"Ah," muttered Angel back, disappointed, "yeah, of course, it... happens."

Calhan saw Angel's downcast expression and swallowed his pride, "I'm also sorry for what I said earlier. About people who settle."

That got her attention. "You... what?"

"I mean, I have my way of thinking about things, but that doesn't give me permission to just stomp all over another person's preferences, right? All that stuff about always striving for better, that's how everybody in the Vanguardians talks. I guess it's so easy because there's nobody in that guild who has a different opinion."

"Thank you, Calhan. That WAS getting to me before. Or did you not notice?"

"I also notice that you are a very nice person. I hope you didn't think I didn't like you or anything."

"Oh..." There's that blush. "Thank you. You're not so bad when you're not having a huge ego about PvP."

"Oh... thanks." Calhan laughed with a roll of his eyes. Seeing Angel's laugh gave him the courage to ask what he had to ask next, "I don't need to go home right away. Do you... Do you want to stop by Kenton's and talk over potions?"

"Er- You mean like a date?"

"I'd be lying if I said it weren't."

Calhan's face, that smile, with the mounting confidence and kindness, was a picture framed in Angel's mind for all time. There was plenty about a person you'll be surprised about as you get to know them more. For instance, as Calhan advanced as a mage, his became a more aggressive person. He was still a kind person with many connections, but he did show no mercy in PvP, as was the standard. He took a lot of pride in being a top Vanguardian representative, but never imposed it over Angel. There were a few times when he poked fun at her weapon not being refined or how long it took her to slay a monster, but it was all in good fun.

In fact, Angel had surprised others, as well. She often joined Calhan in his PvP training to brush up on her own combat skills, and to have something to do with him. She never became the PvP champion that people always said would be his ideal woman, but he assured her that didn't matter. She had grown up to be a woman strong of will and body. Concentrating solely on her work, she ascended the ranks of the cleric class, learning the skills required to be a high cleric, and eventually, was one of the first recognized paladins on the roster of her guild, Parfait, excelling in quests and rescue operations. She was a household name in Elderine and even the port town Roumen. Her endearing girth from her youth was gone and replaced with a physical fitness that she never would have known what to do with before.

Something else Angel never anticipated was how eager and passionate a lover Calhan was. The subject of making love was an awkward one between the two of them, but when the mood did strike them, they made the most of it. It was due to the friendship they had that there was no need to impress, which caused the most impressive results of all. Even if it weren't the cornerstone of their relationship, they would be nights that defined how special what they had was. Not for a single moment did Angel see their future as anything less than a perfect ending. She'd given him everything, from her time to her affections to her heart to her body.

Thus, she had almost cut her wrist with her letter opener when the last thing of Calhan's she would ever see again would be a piece of paper in his handwriting.

Angel,

I won't lie to you or withhold the truth. I have moved to Rayne. We both are independent people and I know we both still have plenty to our lives outside of each other.

I know how much you love Isya. I also know that I would be well beyond my limits to even suggest that you move. That's why I've cut the arguments and the breakups, which I know we both don't need.

I love you. I know it probably doesn't mean anything now, but I really do love you. That is why I have done this.

Goodbye,
Calhan

Angel's hands shook and she felt her bile rising when she read the word 'Goodbye' as the first thing she saw on the page. She managed to whinny through her trembling lip, "I would have followed you... I would have GLADLY followed you. Without a second thought! As natural as breathing! No stuttering, no looking back, no semblance of doubt! Only complete devotion! I WOULD HAVE FOLLOWED YOU!!"

-

The months that followed were numb for Angel. She moved to Roumen to be closer to her guild's headquarters and for a change of surroundings. It wasn't long when she consistently felt ill in the morning. When she was called in to get a diagnosis from the Roumen healer, she had no wild expectations. The cause was probably just the new atmosphere.

Already Angel received bad premonitions when she entered the office. The healer knew Angel's situation, so what she had to say had her reclining and otherwise displaying stressed and apprehensive body language. Of course, doctors often used that in jest, so Angel was completely unaware of what the healer had to say.

A conversation had occurred, but as soon as Angel heard the words "You're pregnant," nothing before or after mattered. The very moment, the very SECOND she let her guard down and considered living without the weight of what Calhan did on her shoulders, it crushed her hardest of all.

The healer, of course, saw her very visible stress at this situation and must have offered some comfort or consolations. Angel wished she could have let the healer know that it was appreciated, but in that moment, this child brewing in her was all-consuming.

The only thing that Angel registered was a relevant question, "Are you going to keep it?"

She looked at the healer, wearing a cryptic expression that demanded she be left alone, but was a desperate cry for help at the same time.

It was the start of a new life, for sure.

[captaingammer]

The Age of Apoline

Prologue III: Cons Gammer

"Are we all ready!?" called Naya, Parfait's leader, "The longer we wait, the worse the fire will spread!"

Angel strapped her mail on tight and pulled her hair up into a verdant ponytail. She most certainly was ready.

She had a few years in Roumen under her belt now. Being closer to Parfait HQ and free of academies and training and the like allowed her to be a more active member of the guild. As such, she freely joins every effort and rescue. With so much of her life dedicated to selfish endeavors and goals, she felt it was time to give back.

The friends she made while in the academy were still in her close circle and she always kept in contact. Ruby and Marty, in particular, remained some of her closest. Taking a few breaths and mace swings to prepare herself for the task ahead, Angel smiled widely when she saw another good friend enter the room. "Wishis!!"

Wishis was a tall and slender mage with tremendous presence. She defied the humility of her class in her own way by wearing hot pink leather for every garment. In particular, shorts that ended in light blue arrow-like points, and a top cut above the belly with a very wide cape-like collar that reached up to the level of her forehead. The outfit was complete with the pink boots and elaborate wrist guards. Her skin was light of color to an extent which passed fair; a graceful bone marrow white, matching her untamed mane of hair. Her body was sharp of features and mature, even intimidating with her eyes displaying a crimson hue.

For right now, there were only jubilations between the two women as they held each others' arms and kissed each others' cheeks. A quiet moment of lingering remained afterward, but it was short. A time when there would be more than that had long passed.

"Where have you been?" Angel asked, leaving the grave situation aside, "It'll be so good to have you back in Parfait again."

Wishis responded with a bittersweet smile, "This is my last hurrah. Don't-! Don't give me that look. I have a good reason. The best reason."

"Everybody listen up!!" Naya called again with the same tone of joy.

"Thanks." Wishis muttered, a tinge of pink now on her cheeks, addressing the guild, "Anyway, I've been gone a while. Here's why: The old Enchanter Master is stepping down. The Henneath Alliance got together to decide on a successor. My name got brought up, and they pulled me for some screening! Effective yesterday, I'm now the head instructor of the Mage academy!"

The guild erupted into cheers, applause, whistles and whoops.

Wishis giggled with ecstatic joy and turned to Angel, "Can you imagine? Me! A teacher!"

Angel held her friend's arm and smiled, "You'll be the best in the academy's history."

A tear glistened on Wishis's cheek before it was swept away. The new Enchanter Master looked to her friend, "Thank you."

-

The hike to ground zero was perilous. There was no warp directly there, so the guild had to pass through Elderine's derelict abandoned prison grounds and the even MORE monster-infested execution grounds. Their destination was a forest past the execution grounds, a location not marked on any map.

Wishised sniffed audibly, "I can smell smoke already."

"Listen up!" Called Naya from the front of the pack. Though her attire was a much unfitting school girl outfit, her seriousness for her post was undeniable, "This fire threatens not only the forest, but the plant and animal life around it. Even Elderine, eventually. We're about to come up on it. Everybody separate yourselves into parties."

Angel and Wishis held each others' hands for a moment, the stones in their palms touching and establishing a connection between both of their Second Skins. They would know each others' status and locations until the bond was broken.

Naya continued, "Apparently, a Rayninite criminal guard followed a sect of Karasian cultists from Forest of Mist. They tried to smoke them out of a trench and, well, here we are."

"Bloody Rayninites..." muttered a guild member.

"Ahem. This place is a breeding ground for Archon Juniors. Therefore, self defense is priority one. Otherwise, I don't want to see any mages casting anything other than Ice Blast on the biggest flames!"

Around the next corner, there was no need to ask where the fire is. Rising above the wall of forest was a pillar of smoke.

"This is BAD!!" Naya bellowed, "Let's GO!!"

Every party charged into the forest at once, fanning out to surround and contain the area which was marked by the smoke. Shortly in, sounds of dull thuds and screams were heard. Angel had hardly any time to ask before a member shouted, "ARCHONS!!"

From the smoke emerged a person-sized bird. Yellow feathers and a wide back, as if meant to be mounted. This was an Archon Junior, all right, and it was followed by a bunch of its kin. The Archon Juniors, sent into fits of madness by the fire, bowled over the mages and archers of Parfait, who hadn't been prepared. One stray Archron Junior marched toward Wishis, out of its mind. Wishis hunkered back but noticed her Second Skin shimmering an indomitable yellow-green. Wishis then brandished her oak staff, preparing a more powerful spell. The Archon rammed into Wishis, immediately reeling backwards, as if it had hit a brick wall. The Invincible spell Angel had cast worked perfectly.

"You've still got it." Wishis complimented, sending a wink back at Angel. She then focused her attention forward. With a heave of her arms, Wishis commanded the elements and sent a torrent of frigid winds and large chunks of ice that extinguished some fires and the Archon Juniors' violent rage.

Angel exhaled theatrically, "That was tough. One patch of fire gone, only one tip-less iceberg to go."

Wishis shared that grim sentiment, "Fun."

And Archon Junior burst from the bushes to Angel's side. Her amethyst eyes caught it and directly after Wishis had called, 'Angel!!' the astute Paladin had revealed her mace and clipped the Archon Junior on the side of the head. The bird fell to the ground, rolled, and ran off. She couldn't help but notice Wishis's astounded face.

"That was sexy."

-

The operation went well. Wishis had backed up her Enchanter Master status by putting out and containing most of the fire. Angel continued to defy the modern stereotypes of clerics as only being healers by even saving Wishis the pleasure of an Archon's forehead at top speed. Angel noticed something in the middle of a particularly tree-impaired field.

"This looks like... Wood?"

Wishis raised an eyebrow. Thankfully, she held her tongue from any snarky remarks.

"BUILDING wood! Materials!"

"OH!" Wishis blurted, taking a closer look, "It does! And there's more!"

Indeed, there were rows and stacks and fallen rooms in the clearing. Angel gulped, "I think there were people living here." Under Wishis's agreeing hum, Angel heard something else. "What was that?"

"What was what?"

Wishis got the hand of silence. For a moment the only sound between them was of the raging fire; and then a knocking. Both women perked at the sound of it and followed it. They trained their ears to the soft but abrupt sound. When it was loudest, Angel scanned the area. Only debris and fire... and am armoire!

"Wishis!!" She called, pointing with her mace.

"On it!"

One strenuous cast later, the Ice Blast and the fire cancelled each other out and Angel approached the armoire. There was nothing, and then the knock. Angel fumbled around to find the handles for the armoire, but found nothing but a flat surface held together by the melted handles.

"Dammit!" she swore, pulling out her fallback, her mace. "That dresser might be flame retardant, but I doubt it can resist ME! Stay away from the top!"

Angel allowed whoever was inside the armoire a few second to get down, then lifted her mace and delivered a Bash to the top half of the armoire's doors. Beneath them, she saw... a tear drop-shaped purple mouth with two eyes which were literally beads, and a charmingly cleft mouth. There was a SLIME inside the armoire!? Angel dismissed that when she saw a pair of white gloved hands come from below to reach out. It was a child wearing a slime helmet! She reached back to pull the child out.

"OH, GOD!!"

Angel whirled around, to look at Wishis. "What!? What is it!?"

Wishis didn't turn around, "The Rayninites didn't screw up! The Karasians summoned a Flame Walker!!"

Indeed, the fire in front of Wishis parted to reveal its source. Visually, the Flame Walker was nothing more than a ball of fire with much smaller balls of fire orbiting it. It boiled with intense heat and filled the clearing with the smell of sulfur. It did not have an agenda. It just floated around and occasionally burst out a wave of heat. It did so as soon as it emerged, incinerating what it didn't set ablaze.

Angel held her palms together to send a shout to the rest of the guild, "Emergency. We have a Flame Walker. A FLAME WALKER AT 6F. This is not a drill, not a joke. Everybody get here NOW."

"It's coming this way..." Wishis muttered with a mounting voice. She backed up, then turned around and ran back to Angel's position.

Both women listened to a response from Naya, "We can't get there any time soon. Hold your positions."

While Wishis groaned at the situation, Angel knelt to the child in the armoire. "Do not worry. My name is Angel Gammer. I am a cleric. We're getting out of this alive."

The child nodded its head, at least as well at it would with the slime helmet on. That helmet, as well as the robes, pants, and gloves, were all fireproof. At least as far as Angel could recognize. It was well off for the child, for at that moment the Flame Walker flared again. Angel and Wishis would have suffered severe burns if their Second Skins hadn't held.

One logical thing to do would have been to take the child now and run, but this child was living in a forest. Did it even HAVE a Second Skin? A single flare could kill the child. Therefore, there was only one thing for Angel to do. She screamed with determination and ran at the Flame Walker.

"Holy-!!" Wishis cried in surprise, but jumped right after. She knew what Angel was doing and why. Even if she didn't, she respected her friend's judgment. The only real concern was how the hell they were actually going to DO this.

Regardless, Angel acted. She ran at the Flame Walker and had no inhibitions about Bashing it. The Flame Walker, instead of standing its ground, was knocked back as if made of rubber. It let out a flare as it was propelled back by the momentum of the strike, knocking Angel off her feet and forcing Wishis to stand firm. Angel wasn't down long. She rose her mace to heal her Second Skin and continued on.

The child in the armoire peeked out just to watch for brief pops up. It saw Angel keeping the Flame Walker in one place and being right at the center of the flares while Wishis launched Ice Blasts and Ice Bolt spells between them. Both women were taking a beating, and the heat finally caught up to them. Wishis's body and Angel's face were covered in burns, soot, and sweat. Yet they continued to beat on the Flame Walker. More and more, Angel rose her mace. As time went on, she did so to soothe the burns on her body and try to rid herself of rashes.

With each cast of Wishis's spells, more steam rose. Angel kept her left hand clenched, giving her Second Skin red shimmers which Wishis kept her right hand in a fist, creating blue shimmers. "Come... ON!!" the Enchanter Master shouted, thrusting her arms toward the Flame Walker again. The Ice Blast hit its mark, making the most steam rise, and among the hissing, a dire crackling.

[captaingammer]

Angel flinched when she heard a thud where the Flame Walker was positioned in the smoke. What would make a Flame Walker make such a sound? As it turned out, it was the best thing she could have asked for in that moment. The Flame Walker had hardened into a ball of solid rock. This was the opportunity, and Angel was prepared to strike in the most literal sense. With her mace she grazed the top of the hardened Flame Walker with the cleric's Bleed skill, a swipe with the force to penetrate. Then, a move which Wishis couldn't have believed if she didn't see, Angel hastily dropped the mace and produced from her inventory a shimmering hammer. With it Angel swept the top again, the Trip skill, which took off the top of the Flame Walker.

Should Wishis have been around Angel more, she would have known that in recent years, her romantic healer fantasy had faded in favor of a more solo-oriented approach. Thus, Angel made more extensive use of hammers.

The Flame Walker's core was exposed now, for this was how elemental monsters are made: with cursed crystals that harness the elements around them and form a consciousness. By the will of Angel's hammer, this Flame Walker was no more. She lifted her hammer and used the reliable Bash ability. The hammer struck its target true, shattering the crystal and reducing what was left of the Flame Walker to a pile of rocks.

For a few moments, time seemed to stand still. First of all, they're alive. Second, they did a duo kill on a Flame Walker! It was no small feat. Angel and Wishis met each other half way to lean on each other a moment for moral support. Once the moment was over, it was back to work. Wishis went back to putting out fire (A much more rewarding endeavor sans the Flame Walker) and Angel hopped over to the armoire.

"You can come out now," she said to the child inside, "It's safe with me."

To Angel's surprise, the child was prompt and responsive. It climbed out of the armoire, and took Angel's hand. She was surprised, but accepted it just as quickly. It made her heart ache to see the child look around at the remaining flames, the slime helmet rotating around, the beady eyes moist. Angel wasn't sure if it was a good idea to remind the child that its home was burnt and burning. Then again, it wasn't as if the child had forgotten already. Angel placed her hand on the slime helmet, but the child's tightened grip on her hand and the low whine stayed it.

-

Parfait had returned to Roumen and medical attention was sought after for the child. Along the way, Angel couldn't help but notice the child looking at all the people along the way. The child took glimpses, as if taking a tally. By the time they got to the healer, it was just Angel, Wishis, and the child. What was strangest was what happened when they entered the healer's office.

While discussing where the child was found, it stepped forward, "Um... can I talk to her for a second?"

Angel and Wishis in particular were taken by this development. Furthermore, it was WISHIS the child wished to speak to. No reason was offered.

"You go do that," Angel said aside to Wishis, "I'm going to quickly check with Ruby and Cora."

Wishis grinned at the second name, "How old is she now?"

The grin spread to Angel, "Five. Ruby proudly hates kids, but tolerates Cora just fine. She might even LIKE her!"

"Oh, that one. Ruby." The women shared a laugh. Wishis turned away, "See you in a few."

After 'a few' had passed and Angel passed through the door into the healer's office again, she saw Wishis and the healer engaged in what looked to be a serious discussion. "How's the kid?"

The other two seemed to be startled at Angel's entrance, but regained composure. Wishis spoke first, "Her name is Cons."

That was a bit to take in at once. Angel smiled, "Cons! ... 'Her?'"

"Yes..." Muttered the healer, "and she's a clean bill of health. At least that's what I could tell from her Second Skin. She didn't have one, and would only let Wishis fit her into one in private."

"That's odd."

"What's worse," Wishis chimed in turn, "she refuses to take the slime helmet off. She doesn't want to take ANYTHING off unless she absolutely has to. Not even those gloves. The only way we got her out of those robes was by offering her a change of clothes. Of course, we couldn't be trusted to look away while she changed and had to leave. It was bizarre."

The healer hummed, "My first thought is that perhaps the fire had traumatized her, and that is how she's coping."

"Maybe..." Angel muttered, looking into a distant room where Cons was sitting on a table, swinging her legs. "Poor thing."

The healer cleared her throat, "If what you says is true, that Cons was the only person you found in that forest - alive - then if you're not adopting her, you'll have to take her to the Caretakers guild. I don't know if you're aware, but they've become such a successful orphanage that it is now LAW to take any lost children to them."

Angel looked back to the healer, "I'll take her. I might as well see this through.

-


Cons was well provided for with the Caretakers. Despite the hospitality, it hadn't changed her much from when she had been first found. She was still quiet, but still nice when talked to, and was never, ever seen without fully covering clothing and the slime helmet. As she grew up, the only words of comfort in her most stressful memory, stuck out...

"My name is Angel Gammer. I am a cleric."

The word 'cleric' had been burned into Cons's mind since then, and knew of the only way to satiate the obsession; In only a few years, Cons had dedicated herself to the cleric way and ascended to the rank of High Cleric. The fact that clerics tended to wear full body armor was merely a big plus.

"It's so hot under these!" Complained Casa, one of Cons's consistent classmates, "Fighters are the direct combat specialists and look at what THEY wear!"

Cons lifted her arms in a shoulder-less shrug, "Fighters have ridiculously resilient Second Skin and the physiques to survive anything that gets past it. The average cleric needs the armor since the healer staying alive is important. After all, you don't see me complaining."

"That's because you're not human. You're a slime who took over somebody's body."

"Uh huh. Now that you know, you have to die."

Casa began to fake fear until his expression turned to something more sincere. Cons saw he was looking past her so she turned around. Predictably, the object of Casa's affection was a girl.

They both looked to where Enchanter Master Wishis was giving a public lecture to the new mage class, off in the mage's corner of the Elderine fountain. Casa pointed out, in particular, to a girl on the left side of the half-circle. She was a new mage, dressed in the purple mage's novice shirt with the indecently deep neck line, and red pants with a purple cape from the belt. This girl had her hair in a rare short-layered haircut which was of a forest green color that was very familiar to Cons. The icing on the cake of this fantasy was the pair of round glasses that sat on her nose in front of her healthy cheeks and emerald eyes. Like all mages, her thin frame and ears shaped like a bat's wing proudly identified her as elfin. The girl was currently chatting up Wishis and smiling and laughing happily.

Cons chuckled, "She's fetching. Do you have to wreck her innocence?"

"Cons! Give me a break for a moment, please! That is Cora Gammer, and she's the kindest person I've been grouped with for a training exercise." Casa continued to fawn when he saw Cons had frozen, "... What?"

"Gammer!?" Cons blurted suddenly, "Cora Gammer!? As in related to the paladin Angel Gammer!?"

Casa rose an intrigued eyebrow, "Yeah... I think. Strong-looking woman with green hair and face paint?"

"THAT'S HER!!" Shouted Cons, grabbing Casa's shoulders and showing more enthusiasm than all the culminated clerical academy had seen combined, "And that's her daughter!?"

"Yes!" Casa yelped, "Now let go! You're scaring me!!"

Cons unhanded Casa recklessly, the "sorry" she said afterward feeling more like a formality. So Angel has a daughter... How can she have been going to the clerical academy in Elderine for so long and never see Angel check up on her daughter? It didn't matter now. Cons had no idea what she was going to say to Cora, but her legs were already on a rail to the young mage, so she'd have to play it by ear.

The lecture was over and the mages were dispersing. Cons's mind was swirling with all possibilities and contingencies, even as her mouth formed the word "Hello!" The slime helmet's adorable permanent smile will be her poker face.

Cora turned her head to look back, and then turned the rest of herself around. Predictably, she was taken aback by the slimehead staring back. "Oh, hi!"

There were voices conflicting and contrasting each other, all screaming in Cons's head, but she defied them for a simple, "My name is Cons," and extending a hand to shake.

Cora smiled brightly and shook, "I'm Cora!" Her voice, high and light, fit her; contrasting with the deeper and muffled voice of Cons.

"I know who you are," said Cons back, making her voice warm, "you're mother is a great woman."

Casa spoke up over Cons's shoulder, "Hi Cora!"

Cora quickly turned her gaze up and grinned, "Hi, Casa," and back to Cons, "it was nice meeting you, but I have to get home and I'm going to run errands right after."

Though Casa's disappointed "Aww" and exit were intended to speak for both the clerics, that didn't stop Cons from darting to Cora's side.

"I can come with you!"

Cora's eyebrow lifted, "You don't have somebody waiting for you at home?"

"I don't." Cons replied. She spoke it matter-of-factly, just answering a question, as if there were no subtext to be wrung from it.

-

"Mother!" Cora called into the room that she and Angel called home.

Cons stood outside, rigidly unsure of whether to enter such a sanctum. In a moment, Cora had left and locked the door behind her.

She sighed with a grin to Cons, "She's never home at this time anyway. Always with the guild, trying to make ends meet!"

The young mage was so hasty in her leave that she hadn't noticed Cons stretching out a comforting hand. The elder held her apprehensive position for a few moments before following.

Cora's errands took her and Cons to Sand Beach. It was very similar to Forest of Tides, in that it was half forest half beach. However, the creatures in this area were much fiercer, and the beach was more dominant. There was even a small island connected by a bridge where the crabs nest. In the case of the errand, Cora took the forest path. In there, she knelt down to every herb bush and mushroom patch she came across. She did so unceremoniously, as if there wasn't another with her. Thus, Cons broke the silence.

"Is this how you help your mother make money?"

"Mm?" hummed Cora, her ritual officially intruded on, "Oh; yes! With my health, I can't do any casual labor. I wanted to help somehow, so the healer suggested I go here and do some gathering! People pay good money for food and herbs and stuff just so they don't have to gather it themselves." She lifted her head and breathed in, "The ocean air is also great for my health."

Cons in turn nodded and made an affirming hum. For just a moment, she watched Cora harvest. 'With my health?' she repeated in her head. 'great for my health?' There was a lot to think about, least of all how Cons found herself her in this situation, but she might as well be constructive; she knelt down next to Cora and began sifting through the nearest herb bush.

Cora took notice, "Oh, you need herbs, too?"

"Nope. I'm helping you."

[captaingammer]

The roles reversed, and now Cora watched Cons make good on her word and pluck out a few herbs. She gently nudged her glasses in place and smiled, returning to her own gathering. She was used to the silence and the sounds of Sand Beach, but having somebody with her was like a new skill she couldn't wait to try out.

"How do you know my mother, anyway?"

Cons answered without breaking stride, "One of my earliest memories is of her saving my life. She's the reason I became a cleric. I know it sounds silly, but that image of her in my mind has been what's motivated me the most the whole way. I hope that doesn't sound too... obsessive?"

"I don't think so. Everybody has their heroes. It just sounds strange because to me, she's just my mother!"

Cons chuckled, "You say that as if having a mother, much more your own, was something to be taken lightly."

Cora's head snapped up from the mushroom patch she was attending, "I didn't mean-!"

"It's okay!" came Cons with the chuckle, "It was just something I wished to point out spur the moment. We all find things that are interesting in other people. As a result, every person is interesting."

Thinking about that made Cora laugh and smile at Cons. Cons, in lieu of a return smile, tilted her head.

"This is as far as I normally go," Cora said when the trees made a corner in the path, "the Angry Wolf is past here and realistically speaking, not even my magic can help defend me from it."

Cons hummed in comprehension and stepped forward, the cleric class's signature hammer bouncing in her recessive palm menacingly, "Angry Wolf, you said? More like the Transfer Aggression Wolf. Let's take it down."

Rather than look horrified as one would expect, Cora reached into her inventory for her academy-issued staff, "I was hoping you'd say that."

-

The Angry Wolf was around the corner and worked his confident swagger. After all, why shouldn't he? He was way tougher than the other wolves! He was a bipedal wolf, covered in a golden brown coat and with long nails on every appendage. All the other wolves in the area had blue coats! Since when was BLUE a symbol of excellence? He thought go.

And what was THIS? The Angry Wolf spied in HIS field a familiar green-haired Mage. It was an elf he had chased away a few times before. Maybe today he'll catch it and eat it! Taking to all fours, the Angry Wolf vaulted himself at the foolish elf.

A hammer came from beside the Angry Wolf too fast for it to dodge. The Angry Wolf was clipped on the side of the head and well missed his mark.

"I got it!!" Cons shouted. Cora stood up from her decoy position and got ready for whatever the Angry Wolf was about to do.

Said Wolf turned it's reeling back from the hit into a sideways roll onto its four feet. What a charming joke this mage and cleric were playing on it. That cleric must die first for humiliating it. The Angry Wolf followed up on this train of though by rushing Cons. Did this human think that by being a slimehead that it would be intimidating? The Angry Wolf was more inspired to laugh than it was to cower. It swiped, but found its eponymous anger to be too little. Cons blocked the attack effortlessly and gave the Angry Wolf another Bash.

There was much back and forth between Cons and the Angry Wolf. Its vitality was astounding, but Cons's ability to heal her body and Second Skin was too potent. What really ticked off the Angry Wolf was Cora and her constant spell-flinging. Bolts of fire, ice, lightning, and energy took the Angry Wolf down more and more. When one Magic Missile scored a critical on it, it had had enough. Mages were physically weak, and this time he wouldn't let her run off. When she dies, the cleric will suffer a hit to her morale. Salivating, the Angry Wolf took off on all fours toward Cora.

"Hey!!" Cons shouted after, but the Wolf was hellbent. "Cora! Run!" Despite those words, Cora stood her ground, gripping her staff and defiantly continuing to toss spells. They connected, but did not deter the Angry Wolf in its dash to her.

Cora had to have known that if the Angry Wolf got to her, it wouldn't be good. In searching for something to do, Cons remembered something she'd heard in a joint lecture of duo parties of mages and clerics. Cons remembered this lecture in particular because Enchanter Master Wishis had credited one Angel Gammer as helping her devise it.

The Angry Wolf was close to Cora now. An Ice Bolt stuck to its feet, but that didn't stop it. It stomped its bottom feet and stopped in front of Cora, fueling its lunge into her innards with its claws. When it struck, it felt its claws push back into its own hand. While it howled in lament of its pain, Cora wasted no time in unloading one of every spell she knew onto the Angry Wolf. It staggered back with each spell, feeling its life peel away. The moment it opened its eyes again, it knew fear in the form of a slimehead. Cons brought her hammer down in one final Bash, hitting the Angry Wolf horizontally, bending it back, making an assortment of cracking noises, and finally having the beast breathe its last breath on the ground.

Cons put her hammer and shield away, "Whew, it looks like I used Invincible at the right time. See, there's the theory going around that if the monster's attention is-"

Of course, Cora didn't care so much for theory. She jumped in front of Cons and took her hands, "I can't believe we've done it! I've always had to face that thing alone and nobody has the time to help me I mean it's not like I ask a lot but still! Oh, I'm rambling. Bottom line: Thank you so much for your help."

Cons laughed to indicate she approved of the hand holding and jumping around, "It's no problem at all. I have nothing to do that's very pressing. I was glad to help!"

"Cons..." Cora began, her expression changing to a resigning smile, "Really, thanks for everything. I apologize for trying to get rid of you earlier."

"No, no, you were right to do so. There's so many scammers in Isya."

This was a HORRIBLE time to mention that there was a bounty on the Angry Wolf. The Roumen Blacksmith was offering a generous sum for the extermination of the monster and the retrieval of its golden fur. Cons's primary reasons for helping Cora were all selfless, that was the truth. But this was a great opportunity. How to take advantage of it without giving Cora the wrong impression...?

With a click of Cora's pocket knife, the problem solved itself. This delicate-looking mage knelt down to skin the Angry Wolf with what appeared to be no inhibitions. She looked up, innocently, through her glasses, "Oh, I hope this doesn't bother you. This guy's fur is worth a lot of money and-"

Cons waved her hand, "It doesn't bother me... and I don't even know what you're talking about. Go ahead."

-

Cora once again pushed into the door on the bottom level of Roumen's residencies. She just had to keep hold of the money bag full of the bounty. By all means, it wasn't a whole lot of money, but to Cora, it was a good day's work. They were laughing and carrying on when a moment of silence allowed a voice from within to speak.

"Cora, you're home! Is somebody with you?"

As Cora answered, Cons froze. She sometimes was hard presses to remember what Angel Gammer's voice sounded like, but now she would never, ever forget it. At that moment, a goddess herself rounded the corner and hugged her daughter. Angel hadn't changed much. She appeared to be taller, and the weight of a full life began to sag at her eyes. Other than that, everything was amazingly intact. The green hair was still a lush green and pulled back. Her eyes were sharp and bright, and her face still had the curling paint design. She even seemed to be wearing the same azure paladin armor.

Cons folded her arm across her chest with a slight bow, "Hello, ma'am. My name is..."

"Cons...!" Angel gasped upon seeing the younger healer.

Cons's stance faltered, "Wh... You remember me?"

Angel's eyes were soft and nostalgic, "How could I forget? Some of my guild members stayed in the area to continue to cleanup, and that burnt down forest became the city of Uruga! Every time I go, I have to think of you. But that's not the reason I remember you."

The three of them sat down to talk. Angel and Cora took interest in how Cons pulled at the bottom of the slime helmet to sip her drink. When they were settled, Angel continued.

"I could never forget how you were when I took you to the Caretakers guild. I held your hand to get you off the table, but you kept hold of it. The longer you held my hand, the harder I knew it would be to let you go. It's as if you knew I was going to leave you in somebody else's care and didn't want that to happen. Do you remember how I hesitated after being greeted by the Caretakers' master?"

Cons was leaned forward, clearly riveted, and hummed a simple, "Yeah."

Angel laughed sweetly, "That was me reconsidering sending you off. I don't know what it was, but one walk was all it took and I just wanted to keep you. When I let you go, I turned to wave, and you were just staring... I couldn't look. I could tell what you were thinking, and I was just too far to turn back. I just went home and obsessed over it for a long time."

Due to the slime helmet, Cons's body language spoke everything in her silence. Her head hung and she rubbed her opposite arm, "All this time, I've been in your thoughts?"

"You have," Angel responded with a gentle nod.

For a moment, Cons remained unreadable in her body language, even when she brought her gloved hand under the slime helmet. It was clear when she began to sob.

"The one woman I respected the most in all of Isya, and the one woman who I was so damned sure didn't remember I existed! Oh Teva... You don't... You don't know how much this means to me..."

Now it was Angel's turn to let years of tension open her tear ducts. However, she had something else in mind, "Cons... Who do you live with?"

"No one ma'am... I make a living by myself."

"In that case, I want to correct the mistake I made all those years ago. Cons, you know we're in a poor state. I can't be with my own daughter for most of the day just so we keep our house. Cora, I know you're lonely during the day, and the time you spent with Cons is the most excited I've seen you! I wish to adopt you, Cons Will you join our family?"

Cons hiccupped in her tearful joy. She look from Angel Gammer, her idol, to Cora, who had only raved about this cool new friend she met. She chuckled, "I'm going to cry again."

-

Naturally, there was a trial period of observing and spending time with Cons to make sure she was trustworthy. Cora's judge of character proved correct all throughout, and Cons thought it was only fair.

Considering the minimal decoration and efficient storage in Cons's living quarters, moving her out was a simple matter. What Cons didn't think was simple, however, was being integrated into somebody else's family so easily. When she woke up to her first morning as a Gammer, she expected all sorts of comments about how, even first thing in the morning, she still wore her body armor, gloves, and the slime helmet.

Instead, she was greeted with smiles. Cora even hugged her as a 'good morning' welcome. Instead of uneasiness, Angel made good on the trust. She would be out with the guild all day. When the class academies had adjourned, the rest of the day was up to them. Rather than commute to Elderine in silence and occasionally be accosted, Cons now had Cora's cheer and conversation to accompany her the entire day.

It was the start of a new life, for sure.

[captaingammer]

Bump to inform you all that I am seeking cameos and maybe more! The same information has been added to the top of the thread~

If you wish to have a cameo or more, feel free to add an application to the topic! You'll need the following.

In-game name: Just post it raw
Name you want: I won't be accepting underscores, numbers, names of licensed characters, etc. Something original. I'll make up something if you can't think of anything.
Class: Make sure to post it as your real class instead of the basic class (post "Scout" if you're a 7x Archer, etc.)
Gender: Formality, really.
Weapon of choice: And why. Hint: "More damage lol" is not a good enough reason. Bashing the weapons you don't use will not reflect kindly on you. ^^
Personality: I'd like to improvise as least as possible. ^^;
Back story: Not necessary, but it might give some more material for me to work with!
Picture: Give a link, of course. Show me the closest picture to your ideal character. Feel free to screenie yourself in the beauty shop if you can't afford a coupon. If there's anything you can't get in a picture (like a CS suit), add that.


Currently looking for: Low levels for a training exercise. ^_^

Make them as long or as short as you want!

[Dragonfly77]

Well, I'm gonna read this is a bit. ^^ But first~

In-game name: Athemis

Name you want: Athemis (yeah...^^)

Class: Currently a Hawkarcher, but soon to be a scout ^^

Gender: Female

Weapon of choice: I like crossbows, because of the raw damage. That, and I want to go ranger, which uses crossbows.

Personality: I'm friendly and happy-go-lucky. I love taking hard challenges, and I won't say no to a fair fight. I like hanging out in the Abyss, which have earned me the nickname Athemis of the Abyss from my guildies ^^; I'll always stand up for my friends, and I have a sense of justice. ~.~ I can get pretty impatient at times, and I tend to slack a lot in leveling. Then I grind like crazy to catch up to my friends, and go ack to slacking. Rinse and repeat XD

Back story: Hmmm...a back story...Ok!! I got a good one >;D Athemis wasn't born in Isya, but came from another continent. She's from a small town, and always dreamed of an adventure in life. She's a wanted criminal for accidentally killing a nobleman's son, and there is a reward for her head. She fled and stowed away on a ship, which came to Roumen. With no money, only the clothes on her back, and only her trusty pet honeying to keep her company, she signed up to join the Henneath Alliance. Eventually, she made her way in Isya.

Picture:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e72/dragonfly77photos/Kittyearpic.jpg
I got my wedding pet in the pic instead of my honeying, but I'd prefer it if the honeying was used instead. ^^ It's name is just Honeying...I know, so creative.

[captaingammer]

The Age of Apoline

Prologue IV: Cora Gammer

Cons's story was nice, but didn't it seem like a two-for-one? After all, we got to know the fate of Angel's child, and furthermore practically got a full introduction! Don't you worry... there's so much more about young Cora that we haven't covered.

To elaborate on what she herself had said, it is true: Cora was born with a weak body. Her body just plain seemed to operate at only a fraction of the efficiency. Her body was light and thin; and though very capable of common tasks, she could not push, pull, or lift heavy objects for the life of her. Most unfortunate, even playing with the other kids wasn't advised. It was just as well, anyway. For some reason, Cora's optimism had an averse affect on all of the children she would have played with.

The very moment Cora expressed interest in becoming a mage, Angel pulled her connections with the mage academy in Elderine. Wishis was abundantly happy to enroll her friend's daughter. She did everything short of pay tuition.

Mages are a class in Isya that use the very elements themselves for hunting and self defense. Over time, humans lost touch with nature in favor of the cleric and fighter classes, leaving the elves to remain the mages and archers. Mages are able to gather the elements in their very hands to create torrents of fire, ice, electricity, and a mysterious energy known only as Magic Missile. Like all classes, mages were subject to alteration for PvP purposes. The same forces that control the elements are also used to tamper with Second Skin. The special power used for skills like the cleric's heal can be burned, or the Second Skin can be momentarily manipulated into forcing the victim to run; It is called Fear due to the arbitrary patterns, as if the victim were scared of the caster.

The vast downside to being a mage is that all effort is spent training the mind. A lack of body training makes mages poor in defense. Their philosophy is to take down their opponent before they even get a chance. There were a few jokes made about how Cora's strength and health were perfect for being a mage. This wasn't far off. The ability to use one's mind and spirit to alter matter was what Cora was interested in. The magic brought the happy shine to her eyes. Her condition, she heard, can be better understood through magic as well.

"Your father was- is a mage too, you know," Angel told her daughter on the walk home from orientation, "Don't you ever wonder about him?"

Cora looked around in thought before answering, "I don't... should I?"

"I... I don't know. I would have thought a child missing a birth parent would be obsessed."

Once again, Cora had to pause to gather her thoughts, "Before I knew the facts of life, I just thought you alone brought me into the world. I know better now, but I still never find myself thinking 'what if.' You raised me by yourself, and I think I came out all right." She moved next to Angel and gave her a hug with one arm.

Angel chuckled to combat the coming tears, "I know so, too."

-

Much like her mother, Cora wasn't mean or cold; She just liked her alone time more than the next person. Should somebody approach her in public or in the academy, she was well accommodating for conversation.

One such person who approached Cora often was Casa, the friend of Cons briefly introduced before. By all means, he was a decent young man. He didn't cut any real impressive figure at medium height and a firm, thin build. He was just one of those faces with the kindly amber eyes and light brown hair in a schoolboy short cut. Despite his disdain for the cleric armor, his sense of duty kept him in the purple shirt with the plate armor, and mail jeans.

Seeing as how she was a mage and Casa was a cleric, Cora never crossed paths with him in their academy training. She was perfectly happy keeping up with Wishis and making small talk with the other mages. The first cross-class training exercise changed all that.

"Gather 'round!" called out the recent Warrior Master of the fighters, Marty, "We've got a hot one today!" He laughed at the inside joke.

Marty had grown up well, more chiseled than his younger days. He had since then grown his hair tall with a golden bears and earned a diagonal scar from his right eyebrow to the bottom of his left cheekbone. As the academy masters often do, he made his own attire. A loose red leather jumpsuit covered his body, but still was topped in a stylish collar. Rather than full body armor, Marty wore a bunch of plates held together by ropes. They covered his shoulders, chest, and legs, and to the chagrin of many, a prominent cup. The bandana he wore, faded purple with a blue gem on the front, he always had.

The four academies met at the Elderine fountain to receive their task and be separated into parties.

"Okay..." Wishis leaved through a few parchments, "Ah. Here we are. The Forest of Tides extension of the Roumen item merchandising was recently overrun by monsters. The..." Leaf, leaf, leaf, "... Fire Mushrooms. At your strength levels, you'll easily be able to take them out. They have no sense of group mentality, so if you all gang up and beat them down one by one, you'll be fine."

The four academy masters talked amongst themselves and formed groups on paper. When all was said and done, the proctor for this training exercise, Ruby, stepped out to call everybody into their parties.

Ruby was also a strapping, productive member of society. Training her body gave a strong jaw to her face. As an official Skill Master, her attire fit her into a white battle dress with a red jacket over it, and big black sleeves. Her armor of choice was a single breastplate and serpentine strips of metal around her stocked legs. Curiously, she wore a piece of armor in the shape of a lioness's head only on her left shoulder.

"... Cora Gammer!" Ruby eventually called. Even though the young mage was a friend's daughter, and she was practically an aunt, everything was still all business with her.

Cora took her place next to a fighter in red shorts and tunic with slicked back orange hair. She extended a hand to him, "My name's Cora."

"Whoooaaa!" yelped the fighter, deliberately throwing his hands up, "No touchie. Ahem, if you MUST know, my name is Paulmon. I'm sure that name is familiar."

"Um... not really. Maybe it's because you look older than the other fighters. Are you in the remedial fighter academy?"

Paulmon growled in a juvenile manner, "YOU... I could have you arrested for less, you know! I am the nephew of Elderine's own Guard Captain Shutian!!"

Cora brightened, "I know Shutian! He's nice and really cares about others... Are you sure you're related to him?"

Natrually, Paulmon fumed, "TRIPLE ARRESTED!!!"

"Saren and Casa Hart!" Ruby shouted over Paulmon's whining.

"Yes!" Casa hissed. This was finally his chance to meet Cora personally. His brother, Saren, had black hair that reached up in a tube with a spiky top. He was a fighter, and probably the most enthusiastic one at that with just his wide smile.

Like always, Saren got the first word in, "Hello, I'm Saren Ryone Hart, and this is my brother, Casa!"

Relieved to see friendly people, Cora couldn't have turned away from Paulmon faster, "Hello Saren, Casa!"

Saren took to trying to rub off on Paulmon, which was more like the unstoppable force meeting the unmovable object. In the meantime, Casa approached Cora himself. "Like he said... I'm Casa," he said before extending a hand to shake.

-

Where we've seen the latter part of the Forest of Tides, now we get to see the Forest. It was more like a path with walls of trees to each side. The groves were lined with mushrooms, small trees, and herb bushes, but there was a mission.

"All right," Ruby called to the students, "once we pass the mines, the camp will be over the hill. Be on your wits, stay in your parties, and please say hello to Royquin over there. He works hard to excavate the mines."

As they passed the entrance to the mines, there was a middle aged man in long pants and a tank top, both beige, and a hard hat. He smiled kindly and waved to the passing group.

"Cora," Casa said aside as they climbed the hill, "if any of them attack you, just call for help. I will heal you and make sure you take on as little harm as possible."

Cora's smile was all he needed to see, "Thank you Casa. But if you need to do your job and heal somebody who needs it, I'll just... run, or something."

Overtaking the hill, Ruby and the group of students saw the settlement. It looked like a merchandising store all right. In fact, it looked like a campsite! There were put-out camp fires, tends, a few wooden lodgings, crates, and carts.

... And for each, there was a Fire Mushroom. Imagine a creature that resembled a mushroom, except the stem was long and thick and the head of the mushroom was smooth on the back, in line with the body, but the front was shark-like. Complete with the rows of teeth and beady eyes. Fire Mushrooms had red and black patterns on their backs and a pair of wiry arms that manage to contain a good amount of power in them. To get around, they hopped.

"Whoa," echoed throughout the minds of the group, but Ruby was the one to vocalize it, "Well, big numbers or not, they're still Fire Mushrooms. You all know the drill; have at 'em and I'll come around later to assess how thorough you cleared them out. The exercise begins now."

"BRING IT ON, YOU DEGENERATE SCUM!!!" Paulmon roared to the Fire Mushrooms, diving right in to the camp.

Ruby was much un-amused, "That's too much of the right spirit."

Saren, on the other hand, laughed, "He's so totally leaving us behind. That's funny!"

Despite Paulmon's zeal, Saren proved to be a great tank by himself. He kept the attention of the monsters and hardly let his Second Skin weaken to the point of collapse. Of course, Casa's healing was just as much to attribute. Even with Cora and the fifth member of the group, an archer named Athina, constantly hitting the mushrooms with spells and arrows, Saren kept harm out of their way. Often, the battles were finished with a skill from Athina.

"HEAL!!!" came a bellow from deep within the camp. At first, the party thought it was some arrogant fighter. It turned out to be Paulmon, to whom considering him a 'fighter' would be an insult to the class.

Paulmon charged out of the inner camp with a trail of Fire Mushrooms chasing him. "heal" he repeated, this time slipping into his Rayninite dialect.

"heal"
"heal"
"heal"

"SHUT UP!!" Casa yelled back, "I already healed you! According to my Second Skin, yours is at full HP! And the monsters already got bored of you!!"

The Second Skin's capacity for taking damage and performing skills can actually be expressed in numbers. The remaining damage a Second Skin can take is recorded in Health Points, or HP. The capacity for performing skills is referred to as Spirit Points, or SP.

"Don't lip off to me," Paulmon warned, and turned to Athina, "and where the hell is your AoE?"

This terms stands for 'Area of Effect,' an attack which targets all the monsters in a certain radius. Archers and mages are well known for their AoE abilities for taking out large groups of monsters. However...

"I don't know Multishot, yet." Athina responded, keeping her cool.

Paulmon exhaled, "Of course. I get stuck in the party full of noobs."

With perfect timing, Paulmon was socked in the back. A second and third hit brought his Second Skin to its limit and locked up.

"OH WHAT THE!!" Saren shouted in surprise.

Paulmon collapsed to the ground and his Second Skin solidified to prevent any more damage. "heal," he said.

The cause of Paulmon's defeat hobbled in front of the body. These were Mushroom Fighters. They looked like Fire Mushrooms, but with a dirt-like beige pattern on their backs, and at least a head length taller than anybody else.

"So, then..." one of the Mushroom Fighters said in a domineering fashion, "You NOOBS gonna leave our crew alone?" The Mushroom Fighters behind him cracked their knuckles menacingly.

Cora and Athina were in no position to speak up, and Casa was too busy trying to obscure Cora from view. Paulmon's Second Skin activated its emergency function, teleporting Paulmon back to Roumen. When that happened, Saren leapt over.

"We'll see about that, MUSHROOMS!!" With a shout of 'Ha-HA,' Saren struck a critical hit on the front Mushroom Fighter, knocking it back. The other startled Mushroom Fighters moved in.

"Dammit, Saren!!" Casa groaned, but it was lost on his brother.

Though Saren was deep in combat with the Mushroom Fighters, he didn't need to look away to call back, "BEAUTIFUL healing, Casa! Phenomenal!"

A resigning sigh was all Casa could muster in protest. Despite the numbers, Saren's ability to disarm and enfeeble the Mushroom Fighters kept them from doing too much damage to him. All went well until one of Cora's Magic Missiles hit a Mushroom Fighter for a critical.

"Gahhh! What are we doing!?" the Mushroom Fighter demanded, "He is no threat!" With that, the Mushroom Fighter pulled away and hopped at Cora at a high speed.

"WHOA!" shouted Saren theatrically, "Back you come!"

Saren flipped his shield up, a technique called Sneering Kick, which took one of the monsters' attentions back to him. Unfortunately, that was just one of many. Cora and Athina were well aware of the possibility of this and started to run.

Casa ran after them with a shout of "NO!" He knew Saren would be fine.

Athina shot back a few arrows while running. These arrows caused poisoning and bleeding in the Mushroom Fighters, but it was to very little detriment. If Cora stopped to cast spells, the Mushroom Fighters would close in further. They came to the corner to the beach half of the area. There has to be some people over there...

Unfortunately, that corner contained a Mushroom Fighter in hiding. It swiftly leapt out of hiding with a laugh and aimed a punch at Athina. The natural dexterity of an archer allowed Athina to avoid the first punch well, but the second dodge was sloppy, and the third punch nailed its mark on Athina's chest. She stumbled back and froze in her position, stunned.

Casa tried his best to keep heals on Athina, but another three punches without the ability to dodge might put her away. Cora acted with a Fire Bolt spell to the Mushroom Fighter's eye. Both good and bad, she scored a critical again. Her pitch was a success as the Mushroom Fighter hobbled her way.

[captaingammer]

"Boldness gets you PUNCHES!" the Mushroom Fighter cackled.

By this time, the rest of the students had caught wind of what was going on and came to help. Cora, however, had continued to lead the one Mushroom Fighter out to the beach. Ruby swiftly took her place to intercept, but held. Cora was still firing elemental bolts at the Mushroom Fighter. Casa was keeping up a pace, healing in a spastic manner.

Cora conjured a bolt of ice in her hand and launched it at the Mushroom Fighter. The hit couldn't have been more successful. There was now a ring of frost around the Mushroom Fighter's stump and its body tinged to a shade of blue. Its hops were slower and covered less distance.

If Casa was attentive when Cora actually takes a hit... "CRAP!!" Ruby shouted and slide down the hill. That idiot caught a King Crab's attention! On one hand, bad for him, on the other, it was going to be so very fun to easily defeat that beast this time. "DUCK!!"

Casa did duck in time to see the claw whoosh over his head. Running and ducking at the same time proved too much and Casa fell forward into the sand. There was no way he would be able to catch up to Cora and the Mushroom Fighter now. "CORA!!"

The situation wasn't so dire. Cora could hear the panting and clumsy movements of the Mushroom Fighter. It was just about ready to fall down. She stood her ground and unloaded every spell she knew: Magic Missile, Fire Bolt, Ice Bolt, Lightning Bolt. A whole rotation just made the Mushroom Fighter flinch a few times, but still taking noticeable damage.

"One punch..." it muttered, emitting crazed laughter. Cora had faltered too long and the Mushroom Fighter was upon her. An inaudible scream followed the Mushroom Fighter's single punch.

The punch succeeded in hitting Cora's face with a concussive force. The Mushroom Fighter laughed as Cora stumbled. When her body tensed up in a stun, that's when he'll really have his fun.

Yep, when she's stunned.

Any time now.

... Hello? Stun?

Instead of stun, the Mushroom Fighter received a Magic Missile to the face, which struck a particularly effective critical. The Mushroom Fighter was dazed. It lifted its fist. Time to finish this.

Cora concurred, flipping her staff and smacking the Mushroom Fighter across the face to the other direction. The Mushroom Fighter tilted on the edge of its stump. The melee attack was by no means fierce, but in this weakened state, anything mildly harsh was liable to put it over the limit.

"Oh, my..." the Mushroom Fighter gasped, and finally lost its footing, so to speak. It hit the sand on its side and didn't get up.

That's precisely what Ruby had been waiting on. She grinned and watched Casa stumble his way over and cursing the limited range of his healing ability.

-

There were commendations (almost) all around. Cora had her own badge to nurse back when the academies disbanded for the day at the Elderine fountain.

"Does it hurt?" Casa asked with morbid fascination.

Cora rubbed her cheek just because attention was brought to it, "It's still a little warm and sore... I'm going to Healer Avon to get it looked at."

Casa hastily produced his mace, "If... If you would... can I try to make it better?"

That merited a furrowed brow from Cora, "Sure... I don't see how it could hurt."

Here goes nothing, Casa thought, and rose his mace. He wasn't sure about healing specific wounds. High Clerics are easily able to do so, but for a cleric in the academy, it was too intense for so little knowledge and experience. He tried picturing Cora's face in its perfection, minus the glasses and especially minus the sore cheek. He concentrated on it, wanted it, and after feeling his body convert energy into heals, he opened his eyes.

Cora's face still wasn't perfect. There was still mild discoloration. Cora opened her own eyes and felt the cheek again. "Don't feel bad," she immediately said, "it still feels much better!"

"You're just saying that."

"No, no. Really. When I feel a heal on my body instead of my Second Skin, it's so nice and cool. The feeling makes me happy because my mother sometimes did it to make me stop crying as a baby."

The wheels turned in Casa's mind and he just had to try something, "Like this?" He rose his mace to send a heal on Cora. She giggled a bit from the sheer playfulness alone. Casa joined in on the laughing and cast heal after heal, giving Cora giggling fits. Only when she asked him to stop did he think to do so.

It was from there that Cora and Casa developed a rapport. Casa made sure to cross paths with Cora every time he could. Of course, his greeting became healing her, to which she was appreciative. Sometimes they'd even just find a bench and talk while Casa gave the surprise heal.

"You don't need to keep doing that to have me as a friend!" Cora once said.

This was shortly before Casa had inadvertently introduced Cons to Cora. He considered trying to pry Cons for information, but she had a way of being very abrasive in telling somebody when they're beyond their limits. No, this was between Cora and him. The fact that Cons is a Gammer now doesn't affect the two of them.

He checked the schedule to see what was coming up, and saw something that made his mind go to work again. The academies were joining up for a camping trip in Sea of Greed. There was ample lodging there, and the four academies would spread it among themselves. This gave Casa an idea.

-

The Sea of Greed used to be called the Sea of Green due to the debris that washed up, and the forest attached to it. However, a band of pirates recently moved in and made the beach their own. What used to be a great place to enjoy the scenery was now a vicious place where all who dared had to watch their backs constantly. The Roumen government assigned a pair of ancient templar to keep track of who goes there.

The lesson of this camping trip was to teach the students about monsters that attack on site. When a monster catches sight of a person and pursues them to hunt them or defend their territory, it's called 'aggro.' Aggro is both a verb and a noun. So one can aggro a monsters, and gain agro from them as well. If the academy members were to promote to higher classes, they had to be sure to be careful. The King Crab was a monster that has aggro, but that was just one monster. In most regions of Isya, there are monsters with aggro all over the place.

After the day's lessons, just to make sure the students were absolutely comfortable and adjusted, the academies claimed cabins in the southern edge of the region. There were two main camp sites. The clerics and archers took one half, and the fighters and mages took the other half. On the last night camping, all of the students were much more comfortable in the Sea of Greed. With their knowledge and their academy masters, they slept well.

Most of them, at any rate.

As for Cora, she got a heaping helping of somebody jumping in through the window to her room. On her way back from getting a drink of water, she heard the thump of an intruder's entry. She had her staff ready for whatever the night brought her. It was clumsy, panting, and judging by the way it moved, looking for something - or someone.

"Hold on, hold on!" whispered the intruder, "It's me!"

Cora squinted to recognize the silhouette, "Casa?"

"I had to see you," Casa said, disregarding the tension.

So many question swirled through Cora's head, so she picked the first one her tired mind could form, "How did you get here?"

"Ran," Casa gasped, "the monsters here are RELENTLESS if you're by yourself. I just ran and kept healing my Second Skin... though they did get me a few times."

That would explain the panting and clumsiness. Casa stepped into the moonlight to show a few bruises and cuts.

Okay, NOW for the real question, "So... What is this about?"

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you," Casa started, already starting to pace, "for a long time. It's just... when I think about myself saying it, I can't see myself saying it correctly."

Cora couldn't have gotten the hint less, so she yelped when Casa suddenly grabbed her shoulder, "What are you-!?"

"This is something that can't be expressed in words." Casa said quickly.

Cora struggled in Casa's grasp, but he held strong. He really meant this. A realization washed over Cora that this was for real, and Casa's approaching face and lips were the proof. Her mind raced with all sorts of implications, complications, and reassessments of their friendship in the past weeks. This kiss would bring closure to it all.

Too bad Cora's hands came up and grabbed his face before all that, "What are you-!? This isn't the time!"

"NOW is always the perfect time!" Casa hissed back, trying to keep his voice down making him sound less adorable.

"Let me go." Cora demanded outright, letting her tone of voice tell Casa how serious she was.

"I'm not letting you go."

"I mean let me go AT THIS MOMENT."

"Don't fight love."

"The only thing I'm fighting right now is YOU."

Casa's grip tightened, "Let me show you what love is. It's my job as a ma-" and lost that grip when the pointier side of Cora's staff jabbed him in the side.

Normally, the girl drops what she's holding when the boy holds her. In Cora's case, she went as far away from that norm as possible; that should have been Casa's first warning. Now free, Cora's mage instincts told her to get far away.

"N-no!" yelped Casa, reaching after and stepping forward, "I didn't mean it like that! Just come back and we can talk!"

That wasn't good enough for Cora. She leapt into the hallway to see something very reassuring. Wishis, who very much just woke up, called, "I've got this!" and jabbed her shimmering wand forward.

The motion produced a ball of volatile energy called Magic Blast. It was a small ball as it flew through the air, but upon contact with Casa, it exploded. The blast rocked the cabin and would have torn the cleric's head clean off if not for his Second Skin tensing up in the moment he saw it coming. Instead, he was merely flung through and out a window. His Second Skin would warp him to Elderine shortly.

Wishis, still in the follow-through position of casting Magic Blast, took a moment to register through her half-asleep stupor what she just hit, "Wait... what?"

-

It was a story that Marty couldn't help but laugh at heartily. The four academy masters sometimes sat at the steps of the main class academy building to have some potions and dicuss the state of Isya. They other three were very surprised that Paladin Master Keast went along with it, being a respected Rayninite priestess and, well... old.

Due to the emphasis on PvP over the years, the amount of clerics had dropped, much more the amount of experienced clerics who stuck with their job. The heckling and dehumanization of clerics as becoming 'heal slaves' turns so many clerics into fighters. There has been no successor for Keast's position yet. Angel Gammer has yet to respond to the letter that the alliance sent her.

Keast was more than happy to keep her post, and has done so until old and gray, which she most certainly is now. The current era sees her humble and aged, now without a single strand of colored hair, but the same kind smile on her face in a new context.

"She wasn't even scared of him," Wishis continued, "she later told me that she did it because he was being presumptuous. She rejected him on PRINCIPLE!"

Marty sighed off the laughter, "Oh, power to her. I HATE persistent men who think they can get anything just by wanting it."

Wishis narrowed her eyes, "How's Ruby, by the way?"

"... Touché."

The both of them shared a laugh, after which Wishis added to Keast, "Make sure you tell your clerics to keep it in their pants, all right?"

"Oh, I do." Keast responded, "I have no idea where Mr. Hart got such an idea. I teach straight from the Rayninite scriptures."

"Those scriptures are flawed," spoke up the fourth, Scout Master Dekkid, "telling the young to adhere to celibacy 'just because' will only make them more interested in love and lewd acts."

Marty nodded, "Well said, new guy."

Dekkid flushed, "N... New guy!? I am the second eldest of the four of us!"

"Yes," Mary concurred, "but you became Scout Master after I became Warrior Master, longer after Wishis became Enchanter Master, and WAAAAAAY after Keast became Paladin master. Therefore, you're the new guy."

Dekkid accepted the truth. To be fair, he certainly fit the role well. His blue hawk eyes and blonde hair, tied into a ponytail as well as forming a thick mustache on his lip, were the quintessential image of an archery master. He wore pale green pants and a long white tunic with the same shade of green on the inner forearms of the sleeves. Clipped onto his left shoulder was a luxuriously large tuft of beast hair, and he was never seen without his bow and quiver on his back; even while sitting down for a drink with the other academy masters.

"You're right, though," said Marty, changing the subject, "Lately, Rayninites have been running around, thinking we can do whatever we want. I mean, yeah, we're the most popular-slash-infamous country in the world, and our military is unmatched, but I wish didn't have to constantly defend myself against accusations of being arrogant. It's amazing to believe that monsters are now extinct in my homeland and we have a beast fatality rate of zero!"

"... Only to be replaced tenfold by appalling poverty and dysfunction."

"Easy on the statistics," Marty sighed to Dekkid, "it's still my home."

"My apologies."

[captaingammer]

To elaborate on a question left behind in the previous prologue, Cons was able to keep her own place because she invested her time and effort into production skills. There are five such skills: Potions, scrolls, enhancement stones, composition and decomposition. By collecting materials, such as a monster's meat and bones, or the residue left behind by a magical creature, a person may combine these things to create useful items. After taking inventory of her possessions, Cons chose to produce enhancement stones.

These stones have direct links to a person's Second Skin. If they are refined properly into a weapon or piece of armor, the weapon will cause more damage or the armor will become tougher against it. Just like anything, this has been deeply affected by PvP and nowadays, nobody who is deeply into it dares to be seen without fully enhanced weapons and armor. A fully enhanced weapon, will glow brilliantly to indicate its power. These are status symbols to some, irritants to people who can't afford to enhance. Due to the limit of nine stages of enhancement, fully enhanced equipment is referred to as a plus-nine.

Because of the high demand for enhancement stones, Cons was easily able to make and sell them at reduced prices. Her hook, "Cheaper Stones," inspired a lot of impulse purchases. Now, she used her abilities to keep her new family well funded. Angel never had time to train up a production skill since she was always with the guild, and nobody knew what effect such an endeavor would have on Cora. Cora just went along with it until one day when the stars aligned and both the guild and the academies had days off.

On the way out the door, Cons explained, "I can do two days' worth of mining today."

"Mining?" Angel echoed, "I've lived here for years and I've never been to the mines."

Cons shrugged, "It's not the most fun place in the world, but I use the copper I find there in creating enhancement stones."

"... Copper?"

"Yes. You see, I combine the magical dusts dropped by monsters to create low energy stones called Elrue. If I combine three of the Elrue and use the copper as a catalyst, I can create a higher quality stone called a Lix. Lix allow for better enhancement and therefore can be sold for more than Elrue. There's a stone called Xir which can fully enhance equipment, but I haven't been approved to start making those."

"Sounds fun," was all Angel said in response to all that. She stood up to get her equipment.

"Uh..." Cons rubbed her opposite shoulder, apprehensive, "You wouldn't rather use this day to relax at the beach, or read on the Roumen patio?"

Angel responded with a chuckle, "My nesting instincts have dulled as of late. I'll rest when I feel I've deserved it."

"Can I come too!?" Cora called out. She was already suited up, though with how generous the novice clothing is, it's a stretch to say.

"The monsters there aggro." Cons mentioned quickly.

Cora beamed, "That's great! I learned recently about how to deal with monsters that aggro!"

Cons scoffed, "Not to mention CLERICS that aggro. After Wishis told Angel told me what happened, I beat Casa within and inch of his life for what he did."

Angel and Cora both gave Cons a good stare. Cons gave them a look in turn.

"I'm JOKING."

"I can't tell with you," Angel said with a smile, "ever since you joined my family, you've been watching over Cora like a hawk when you can.

The comment made Cons rub her shoulder again, and Cora giggle.

-

The trip to the mines was as Cons said. It was a large, cavernous area with bright blue rocks everywhere that contained copper. The resident monsters were Hooligan Pinoflies. These monsters resembled mannequins with goofy, painted-on faces and pink wigs. Their method of attack was to throw balls of magic at people. Cora's Second Skin could hold up, but it still paid to be with two people who watched you like a hawk for any need to heal.

The pickaxe was a bothersome tool for Cora, but she got the hang of it. The three of them got plenty of ore for Cons at a good rate until she seemed to leave one behind.

"Isn't that one?" Angel asked, gesturing with her head.

"Oh," Cons picked it up, "well, look at the color of this ore. It's a little more yellow-brown, right? This means it's regular copper ore. What we've been digging is low quality copper ore. The purity of regular ore is too high for use in making Lix. We can sell this."

Copper ore... quality... Where had Cora heard these words before? She gasped silently and kept to herself her discovery. Tomorrow during the academy's break period, Ruby made a demonstration weekly. If Cora's thoughts were correct, she had to go.

-

Cora beat a path for Ruby's Skill Master shop in Roumen. As a Skill Master, Ruby specialized in fighter techniques, but was very capable in tutoring other classes to learn the most basic skills if they needed the help. On this particular day of the week, Ruby demonstrated the production skills.

"Gather 'round," she announced, "and watch the magic. Here's one for people who need specific items. If you've got materials lying around that you can't do anything with, consider picking up decomposition. I've got here a piece of spirit fruit. It's very nutritional and thick. Now watch." Ruby produced a red gem with a black symbol on it, "With this alchemy stone and a little bit of Second Skin will power..."

Ruby brought the alchemy stone to the blue fruit, which produced a glow. From that glow, it appeared that the fruit had multiplied in front of all their eyes. However, the fruit that fell into Ruby's bag was purple, not blue.

"That one fruit became fourteen low quality versions of itself. They aren't as thick and not nearly as nutritional, but they can keep you fed longer. Also, if you brew potions, finding spirit fruit and decomposing it into this low quality fruit will be great for gathering materials."

The crowd dispersed, allowing Cora to walk to Ruby.

"Here you go," Ruby greeted, passing along the bag of fruit, "I don't need it. Now, then. Show me your authorization for a new spell and I'll let you buy it."

"I don't want a new spell," said Cora with a smile, "I want to learn decomposition!"

"Decomp?" Ruby repeated, "I have it on good authority - your mother - that we're better off not risking how production affects your health."

Cora cleared her throat, "I am a paying customer, and I don't need any authority to learn how to use the most basic production skills."

This brought up Ruby's eyebrow, "You've got her stubbornness. Come along, then."

One lesson later, Cora emerged from Ruby's storage with new knowledge. While in there, Cora requested to learn composition, which is decomposition in reverse.

"Remember, to compose something takes more materials than you'd get from decomposing the same thing. If you want to keep your stuff, don't just go back and forth when you're bored."

"I won't!" Cora chirped. She took and went home with the learning scrolls for her first decomposition recipes and some alchemy stones that Ruby slipped her off-duty.

At home, Cora willed her mother to still be with the guild and Cons to still be vending her stones, as well as the regular copper ore to still be on a table. Everything fell into place for her. Cora had practiced a few times on some mushrooms with Ruby, but this was for practical purposes now. She picked up one of the ores and took out an alchemy stone from her bag. She made absolutely sure to copy the hand motions Ruby showed her perfectly. It distributed the energies of the alchemy stone and her Second Skin to promote decomposition.

Cora's beads of sweat didn't deter her from continuing the decomposition. She didn't even look to see if it was working. She worked her hands, making swirling patterns around the ore and the stone. A pop of light signaled the decomposition was done either way. Did she...?

She felt two objects in her hands. In one hand, a piece of copper ore. It was gray. In the other hand, ANOTHER piece of low quality copper ore!

"YES!!" Cora yelped. No time to waste! She produced another alchemy stone and grabbed another piece of copper ore. She had work to do.

-

Angel and Cons met on the way back home and entered together. One modification of the Second Skin allows for the creation of a box that can hold up to fifty of a single item with notable exceptions. Such full boxes are referred to as "stacks." The point of this exposition being Cora had a stack of low quality copper ore waiting for the other two when they got home.

Angel's mind flew to concern and opened her mouth to speak. As expected, Cons got the first word in, and with a much more hasty worry, "Did you go to the mine by yourself!?"

Cora giggled off the allegation, "No! I decomposed them!"

Angel furrowed her brow, more out of intrigue, "... And you feel okay?"

"I was tired the first few times, but I got used to it."

"I can't believe it," Cons mused, "a whole stack. I won't need to mine again for a long time!"

"You're welcome!"

"Of course... thank you." Trying to get into the habit of showing affection, Cons managed a hand on Cora's shoulder. Cora followed through with a hug. When Cons took the stack to work with, Angel took her turn.

"Cora... There's no telling what'll affect you how with your health... But I'm so glad you're still adventurous and noble."

"I learned from the best."

There was no end to how proud Angel was of her daughter, and of how her daughter's pride also choked her up. Now that Cora can decompose and compose, they would have more access to materials that were in demand, not to mention be able to make better stones. Cons could now bring all ores back home and not worry about excess. This was the beginning of a business.

It was the start of a new life, for sure.

[captaingammer]

Well, I'm gonna read this is a bit. ^^ But first~

In-game name: Athemis

Name you want: Athemis (yeah...^^)

Class: Currently a Hawkarcher, but soon to be a scout ^^

Gender: Female

Weapon of choice: I like crossbows, because of the raw damage. That, and I want to go ranger, which uses crossbows.

Personality: I'm friendly and happy-go-lucky. I love taking hard challenges, and I won't say no to a fair fight. I like hanging out in the Abyss, which have earned me the nickname Athemis of the Abyss from my guildies ^^; I'll always stand up for my friends, and I have a sense of justice. ~.~ I can get pretty impatient at times, and I tend to slack a lot in leveling. Then I grind like crazy to catch up to my friends, and go ack to slacking. Rinse and repeat XD

Back story: Hmmm...a back story...Ok!! I got a good one >;D Athemis wasn't born in Isya, but came from another continent. She's from a small town, and always dreamed of an adventure in life. She's a wanted criminal for accidentally killing a nobleman's son, and there is a reward for her head. She fled and stowed away on a ship, which came to Roumen. With no money, only the clothes on her back, and only her trusty pet honeying to keep her company, she signed up to join the Henneath Alliance. Eventually, she made her way in Isya.

Picture:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e72/dragonfly77photos/Kittyearpic.jpg
I got my wedding pet in the pic instead of my honeying, but I'd prefer it if the honeying was used instead. ^^ It's name is just Honeying...I know, so creative.

Very, very much accepted. TwT Thank you for applying and reading eventually. <3

[yyty255]

Umm...is it ok if I apply but my main is not from Apoline?

[captaingammer]

Umm...is it ok if I apply but my main is not from Apoline?

Of course it's okay. ^_^

[yyty255]

Yay!
In-game name: CarPha
Name you want: Cara if its possible
Class: High Cleric
Gender: Female
Weapon of choice: Hammer. She prefers hammers because it deals greater damage at a time, but she doesn't really mind using maces because she's trying to save up money to get better weapons in the the future. In other words, she uses what she gets.
Personality: She is shy, and won't talk or open up much to strangers. But once she gets to know someone well, she is constantly jumping around, and pretty much being hyper. If someone hurts any of her friends, she will try to get back at them with all her might.
Back story: She was born in Elderine, and constantly saw injured people rush through the gates, barely surviving from monster attacks. That made her want to help all the people that she possibly could, so she became a cleric.
Picture:http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l101/yyty255/CarPhapic1.png

[T3h_SyN]

Oh wow, this is a good story. I'll be back in a lil bit with an application.

[captaingammer]

Cara is accepted. ^^

Oh wow, this is a good story. I'll be back in a lil bit with an application.

Wow, thanks for the kind feedback. :3

[captaingammer]

The Age of Apoline

Prologue V: Cap Gammer

Oh, Cap... I can't think about her without being a little sad. When she turned up on the doorstop of Dekkid's orphanage for elven archers (his occupation before he became Scout Master), he had thought her story was dramatized to get more attention. Unfortunately for her, it was all true.

Cap was an unplanned birth. Her parents were poor elves who were barely able to get by, and never intended to have a child. When they did, they deliberated whether to keep Cap, and eventually did out of guilt. What they didn't have shame for was resenting their own child for the financial burden. Something gave when Cap was two years old and misbehaving.

"You know what, go," said her father, "Just go away."

Her mother's expression was terrified, as if not wanting Cap to leave. However, the bruises evident on her body told why she was in no position to contest her husband. Naturally, Cap resisted being tossed onto the streets, but a few strikes shook loose any attachment to that man and woman. Her new family was now led by Dekkid, who even then had the distinguished high cheekbones that spoke authority and responsibility.

The years Cap spent in the orphanage were the happiest yet for her. There were so many children that were in the same situation, and they laughed and they played. The best parts were when Dekkid displayed his skills as a scout. His abilities with a bow were unparalleled and mesmerizing to watch. In the times when Dekkid was out for guild business with the Caretakers, the children acted out their own adventures and noble conflicts, all with pantomimed bows.

Archers, the other purely elven class, were the agile hunters of Isya. They trained their bodies to avoid hits, not take them. Combined with amazing aim with a bow, archers were a force to be reckoned with. To make up for the lack of raw power, archers have come to devise a means of coating their arrows with impact arrowheads or poison. In due time, the Second Skin evolved a mechanism which creates arrows of wind capable of inducing bleeding, poison, or disease in a target. These abilities are know for Damage over Time (DoT) and the act of using DoTs to wear an opponent down while avoiding damage is called kiting, named after the sight of an archer with a slowly weakening opponent behind them as if flying a kite.

Cap, in particular, looked right out of a Rayninite's novel in which the elves are mystical and mysterious and tragic. Her golden oak hair hung down except for the strands in front of her face which were pulled back and tied together from her scalp, forming a tiny ponytail. She had shimmering amber eyes and a soft, alluring curve to her face. Her slender body was fit into a Cosmo Suit, which was a purple corset in the back and a tightly fitting white shirt in the front, accompanied by a wide, jeweled necklace, a short black skirt, and purple shoes over long socks. The suit allowed for Cap's various serpentine tattoos to be seen along her arms and back.

As the children of Cap's generation grew up, the predictable nerve in children to subvert the ideas of their elders kicked in. Dekkid was an open critic of Rayninite philosophy, so naturally, the children of the orphanage paid many visits to the Rayninite church and embassy located in the major cities. The essentialist ideas were more concrete and so radically different from Isyan etiquette that it became fun to be different.

One thing Cap picked up on was the importance of group dynamics and the importance of a partner in one's life. She found her partner outside the guild in a fellow archer named Piper. Piper was a humble archer who loved nothing more than to spend time with his friends. At least, that was until Cap dropped just enough hints at wanting to go steady. Thus, in accordance with Rayninite scriptures, she condensed her life into being a supplement to Piper, and she was happy.

All together, the young adults of the orphanage took their promotion exams to become Hawk Archers. With this promotion came the license to wield crossbows. Crossbows were automated arrow-firing mechanisms that hit harder without the need for concentration. Dekkid was so proud of his children that he funded the creation of a guild just for them. They agreed on the name, "Dekkid's Firing Squad."

With the creation of a guild came the eventual introduction to Person versus Person combat and guild wars. Piper was a member of the Isyan Vanguardians, so Dekkid's Firing Squad learned much about PvP, especially how prestigious it was. To make good on the guild and make Dekkid proud, the guild became a PvP guild. As for Cap, her entire world was Piper, so she couldn't care less about winning guild wars. This showed very much in how she dragged her feet and became the winning kill point for the other team, all with a laugh and a smile. The rest of Dekkid's Firing Squad was unamused.

-

One night in Elderine, long before a certain slimehead had joined her family, Angel Gammer made her rounds for her turn of patrols around Elderine. She noted a guild of archers leaving from the seldom-walked residential areas of the town. This made the sudden rain of arrows from the same location they just LEFT all the more strange. Angel investigated it.

There was residue of the arrows everywhere, and a single golden-haired archer dead in the center of it. They must have held a guild war and one of the fallen was taking it hard. Angel walked up to the fallen archer.

"Losing happens, hon. Don't let it get you down. Victories are..." but Angel's wisdom would have to wait. She noticed something VERY wrong. It was blood; all over the fallen archer. There was blood sprayed on the ground and on the side of the house beside her from the impact. "Oh GOD!!!"

Angel ran over to the archer and assessed the situation before casting as many direct heals as she could to keep the archer alive. She then cast a Cure spell on the archer's body, expelling the disease. She had to heal some more times, then cast cure again to expel the poison. Another series of fast-thinking heals, then a final cure to seal up the openly bleeding wounds.

"No..." the archer muttered, "Please..."

Angel sighed out the stress, "It's okay, honey. It's okay. The people who did this to you ran off. I don't think they're coming back."

"Don't..." the archer said before tilting her head and passing out. Angel wasted no time in taking the archer to the local Healer for help and cleaning up.

-

Angel reported to Healer Avon, Elderine's healer, the next day. Avon was a noble paladin who gave up adventuring for being an on-demand healer and selling health and spirit stones. His effeminate exterior was covered by his blue-tinged skin, red laced tunic, and blue long pants. He felt pulling his blonde hair made him even more nonthreatening. He also took the liberty of calling Dekkid over since he recognized one of the scout's children.

"She'll be just fine after a few days of bed rest," Avon told Dekkid, "Angel did a thorough job of keeping her alive. I hardly had to do anything. I just applies some health stones for good measure. According to Angel's testimony, she was traumatized by the experience."

"I can imagine," Dekkid muttered, "being teamed up on by your kin can wreck one's outlook on life."

Avon bit his lip, withholding something, "I'll let Angel explain."

Dekkid, arms folded, turned to Angel expectantly. It didn't make it easier for Angel to start, so she produced a few pieces of paper. The Second Skin is capable of taking something somebody sees and saving that image in itself. Later, the image can be converted to an ink image on paper at the price of spirit. Due to the shine of a picture, they are often referred to as 'screens.'

"I took a few screens very quickly before healing, to assess the situation. I'm an expert on wounds, but you’re an expert on everything arrows. You tell me what's odd about her condition - Cap, was it?"

"Yes," Dekkid said quickly and looked to the pictures, "It's the entry wounds. If a Multi Shot is what hit Cap, the angle of these wounds is all off. The shooter would have to have been standing right next to her in order to have their arrows fall just right like this." Dekkid flipped to another picture, "Ah, and there are ballistics markings on the wounds in this picture. I doubt highly that any archer would find any use in shooting another archer point blank in the middle of a guild war. But how come...?"

Shuffling in the back room brought attention to the three of them. They moved over to where Cap had been sleeping. Dekkid looked at Cap, the picture, and back to Cap, finishing his question.

"Cap, where is your guild insignia?"

Cap furrowed her brow in a spacey, detached manner. A guild insignia is worn on a person's clothing to signify their membership in a certain guild. The Dekkid's Firing Squad insignia was a light green 'DFS' on a dark green background. It was not on Cap's clothes.

"Oh," Cap hummed, "they took it off me. At least, the one you put in charge as guild master did. They told me I was disgracing your name by not taking PvP seriously."

Angel immediately pulled Dekkid aside. Avon covered by pulling out a tongue depressor and initiating a checkup.

"Those arrows came from Cap's position and she was recently kicked out of her guild for asinine reasons," Angel hissed, "I have reason to believe she turned her crossbow on herself that night!"

Dekkid grit his teeth, "That is a morbid accusation, Ms. Gammer," he looked back at Cap. Her face, her smile were too vacant, and it was too soon to be smiling, "morbid, but likely."

They both tensed when Cap walked up to Angel, "I want to thank you for saving my life last night. Healer Avon tells me that a little while longer and I could have died. You are a great person." She followed up with a hug.

Angel returned it awkwardly. Cap's smile was too practiced, her voice in such a monotone. All this reminded her of was Cap's words from the night before.

"No, please..."

"Don't..."

Was Cap talking to her guild mates in a traumatized stupor, or... her?

"Come along, now." Dekkid said to Cap, "Areis has been worried sick about you."

"Areis?" Angel repeated when Cap left.

"A classmate of Cap's. The first Hawk Archer in a while that I've seen stick with using an old-fashioned bow. The two of them are close like sisters... Areis often comes visit the orphanage."

"I'm glad she has somebody."

Dekkid grinned, "She also has her boyfriend, Piper. She just can't handle rejection, I've noticed."

"Poor thing."

"Well," Dekkid called with purpose, "I must offer my sincere thanks for your services, Miss. You are an irreplaceable asset to this country and its ways."

Angel laughed lightly, "I'm just doing my job."

-

The next time Angel saw Cap, it was years later when picking up Cora from a session at the mage academy. The two of them saw Cap with another young woman, an archer with yellow-orange that was down except for a single braid that hung on the side of her face.

"Cap!" Angel called out, getting their attention, "It is so good to see you again! This must be Areis."

"Yes' ma'am." Areis responded in an adorable, high voice, with a curtsy.

Angel smiled aside, "Cora, baby, this is Cap. I helped her on one of my patrols."

"You have a daughter...!" Cap pointed out in amazement, "I mean, of course YOU'D have a daughter. Any man would love to make a daughter with you."

Despite the bustling of the city around them, it felt like dead silence. The comment was just so much out of left field. Cap's eyes widened and she laughed heartily, "Oh dear! I said that in the worst way! What I meant to say is that I knew you had a wonderful family. Cora, you're just adorable."

Cora giggled, "Thank you! It's great to meet you too!"

Somehow, Cora found her way to hugging Cap. Cap seemed surprised, then took to the hug. A little too well, in fact. Her return hug was entwining, one arm around Cora's lower back, the other hand with the fingers buried in Cora's green hair. Angel would have said something if the hug hadn't broken to arm's-length as soon as it had. There just was something about how Cap looked at Cora in that moment that was hard to ignore...

"Awww," cooed Areis, cutting into the moment, "It was nice to meet you all, but we were on our way to the Abyss to get in some target practice!"

Angel's expression darkened, "The Abyss, huh?"

Connected to Elderine and Uruga were zones called Forest Perimeter. Past those zones, guards could usher any interested into one of many zones called the Abyss. The Abyss changed depending on location and power of the person who went in. Regardless, the Abyss was a savage land where the monsters were twice as strong and the Second Skin was weak. The laws of the land that prevented person-to-person violence did not apply in the Abyss. The governments of Isya wanted to make it a formality to not hunt your fellow people in the Abyss, but there was money to be made there. Now, the Abyss is advertised as a haven for those who enjoy Person versus Person combat. If somebody wishes to prey on other adventurers who aren't interested in PvP, they are allowed to do so. PvP guilds even make a sport of it, an activity called Person Killing, or PK.

"Oh, no!" Areis yelped, "We're not PKers! At least... when she's with me, she isn't."

Cap turned to Areis, "Piper loves to PK. I love helping him. It's nothing personal against his victims. As long as you're not in the Abyss when Piper and I are, everything is fine."

The tension lasted until the two archers palled around, remembering what's important. "Bye!" Areis called.

"Bye..." Angel called back with a weak hand in the air. She had to wonder, if it came down to it, what WOULD Cap do?

[captaingammer]

This was an encounter Cora kept in mind when one day she found herself in Forest Perimeter. The zone itself was rather majestic: A small field indented in a mountain by the impact of mysterious pillars. These pillars took on various statue-esque shapes which defied gravity. Some pillars went so far as to forego gravity entirely and hover in the air. The nature of these pillars wasn't known, but it was known that they linked to the Abyss. Since PvP guilds and PKers loved the Abyss like second homes, nobody questioned it.

On this day, Cora was waiting outside with a guard for when Cons would emerge from the Abyss. It was great for hunting and gathering food and materials and items to sell when there weren't PKers about. Since Cons didn't immediately come back, Cora knew that there weren't any in there right now.

That's when, across the way, an archer emerged from another entrance into the Abyss, stumbling and coughing.

"Is that Aries?" Cora asked herself.

It was! Areis's Second Skin was tinged green. She had been poisoned while in the Abyss. While outside the Abyss, though, Second Skin was strong. The poison would pass and Areis would recover. The worst that can happen outside the Abyss was she'd get really annoyed or sad.

Soon enough, a male archer with messy black hair emerged, and so did Cap! The male archer laughed, "haahhaha lol porting noob."

Great, Cora thought, he has a really bad Rayninite dialect. Wait a moment... That couldn't be...

"Piper!!" shouted Cap, answering the question, "I told you to stop firing at Areis a million times in there!"

"she a nub all noobs die babeh"

Cap ignored, that, "Areis, are you okay!?"

"I'm fine." Areis muttered, though Cora hoped that Cap soon wouldn't be experiencing friend loss.

"lololololol"

Cap stood in front of Piper, "Babe, you weren't always like this. I remember when you were nice! And spoke properly! Please promise me you'll be nicer after we're married, okay?"

Piper stopped laughing and looked at Cap with a poker face, "o yeah that reminds me we're not getting married lol"

Cora felt her mouth go dry. This wasn't good.

Cap was no less horrified, "Wh... what...?"

"ya i found another girl shes awesome at pvp and has lots of money so i can get charms and stuff so it makes sense sides i think she liked me more"

Cora would have hit him with her staff if she were in range. She hoped Cap would speak her mind, but that wasn't going to happen.

Cap looked like a cat had jumped in her chest cavity and started shredding everything inside. Her breaths were light and fragmented. Her face was contorted, pupils the size of grains of sand, her mouth open and gasping. She stumbled back, holding onto a pillar for support. Meanwhile, Piper wandered off to one of his friends and started discussing PvP.

Cap screamed. It wasn't a yelp, but a long, bloodcurtling cry; an inelven shriek that let all who heard it know that the very fabric of her being had been violated. All of her beliefs, everything she sacrificed, violated. Destroyed. Mutilated. Areis rushed over to try and talk her friend down.

"Damn," said the fighter Piper was talking to, "That's pretty fricken' annoying. I'd hate to see how she'd react when you married and cheated on her!"

"inorite lol"

All at once, Cap stopped screaming. She returned to the fragmented breathing. No, she was breathing normally, calmly. Cora stood up... This didn't feel right. Cap was smiling. She shouldn't be smiling. Nobody who just got dumped smiles. Cora wanted to do something, but felt like she had no part in this. She just watched Cap walk back to where Piper was standing. Cora shivered.

At this point, she noticed that Cap's weapon was a shimmering crossbow with energy emanating from the ends of the bow. It was fully enhanced. Cap tapped Piper's shoulder and now the cross bow was at his chest.

"You like PvP?"

What happened next was surreal. There was the familiar click-tong! of a crossbow firing, followed by a sickening sizzle and pop. Cap had fired a Power Shot into Piper's chest. The empowered arrow punched through his Second Skin, burned his ribcage to dust, and impacted his heart, bursting the vital organ on contact. The blood from the shot splattered onto Cap's face, suit, and crossbow. Piper died immediately, his body hitting the ground soon after.

The calm afterward was creepy. Everybody knew what happened. They saw it, but it was hard to register it. The calm broke when Areis shrieked in horror.

"Huh..." Cap hummed, "I'd have thought he'd have no heart to destroy." She then fell to her knees. The crowd in the Forst Perimeter went crazy.

"What did you DO!?"
"Oh god, oh god!!"
"TEVA HELP US!!"
"That's messed up!"
"This is fake, right? RIGHT!?"

The fighter turned out to be a guildmate of Piper's. He stepped forward, "YOU KILLED HIM!!! THE ISYAN VANGUARDIAN'S BEST ARCHER AND YOU KILLED HIM!!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!"

Cap made no effort to move as the fighter lifted his axe. A Fire Bolt stopped him.

"NO MORE KILLING!!!" Cora yelled, preparing another spell.

"Don't you ****ing hit Sirruk!!" Another Isyan Vanguardian fighter scolded, ramming his shoulder into Cora's back. She gulped and locked up, stunned.

Unfortunately, that was the very moment Cons emerged from the Abyss. All she saw was the fighter strike Cora and that was all she needed to see. She swiped her hammer with a single stroke, and hit on the fighter's face. He bled out his nose and mouth and fell to the ground. His Second Skin told him he was defeated.

"HELP HER!!!" Cora shouted, pointing at Cap.

Cons didn't know what was going on, nor did he care. Cora made a demand and Cons was not going to fail or ignore.

Sirruk lifted his axe again, "Go to hell!!!" He let the axe down, and it landed next to Cap. More specifically, it scraped Cap's Second Skin and hit the ground. "What the ****!?"

Cap's Second Skin shimmered with Invincible. Sirruk was still confused, and for a moment too long. A big, green, serpentine dragon swooped upon Cap and grabbed her collar in its teeth. Cons picked Cap up and placed her in front of her on the dragon's back. In the next moment, Cons signaled for the guard to send them back to Elderine. The dragon carried Cap, Cons, and Cora to the church.

"You have an Earth Dragon??" Cora gasped.

Cons pat the dragon on the nose, fed it a ration, and let it disappear, "I only summon it when I need it."

"I didn't know you had UT."

"Used to."

-

Angel, Cora, and Cons attended Cap's trial later that day. Parfait was more than accommodating to let Angel go. Cap was in the defendant's stand, looking forward expressionless; more like lifeless. Presiding over the hearing was a particularly bold prosecutor who kept things going when needed. In front of Cap were the leaders of the Henneath Alliance, the government of Isya. Roumenus, the chief of Roumen, Shutian, the Guard Captain of Elderine, Adrian, the chief of Uruga, and finally Sirrael, the master of the PKer's Union. His rank was a perfect fit for his hard, intimidating face with piercing blue eyes and long dark red hair. He was dressed in a garb that was mostly a brown suit with lacing golden strands and a gem on the collar. Due to its black and red color, it was often called the Nightmare Suit.

"Cap," Shutian called down, "do you admit to the allegations against you?"

"Guilty as charged," Cap said in a monotone.

"I see. But you realize that being honest and agreeable will not spare you from disciplinary action?"

"I do."

"Let her walk to Uruga!!" shouted a member of the audience, "Let the monsters judge her!"

"Order!" Adrian shouted to the courtroom, "There is more to this story. We have testimony and records that show that Cap has been making unauthorized withdrawls from her orphanage's funds."

"Yes, yes...," concurred the prosecutor. "I believe that Sirruk, the son of our very own Sirrael, has testified that on a regular basis, that girl has been providing the murder victim with funds and equipment and Universal Tender with stolen money."

"Extortion?" Roumenus asked.

The prosecutor shook his head sportingly, as if making his next chess move, "No, my esteemed chief. Piper, rest his soul, never asked a damn thing of the guilty party. She committed theft and murder entirely of her own accord. It is a unanimous informal vote of the PKer's union that nothing short of deletion is a suitable sentence."

"No!!" Cora yelped from the audience. Angel and Cons sat her back down.

Adrian turned her head, "An eye for an eye makes the world blind, doesn't it?"

The prosecutor scoffed, "I suppose majority rules on that ideal. Praytell, how do you otherwise punish a brazen felony?" He stood up to assert his authority, "This girl, Cap, has proven only a burden to Isya. Her mere presence financially destroyed her own parents. She repays the current Scout Master by taking advantage of his hospitality! And now, she commits the greatest of sins against both Isyan and Rayninite doctrine over a menial lover's spat."

Angel scowled at how much this prosecutor seemed to enjoy this tirade. He was clearly a Rayninite and wealthy; his brashness made him different than other lawmakers in this country. Cons, of course, couldn't be gauged for a reaction, and Cora gripped the coattails of her novice pants. It hurt more that Cap WAS guilty of all of it. Looking on the other side of the room, Areis WAS there, but she was silent, downcast. Was she still in shock?

The one person Angel watched closest of all was Sirrael. The entire time, the only Rayninite figure on the bench was hunched over; mouth against his folded hands on top of his arms, the elbows perched on the bench. His eyes were narrowed and traveling with thought; he certainly wasn't just sitting idle during these proceedings. In fact, he remained as such during this time when the other Alliance members were discussing what to do next in a hushed frenzy.

"Is there no other choice?" came the least expected voice of all. There was a murmur about the courtroom as Sirrael lowered his hands.

The prosecutor grinned, "I assure you, there is nothing more suitable to do with this girl." Everybody expected Sirrael to speak again, but he didn't in favor of keeping up his poker face. The prosecutor cleared his throat to press further, but Town Chief Roumenus interrupted him, perhaps for the first time in the prosecutor's career.

"Pardon me for contradicting you at all, but life IS precious in this country to a fault. Based on the teachings of the church of Teva, Isya's legal system is just full of ideals and faith in the elfin or human condition. I have a hard time believing that there isn't a sentence for this young woman that is bittersweet, with an emphasis on the sweet. Might I remind you that withholding information from this court could reflect on you... rather poorly."

Everybody was in a hush. The proceedings just got a lot more interesting, what with this uncontested rhetorical beast now called out. The prosecutor wore an expression of angry confusion. He looked about to burst, but instead started talking again as if he had been waiting to.

"Pardon me. People of the court and the Alliance, pardon me for my assumptions. Indeed, our esteemed chair in the Henneath Alliance has earned his keep by bringing to the table another solution that is buried deep in the pages of Isyan law." He added lowly, "Very... very deep. Ahem... should this girl, this murderer, be taken in and monitored by a guardian for a probationary period, ONLY THEN will she avoid such a fate! If that's the case..." He swept a grand gesture, "Indulge me, my dear people of Isya! Who, in their right mind, will take on this extra weight; a thieving, killing, waste of the good hope and spirit that the goddess Teva had endowed upon this country?"

The courtroom was silent. Nobody made eye contact with anybody else. The prosecutor caught a few gazes, which immediately were cast away. "ANYBODY!?" he shouted so loud that it echoed throughout the halls.

That was it. She didn't know how, but she had to stop this. Cora placed her palms on her chair and prepared to object.

"I will adopt her!"

The courtroom gasped and the people murmured amongst themselves. Cora was still in her seat. It was Angel who had stood up and was now facing down the prosecutor's most scornful stare.

"Tread lightly, woman," He hissed, "come up here and pledge yourself in front of the Henneath Alliance!"

Angel's footsteps were the only thing heard as she walked over to where Cap stood. She faced the four leaders. Sirrael in particularl was an intense spectator. "With her permission and yours," Angel said aloud, "I pledge myself and my family to monitor Cap. We will rehabilitate her and enforce her probation. Cap, will you join my family?"

Cap looked up at Angel and saw the sincerity in her eyes. She looked to the sympathetic, but forced-handed eyes of the town chiefs. She looked back into the audience, to Cora hopeful, and Cons with her arms folded.

"I will."

The prosecutor was too busy wordlessly snarling to object. Angel smiled, "If that's the case, we're done here. Come along, Cap. We shouldn't be here for any longer than we need be."

[captaingammer]

"I agree!" the prosecutor shouted, returning to his seat, "This trial is over. We can skip right to another pressing order of business immediately! All the relevant players are here."

"What are you talking about?" Angel asked carefully.

"My voice is tired. Roumenus, friend, do tell her what the Henneath Alliance has decided on." Roumenus stayed his ground. "Cat got your tongue? Shutian, the floor is yours." Shutian pursued his lips, but did not speak. "Adrian? My dear, surely you have the gumption." Not a word or movement from Adrian.

"Out with it!" Angel demanded, "I want to make room in my home for my new daughter."

Sirrael cleared his throat, " You have had two dependents under your care and no man of the house for months, now. It is remarkable that you have kept your finances in the black for so long."

Angel straightened her stance, "Why thank you, I do my best."

"In light of this, the Henneath Alliance has considered taking action to help your situation. We are offering you a severance package of two hundred silver pices."

"No thanks," Angel said, then tilted her face, "Wait... Severance package?"

"Indeed," said Sirrael, looking his most official, "In exchange, you will be disbarred from any and all guild activity. Hopefully the package will keep you funded while you search for a job... Or a sponsor."

Angel scoffed, "You're forcing me out of my guild!? Roumenus, you know me. You know that I love Parfait."

Unfortunately, Roumenus's mouth still seemed to be wielded shut. The other masters of the Henneath Alliance shared the same expression.

"Oh god..." Angel muttered, "You really did... You bowed down to this man's word!? He is a PKer! Why should he have any say into what happens in an exhibition guild!?"

"M... Miss Gammer," Roumenus stuttered, "no matter his views, he is still a master of the Henneath Alliance, and therefore his word is worth as much as mine... Or Shutian's, or Adrians..."

"Roumenus!" Barked the prosecutor with a superior laugh, "Don't spin the facts! The PKer's Union supplies more gold and Universal Tender to the Isyan economy than most other organizations COMBINED! They give you your money!"

"Is this true!?" Angel demanded.

"It may have something to do with it."

Angel looked from member to member, perplexed, "Incredible, just incredible." After a moment, she unclipped her armor, letting it fall to the ground and leaving her torso in a tank top.

"What are you doing!?" Adrian demanded.

"I dunno," Angel shrugged, "I guess I've got hot flashes. OH, CRAMPS! **** my life, why was I born a woman? Quick, somebody get me pregnant so I have a purpose in life again!!"

Shutian stood up, "Miss Gammer! This conduct is extremely unbecoming of you!!"

"I could say the same for the four of you!!" Angel shot back. She tossed off her tank top. She hadn't been wearing any undergarments.

Cora's face flushed crimson.

"Whoo!" Angel exhaled, "I feel better now."

Everybody expected the prosecutor to be furious, but instead, he laughed. He laughed with morbid humor, clapping at the show.

"Prosecutor...?" Shutian asked slowly.

The prosecutor finished laughing, "In no other family would that Cap girl fit! Now that wretched excuse of a family consists of a weakling, a freak, a murderer... and the dried up spinster whose inability to accept her lot in life has rendered her cadaverous."

Immediately, Angel said, "Guilty as charged."

"Guilty as charged," echoed Cora.

"Guilty as charged," echoed Cons.

Hearing that seemed to take the prosecutor off his high.

Angel stretched out, deliberately exposing her assets, "Can we go now?"

"You may," said Sirrael, pounding his gavel. "All orders of business that have been briefed have been addressed."

Angel looked back at Sirrael, her expression freely admitting to her now knowing what to think. Regardless, the newly bolstered Gammer family took its leave, followed by the people of the court.

"What is your agenda, Sirrael?" Shutian demanded when the Alliance had its privacy, "You step in on some cases, and just do as you're told in other!?"

"I am also curious about that," Adrian concurred, with an agreeing nod from Roumenus.

"Colleagues," Sirrael sighed, "I uphold the law of the land. I do not creating anything from nothing. I believe that Isya's laws were created with the makers of sound body and mind, and likewise believe that they provide for never keeping a good person down. A person who is formally unemployed and the guardian of three dependents is deemed by the founders to be in need of assistance."

Shutian, thinking for the rest, asked, "And Cap?"

"Very much the same thing. I knew what laws were possible, and which outcome everybody wanted. The prosecutor was a shrewd man. Relying on an opponent to tell me what I can and can't do will only give me the impression that I cannot succeed. If there's any free agent out there, it's Angel Gammer. She has recently proven to be a foil for the status quo. A woman like that can't be counted out just yet."

-

Immediately out the door, Angel requested her clothing and hastily changed back. They were well hidden from the public. The four of them were in silence. What just transpired was dizzying to try and comprehend. Cap hugged her crossbow and moved to Cora.

"I would have been exiled if you hadn't believed in me... I don't understand it myself, but thank you so..."

Cons stepped beside Cora and held her hammer out in a blocking manner.

"Cons!!" Cora scolded.

"It's okay," Cap sighed, "I killed a person. I don't even know how you still trust me... much less would want me in your family."

Cora tried to push the hammer away, "Put that down, PLEASE!"

Cons said simply, "Misplaced trust is what got us here. I will not question Angel's judgment, but I will still have my say."

Cora tried to hold back a trembling lip, "What can she do to make you feel better about her!?"

With a hum, Cons looked Cap over. It was very uncomfortable, especially since Cons's face was hidden. She said eventually, "I notice you still nurse that weapon and point it at anybody who looks at you funny."

That got a gasp out of Cap, "S... so!?"

"Lighten up, relax, and show me that you can be a good person. Right now all I see is a drama queen and a murderer."

"Piper gave me this crossbow!!"

"All the more reason to be rid of it. You don't owe him anything."

"But-!"

"You've heard my demands."

Cons took her hammer away and left to check up on Angel. Cora moved to say or do something comforting, but it seemed Cap was obsessed with the crossbow.

-

The answer to Cons's demands came a few days later. Cap was integrated well into the household, despite Cons. She was going to meet with Cons to see Cora out of her academy class when she was held up when transferring her possessions to the Gammer Family storage.

"hay" said an archer with a Rayninite dialect.

Cap turned around, startled, "Um... yes?"

The archer pointed, "that a +9 xbow?"

"It is..."

"can i buy it"

Cap hugged the crossbow, "Wh, what?"

"i give 1g"

In Isya, the money is separated into copper, silver, gold, and gems. Buying groceries was a couple dozen pieces silver, and a gold piece was worth a thousand silver. Needless to say, one gold was a lot of money. However, a fully enhanced weapons cost many times more in gold, and a lot in other currencies to make.

"I'm not letting this go for any less than two gold and five hundred silvers!"

"lol come on"

Cons and Cora came from behind the building in searching for Cap. "There she is!" Cora announced. Cons pulled her back.

"Hold on a second... Is she doing what I think she's doing?"

"1g"

Cap bore her teeth, "This is a fully enhanced plus-nine! A single gold is NOTHING! Just go away and find a cheaper one!"

"but u dont need it"

It was sort of true. At Cap's level of skill, she was licensed to use higher quality crossbows. Of course, higher quality meant nothing if the newer crossbow wasn't plus-nine.

"One and a half gold! Can't afford it? Go away."

"come on i need a +9 for pvp plzzzzzzzzzzzzz"

The buzzing noise that the archer made grated on Cap's ears. The archer's begging didn't bother her; she grappled with the dilemma. In all honesty, she wasn't interested in selling the crossbow at all. She figured sticking with the real price of her crossbow would keep people away, but this one was persistent. And besides...

"You don't owe him anything."

Cap exhaled hard and couldn't bear to look. "One gold."

The archer placed the gold piece in Cap's hand. She checked if it was real. To her dismay it was. She gently let go of her crossbow, leaving it in the hands of the archer.

"thx" was all the archer said. Without a single other word, he walked off with Cap's plus-nine crossbow. Cap coped by sitting at a nearby bench and holding her face in her hands.

In a few moments, Cons and Cora walked up to her. Of course, Cons played dumb, "Who was that?"

Cap sniffed and wiped a tear, "I... I sold him my crossbow... For only a single gold piece..."

"You did WHAT?" Cons's fake astonishment was painful for anybody who noticed it.

It certainly didn't help Cap feel any better, "I know, I know, but... you were right. For how much Piper means to me now, I might as well have broken it over my knee."

"Don't feel bad!" Cora said suddenly, hopping over to Cap to hug her, "Sometimes we keep things and make them our own... And at other times, we have to forget the past."

Cons had to wonder what Cora meant by that. It took all of Cons's restraint not to step in and separate them... ESPECIALLY when Cap added the kiss to Cora's cheek. Cora's blush was the salt in that wound.

Cora took the moments Cap was beaming to whisper something to Cons. It only took one "Please?" to get her to do it. Cap was taken back when a big slimehead walked at her for a hug, but it was the best thing she could have asked for. Cap hugged back on Cons's broader torso, and then giggled when she added a kiss to the side of the slime helmet. Cons hung her head in a bashful manner.

-

Cap returned to the house that night to a surprise party. She personally didn't think she had anything to celebrate, but Angel, Cons, and Cora felt that the new addition to the family was worth all the celebration that could be fit into one night.

While she was enjoying some tea, Cap saw a bow enter her eyesight. She followed it to the hand of, then rest of, Areis.

"A... Areis!" Cap stammered.

Areis gave a sigh with a smile, "I'm sorry I avoided seeing you for the past few days. I was scared. I thought I didn't know you any more... But I can't let what one idiot does to you ruin years of friendship. I don't know how long it'll take for me to think the same..."

Cap hugged Areis in mid sentence. She smiled her sleepy smile. "It's okay. I messed up. I really don't think I deserve this second chance... But with friends and family by my side, I think I can do this. Thank you so much for not giving up on me." She kissed her friend, and the festivities continued.

It was the start of a new life, for sure.

[roxca]

Reserved for my application (need my screenie >.>). Love the story. :D

Edit: Found a screenie! >.>

In-game name: Roxca

Name: Roxca or Rox for short ^^

Class: Paladin

Gender: Female of course! >.>;

Weapon of choice: Hammer, because she love the raw and high damage it does but sometimes uses a mace on weaker monsters for its faster attack rate. She's starting to use the mace more frequently for her goal to become a Holy Knight.

Personality: Roxca is carefree and would always help others which inspired her to become a cleric. She's kind and polite around strangers, but once you get to know her, she tends to be rough and has a violent side if you get her angry. She hates when people lie to her which tends to make her feel cautious around others. She loves to fight whether soloing or with a party and sometimes tends to forget to heal her party members when she's fighting another monster. And, as a cleric, she hate rude people asking for buffs without the please! DX

Back story: o.o;; ok ok um.... She was born in a small village unnamed in Isya. Her mother died when she was very young and has lived with her father, who was a fighter. Admiring his taste for fighitng she would tail her father when he went off to hunt monsters and watch him fight with great interest. Her father, noticing his daughter would always come to watch him fight, decided to teach her swordplay. Roxca took to it very excitedly and even showed the village boys the skills she would learn. One day, when showing off yet another new skill, she noticed one of her friends was had a small cut on his hand. She wanted to help and as she remembered the magic words her mother used to help heal her cuts. She recited it as if from experience and the cut healed instantly. Word spread around the small village and later her father heard of this accomplishment. Filled with excitement, he finally talked with his daughter into becoming an adventurer. She left her village, with only her father's shield, her mom's mace, and her dream to become the best cleric in all of Isya.

Pic: http://i25.tinypic.com/1zmcgig.jpg

[Dragonfly77]

Whew, I read it all. Very entertaining. My only suggestion is to do a bit of grammar editing on the first post, but that's it. ^^

Can't wait to read more. o.o

[T3h_SyN]

All at once, Cap stopped screaming. She returned to the fragmented breathing. No, she was breathing normally, calmly. Cora stood up... This didn't feel right. Cap was smiling. She shouldn't be smiling. Nobody who just got dumped smiles. Cora wanted to do something, but felt like she had no part in this. She just watched Cap walk back to where Piper was standing. Cora shivered.

At this point, she noticed that Cap's weapon was a shimmering crossbow with energy emanating from the ends of the bow. It was fully enhanced. Cap tapped Piper's shoulder and now the cross bow was at his chest.

"You like PvP?"

What happened next was surreal. There was the familiar click-tong! of a crossbow firing, followed by a sickening sizzle and pop. Cap had fired a Power Shot into Piper's chest. The empowered arrow punched through his Second Skin, burned his ribcage to dust, and impacted his heart, bursting the vital organ on contact. The blood from the shot splattered onto Cap's face, suit, and crossbow. Piper died immediately, his body hitting the ground soon after.

I was expecting this to happen. Not as awsm as it did, but yea, I saw him biting the dust. Brilliant stuff, this story is.

Here's ma application btw:

In-game name: Evil_Kitone

Name: Kitone

Class: Tyrant Ruler of Darkness... wait, that's not a class... that's a job position. Fighter, the one that you are b4 the 6x job change, I forget the first part of the name.

Gender: uhh... Femme :3

Weapon of choice: Two-handed swords, because she's confident enough in her abilities to wield one that she decided against needing a shield and she likes it's raw power. Even though she's been told that she'd get more 'oomph' with an axe she prefers the finesse and control of a 2h. Plus she's not using it to chop wood >_>

Personality: Kitone tends to be a little abrasive to people she's just meeting, it's not because she's shy though, far from it. She just doesn't trust people easily anymore. Ever since a good friend betrayed her and left her for dead she just hasn't been the same. However if you can stand her attitude eventually she'll warm up to you and treat you with the kindness and devotion she used to show everyone. Her unwelcoming attitude has won her many an enemy over her lifetime and this has made her into a dangerous opponent, because as she was taught as a young girl 'The only person's actions you can truly rely on in the battlefield are your own.' Though she has tried to change her ways she still harbors a fondness for clerics and a distaste for mages. She's also naturally very curious.

Back Story: Kitone is the daughter of a fairly wealthy set of merchants, her father was a fighter and her mother was an Archer. Originally her parents wanted her to follow in their footsteps and become a merchant as well but Kitone would have none of it, she wanted to be an adventurer and see the world, helping people along the way. Her mother warmed up to the idea of Kitone not becoming a merchant faster than her father did and started to teach her the way's of the bow. Though her mother was an experienced and wonderful huntress, Kitone was not. She failed miserably with a bow, either missing targets completely or hitting something she didn't aim at. Her father watched her train with her mother secretly once and laughed to himself, deciding on that day to try and teach her how to use a sword. Kitone took to swordplay as if she had been doing it all her life. She became a fighter and left her home to make her own in life. She made a few close friends on the journey's she had, the closest was an archer named Rennas. She met him in an attack on King Slime's Hill, and they were friends, almost lovers in Kitone's eyes, until the day he betrayed her in the abyss. They were hired to capture a ruthless pk'er but they were ambushed in the furthest reaches of the abyss. Kitone drew her sword to defend her self but she felt a sharp pain and felt the life draining out of her. When she turned around she sae Rennas, bow drawn, his poisoned arrow in her back. The last words she heard before the mob closed in were, "I'm sorry Kit, it's just business..." Later, when she came to in Elderine's Infirmary, she learnt that Rennas had actually been paid by the target to stop her from capturing him. Ever since that day she has been hunting Rennas down, to exact her revenge.

Pic:http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/Tru_SyN/lolscreenierip.jpg

[Dragonfly77]

Nice Kit. XD

I just noticed something..I said I came from a different country in my application...oh noes...

I don't wanna talk like a Raynite!! O.O

[captaingammer]

Been looking forward to saying this as much as I had for Athemis... Kitone is accepted! I IMMEDIATELY came up with a part for her as soon as I read the back story! See why I heavily suggested making one? ;3

Nice Kit. XD

I just noticed something..I said I came from a different country in my application...oh noes...

I don't wanna talk like a Raynite!! O.O

Believe it or not, I'm done with much of the final prologue, next week's chapter. It'll still come out Friday (or 10:00pm Thursday if you want to get technical) unless I decide to go ahead and update every other Tuesday as well, like I've been planning.

... Point being that I've written out much of Athemis's first appearance, and trust me, she doesn't use the dialect. The only reason it's called the Rayninite dialect is because it originated in the country. Most of the people speak properly. This would speak for itself in the coming chapters, but it looked like you needed reassurance now. ^^

I was expecting this to happen. Not as awsm as it did, but yea, I saw him biting the dust. Brilliant stuff, this story is.

Are you sure you saw it coming, or did you just want to beat him to death yourself? XD

Whew, I read it all. Very entertaining. My only suggestion is to do a bit of grammar editing on the first post, but that's it. ^^

Can't wait to read more. o.o

First post? You mean the first prologue, or the post with all the chapters in it?

Either way, thank you both very much for your great feedback. ^^ Every bit of constructive criticism is fabulously accepted.

[T3h_SyN]

Been looking forward to saying this as much as I had for Athemis... Kitone is accepted! I IMMEDIATELY came up with a part for her as soon as I read the back story! See why I heavily suggested making one? ;3

Sweet! *thumbs up* I think this is the first story I've applied to be in in which I wasn't applying to be a bad guy, so I had to think hard to come up with a noble story that would allow me to kill someone in the end, which imo is why I'm usually applying to be a bad guy.

Are you sure you saw it coming, or did you just want to beat him to death yourself? XD

A bit of both, personally I wanted to disembowel him... but what Cap did was enough to quell my rage.

And about the errors, I think she was referring to the first part of Cap's Prologue. The only one I can remember off the top of my head is you have a 'Quad' instead of 'Squad'. I'd have to reread it to find the others, if there are any more ;3.

[Dragonfly77]

Phew...I won't talk like a Raynite *breathes a sigh of relief*

And yeah, I needed reassurance asap >.o

What I meant about the editing, I guess it can go for the first few chapters. That's all. ^^

[captaingammer]

Sweet! *thumbs up* I think this is the first story I've applied to be in in which I wasn't applying to be a bad guy, so I had to think hard to come up with a noble story that would allow me to kill someone in the end, which imo is why I'm usually applying to be a bad guy.

Considering As Things Were, Abyss Guardians, and the Apoliner, I was expecting a villain application too. o-o Which is why I was EXTREMELY pleasantly surprised when I saw this extensive and well-thought back story.

I think this approach makes the character more intriguing, and certainly gives me a lot more room to interpret in a way I think all parties will be satisfied with. =D

[maidenmercury]

Sorry that it took meh awhile x.x But here it ish.. <3

In-game name: xXMaidenYuriXx

Name you want: Yuri

Class: Enchanter

Weapon of choice: Staff..cuz I wants to beh a wizard and must beh loyal ta meh future class >:P

Personality: Quiet, mostly reading in my spare time, always spaces out, a sap for sweets, very playful with friends, though ish serious when I needs to be, believes in romantic love, has a spilt personality that awakens whenever I begins to fight and takes over me completely, losing all regard for my friends' well-being and leaves meh to only focus on the fight at hand, and has no memory of it when it's over..

Backstory: Born in Isya and raised by my older brother, Keen, who's a little more than a year older than me. I'm very attached to him, and love being around him. We're both mages and we do almost everything together as if we were twins. Unlike me though, he can control his 'other self.' He tries training me to do the same, but each time I try, it gets worse...

Picture:

http://www.outspark.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10747&stc=1&d=1251175731

[captaingammer]

The Age of Apoline

Final Prologue: Colonel Rayne

I've talked enough about Isya. I'm sure you know everything about it. Let's talk about Rayne! That's right, Rayne is more than just an unknown floating around with arrogant people and an awful dialect.

The Rayninites as we know them now are actually a noble people whose goal was a world without monsters or magic. Their aim was to build a country where people who do not wish to worry about sudden raids or overlords taking over the country can come, settle down, and concentrate on their careers or family.

Red hair and blue eyes were the genetic birthright to the Rayninite country. If ever you've seen a person in Isya with red, pink, purple, and sometimes orange hair, they were born in Rayne and moved to become an adventurer. You figured that red hair was a popular color, or something? To a lesser degree, blue eyes mean the same thing. Not so often, though.

I shall take you back to the birth of Colonel Rayne...

-

Screams burst from the royal bedroom. The guards outside had to keep convincing themselves that it was because the queen is giving birth. The less experienced of the two frequently sighed and shifted his weight. The other voices consoling the queen and reporting on her condition helped keep down the emergency instincts.

"Relax," Said the grinning elder guard, "just because they bust your *** everywhere else in training, that doesn't mean you're not supposed to suddenly switch gears and adapt to a situation you were never trained to handle."

The younger guard willed himself to stand still with a final sigh, "Yeah, okay." However, it was replaced by the occasional glance toward the door. Rather than wait for the other guard to bring attention to it, he just had out with it, "But this is a big deal, right? The first-born of every generation grows up to rule, no exceptions. What if it's a...?"

"A girl?" The elder guard finished, "It's true that we officially became the kingdom of Rayne when our first king took the throne. When the monsters became unruly and the matriarchy still insisted that we should understand them instead of taking any violent action, the people sided with the man who would become King Rayne I. Now ours is the most advanced civilization, forefront of the steam machina revolution, and our monster fatality count has been completely eliminated." As the younger guard's chest swelled in pride from the history lesson, the elder added under his breath, "... but overall fatality inflated..."

Obviously, the younger's issue hadn't been addressed, "I know all that, but if the matriarchy was responsible for us not being prepared for the surge that killed off half the working population, why is their family line still nobility? Even having a lone seat in the king's council is too good for them."

The elder laughed, "A less tolerant soldier would make a threat on your life for such talk! Don't forget that we owe much of our culture to the matriarchy, whose rule expands before the archives. Weren't you taught in school that the matriarchy only willingly stepped down-?"

"On the condition that they would regain the throne when an heir is female. Of course. The fact that we've gone nine generations of male heirs was the selling point that allowed for Rayne I's religion of a one true God to become the primary faith of the kingdom."

"Yes... As God dictates, the kingdom of Rayne will be ruled over by its eponymous house. I suppose it's time for you to become a true Rayninite knight."

The younger shifted again, opened his mouth, was silenced by further screams, then spoke, "What are you getting at?"

"It wasn't an insult!" Insisted the elder, "In order to be accepted into the inner circle of Rayninites, there is a secret that you must bring to your grave should it never be publicly known." He leaned back with an intimidating smile, "Are you sure you're actually ready for such a thing?"

The younger could tell that his superior wasn't jesting. The way he cast a look toward the royal bedroom, it told of something burdensome yet illuminating at the some time. Eyes moist, the younger's head bounced in an eager nod, "Yes, of course. I didn't join just to make it halfway."

"Good, good!" The elder crossed over to the younger's side of the door. This would require discretion, and the positions were a formality anyway. "The very livelihood of the house of Rayne, the queen's andocentric fertility, has been assured, generation after generation."

"By God?"

The elder popped a single laugh, but stifled it, "Ah, we like to think so, but in the event that whim wins out, from the very first day of Rayne's rule, the men of the royal family have kept a contingency in place to assure male heirs."

The younger looked aside in disbelief, but said nothing.

"The very moment the pact was forged with the matriarchy, Rayne I sent out his most trusted scouts to the overseas country of Isya."

"Isya!? That country of heretics and witches?"

"Yes," mused the elder, "your parents have conditioned you well. All the young people today mistake xenophobia for patriotism."

"Anyway, what was this 'contingency?'"

The elder looked around, making damned sure nobody would overhear. He leaned in spoke softly, "It's the food, my boy. Rayne I's scouts scoured the Isyan black market and located the recipe for an additive to the royal meals. It's tasteless, odorless, colorless. It's mixed into the sauces and the spices, and garnished onto everything else. Nobody questions how it works, but the results show. Everybody who regularly eats meals served by the castle chefs bears male children. It's no stretch to assume that your child will be born male, as well."

"Mine!?" The younger barked, "I thought this was for the sake of the heir!"

"It is, and many other Rayninites were appalled at first as well, but let me ask you, would you prefer a son or daughter?"

A moment passed. The answer and the elder's rebuttal were all in their eyes. The younger prepared himself to claim that he didn't care, and the elder's narrowed eyes told the younger that he saw that answer coming and didn't believe it for a moment. The younger slumped slightly, "I wish for my son to follow in the footsteps of his father, and every father before that."

The elder exhaled, "Such is the way of Rayninites... Hypocrasy undoes idealism."

The solemn moment was shattered by the piercing cries of an infant. Both guards' heads snapped up and toward that door.

"Ah!" trumpeted the elder, "The blessed moment!"

On cue, a nurse nudged the door open excitedly, "Come and see!"

The door was left open a crack for the guards to enter. "Come," said the elder, "We mustn't keep his future majesty waiting!"

Apprehensive, the younger held his position. It was true that he could benefit from what the royal family has done for generations, but the deceit held him back. He looked in any direction other than forward, and noticed it.

A person, around the corner, at the far end of the hall. This person was suited in dark armor, complete with a concealing helmet. Despite the distance, the younger could catch a glimpse of this person's eyes. It was an expression of in discriminatory malice, which entered the younger's body through his own eyes and weighed down his stomach. Shock into compliance, the younger edged his way into the royal bedroom. In tandem with his exit, the darker's presence was felt less and less until he, and the younger's grasp of morality, were gone.

-

The heir to the Rayninite throne took to the predestined role well. The child was taught the ways of men and strong rulers, made perfect progress in school, and mastered the sword at a young age. Truly, the prospective Rayninite king would continue the tradition of supremacy and competence. There was just one cataclysmic secret.

The guards who witnessed the birth were sworn to secrecy, and the nurses were framed for treason and executed. The queen was fatigued from the birth, and only saw Colonel for the first time with the newborn in clothes. It was a secret so closely guarded that not even Colonel had been told. Even the name 'Colonel' was fashioned in such a way that nobody outside the king and the council behind him would suspect anything different. Colonel was raised as a prince and nobody knew or said anything differently.

The only woman who knew was the council member who represented the former matriarchy. Upon hearing the news, the rest of the council grew restless and all eyes were on her. The proposition to raise Colonel as planned, they thought, she would object to with great indignity.

"After all," said the royal advisor, "the child has been born as he has, but he thinks and acts with such confidence because he does not know the truth. By all means, the truth doesn't even change anything, when you think about it! These are not the economic times for controversy, Madam Menine."

Menine smiled, "What an unbelievable and juvenile man our king is. I will not intervene in your make-believe fantasy because it is destined to fail. The Menine blood flows in tangent with the Rayninite in every member of the royal family. Despite your despicable attempts, the land's legacy has remained. Your supremacy has been questioned by the very forces that be."

A council member stood, "Do not insinuate for a single moment that God allowed this to happen!"

"Huh," chuckled Menine, "God..."

-

And intervene Menine never did. Instead she just facilitated Colonel's growth and helped govern as always. She made special attention toward noting Colonel's development in the more physical sense.

Colonel had grown into a very handsome young adult. Colonel's features were firm and strong, but retained softness and delicacy. The prince's eyes were sharp and alert, but the blue irises glowed with empathy. The face was pointed and regal, but ball-pointed, with soft lips. The Rayninite dark red hair was pulled into a long ponytail except for the bangs, and shimmered more than was needed for a ruler.

Colonel was conditioned by the royal family and the council to never wear revealing clothing, but of what could be seen, you can tell Shone had trained well. Colonel's limbs were lined with lean muscle on a body was broad. In the rare moment that Colonel cooled off, you can catch a toned stomach with visible abdominal muscles.

For the most part, however, Colonel was kept clothed in the nightmare suit. For the top, a dark brown shirt with golden ornamental lacing, shoulder pads, and red ribbons around the upper arms and waist. For the pants, the same dark brown fabric with a royal kilt composing of the two primary colors, laced with gold as well, and with coattails. Colonel's boots were a crimson red, and so were the cuffs of her gloves, the rest being black. The suit was completed with wide golden bracelets and a crest on the collar.

When it came to exterior matters like appearance and aptitude to rule, everything was just fine. Colonel spoke well enough and her mannerisms were great cover. When it came to matters of courtship, Colonel's aptitude was also well along the lines of what is expected of the male heir to the throne. To the council, it was a great relief, and yet of some discomfort. Women flocked in droves to accompany the prince on walks, during sparring matches, or any other time spent in public.

During social events, Colonel would pick a maiden in attendance to share a dance with. The dance was Rayninite custom, but the kiss that Colonel gave the young woman was all of the prince's own accord. Colonel's general womanizing was an issue, but an unaddressed one. A playboy prince was a liability to the integrity of the throne, but at least it left no doubt in any outsider's mind that all was well.

Years and years had passed and a week after Colonel's twenty first birthday, Menine and a fretting council member crossed paths overlooking a swordplay lesson with Colonel's Master.

"Ah," said the master, approaching the two while Colonel sparred with another student, "my esteemed council. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"At ease," greeted Menine, "the planets have aligned to grant us down time, so we came to check on our prince. Shone, you have guided his hand in the way of the sword all his life, haven't you?"

Shone beamed, "I have, Madam." Shone was tall man with a thick, black beard, proudly wearing his metal armor, "I never would have imagined that with Isyan blood that I would rise to the ranks of royal mentor. Even when my uncle Sean visits, you've made sure there is no objection."

Menine smiled, "In the Rayninite council, we appoint based on merit, not by lineage. Your service is all that has mattered and will matter in the future."

"Madam." Shone repeated, bowing in courtesy. He seemed to have more on his mind, "Madam, and esteemed councilman, would I be out of my place to inquire into the prince's diet?"

"Diet?" Menine echoed.

"Yes. You see, well, compare the prince and the other young men." The three of them stepped to the side of the sparring field to observe. Shone cleared his throat, "I know that it has been ordered down for Colonel to never wear anything less than this, and I accept that. Still considering, doesn't the prince look... lacking?"

"What are you getting at?" barked the councilman.

Shone cleared his throat again, this time from his nerves, "Is the prince getting enough meat in his diet, or too much bread? I have made sure that his training is identical to my regular program. However, as you can see, the prince's physique has not developed the same as my other pupils."

Menine scoffed, and covered it with a cough.

"The prince is still my greatest student... Unrivalled with a sword."

On cue, Colonel delivered a swing that knocked the other's sword out of his hands. Colonel followed up with a swing to his neck and pushed down on his shoulder to force him on his knees, conceding.

"We shall look into it," said the councilman dismissively. He couldn't even bear to look at Menine's probably-smug face.

[captaingammer]

That night, Shone's barracks were raided. The assailants made for where Colonel slept in her single room, not making a sound. A rag coated with a sleep-inducing drug was applied gently to Colonel's face. Unfortunately for this intruder, Shone had trained his star pupil too well. Colonel's eyes flew open with an elbow rammed into the man's shoulder, taking him down. Oddly, the other men seemed frightened and backed up when they saw this. Colonel twirled out of bed and unsheathed the sword at its foot at the same time.

"Who are you!?" Colonel demanded of the men who were still conscious, "Who sent you!?"

Lamp light shined on the men, showing them to be wearing the robes of medics. Colonel followed the light back to Shone, who was equally ready to fight. Upon seeing the men, Shone, straightened up, confused.

"Your majesty... I know these men. They are the real clinicians of the castle."

"Hmph," Colonel swiped the rag from the downed medic and sniffed it, "I don't think I need clorophorm for a simple check-up. What is your purpose here?"

The medics shivered. They looked from Colonel to Shone repeatedly until one of them whispered to Shone, "Spare us the axe of the Secret Enforcer and let me tell you, for to tell the prince will take our heads!!"

"The Secret Enforcer...?" Shone repeated, then shook his head, "I'll leave that aside. Tell me if that's the only way to know.

The medic looked too grateful, and then cupped his hand over Shone's ear. Colonel relaxed, but did not re-sheathe the sword. The prince watched the mentor's expression. A furrowed brow, scanning the room in though, widened eyes, and looking to the medic. The medic was dead serious.

"Be gone with you," Shone stuttered, "take your colleague with you." Shone made well sure that the medics were gone before addressing Colonel again, "Your majesty, did they hurt you?"

"I am well."

"I must know for sure," said Shone, pausing to see no reaction from Colonel, "Remove your shirt and let me check for wounds."

Colonel's eyes narrowed, "I have been barred from baring my skin to anyone not authorized. Unless told to, I cannot make any exceptions."

"I WILL demerit you for disobeying your master... Unless I truly have not earned your trust over the past two decades?"

Colonel exhaled and reached down to the bottom of the shirt and pulled up. Shone grimaced purely from surprise. Colonel's body was as expected as far as build goes. Shone's entire world was jarred when a pair of breasts fell back into position. They were modestly sized, but still perched on the chest of this person that Shone knew as the prince of Rayne. Even now as he saw the prince's body bare, he saw the subtle curves of the shoulders and torso that defied everything he's been told. Shone's expression soured.

"You've been hiding this from me... from all of us!?"

"I apologize," said Colonel is too unfitting a tone of voice, lifting a hand to the bruise above the left collarbone, "It did not break skin and stopped hurting. I applied first aid to it and it no longer is a problem. I was going to tell you about it later, but the discoloration is too much for you to believe right now, isn't it?"

At first, Shone considered barking again, but a thought reoccurred to him. The prince, Colonel Rayne... He... She... doesn't know... does she?

"My, ahem, prince... We should go to the nurse's quarters to have you... checked up."

"I am perfectly adjusted, Shone!"

Shone sighed, "We'll see about that."

-

The nurse, of course, wasn't happy about being woken up in the middle of the night, but Shone assured her that it was the most direly important thing anybody has been woken up in the middle of the night for. Colonel was left out of another bout of whispering and was talked into removing her shirt again. Now the nurse was now as shell shocked and solemn as Shone had become. With a knowing nod, Shone left Colonel to her.

For a while, they just sat there. The nurse didn't know what to do with Colonel while Colonel didn't know anything. Finally, the nurse exhaled and spoke.

"Your majesty... Humor me. Define for me what a man and a woman are."

"I shall humor you. Men are the people of importance in the world. The movers and shakers. Theirs are the destinies meant for greatness. They make the great changes in the world and are the primary individuals with which this world should be judged."

The nurse didn't say anything, only wore a look of morbid curiosity, "Go on."

"Women are the people who dedicate their lives to being supplemental to the men's lives. They have no relevance in the world culture other than raise families, prepare meals, and give support to the men. By all means, the world could continue without them, but it would be a dark one. I have known the value of a good woman, and personally never underappreciated one's sacrifices."

"... Sacrifices?"

"Why, yes. Women are hardly taken seriously outside of being wives, mothers... Care takers, in general. I don't know how somebody would choose to be one."

At this point the woman was amazed. Horrified, even. She slowly changed her body language and asked, "... And that is all you can say about what men and women are?"

Colonel nodded, "I have never read a definition, but based on my teaching and observations, I can say I have summed up my understanding."

The nurse raised her fingertips to her forehead, more stressed than Colonel had ever seen her. Colonel took notice.

"Are you ill, Miss? Is everything all right?"

"Ill?" The nurse responded, "No. Everything all right? Er... Your majesty... Read this." The nurse pulled out a book of the human anatomy, "There's more like it on the shelf if you don't believe this book can be trusted."

Colonel took the book, "... What is it?"

"Read it. If... if you have any questions, ask me."

"Miss... It will be a long night if I read this front to back."

"It'll be a long night," said the nurse, "but for a completely different reason."

-

The next day saw Colonel Rayne irate and shoving the double doors to Castle Rayne's throne room open. The king and queen were on their respective thrones, the former attending to kingdom business. The queen took notice of Colonel's entrance, then attire. The prince was curiously garbed in a robe. Colonel stopped in front of the king and disregarded the messenger.

"WHAT HAS BEEN THE MEANING OF THE PAST TWENTY ONE YEARS!!?"

The messenger jumped with a start and shuffled away. The king smiled and chuckled, "My boy, when I step down as king, you shall take my place! What, more, is the meaning of your tone?"

"I don't mean that!!" Colonel howled and tossed a book into the king's lap, "I mean THIS!!" Colonel reached into a messenger bag for more book to toss down, "And this, and this, and THIS!!"

"C... Colonel..." the King whispered, pale, "Who gave you these books?"

"It's a secret," the prince spat, "a much less severe secret than the one you've been keeping from the rest of the castle, from the kingdom, from ME!!"

The king, still dry in the mouth and terrified, not directly, asked softly, "What... secret?"

Colonel stood, breathing heavily, shaking her head, "You are a persistent pretender." Colonel pulled the robe's belt and let it fall to the floor, "I AM A WOMAN!!!"

The robe's fall left Colonel wearing only undergarments; a woman's undergarments. Her humble breasts were cupped in a brassiere and there certainly was nothing essential visible from the underwear around her groin.

The queen yelped in terror and fainted right away. The guards in the room fidgeted in a panicked manner. The king's expression was a mix between horror and fury.

Colonel folded her arms and addressed her father, "A bunch of medics tried to kidnap me last night to apply some more Isyan hormones to change me into a man. Where is Madam Menine?"

The king gripped the throne and hissed through his teeth, "What for?"

"I wish to know where Madam Menine is NOW! I want to talk to her. The question of what is not for you to know!"

"Madam Menine," gasped the king in a very low voice, "should be in her quarters. The council adjourned within the sunrise."

"Thank you." Colonel said with a miniature bow and turned to leave.

The king sat up, "Wear your Nightmare Costume before going out in public!!"

Colonel turned around and faked sincerity best she could, "Of course, father. I wouldn't want to disgrace the kingdom..." She lifted her head and stared into her father's eyes, "Would I?"

Colonel left for her wardrobe while the king's demeanor threatened an aneurism and a stroke at once.

-

Madam Menine returned from preparing tea for her guest, the prince. Colonel thanked her and shakily took a sip. After that, Colonel returned her head to in between both her hands, her elbows on the table.

"It must feel horrible to have your very perception of the world destroyed with nothing to replace it."

Colonel muttered, "You have no idea. I have no idea. Nothing makes sense any more. Not only am I woman, but I don't know what that is, any more!!"

Menine placed a comforting hand on Colonel's shoulder, "What defines a man or a woman at the most basic level, is their body. Anything else is just imposed by society."

Colonel growled, "DO NOT... Ahem... No more... No more telling me what is what... Please. I trust nothing. Not even myself."

"I understand."

It took a few calming breaths and sips of tea for Colonel to be well enough. She looked to Menine, "Tell me about the matriarchy."

"Pardon?"

"I want to know what Rayne was like before the rule shifted. You are of the bloodline of the matriarchy of old. I have no doubt that you know more than anybody else remotely close to me."

"Indeed I do," said Menine, pulling out some documents, "You know that people of Rayne and Isya used to be one, right? Good. The matriarchy started as a group of human widows and old maidens who were fed up with Isyan politics and chauvanism. There was a whole block of the population who did not want to know combat skills just to survive day by day. They wanted a world they could explore without having to fight through it. They denied the Isyan lore of Legel's darkness and Teva's hope and just wanted to live out their lives. Thus, they segregated from Isya and moved to an uncharted continent."

"Unfortunately, Legel's spawn was everywhere. The Rayninites worked hard to clear the country of monsters and curb their respawn so that a settlement could be made. More and more Isyans migrated over and pretty soon the original pilgrims became the matriarchy of a kingdom."

"The end to an era came when the monsters breached the walls to Rayne. Rayne's military was small and unrefined, but a private militia stepped in to salvage what was left after the initial attach. The men of this militia agreed to take back the land and even start a campaign to rid the entire continent of monsters on the condition that their chief was made king. The people were desperate and the matriarchy's hand was forced. They agreed, but on their own condition that when a female heir is born, they take the throne back."

"The new king was true to his word, and the council was formed with matriarchy representation. However... The new Rayninites took measures to keep the throne. It came in the form of an Isyan potion that affected the sex and gender of a child in the womb. Because of that, the men were able to claim that it was divine will that men would rule."

"The same chauvinism that the original matriarchy migrated to avoid grew anew in Rayne again."

Menine slipped a very old parchment to Colonel which the prince read aloud, "The wombs of Rayne are precious. To send them into the field of battle, or subject them to the stresses of work would be to do no justice to their importance. The future men of Rayne must be preserved, and their means of birth as well."

Menine scoffed, "The matriarchy thought the same about Rayne's sperm during their reign, but they respected all humans and elves too much to subject them to this enforced settlement."

One thing still bugged, Colonel, "How was I born a woman, then? If this tonic or whatnot was supposed to ensure me being a man?"

"That's the thing," Menine beamed, "Nobody knows. Your conception as you are was one of great odds against it. I miracle, I dare to say."

"I... I suppose..."

Menine took Colonel's shoulder, "I know it's not my place to say, but does this really change who you are, Colonel? I still see you for the person you are... Kind, noble, and strong."

Colonel took this as a moment to reflect silently, but Menine had other ideas.

"That's why you cannot squander this opportunity. I can help you, Colonel. With my knowledge of the past and your status, we can bring Rayne back to its former glory of respect for life. All life!"

"STOP!!" Colonel stood up and held her bangs back with her hands, "Just... PLEASE! Yesterday I was a prince. Now I'm a woman and... and the only hope for the women of my country!? This is too much too fast! I-I-I-I... I have to get out of here! Not the castle! I mean RAYNE!"

[captaingammer]

"Perhaps it is time for the young prince to take her right of passage."

Both women whirled around to the doorway. Menine exhaled, "You gave us a fright, Sirrael. I didn't even know you came back from Isya."

"Just this morning," Sirrael said.

Menine narrowed her eyes, "How much did you hear?"

Sirrael serenely looked from Menine to Colonel and back, "Enough. And despite what you think of me, I support your cause. My frequent trips to Isya may have earned me the stigma of the shadow councilman, but I assure you that I am as involved in the goings-on of this country of any of my peers. Perhaps not so much as you, Madam Menine."

Menine seemed to want to contest that, but had no evidence to back it up. Colonel took her turn to speak.

"What did you say before? A right of passage, was it?"

"Indeed!" said Sirrael, sounding official, "If I am correct, it was a tradition in the old matriarchy for the prospective queen to take a rite of a passage to prove her worth to rule. Many a time the authority amongst the matriarchy would shift due to inadequacy."

"Go on."

"As part of the rite of passage, the prospective queen would travel to a foreign country and exhibit great leadership. Only when she has proven to the rest of the council that her ability to lead is fitting to a queen, she would return to Rayne for her coronation."

"... Just like that."

Sirrael nodded, "Just like that. Am I correct, Madam Menine?"

Having reason to support anything Sirrael said seemed to be the last thing Menine wanted, but she concurred, "That is correct. Sirrael... How do you know this?"

"Unlike many of my peers, I do not take my position of councilman lightly. I am well versed in the proud history of this country," Sirrael then turned to Colonel, "My prince... I must apologize personally for this secret that all the councilman have kept from you. Once we were told, we had no option to opt out."

"It is all right. Like you said, your hands were forced."

"Your majesty... Would it be too bold of me to suggest a country for you to travel to for your rite of passage?"

Colonel folded her arms, "Who said I was going through with it?"

"You eagerness, of course. To bring your heritage to a full circle, I can only think of Isya as a fitting destination for your rite of passage. I will insist no more. Do your research, and whatever the decision, I am sure the king and the council will approve. Good day, prince. Madam Menine."

Sirrael continued down the hallway he had been walking. When the tension lifted, Colonel turned to Menine.

"Tell me more about this rite of passage."

-

Within a week, Colonel was on her way to the docks to a ship bound for Isya. She garnered looks and bodes of farewell, but otherwise was left well enough alone. It took some convincing to have the council make an official announcement that the kingdom's prince was a woman... and it didn't seem nobody either cared or believed it.

There was a crash of plates. Colonel looked to the source of the crash to a restaurant. From is, a young woman holding a crossbow dashed out. She was covered in a brown-green leather armor. Her face was petit with adorable rounded features and big, glowing green eyes. Her hair was a typical Rayninite dark purple, to the back of her neck with a braid on one side. Curious were the pair of what could only be described as cat ears perched on her head and, yes, they moved! What Colonel noticed immediately were her drawn-back pointed long ears. She was elfish! Not too many of those in Rayne.

As soon as the elf passed by Colonel, most likely hot in pursuit, Colonel grabbed the collar of the leather shirt and pulled the woman between buildings.

"Don't make me kill again!!" the elf shouted.

"Shut up," Colonel demanded.

Shortly, a mob of angry men passed by with the classic shout of, "She must have gone that way!" The yelling eventually died down. The elf didn't.

"Don't make me kill again!!" the elf repeated, holding up her crossbow.

"You won't, judging by your terrified expression and shaking."

The elf had to control her quivering lip, "Dammit..."

"What happened?"

The elf swung her head back to Colonel, "I-I've never killed before! I mean... KILL killed! But... but that ******* GROPED me! All I did was say my pleases and 'thank you's like any good person would, and he thought I wanted to SLEEP with him! I told him off and tried giving him a warning shot, but... The idiot dove right into it!! I was going for his shoulder! How much of a noob do you have to be to dodge INTO a fatal shot that WASN'T EVEN AIMING TO KILL! Ugh... Nobleman's kids... seriously..."

Colonel was taken back at first, but sighed, "You know what? I don't care any more! I bailed you out unwittingly. Think of that as a favor. I'm going to be late for my boat to Isya at this rate."

"Isya!?" The wheels in the elf's head turned, "Can I come with you? I don't think I'm welcome in this country any more."

Colonel didn't even take the time to look irritated. "Come along, then."

"YAY!!!" yelped the elf, hugging Colonel.

Colonel was well in the position to offer more than a hug per learned habits, but womanizing would have to wait.

-

Contrary to Colonel's haste, there was plenty of time before the ship left when she and the elf boarded it.

"Ah, yes," the guard said, looking at his list, and instructed Colonel, "go into the cabin and take the first left to your room. Halt!"

The guard stopped the elf. Colonel told the guard, "She's with me."

The guard raised an eyebrow, "Really? Well at least tell me your name so you can be accounted for during the trip."

"Uhhh...." The elf moaned, then snapped to attention, "Dragonfly!"

"Dragonfly," the guard repeated, taking a quill to the list, "Elfish names... I swear. Come on board."

'Dragonfly' was abundantly happy, but didn't relax until inside the cabin.

"So..." Colonel said aside, "What's your real name? Don't give me that look. You couldn't have made it more obvious that you gave a fake name. I'm already harboring a fugitive, what's a misdemeanor to add to that?"

The elf sighed, "I'm Athemis."

Colonel offered her hand aside, "I'm Colonel Rayne."

Athemis popped a laugh, "So... what's your real name?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Come on. I mean, you look like him, but I doubt there are two Colonel Raynes out there. Does this have to do with that rumor that the prince is actually a woman?"

"Hmph, rumors. So that's how my father continues the cover-up."

Athemis gave Colonel a knowing look, going as far away from conspiracy talk as possible, "Come on... You make a convincing guy from far away... if I squint; but I just noticed things. First off, a guy would have just tossed me back into the crowd, calling it JUSTICE, or something. Second, we were, like..." Athemis grabbed Colonel and stopped her face uncomfortably close to Colonel's, "THIS close. You can't escape a woman's intuition at point blank." Athemis let go, "By the way, you can come out, Hon."

That last sentence confused Colonel until a very small yellow head poked out of the chest cavity of Athemis's armor. A small yellow creature that seemed to have the head of a fox minus the snout and the body of a bee popped out of hiding and took its perch on Athemis's shoulder.

"... And what the bloody hell is THAT?"

"He's not a THAT, he's a mini Honeying!" Athemis raised a finger to rub the top if its head.

Colonel still didn't quite get it, "Honey... ring?"

"HO-NEY-ING." Athemis mouthed, "You know... a pet?"

"I know what a pet is, and that doesn't look like any dog or cat I've seen. That doesn't even make 'bird.'"

"Well trust me, he won't bite."

"As long as it won't make a mess."

"... That I can't promise."

"You wouldn't want to ruin THIS, would you?" Colonel took the left turn and used the passed-off key to open the door into a veritable suite. Despite the ship being commercial, this room was the mix between humble lodgings and castle-grade luxury. It wasn't the most velvet-and-silk lodgings in the world, but considering it was a room on a non-personal ship, it was pretty darn good. The view out the window wall was spectacular.

Athemis's mouth was hung so wide open that she could almost fit her little pet into it. "Lady," she muttered, "I still don't believe you're THE Colonel Rayne, but you sure do have connections!"

Colonel gave a smirk. The two of them settled down in the room until it was time for the ship to set sail. Naturally, Colonel hadn't counted on having a roommate during the ride there. She had hoped to watch the water go by, maybe sleep through most of the trip. She wasn't feel very sociable. Now with Athemis, she'll actually have to START CONVERSATION.

Ugh.

When Athemis lifted a truffle to feed to her honeying, Colonel took a shot, "What's his name?"

"Uh..." Athemis grinned, "Honeying."

It took a few moments to realize that WAS the name, "Creative."

"Yep."

"Where did you get him, anyway? I take it that's an Isyan beast."

"Actually, I grew up in an Isya-town... You know, one of those ethnic places made by immigrants? We kept the Isyan tradition alive by using Second Skin and keeping monsters in an enclosure for hunting... Yet the fact was we were still in Rayne." Athemis looked out the window, "I've heard it's a much more beautiful place, Isya... Nature is much greener over there, there aren't steam and gunpowder factories all over the place, and the people are kinder. I think it's because everybody is in charge of themselves and they really get a sense of responsibility. In Rayne, I can pay anybody to provide a basic need for me. In Isya, I don't have that luxury. In a way, having obligations only to myself sounds really liberating."

Colonel smiled softly, "There's more to you than you give off at first."

"I guess," Athemis laughed, "just don't hold me to it.

A laugh was shared, and Athemix held a leg to her chest in that whimsical way. The position sparked an impulse in Colonel's brain that told her it was time to sweep Athemis off her feet. But wait... Does this whole 'I'm a woman' thing now mean there can be no more womanizing? Not that Colonel adhered to it and enforced it, but wasn't there something in the Rayninite scriptures condemning same-sex relations? The council often used it as a smokescreen to obscure more pressing issues. All the way back when, Colonel didn't question it. Now that the very foundation of her world had been shaken up, that 'rule' begged all sorts of questions. After all, the womanizing was a natural place that Colonel's mind went whenever she build a rapport with a young lady...

Athemis looked Colonel's way. It gave Colonel a start which she covered up poorly by looking away... and blushing crimson. She fought the tension down under by crossing her legs, afterward emitting a frustrated grunt. Colonel justified in her head, besides, 'I hardly even know her.'

Said another part of her head, 'that didn't stop you before.'

Did Menine really dare to try and convince her that this didn't complicate things!?

-

The night passed uneventfully, mainly due to Colonel's insistence that she slept on the couch. Colonel knew herself in that no bed was too wide to stop her once she and another woman were in it. The morning sun gave the both of them a peaceful wakeup call. Athemis took to the window while Colonel stretched out the stiffness in her neck.

"I think that's it!!" Athemis called, smooshing her cheek against the window.

Colonel's run to view wasn't so comical, just stopping in front of the window. Outside, on the horizon, was a port town. It was nestled against a mountain, two layers of buildings. They were wooden construction that might not even have walls on the ends that faced the mountain. The buildings were on various bright colors, and in front of them all was a lively plaza with what seemed to be a fountain. There was an island off the plaza, and was that a woman on top of a box? There were no metal construction, a bunch of large mushrooms about, the sky was clear with hardly any smoke or steam rising into it.

And here was the Rayninite prince, just recently learned the facts of life, entering it all with minimal knowledge. That was going to be fun.

It was the start of a new life, for sure.

-

I'm sorry to say, but this is where, I, Teva, must leave you now. I have told you all I can about the pasts of all these amazing people. Take a look seaward. Do you see that ship with the crimson seal? That's Colonel Rayne's ship!

The past is something which cannot be changed or helped, and the future equally so. It's hard to change something that hasn't been created yet! Their stories are now theirs to tell.

This is...

The Age of Apoline.

[captaingammer]

^ Insert super awesome banner up there instead of that last line. 9~9 I wish I knew somebody who could draw or make banners.

Oh hi Yuri. That screenshot looks great. So very accepted!

EDIT: Rox as well. Huh. Wonder how I forgot to mention that. O:

[Dragonfly77]

Ahaha, that was funny! XD I feel sorry for Colonel...21 years of being told she was a guy, only to discover that she's a girl... >.o

Btw, if a guy was to 'go against' me, he'd find an arrow oh-so-fast in his chest, it would rip out his lung while it sped through his body...followed up by several more arrows pulling out his other vital organs. ~.~

Ye...

And yay! Honeying got a Cameo!! I should put him in my own story as well. XD *pet's Honeying* :3

[captaingammer]

Ahaha, that was funny! XD I feel sorry for Colonel...21 years of being told she was a guy, only to discover that she's a girl... >.o

Funny? D:

Btw, if a guy was to 'go against' me, he'd find an arrow oh-so-fast in his chest, it would rip out his lung while it sped through his body...followed up by several more arrows pulling out his other vital organs. ~.~

Wellll, you said it was an accidental death, so an accident I made it. ;3

... Unless that was a warning to Colonel? XD;

[Dragonfly77]

I meant most of the chapter was funny. ^^ But...Colonel's part was more...sadly ironic >.o

And...that warning could serve for colonel as well.....o.o'

[T3h_SyN]

Colonel interests me... I won't lie, I lol'd when the nurse said to her it was going to be a long night. Can you imagine the situation if she had gotten married?

[yyty255]

Wait....that whole thing was just a prologue? O_o...I feel bad for Colonel, she's lived her whole life as a guy, and then finds out that she's a girl. Ouch...

[captaingammer]

Wait....that whole thing was just a prologue? O_o...

These were all back stories. o-o Hm... Should I just leave the Prologue to the first post and make all the back stories chapters? >_O

[yyty255]

If you want my opinion, I'd say leave it, but it would work both ways...bleh...reading this makes me want to start writing a Fiesta fanfiction now...

[Dragonfly77]

By the way, I noticed in the story that Athemis was 'born in a small Isya town where monsters and magic was common'.

I thought Rayne was void of all monsters and magic; unless she came from somewhere else. And it can't be Isya because she's never been there before.. >.o

[captaingammer]

By the way, I noticed in the story that Athemis was 'born in a small Isya town where monsters and magic was common'.

I thought Rayne was void of all monsters and magic; unless she came from somewhere else. And it can't be Isya because she's never been there before.. >.o

What I meant to get across is that there are ethnic towns in Rayne that are populated by Isyans. Keeping the tradition alive despite being in a foreign country and all that. As it was mentioned, there are enclosures where there are monsters, meaning it's entirely contained.

As for things like magic and Second Skin... I just needed a reason for Athemis to be an experienced Isya-style archer. >_O Maybe I should have emphasized how rare Isya-towns are in Rayne?

[Dragonfly77]

That would help. ^^

[msminx811]

In-game name: MinxNeko
Name you want: Minxie
Class: Lvl 55 High Cleric.. hopefully soon to be paladin
Gender: Female
Weapon of choice: I use both weapons, but at the moment using a Mace because it is the lvl 5x weapon I have with the best stats, The hammer I use when it is better suited for the monsters ahead of me for faster hitting and damage.

Personality: Spunky and fiesty although very supportive, I try to do the Job I have at hand very well. I'm a hugger and love to show it, Much like the kitten personality that I have. I want to get married but it takes more than I have to do so. I'm alone alot but love company and am fierce defender and helper of those lower than I.

Back story: Born in a town now where Izyael's tower now sits. Taken in by a guild who overlooks the mismatched stats I have and solidly supports me in trying to level.I am only on of many in the guild and raised to it through thier academy out of a sucesscion of others. I started out ignorant of stats and what they do and have INT on my self but have built up spr and end as well, I have a few on str from the beginning, I help those that need it and struggle to stand on my own against foes when alone. I despise PvP built players and those that take a pleasure in it. Since abyss is a place to get so many rare drops that fall no where else.

Picture:I keep trying to get a screenie but I can't seem to make it appear here. catch one of me next time we are at same spot.

[captaingammer]

Minxie. X3 You were so accepted that it hurts even before you posted.

If you want, go to the beauty shop and design yourself how you want. Tell me the names of the face, hair, and hair color, and I'll send in Cons to take a screenie with the setup you chose. :3

Edit: 69th post. >w< *giggles*

[msminx811]

awwwwww... I luvvs me a gammer.. any and all of them. Even with my little kitty paws typing..
See you in game eventually this week.
loves ya,
Minxie

[captaingammer]

The Age of Apoline

Chapter 1: Mischievous Monsters

The town of Roumen in the country of Isya was an important port town. Due to pirates and international law, this watched-over entry into the country was the only arrival destination on paper. It is composed of two levels of buildings of various shapes, sizes, and colors. On the ocean front there is a plaza where all the residents rested, conversed, and held an open market.

Town Chief Roumenus stood in front of the fountain where the ships docked. He is an elfin man of wiry frame and much worldly experience. His countenance speaks more of an adventurer, garbed in a beige expedition uniform complete with goggles, and a long face with two strands of mustache. However, he is proud of his post.

Today, he stands where an important ship is scheduled to arrive. This is the greatest opportunity to better relationships with the sister country of Rayne (a term that said country seems to resent and prefer to be called a brother country). Rayne's prince is visiting. For what and how long, Roumenus did not know, but this was still an occasion worth putting on your Sunday's Best for.

The ship grew from a speck on the horizon into a vessel, the deck of which towered above the level of the plaza. Roumenus exhaled for the last time. He was ready to greet the prince and make sure that his... her? ... to make sure that the prince's visit to Isya went smoothly.

After the plank was laid down and the closest people got off, prince Colonel Rayne emerged... in the company of a young woman. Of course.

Colonel stopped at the top of the ramp, "I hope you don't expect to share my prepared lodging in this town, as well!"

Athemis scoffed, "You underestimate me. I'll be fine with what I've got on me and with a little bit of work. I have a friend who moved here before I got the chance to... It'll be a nice hunt!"

"So then this is it for now, huh?"

They both stood, somewhere in the twilight of casual acquaintances and new friends. Athemis laughed, "Normally, when somebody is too forward too soon with me, he'd find an arrow oh-so-fast in his chest." She illustrated with appropriate hand gestures, "It would rip out his lung while it sped through his body...followed up by several more arrows pulling out his other vital organs!!"

Colonel stood, digesting all that from this normally sweet girl. Honeying chattered with laughter. Her fear was abated when Athemis leaned forward and gave a one-armed hug.

"... NORMALLY."

Colonel chuckled, partially out of the lack of knowing how to confidently respond, and extended her own arm to return the hug. Shortly after that, so quickly, Colonel's first friend in Isya was backing away and waving off, Honeying bobbing sideways to avoid Athemis's arm.

Roumenus took his turn with a vocal clearing of his throat, "Colonel Rayne, I presume?"

"Yes!" Colonel turned, "Roumenus. You are looking well."

"Well?" Roumenus repeated, "The last time you must have seen me was during a diplomatic conference in Rayne. You were a small lad back then."

Colonel smirked, "I remember all that... And since then, that small lad has grown into a fine young woman."

Roumenus hummed, "Everybody who follows international news was taken by surprise by that."

"Hah... How do you think I felt?"

One conversation later, Roumenus showed Colonel to her room... It was a nice little hole in the wall that was lavishly decorated, and contained plenty of books and food and drink that were well preserved. She did what she did best in these situations, took a seat, grabbed a drink, and opened up a book on Isyan culture. Shortly into it, the laughter of children outside and a thump on Colonel's door as a result shook her out of her state.

Wait a moment, Colonel had to tell herself, I'm not waiting for an entourage, or watching the clock for a social event. This is MY time to do what I want with! I can't forget why I'm here! Putting down the drink and folding up the book, Colonel headed out the door to experience this land for herself.

-

Meanwhile, in the Forest of Tides, a young Cleric boy desperately healed his Second Skin. A firey red Slime chased him, giggling and cackling with glee. The boy was almost at the gate... Almost...

The Slime flattened itself and used its elastic body to ram into the boy's back. The hit paralyzed his Second Skin and sent him to the ground, defeated. He would be sent back to Roumen shortly.

"Bwah ha ha ha" The Slime bellowed, "Slime power!! Mwee hee hee!"

-

Re-emerging into the Roumen sun, Colonel walked out into the bustling plaza. There were voices flying everywhere, huge mushrooms that people seemed to be setting up shops in, and everybody was carrying around their weapons like it wasn't a big deal. In Rayne, being seen with your sword or gun could land you in jail.

The one word that Colonel picked up while walking through town was "Please." Or, rather, the corruption of the word developed in her country, "plz." It was everywhere, "Silver plz," "buff plz," "plvl plz," some of them didn't even bother saying what they wanted. The blue-haired young men just stopped at her and started buzzing, "plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz." A little ignoring them did wonders for Colonel's patience. There was one poor armored person who hid their identity with a Slime helmet (at least that's what Colonel assumed) but was still recognized as somebody who could give "buffs," whatever those were. It seemed the armored person couldn't even hear them as they carried on a conversation with the caped young woman beside them.

The various shops in the town ranged from practical to baffling to Colonel. Some sold meat and fruit, and others sold... dust? Seriously, bagged dusts. Somehow Colonel didn't believe a pocket-sized box could hold fifty of those bags.

Lastly, it seemed that the local currency was a basic form of coin, mostly copper and silver. In the world, every country had its own currency, and in the global market, there was a currency shared by all nations called Universal Tender, or just UT. Thus, UT was very important to have any standing amongst nations. Rayne was rich in UT, Isya not so much. Oddly, there was no exchanging UT to silver, or even a higher level currency, gold.

"That is the rule of a 'Free to Populate' country," Roumenus had told Colonel, "We can't allow people to be rich by UT directly. If you want to use your UT to, say, make yourself a more efficient hunter and use that edge to make money, so be it. It would be unfair to those of us without UT."

Suddenly, Colonel found herself without a single unit of money in this foreign country. How long would her provisions last? Maybe THAT'S why there's so many people begging for money in the streets. ... And people criticized RAYNE for the poverty problem.

Wandering the town, up the western stairs, Colonel found herself before two statues overlooking the path into a forest. What she saw in there was surreal...

Young start-up adventurers were all over the place in there, chattering and attacking purple, tear drop-shaped creatures which seemed to have gray platform-legs that they slide around on. The creatures melted upon being struck, leaving behind their meat, bones, and leather, which seemed to be devoid of Slime or blood. As for the adventurers, they were taking their new roles seriously, but still remembering how much of a privilege this was. They were having fun on the starts of their quests.

"I wouldn't go out there quite yet," said a dusty voice. Colonel looked to see an old man on a bench. His white hair was bald into a horseshoe shape and he was dressed in colorful casual clothes. For some reason that Colonel couldn't fathom, he had a flower perched on top of his head. Despite that, the man seemed serious and worldly, "Beside the fact that you don't even have a Second Skin, where is your weapon!?"

"I don't HAVE a weapon..." Colonel muttered, facing the man fully, "and who would be addressing me so brazenly?"

The old man scoffed, "What!? No manners or respect for your elders. Just because you're costuming playing as a Raynite nobleman doesn't give you the right to snark like one!"

It was Colonel's turn to scoff. She walked past the iron fence between them and lifted the crest on her collar off and showed it to the man, "Does this look like a knockoff?"

"Hmph," said the old man, "Gimme that." He caught the crest and picked a pair of glasses out of his pocket, put them on, and even then still squinted at the crest. Immediately his face fell in awe. He held it to the sun to see if it shined brilliantly... It did. "Teva...!" He gasped in surprise.

That was more like it.

The old man handed back the crest, "I apologize, but only for being presumptuous... It's you, isn't it...? Ahem, I know my place. I am a retired adventurer, Robin. The young people have taken to calling me Grandpa Robin."

"Robin." Colonel greeted with a nod, "Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Colonel Rayne, prince of the kingdom of Rayne."

"Yes, yes..." Robin muttered, "You've been a hot topic among the old farts who still keep up with the news overseas. I will be blunt, I do not care much for Rayne. However, the fact that you are a woman, and this fact has been hidden from even YOU, has me intrigued to no end."

Colonel exhaled, "Tell me about it."

"Sit, sit..." said Robin, patting the bench, "I'm hard pressed to find a youngster who isn't in a damned rush. Pray tell, Miss Rayne... What brings you to Isya at this time?"

Taking her seat, Colonel leaned back and looked into the sky through the tree that kept shade over the bench, "I'm trying to figure that out myself. I mean, the focus of this visit is for my rite of passage to earn the crown of Rayne. But everything has happened so fast... I figure out the truth, go mad, then I'm told about this rite of passage, and... now I'm here. I think this is the first time I've actually sat down and thought about my situation since then."

Robin smirked, "Thinking is a good thing. Men and women your age tend to act plenty and think too little. As you grow up and go down the list of your goals, you'll end up thinking more. When that happens, your ability to act will diminish. Aim toward the sky, young lady, but don't do so expecting to actually reach it."

Colonel crossed her arms and legs, "How long have you wanted to impart that wisdom on some passer by?"

Robin laughed, "Too long. The fact that I actually got the chance with you shows that you're not like other people. I do hope you take it the right way."

"I'll try." Off in those woods, Colonel caught the sight of a young man in blue shorts and tunic bashing a creature with a mace, "Is that all there is to being a citizen of Isya? Killing monsters and having the best weapons?"

Robin snorted, "You make it sound so mundane. This country has been held up on the ideals of everybody working together and being part of a whole effort. Isya is a large, untamed country. Explorers go out to see the beauty and the breadth of this great country. They bring back their findings, or help each other. LIFE is the purpose of living, here, my lady. I think that by separating each other out by 'occupations' and the like, life is narrowed down to too shallow of an existence. That's just my two copper on why I don't care much for Rayne. "

Colonel tapped her foot irritably, "Your opinion has been noted. I only thought the way I do because all I've known of Isya up to now is the annual Person versus Person tournament. I've always imagined what I would be like on the PvP battle field!"

"Who hasn't? Person versus Person is very prestigious. Back when I was up and coming, it was a noble sport with which the greatest of each class was determined. This way, when the monsters rise up, we know who we can depend on. We used PvP as a means of enhancing our abilities in the Person versus Environment setting. However..."

On cue, a young man passed by, looking very superior and carrying an axe with a large, brilliantly glowing head.

"Be on your toes in this land, Miss Rayne. The sport of Person versus Person battle has become entirely too popular for the wrong reasons. Not to beat on a dead Hobby, but it is fact that your homeland is responsible. There are some people who will push you around and belittle you for the sport of it. The worst part is they might be entitled to do so because of their strength."

The young man with the axe shoved the newbies around as he walked and knocked over monsters that the newbies were trying to kill themselves, to much protest of course.

"I've been waiting for some people to come along and remind the young people of what is really important in life. Always having something to strive for is good... But this... this excessive judging, this supremacy, this competition as the expense of, of DECENCY... It's disgraceful."

Colonel mulled it over, "But this self-reliance, exploration and expediting... That is what Isyans live for, is it?"

"It sure is. There wouldn't be an Isya without the support of the people who come to contribute and explore and work together. Do not believe for a single moment that, hmph, 'owning noobs' is at all what the Henneath Alliance stands for. That's the government that runs this country."

"... So people can really stand out through their efforts, huh? Even show... leadership?"

"Oh, most certainly! It doesn't matter what class you are... If you know how to work in a team and make the most of your allies, you can be a great in Isyan history!"

"Hm..." Colonel mulled it over, though she knew the answer right away, standing up, "I'll do it. I'll be an adventurer and show the people here that Rayninites aren't all illiterate burdens!"

"Good show!" commended Robin, "To register as an adventurer, go seek out Elemental Helper Remi in the plaza. She's the woman on the crate keeping her head above the crowd."

Purposefully, Colonel concurred and marched back down the stairs she initially came up. Past the gate, she turned around, "I might be the only one to say it for a while, Robin, but your wisdom makes you an invaluable member of your community. Don't resort to selling yourself short."

Seeing Colonel descend the steps, Robin settled back into his bench, muttering, "Bah..." but still smiling.

-

A Mage was hunting Slimes in the Forest of Tides. He effortlessly toppled them with single spells each. A large Slime, as tall as an adult, shuffled toward him. The crimson Slime edged forward with purpose. The Mage, unaware, kept sending Magic Missiles around, and without looking, cast one at the red Slime. The red Slime shrugged the attack of and rammed the Mage down. All it took was one hit.

"Another slain!" Said the Slime, returning to the trees.

[captaingammer]

Just like Robin said, it wasn't hard to find Remi. The woman stood very patiently, receiving the freshest newcomers. As Colonel walked up, she was finishing a lecture to a group of children, perhaps on their way to deciding their classes. When the crowd came away, Colonel took her turn.

"Elemental Helper Remi?"

"Hello there!" said the chipper woman. She had a smile brighter than her long orange hair which was tied together at the ends, "Oh? Colonel Rayne! I saw you on your way in... Somehow I knew you'd be coming my way!"

"The allure of being an explorer in this beautiful country is too great, I suppose. Where do I sign?"

"Well..." Remi muttered, popping half the top off the crate and reaching in, "As soon as you are fit into a Second Skin, you'll join the network of residents in Isya. It's not a hive mind or anything, but your existence will be known and you'll be able to interact with others through the Second Skin. Now... Which class do you want to be? Do you need an explanation?"

"I think I do." Colonel sat through the rundown of each class, but the explanation of the Fighter stood out.

Fighters are the true defenders of Isya. They pick up the sword and shield and throw their bodies into combat against any opponent. In addition, they will pull out every stop to make sure that their opponent will do the least daMage possible. Their set of skills include many enfeebling blows to the Second Skin which will weaken targeted bones, stiffed the Second Skin to reduce daMage, and make the Second Skin thinner to decrease defense. The most infamous skill of a Fighter is to cause stun on opponents. It does not last long, but in a fierce battle, it can decide the outcome.

By far, Fighters are the class which have been conditioned for PvP. In the Age of Apoline, no Fighter worth their reputation dares train their bodies and Second Skin for taking hits and tanking. The new philosophy behind the Person versus Person Fighter is to defeat your opponent before they can launch a single attack. In light of that, Fighters will only use the heaviest weapons and launch skill after skill in hopes of overwhelming the opponent. There still do exist tanking Fighters, but by far, they are few and far between. This is also a matter of opinion, but there has been a supremacy lately in which PvP Fighters are the most prone to unsportsmanlike conduct. The stun for no reason, they PK, they mock, they belittle, and otherwise think very little of the other classes. It is a sad state of affairs, and not all who choose to be Fighters end up this way, but their numbers are significant enough. If you wish to be a Fighter, do know that there are expectations and extreme peer pressure following it.

"I can deal with a little peer pressure," Colonel said in response, "I have trained well with the sword my entire life, so I shall take the noble job and be a Fighter."

"Fantastic!" Remi trumpeted, pulling out a simple short sword and some red clothing.

Colonel raised an eyebrow, "You are just going to give me a weapon? What stops me or anybody else from misusing it without proving I can be responsible with it?"

Very quickly, Remi answered, "The Second Skin. Person killing is not allowed in Isya, with the exception of a few zones and guild wars... which I'm sure you'll know about soon enough. Other countries have a terrible problem with person-killing and person versus person combat, so in Isya our unwritten-but-carried-out rules state that there will be no person-killing if those who do not want it can stay out of the designated areas."

"Oh... and what is this?"

"These are the starter's clothes. That Nightmare Suit was made in Rayne, yes? Well, I'm afraid you'll have difficulty using the Second Skin properly with clothing that wasn't made with Isyan materials. Don’t worry, this won't be ALL you wear, but if you're going to be using Second Skin seriously, you need to wear these until you are licensed to wear higher level armor."

Colonel folded her arms, "Higher level?"

"Yes. The Second Skin can quantify the aptitude of its user. As you use the Second Skin more, you will be able to take more daMage with it, be more agile, hit harder, all that. The Second Skin then assigns a number that we call a level. Depending on your level, certain higher-quality weapons and armor will work better with your Second Skin. Clothing, as well."

"I understand all that," Colonel muttered, taking the red clothing, "but is it necessary for me to be running around in undergarments when I'm level 1?"

Remi lifted an eyebrow, "No... That's why I gave you that clothing."

Colonel wasn't amused, "This is naught more than pieces of FABRIC. You have the men wear these as well?"

Never before had anybody questioned the beginner's clothing before. Usually women squealed with joy and happily accepted the stylish garments, "Of course not!" Remi stammered, "We have something more appropriate for them."

"In that case, I request the men's clothing."

"Wh... What!? We have a system, here! We keep track of who comes in... If I gave away the wrong equipment..."

Colonel leaned against the crate and narrowed her eyes at Remi. "I REQUEST the men's clothing."

-

This Archer was dodging the red Slime's attacks quite well. His natural agility served him well... The only problem was he didn't know who he was dealing with.

"Ha'tcha!!" the Slime yelled, making a sweeping headbutt into the Archer's side, deftly defeating him. "FOOLIE FOOLIE FOOL FOOL!!!" the Slime sang.

-

The next time Colonel emerged from her quarters saw her dressed in the more casual men's training clothing. This included dark red boy shorts with lighter red fringes, shoes of the lighter red color, and a dark red shirt with a lighter red tunic over it. It didn't exude the class that Colonel wanted to strike people with upon sight, but she had to admit that it was comfortable. Regardless, she still carried around her crest.

On her way back to Remi, Colonel certainly garnered a bunch of 'you don't see that every day' looks from people, the last of which from Remi herself. Colonel spread her arms in a displaying manner with a smile, "How do I look?"

Remi nudged her eyebrows once and reached into the crate, "Ready for a Second Skin, at the very least. Hands out. Palms up. Good. You might feel some strange sensations, but they will pass. It's better to get fit into a Second Skin early on in life because the process stings more the older you are."

"Interesting," Colonel murmured, just wishing she'd get on with it. That last sentence registered, "Wait, what?" Too late. Remi flipped her hands and perched on her index fingers were two stones, jammed straight into Colonel's palms. Colonel reacted appropriately, yelping, pulling back, and shaking out her sore hands.

Pretty soon, a woozy feeling overcame Colonel and Remi sat her down on the crate. When her eyes were open, various colors washed over them, as if translucent screens were scrolling past. They glittered in her vision majestically, and then all at once faded. Colonel was able to stand up after that. By now, she knew that acting surprised would only provide humor.

"That was the Second Skin, was it?"

Remi smiled back, "It sure was. Every color you just saw serves a purpose toward preserving your life and pushing your potential forward." From there, Remi told Colonel about how the Second Skin keeps track of one's vital information and its own, creates space for items, interacts with Isyan weapons and armor, and so much more. Suddenly...

"Join GuildMates academy!! Great money!!"
"Get gold for your UT!"
"Need a +9!!"
"MAIL FOR GOLD!!"
"BUFF PLZ!!"
"GET FREE GOLD!!"

"Holy HELL!!" Colonel cried and clamped her hands over her ears. She looked to Remi for guidance, and could only make out the word 'block.' As soon as Colonel thought about blocking all the loud people, it stopped. Colonel exhaled, "The Second Skin picks up shouts too, doesn't it?

"How cute, a noob Fighter."

Colonel turned around to see a young woman carrying a large, glowing axe. For whatever reason, she was dressed in black swimming shorts and a black bikini top, golden rings also present on her arms, showing a physique that was more for looks instead of being sculpted for battle. You can tell she wanted to look pretty and let her axe do the fighting. This was complimented by black-and-red ornamental wings on her back, sunglasses, and a pair of decorative horns.

"Morah, shoo." Said Remi quickly, "I told you you're not welcome around my post."

"Listen up, noob," said Morah, "You won't even reach the rank of Warrior. You'll never wield a plus-nine in your life, you will never possess a gold's worth of money, and you will NEVER come close to being a fraction of the Fighter I am."

So... This was the sort of person that Robin warned her about, huh? Colonel held up her hand and made the waving motion necessary to block another person's voice, "Well, that was unpleasant."

Morah got bored and walked away. Remi commended Colonel on her maturity in dealing with. Soon, Colonel was on her way to Healer Julia to learn about health and spirit stones.

"I sell two types of stones... The red ones are health stones and the blue ones are spirit stones. When Remi places two stones in your palm, it set up the Second Skin on your body. Take a look at your palms... Don't be shocked. Do you see that your left palm has a red circle in it and your right palm has a blue circle? If you squeeze your left hand, you will use one of the health stones straight from your pocket. It will repair your Second Skin and heal any wounds. Squeezing your right hand will convert a spirit stone into spiritual energy. That's the energy which your Second Skin turns into skills."

Colonel had to ask, "Skills?"

"They are special abilities which are either fancy maneuvers, or invoking the Second Skin to provide some oomph. In some cases, it promotes super natural feats and alterations to a target's Second Skin. Here!"

Julia brought out a tray with four purple scrolls on it, "These are the most basic skills that anybody with a Second Skin can use. Pick the one for your class."

Colonel looked at them, "Well, give me the one for a Fighter."

"Mhm, go ahead and take it."

Colonel hummed and looked. Slice and Dice, Heal, Aimed Shot, Ice Bolt. Well, Slice and Dice is the only one that sounds like it can be used with a sword. Colonel picked it up.

"Great!" Julia chirped,

"These only say the names of the skills," Colonel muttered, "They aren't even labeled for classes. What if I didn't know which skill went to my class?"

Julia looked at the scrolls, "It's your first test to see if you really can feel your class. You passed."

"... You don't know why the scrolls aren't properly labeled, do you?"

"... I don't."

Colonel smirked, "At least you're honest."

-

Colonel returned to the bench where Grandpa Robin sat, but in a rare occurrence the man wasn't there. She was actually looking forward to him seeing her with a Second Skin and men's clothing.

"What ho, Colonel Rayne!"

It was a very odd greeting, so Colonel had to turn around and acknowledge it. She came to the shop of Title Merchant Zach, a man in leather armor with bright green cloth over it. His pale blonde hair was tied up in a ponytail that seemed to stick to his scalp. Despite that, he looked to be chivalrous man.

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Robin earlier. You have joined the ranks of the adventurers, have you?"

Responding to the respect this man gave off, Colonel saluted with a fist to her chest, "I have."

Zach straightened up, "In that case I have for you your first commissioned quest."

"Quest?"

"Indeed! Those of us who have posts to attend cannot be leaving off to every whim. Whenever somebody needs something done, they offer money and other forms of compensation to have it done for them. It gives you adventurers a reason to explore and the economy continues to turn. Are you ready for your first quest?"

Colonel had to admit, he presented his request effectively.

"Good! Now, I see you're about to head out toward the Forest of Tides. That's very good. Test your skills on the Slimes and mushrooms just past the gate there. When you are confident, defeat a few of the imps in the Forest itself. They are crafty and quick."

With a nod, Colonel turned to the forest path. One lingering question forced her back, "You only have my word that I have accomplished all this?"

Zach raised an eyebrow. He counted down in his mind... Three, two one...

"Second Skin keeps track of my quest... doesn't it?"

Zach's mustache lifted in his grin, "You are catching on, Prince! I wish you the best of luck!"

Shortly after the statues out of town, Colonel looked and there were Slimes all over. She walked up to one. She lifted her sword defensively, but the Slime didn't show any signs of aggression. In fact, the purple creature stared up at her with slanted wide white eyes and a wide, toothy grin.

"Welcome to Isya!" the creature chirped.

Did adventurers really strike down these cute monsters? Colonel even got close enough to figure out that it wasn't so much slimy as it was gelatinous. Where was its brain, anyway?

Colonel shrugged, then let her sword down on the Slime.

"Uh oh!" the Slime called out, entirely too cheerfully for the good of the situation. It responded by jumping up and aiming its forehead at Colonel. The impact pushed Colonel back, but didn't really 'hurt.' Maybe if she just stood there and took enough of those she'd collapse, but she'd have to be touched in the head to let that happen.

Colonel thrust, jabbed, spun, and hacked the Slime a few times until it fell back and her Second Skin detected no life in it. The creature vanished with no visibly tangible means to do so, leaving behind the meat and bones Colonel saw earlier. She walked over to the items, and as soon as she stood over them, they vanished. She somehow knew that they were stored away within the Second Skin space right next to the Slice and Dice scroll.

"... Cool." Was all Colonel thought to say.

The rest of the quest went along well. The Slimes hardly put up a fight, but the mushrooms could hit a little harder. Being appropriately named large mushrooms with arms, their punches were tough for sinewy arms. Colonel couldn't just smack them around with her sword this time. Colonel thought about how she should visit Isya-towns more when she returned to Rayne. Hunting was rather... fun!

At the corner, she saw a bright blue arch with a sign above it that said the arch lead to the Forest of Tides. How it would do such a thing was beyond Colonel's knowledge, but she had built up an expectation of this country by now. She stepped through the colorful wall in the arch and when she opened her eyes, a completely new forest was in front of her.

[captaingammer]

"Oorf!" shouted the red Slime, "What a worthy adversary you are!"

The Fighter battling him was one in the basic clothes, wielding only a single short sword. He said nothing as he continued to bat at the red Slime with half an effort. However, it was in vain.

"Cowardlybullywho'sreallyaweaklingsaysWHAT!?" the red Slime mumbled loudly. The Fighter didn't respond, but the Slime rammed into him anyway.

"omfg" muttered the Fighter... Quite a powerful frustrated cuss when put into proper language.

Colonel passed by this scene, glad she wasn't on the receiving end, "Imps... Imps..." she mused to herself, taking a route to the left, past more Slimes and mushroom, and smaller Slimes that were blue. At the top of a sandy hill, her Second Skin told her she found them.

The imps didn't mull around so much as the other monsters did. They seemed to be... scheming. They were white, vaguely humanoid creatures with big heads with huge eyes, and small mouths with little teeth. They had the typical pointed tails. The rods in their hands seemed like they would break if ever used as weapons. Confidently, Colonel approached the imp and took one by surprise.

The swiftness with which the imp retaliated was unexpected. After Colonel scored a glancing blow on the imp's back, it whirled around and raked its rod across Colonel's torso. Colonel yelped mostly with surprise and stumbled back. "You..." Colonel growled and struck out again.

True to Zach's warning, the imp was fast and hit hard. Despite vowing to be more careful after each hit, the imp's rod found its way to a strike on her body with every hit. Pretty soon, Colonel felt fatigued by taking so many hits. This must have been what Remi and Julia talked about when they said that if the Second Skin's HP ran out, it would consider her defeated.

Not on that imp's life would the prince of Rayne fall to it. Remembering well the lessons of Julia, Colonel clenched her free left fist. From the fist, a red glow began and spread, seeking out the wounds and weak parts of the Second Skin. The aching in Colonel's side from a particular blow even subsided. Colonel laughed from the fact that the health stone worked alone. She proceeded to fight with her full confidence again, scoring a hit which she could have sworn caused a burst of light. Was that the critical hit that Colonel overheard while in Roumen?

With the critical scored, the imp fell down and didn't get up. The other imps and the small blue Slimes were starting to look too sure of themselves, so Colonel dashed down the cliff away from prying eyes. Near the gate to Roumen, Colonel pulled out of her pocket a figurine-sized mushroom. Somehow, this was supposed to recuperate lost health and damage to the Second Skin. All she had to do was... toss it straight up? Oh, whatever... Time for Isya to surprise her again.

Upon being tossed straight up, the mushroom spontaneously grew to the size of a small room and fell on Colonel, or rather AROUND her since there was no floor. The inside of the mushroom was like the room you'd see in a hospice minus the dozen people you shared it with. There also was a calming feeling about being in the room. Either because it healed the Second Skin or because of the build-up. Colonel rested on the bed and rested her wounded pride and body.

That creature was an imp... an IMP. One of tens of thousands, probably! She can't expect to lead a people if she can only BARELY defeat a lowly imp. The way she handled that fight was completely unprofessional... But it was the first real fight of her life against an opponent who wasn't a mutual sparring partner... Is that what malice is?

At that very moment, a familiar young Archer entered through the gate. An Archer with orange hair pulled into a braid and garbed in the typical green archer leather armor. Her reason for coming was dropped when she saw a Mini House, and a young man apparently sleeping inside. Seeing him brought a smile to her face. You never know what the day will bring... He was cute... for an obvious Rayninite. She dug deep (not too much) to think of a textbook romance story opening line.

"Are you dead?"

Colonel didn't bother to open her eyes, just to respond, "Not on the outside."

The Archer was immediately taken back, "HOLY CRAP you're a woman!!"

"... How astute."

Well, she certainly has the abrasiveness of a Rayninite man down pat, "What aggro'd YOU today?"

Colonel exhaled, "If you MUST know, I had an unflattering run-in with an imp."

'What aggro'd you' was actually a turn of phrase in Isya. The Archer hadn't expected an actual response, "An IMP? What, did it blindside you after you fought off a bunch of OTHER imps?"

"Yeah, make fun of me. That'll rid you of me faster."

The Archer's empathy won out over her temper, "What happened?"

"We came to blows," Colonel started, jumping on a chance to vent, "I thought I could defeat it quickly - everything else fell quickly - but I couldn't even fell it without having to use a health stone."

"Ouch. Everybody has bad days with missing with their skills."

"Uh huh... Wait... Skills!?" Colonel lifted the bottom of the mushroom, causing it to pop into the air, return to regular size, and return to her pocket.

With the Archer's approving support, Colonel hastily produced that scroll that Julia had given her and opened it. Understanding, the Archer hadn't made any remarks. The Slice and Dice ability is first triggered by the will of the user, second by a series of motions. Apparently, the spirit needs to be gathered and channeled properly through the body before it can be expended into a skill... or something.

She silently apologized to the nearest tree... It would have to be just a little more charitable now. Looking from the scroll to the three, Colonel focused on a three-hit combination using just the sword in her dominant hand. Knees bent, feet shoulder width apart, hands at ready, smooth motion...

Right! Left! Right!

"Nice!" the Archer complimented.

Colonel tilted her mouth apprehensively, "There are three marks in the tree, but was that a skill or just sword waving?"

The Archer folded her arms, "There's only one way to find out. Trust me... When you successfully pull off a skill, you'll KNOW it."

It felt like stepping into gang territory for the second time, but Colonel didn't falter. Perhaps once she considered how if she were still in Rayne that she wouldn't have to deal with this ****, but now this was personal. She was royalty, strong of body and mind. Those imps were just spawn of a cowardly god... Or however the Isyan lore goes.

As soon as Colonel extended the first stroke, she knew she hadn't done it right. Her strike was a mere pat on the side of the imp's head. The imp took notice, and the same humiliating beating began anew.

"You can do this!!" the Archer urged.

That simple vote of confidence, corny as it may be, was the push Colonel needed. Not that the words of Morah were any detriment, but the presence of a positive was a great help. Colonel felt a familiarity with the way her arms moved... A warm sensation that put into feeling the desire to better herself.

Colonel grit her teeth as her arm guided her sword, right, left, right. A whooshing and churning was heard, and Colonel was amazed to see trails of energy follow her sword. The three strikes overwhelmed the imp, sending it to the ground.

"What!?" Colonel yelped out of surprise. She was amazed at how much that single skill added to her strength. That imp only got off a few hits as compared to Colonel's few followed by the Slice and dice. That ONE SINGLE skill, said her Second Skin, caused enough damage to the imp to account for a whole minute's worth of sparring... a minute that Colonel didn't have to spend taking hits herself.

For the first in a long time, Colonel actually felt exhilarated. ACTUALLY given a positive adrenaline rush from her sense of accomplishment. The sheer mental and emotional effort was enough to weigh her breath, but her eyes were still wide with excitement. This WAS a whole new world to explore and be a part of... and she was only looking through the door to Isya's beauty.

Colonel lifted her sword in the air with a triumphant cry of "YES!!"

The Archer clapped sincerely, "I've seen people have MUCH harder times mastering their first skill without having been in an academy. That was great!"

"Thank you." Colonel turned to her, "I haven't formally introduced myself... I am Colonel Rayne."

"Areis Mizin."

Colonel extended a hand to shake, which Areis took with both hands and vigorously shook.

-

A good few one-sided bouts later, Colonel reported back to Zach, Areis in tow, "I've got them all, Zach."

Zach smiled, knowing it to be true, "What's with this 'Zach,' talk, hmm? With my guidance, you will be amazing at your class... somebody that anybody would want to party up with! From now on, call me Master!"

"Do you have to make EVERYBODY your apprentice, Zach?" Areis giggled.

Colonel raised an eyebrow, but saluted Zach nonetheless, "As you wish, Master Zach!"

"Ez yew wesh, mester zeck!"

Turning around, Colonel wondered how she could hear Morah's voice again. On closer inspection, it was a man this time... A few of them. Each were clothed in only swim trunks, revealing their broad, big, toned bodies partially obscured by the same set of dark wings, horns, and sunglasses. Each carried the same shimmering axe. The man Colonel heard was imitating her in a nasally voice.

Zach was clearly distressed, "How many times have I demanded that you stay away from my shop!? Is it any wonder why most of the vendors in Roumen do not do business with Isyan Vanguardians!?"

"Isyan Vanguardians...?" Colonel repeated, next to the men, "The representing guild that has won PvP tournaments the last two decades?"

The men nudged each other for the recognition. The front man laughed, "Congratulations on not be retarded." He pulled out what looked to be a voice magnifier, "EVERYBODY CONGRATULATE... COLONEL RAYNE FOR NOT BEING RETARDED!!"

Immediately, Colonel's head filled with voices containing more ridicule than anybody would want in their entire life. She winced and attempted to block the voices as they came.

"By the way," said one of the men, "There already is a Colonel Rayne out there, and he is a respected prince. I'm sure he won't appreciate you ruining the name with your woman-ness. Go back to Rayne and sell your body or something"

"No!" yelped another, "If she leaves, that's one less noob to own! Don't leave! Please don't leave! PLEEEAAAASE!!!"

He made a show of it, falling on his knees and begging while the others laughed. Well, that was enough. Areis looked like she was about to burst with rage, so Colonel took charge of the situation. "Block you, you, you, you, and you." Colonel said in turn. At this rate, she'd have half the country blocked in her first day. "What else can I do for you... MASTER?"

Clearly, Zach had the men blocked as well. He looked at Colonel's hands, "I fear that you too may one day be like them. I do not see you using a shield."

"Shield?"

"Why, yes. A defensive tool. Apparently, no Fighter worth their weight will be seen using one. If you still want one, go to Blacksmith James. He sells and refines equipment."

"I think I will," Colonel added another salute, "You are so helpful, Master."

Mind you, the men behind Colonel were shouting and making obscene gestures, to which Colonel ignored without a single break in stride, talking to Areis too happily about shields. They made way to purchase a shield while the Isyan Vanguardians got bored and began picking on some of the newbies in the forest.

-

"RAWR!!!" roared the red Slime in not so loud of a voice. The second Fighter that day crumbled beneath its mighty tackle, "That's what you GET! Bullies to Slimes, your days are numbered! No more will the Slimes be subject to your patronizing, torture, and PATRONIZING TORTURE!! I am the hero to all Slimes, the HERO SLIME!! Mwee hee hee hee hee!!"

Meanwhile, a lone Fighter, clearly a very strong one with, yes, wings, horns, and sunglasses, was laughing his head off.

"Keep up the great work, HERO! Oh my god... I never thought that seeing no many noobs get owned would stay funny, but it never gets old!!"

The hero Slime growled, "You keep lipping off, human! You'll be next!"

The Fighter snorted, and laughed even harder.

[captaingammer]

"... The Hero Slime?"

"Yes," said Blacksmith James, a shorter man with graying hair and a smelter's attire, "Sometimes there comes along a Slime that grows twice the size and packs several times the punch. New adventurers attack it, thinking it's not that much stronger than a regular Slime and end up getting defeated by it. We occasionally task promising newcomers to rid the forest of one. Are you up to the task?"

Colonel lifted her arms with a new shield held by it. "I am now," she said with conviction. Sure, the shield was more like a few planks of wood held together by a metal frame, but it was HER few planks of wood held together by a metal frame.

On the way to the Forest of Tides gate, a spell circle appeared and disappeared beneath her. Colonel felt rejuvenated.

The person who did this must have been nearby, so Colonel asked aloud, "What is this?"

"It's called Endure," said a woman's voice.

Colonel looked to see its source. Most striking on the woman was her dark green hair, pulled into a ponytail with a single strand hanging over her face for style. Her purple eyes were sharp and knowing with barely visible bags that spoke wisdom more than they spoke old age. Said bags were covered in face paint anyway.

She was like no housewife Colonel had ever seen... She wore a pink, frilled, wide-bottomed dress known as the Sakura Costume, but what wasn't covered in the dress was trim. Middle age was coming up on this woman, but proper care of her body made damn sure it was the most graceful aging anybody had ever seen.

"Hello, Ms. Gammer!" Areis greeted, bowing.

Angel smiled, "Areis, you really should get into the habit of calling me 'Angel.'" It didn't seem Areis was about to do so any time soon. So she turned to Colonel, "Endure is a type of Second Skin buffer. For about an hour, it can take way more damage before locking up. Unfortunately, nobody has the time or brain power to ask for an 'Endure.' Now they just say 'buff plz.'" Even in jest, using a Rayninite dialect didn't fit the class of this woman.

"angelgammer buffplz" said a newbie next to her.

Angel pursed her lips irritably, "See what I mean?"

"angelgammer bufpl"

"I can see how that can get on your nerves," Colonel muttered, looking at the emotionless newbie, "You've been blessed with this ability and people act like you're some sort of dispenser devoid of any sense of self."

"gammer bfp"

"THANK YOU!" Angel gushed, placing a hand on Colonel's shoulder, "You just made my day, miss... Wait... Colonel Rayne?"

"buff"
"buff gammer" Another newbie joined in the begging.

"That's my name," responded Colonel, nodding. People seemed to react kinder when she didn't shove her lineage in their face.

The newbies continued to stand in one place and whimper, but both Angel and Colonel had blocked them.

"THE Colonel Rayne?" Angel asked with a little smirk, either from the recognition, being free of the "buff plz," or both, "I heard you were coming to Isya. Imagine my surprise... I was the first one to buff a Rayninite prince! ... Right?"

The unaware Areis shifted focus, "R... Rayninite prince!?"

Colonel shrugged, "It's true. And with good timing, too. I'm about to rid these good people," with gesture to the newbies, somehow not getting the hint that the adults were busy talking, "of a Hero Slime."

Angel urged the conversation to take them to the Forest of Tides gate, "A Hero Slime? Has another one appeared? The days seem to blur together faster and faster with less being done... Oh, don't mind me. I'm sure you'll do fine. An aggressive combatant such as yourself, I'm sure you have plenty of strength training."

"Actually, when I was trained in swordplay, my teacher tried giving me strength training. I asked him, 'Don't we learn how to use a sword to defend others?' Thus instead of strength training, I learned endurance training and let my technical skills make up for it."

Areis spoke up, "D... Don't you want to be a top PvP contender!?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

Angel's pause was noted, but not addressed, by Colonel, "Oh, nothing, nothing. Do things your own way."

Was that a blush on Areis's face? "You seem surprised," Colonel told her.

"Erp!!" yelped Areis, "Well... It's been a long time... A LONG time since I've seen a Fighter who didn't value PvP first, second, and last."

"Here we are!" Angel proclaimed, stopping short of the gate, "Good luck on hunting the Hero Slime. I've probably taken enough of a break from my business as it is."

"Business?" Colonel couldn't help but asking, "Aren't you an adventurer too?"

"Let's just say that the forces that be made damn sure that my obligations overwhelmed me. My daughters have joined the guild in my place and since I have all the time in the world, I'm a vendor of goods in some of the major cities now. Let's not dwell on that, shall we? Again, best of luck to you."

Areis waved back at Angel's retreat back into Roumen. It was a downer, but Colonel convinced herself to address it later. What person who earns a position of power forces another person out of her life's calling?

-

Where it seemed like the most hostile place on the planet, the Forest of Tides now was a nice new location with exciting exploration possible. It didn't take much to find the Hero Slime. A creature very well fitting the description was both red and large, AND was beating on a newbie as soon as Colonel entered.

"Mm-mm-mmm!" taunted the Hero Slime, "That's some gooood dirt, innit!? Gyah ha ha ha..."

What stood out more to Colonel and Areis was the Fighter off to the side, watching as if at a sporting event. Like the Isyan Vanguardians, he was big and dresses in swim trunks and demonic wear. His body was lined with muscle in an appealing way with beefy abdominal muscle, and a face with a strong chin and piercing eyes that could be soft if looked into the right way. What caught Colonel's eye was the messy bright red hair... He must be a Rayninite. As expected, he leaned on the hilt of his brilliantly shimmering axe.

"Are you afraid to confront it?" Colonel demanded of the Fighter with no inhibition.

The Fighter seemed hardly phased, "Actually, yeah. Afraid that my fun will be over when I one-hit-kill that thing."

"Say that to my FACE!" yelped the Hero Slime.

Colonel didn't care at all, "I've been tasked with slaying it anyway. This changes nothing."

The fighter took notice of something on Colonel's being. "Hold on... I know that crest. You can't be... Colonel Rayne!?"

"I am."

"Colonel Rayne's a GUY. Him being a woman is only a rumor."

"Believe what you want. I have a Hero Slime to kill."

"All right..." The fighter sat back down, genuinely interested, "Let's see what you've got... 'Colonel.'"

Areis pat Colonel's shoulder, "This thing hits harder than even the imps. Be careful."

When Colonel stepped into visible range of the Hero Slime, it demanded, "YOU!" For a moment, that almost sounded like a familiar greeting, "You want to pick on the Slimes, as well?"

Colonel looked to the freshly fallen Fighter who said past his Second Skin, "rez plz." It was doubtful that there was a Cleric in the area with the Raise skill.

"What you're doing is much better?"

"Uh..." hummed the Hero Slime. After a moment of having nothing to say in response, it shrieked, "HAVE AT YOU!!" and sprang at Colonel.

Colonel hadn't been expecting that and was hit in the chest by the Hero Slime. She was forced back a few stumbles. Colonel squeezed her left fist and let the Health Stone work on her Second Skin with that benevolent red glow. The Hero Slime hopped in pursuit, which is exactly what Colonel wanted. She planted her recessive foot in the ground, took her stance, and lashed out. "SLICE!" hit "AND!" hit "DICE!" On the third hit, the Hero Slime wobbled around in a daze. That skill was a critical, meaning the Hero Slime took its most fierce hits in a long time.

"Agg!" the Hero Slime growled, "Lucky shot!" It shrunk down and jumped at Colonel. With a grunt of effort, Colonel's shield swiftly intercepted the Hero Slime's attack at no cost to Colonel. Seeing that actually made the bystander Fighter stand up in surprise. The Hero Slime was much more distressed, "Nyaaa! What the hell was THAT!? Are you a dumb Fighter!? I was under the impression that Fighters don't use shields any more! I was lied to! LIIIEEED! TOOOOOO!!"

Hearing this, other Slimes in the area turned around and started to chatter.

"Oh, no!"
"You can do it, Hero Slime!"
"You bully Fighter!"
"Teach it a lesson!"
"GET 'ER!"

That last rallying cry sent a bunch of Slimes from their spots over to the fight. The regular purple Slimes were accompanied by smaller blue slimes appropriately named Speedy Slimes.

"D... Damn!" Colonel cried while at a standoff with the Hero Slime. There were so many.

A Speedy Slime squished down and launched at Colonel with a shout of "Yaaaay!!" and then was put down by a burst of energy from behind Colonel, shouting, "Nuuuuts!!"

Colonel looked behind for a moment to see Areis on her feet and her bow drawn. The energy she had sent at the Speedy Slime was an Aimed Shot, the Archer's equivalent for the Slice and Dice. Next up she sent out a larger energy arrow, Power Shot.

"Thank you!!" Colonel called back and continued her one-on-one with the Hero Slime, "All out of contingencies?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing!"

"... That makes no sense."

"... YOU make no sense!"

Colonel blocked the Hero Slimes incoming attack. The Hero Slime's face fell. "I've had enough of this... SLICE! AND! DICE!"

One hit knocked the ****y out of the Hero Slime, the next knocked the wind out of it. The third was the killing blow. The Hero Slime burst open, "WARRRRRR!!!"

The rest of the Slimes dispersed and ran away. "Well," Colonel said, "that was a loud last word."

[captaingammer]

"Hold on a moment!" shouted the Fighter, walking up with his axe his in his hands, "You were good with that shield."

"Why tha-"

"TOO good! You can't possibly... have a pure endurance build?"

Colonel could hear the ridicule coming a mile away, but responded anyway, "I sure do."

The Fighter was amazed, but not in a good way. "Uhh... If you wait, I can get you a UT item that'll help you redo your build. Pure END is no good."

"What's wrong with ahem, a 'Pure END' build?" responded Colonel, puffing her chest out in defiance.

"Are you kidding!?" The Fighter pounded his armor, "Everything I'm wearing is a plus-nine. Not only that, but they're green. Do you even know what a green is? A 'green' is a piece of armor that enhances the Second Skin to simulate a person's build.

"... So then why is one build better than another?"

The fighter sighed, "I'm only giving you the benefit of a doubt because you're new to Second Skin. You only need so much defense in your build. If your armor makes you untouchable, there's no need for END... or a shield for that matter!"

Colonel waved her framed plank, "... But I like my shield."

"It's useless when you have the right stuff. If you're tanking something huge, maybe, but when you have all plus-nines, that's always enough. Attack damage, however, you can never have enough of. That's why when you get to use better weapons, you won't ever use a sword again." The fighter hefted his weapon, "AXES rule this country."

"You can LIFT that thing?"

"Sure. As long as I have one of these." He pointed at the blue scroll wrapped around the hilt. "You know what that is? This is an Aim Scroll. Use one of these and I can hit anything with this axe."

"And if you didn't have it?"

"That doesn't matter. I have a whole stack of them and hundreds more in my guild storage. Now come on... That was some pretty fancy work with the Hero Slime. If you use a scroll to redo your build into an strength build and get rid of that shield, you'll be on your way to being a great name in PvP."

"PvP?"

"Oh! Right. My name is Sirruk. I'm the master of the Isyan Vanguardians."

Areis stepped up, "The same Isyan Vanguardians who did nothing but give Colonel a hard time when she was just starting out!?"

Sirruk rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah... I heard that Roar. When you join up, I'll kick their asses and tell them to show you some respect. I'll make sure you become a great leader in Isya... That's a promise."

Great leader...? Was that some hook to being in a big PvP guild? "All right," said Colonel, "Areis, are you in a guild right now?"

"Uh," interrupted Sirruk, "Not her."

Colonel lifted an eyebrow, "I beg your pardon, Sirruk?"

Sirruk put an arm on Colonel's back to pull her away from Areis, "Listen... You have to learn to associate with the right people if you want to be anybody in this country. That girl associates with the Gammers... There sort of a taboo family. One of their own is a murderer, and none of them do PvP. They're merchants."

Colonel furrowed her brow, "I know Angel Gammer. She's a respectable woman. And what is wrong with not being into PvP... or being a merchant?"

"Whoa," hissed Sirruk, "Calm down! I'm just telling you what you need to hear. PvP is the real be-all end-all to life in this boring country. Once you see it all, there's nothing... NOTHING. In PvP, there's always something new. Money, fame, recognition... People want to be you or be with you. Being an explorer? You're just wandering around."

"... At least I'm not tearing other people down."

Sirruk chuckled, "If you tear them down, that's just how things are, Colonel. Competition and supremacy are just a part of human nature. So what do you say?"

Colonel forced a stop, "I'll have to think on it."

"No," responded Sirruk sternly, "You have to decide right now. Be the elite of society or the dregs. Be a decision maker, or just one of the sheep. Be a person of consequence, or absolutely ****ing nobody. Pro or noob. The choice is obvious!"

"It sure is." Colonel backed out of Sirruk's hand and returned to Areis's side. "Come on, we've got to tell James that we took down the Hero Slime."

Areis's eyes were moist in a most joyous fashion. She nodded eagerly and hopped into step with Colonel. Sirruk, on the other hand, was irate.

"Y... YOU ARE MAKING A BIG MISTAKE!!! YOU'RE EITHER AN ISYAN VANGUARDIAN OR NOTHING!!! DO YOU HEAR ME!? YOU ARE MAKING EXTREMELY POWERFUL ENEMIES!!!"

Almost at the gate, Areis shivered, "He... He's right, you know... If he ever sees you in a PvP zone... He will try to person-kill you."

Colonel looked ahead purposefully, "Let him. I'll be in good company if and when it happens."

A tear freed itself from Areis's restraint, to which she turned away to wipe it. She nodded again, "Okay!!"

-

"Fantastic... Brilliant," Blacksmith James complimented, upon hearing the news, "All by yourself, even? Nobody would have held it against if you took help from Areis here. If you keep this up, helping people and making Isya a better place, you'll make a name for yourself. No good person goes unnoticed."

"Thank you very much," said Colonel, saluting with honor, "though I can't take all the credit. I had a buff."

"Buff...?" James asked with a furrowed brow, "You're not buffed."

"... Pardon?"

"He's right!" Areis said, "Ms. Gammer cast some other spell that didn't really do anything... You did all that without a buff!"

That was just the icing on the cake that made this a great day. Just walking at their leisure, Colonel and Areis discussed future plans. "Are you really sure that you don't want to be an Isyan Vanguardian...?" Areis asked, "PvP is a really big deal over here."

Colonel looked off into the sunset as they crossed the bridge to the marketplace, "I'll be fine. I'll find my own way in Isya without being pressured to join this gang or that. Who knows... I might even start my own guild. There's just too much to do in this country to condense it down to one thing."

"Wow..." Areis cooed, "That's a really good way to look at things."

Colonel chuckled, "Really? A wise old man once told me that."

The two of them reached the storage house where Colonel planned to store away the meats, bones, leathers, dusts, and any other random item at Areis's request. Instead, the storage keeper looked very distressed. She was elfin, wore a bright green buttoned dress, and had her blonde hair in a ponytail that pointed straight up. "Raina!" Areis addressed her, "What's the matter!?"

"I-It's nothing you need to be concerned about," Raina said, though her countenance and heavy breathing - indicating earlier crying - said otherwise.

Colonel insisted, "Maybe we can help."

Raina didn't need to be told twice, "It's my cousin. She was having a wedding rehearsal at the Forest of Tides and a bunch of Bored Imps raid the entire thing and ruin it! They went straight for her dress!!"

Areis gasped. Colonel's fist clenched with rage, "A woman's wedding dress her soul weaved into fabric!! Tell us what to do!"

Raina put on a serious face, "Go to the Gang Imp's hideout in the Forest of Tides... It should be a patch of palm trees. Kill the Gang Imp and its Bored Imp followers. I'll compensate you if you can do that."

"We will accomplish your commissioned task for you... Come along, Areis!"

Colonel took off on a run. By now she knew her way to the Forest of Tides by heart. Areis called for Colonel to wait up in between laughs from Colonel's infectious vigor.

[Dragonfly77]

Nicely written. I don't know much about Apoline, but who are the Vanguardians? >.o



They both stood, somewhere in the twilight of casual acquaintances and new friends. Athemis laughed, "Normally, when somebody is too forward too soon with me, he'd find an arrow oh-so-fast in his chest." She illustrated with appropriate hand gestures, "It would rip out his lung while it sped through his body...followed up by several more arrows pulling out his other vital organs!!"

So true x3 You quoted me and captured it perfectly. XD

[captaingammer]

Nicely written. I don't know much about Apoline, but who are the Vanguardians? >.o

Completely made up guild. *wink*

[T3h_SyN]

I love it :3

Especially the slime, I loved his attitude.

"Thank you!!" Colonel called back and continued her one-on-one with the Hero Slime, "All out of contingencies?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing!"

"... That makes no sense."

"... YOU make no sense!"

For some strange reason I thought of Yotsuba when I read this. I'm not sure why...

[graciela8]

Cons, this is Isa from all those spidey spams... you are an amazing writer! This was such a fun read. =)

[Dragonfly77]

*Drops in an application*

In-game name: Conjurator

Name you want: Conjurator

Class: Wizmage

Gender: Male

Weapon of choice: He prefers using a staff, simply because he thinks wands are for little kids. Real wielders of magic carry a staff.

Personality: A very shy boy, he is soft spoken and and very quiet. But once you get to know him he opens up and can be a joker, and a friend for life. He prefers being locked up in his room, reading books or working on his experiments, as opposed to going out on adventures. He doesn't particularly like the outdoors, but he'll happily leave the city to visit ancient ruins, or to gather materials for his experiments (he also doesn't like crowds or attention anyway). He's very well learned in history, myths, science, and magic, sometimes combining these subjects so that the fine line between them is blurred. He doesn't like wearing heavy armor, and insists on using his magic alone for protection. That usually gets him into a heap of trouble, which his sister Athemis usually has to pull him out of. The one thing he doesn't take well to is being insults, whether it be about himself, his sister, his people, or his class. He also hates being called by his nickname, Conjy, but tolerates it from his sister. Anyone else gets a smart whack on the head. Oh yeah, he also has a mini Kebing for a pet. His name...you guessed it...is Kebing. ;D

Back story: Let's see...he's the younger brother to Athemis, although due to Athemis's extreme shortness, he is often mistaken as the older brother. Ever since he was born, he's been able to move objects with his mind, and as a child he learned how to hex and jynx people. His parents realized this gift in him, and sent him off to live in Isya at a young age, so that he could make more of himself, since he had little hope for a future in anti-magic Rayne. He's never liked Raynites anyway, because ever since he was a little kid they would always bully him.

Picture:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e72/dragonfly77photos/Conjy.jpg

You don't have to use Conjy if you don't want to, since you already have Ath. But have fun with him if you choose to do so.

Edit: Conjy has a new look ~.^

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e72/dragonfly77photos/screenshot381-1.jpg

[captaingammer]

The Age of Apoline

Chapter 2: King Slime's Counterattack

"I got them all," Colonel reported to Ruby. A few rewarding screens from Colonel's vision confirmed the deaths of a Sharp Boar and a few Bored Boars.

She and Areis were on a roll with carrying out quests. The imps that Raina wanted out of the way were tough, but manageable. She soon commissioned Colonel again, this time for the larger gray Slow Slimes that left trails everywhere. Strangely, they were more content staring off in a single direction more than defending themselves in an organized manner.

This whole 'quest' thing was MUCH more prevalent than Zach had given it credit for. Pretty much all the merchants and public servants had requests to make and were abundantly happy to task adventurers. Through these quests, Colonel quickly earned licenses for the better weapons and armor the she heard so much about. When it came time to receive them, however...

"Is this a TOWEL!?" Colonel demanded of Blacksmith James. James, of course, was dumbfounded. The typical response was 'this is so cute!' or 'this goes great with...' and so on. The Leather Shirt was actually a leather bustier for coverage of the bust with a small pink jacket that didn't even come close to the navel. "I take that back. This is gift-wrapping; just enough to loosely cover an apple."

James tilted his head in a sympathetic manner, "Don't shoot the blacksmith. The reason you have to wear Isyan clothing is because smiths like me forge in materials that react to the Second Skin. Magic is woven into the fabric that stimulates the Second Skin to be more resistant to damage. Therefore it doesn't matter what you wear but the strength of the magic in it. As you've seen, people wear swimwear in this hot season and they probably could have a building fall on them and they'd come out all right. Anyway, the only person in charge of designing the clothes is the fashion artist in Elderine, Kenton."

Colonel grunted, "Let's hope I don't have a run-in with this Kenton."

"Heh... Vietree would love that."

"Vietree?"

"Oh right," James rubbed the back of his head, "new people have a hard time ever meeting Vietree. She's Raina's roommate, but she's really reclusive. You'll find her next to Raina's storage. She runs a beauty parlor where everybody gets new hairdos. It's a good idea, but everybody just tries making themselves look as close to Rayninites as possible. You'll see 'em. Uh, anyway, word is Vietree also wants to get into clothing. Mind you, those words are Vietree's... and they're loud."

The wheels in Colonel's head began turning long before James stopped talking. Walking away still in the men's beginner's clothes, Colonel took the charming leather clothing, including the tight, form-fitting pants, to the other side of Raina's storage. There was absolutely no indication that there would be anybody on the other side, much less a whole business. An elfin boy passed by poking his bright, newly red hair, so obviously she did some business. The woman at the front of the door looked into the horizon wistfully, as if waiting for somebody. Then again, it could just be her spacey and contented gaze, managing to look graceful with as neutral a face as possible. The woman herself had a motif of blue about her, starting with skin toned to a majestic pale, mid length blue hair, dazzling blue eyes, and a jacket that was blue with the sleeves being half white. She wore a corset-like belt that contained any styling tool she ever needed in it and her left sleeve off her arm for quick cuts. Her black skirt completed the look of a fashion maven, proven by her words as soon as she saw Colonel.

"Hm... Dark red hair pulled into a ponytail with bangs. How basic. Ahh, I love the Rayninite facial structure. Try as it might, the testosterone in the bloodline will never trump the softness and delicacy of the matriarchy before it. You could pass for an effeminate young man easily if not for the sincerity in your eyes. Your lips are just full enough to rule out a man's face, but only if I look at you closely. Are you looking to change your style?"

"No," Colonel responded, "At least not in the way you mean." She held up the leather clothing.

"Oh!" Vietree gasped, hiding her eyes, "Do not show me those rags!"

Vietree's melodramatic posing was amusing, but Colonel had to press, "No. I'm commissioning you. I want you to make a new design based off of this."

Vietree perched her cheek on her fingertips, "A clothing commission? Me? Kenton in Elderine is more than happy to do any old stitching job."

"But I'm not looking for any old stitching job," said Colonel with a knowing grin, "I want to turn this into something anybody would be proud to wear. Something a little snugger... Giving others the impression that I'm more practical than what's expected of me."

"Hm..." Vietree hummed again and took the clothing, seemingly not afraid of it anymore, "What you're suggesting certainly would definitely make these clothes... eugh... NOT tacky. But it's ME you're dealing with! I'll make sure you strike a handsome figure in these new clothes!" It would appear that Vietree most certainly was inspired. "Oh yes... and I only charge Universal Tender for my services."

"UT?" Colonel repeated, suddenly finding a good use for the wallet she had brought from Rayne.

-

One sewing and stitching session later, Colonel did indeed turn the occasional head out on the town. Vietree had done a good job, first of all, expanding the size of the leather shirt. What used to be just a bustier became an entire long-sleeved leather shirt. The white threads she used to sew the sleeves onto the bustier couldn't be hidden, so she just added lines of white threads at even spacing down the sleeve.

At one point Vietree had poked her head out of her parlor and asked, "What color do you want instead of the pink?"

It was a question that made Colonel think, but she answered confidently enough, "At the risk of my image, I actually like pink. I am under the opinion that REAL men wear pink... Or at least WAS, back when I was a man."

Vietree didn't even pop a dry, "Okay..." at the comment. The result, however, was that the pink shirt that previously gave the ensemble a gift-wrapping feel was untied and hung down as a sleeveless vest. The aesthetic of white threads was so appealing to Vietree that she laced them around the edge of the vest and made a pattern or two. The leather pants were merely expanded a size or two... and given more pockets. Pockets are 'in,' according to Vietree.

"I want clothes like that!" was Areis's response, "I'm tired of being cold when I'm in formal wear."

The two of them were in the meadow behind Roumen where Slimes and Mushrooms roamed, and there were lots of lowers. Areis loved being there and picking flowers sometimes, and it was Colonel's turn to share the meadow with her.

"Are you getting adjusted to things over here?" was the topic Areis brought up.

Colonel swung her recently acquired Long Sword about, to the amazement of some awestruck Mushrooms. Their heads followed the sword. The Slimes on the side, however, were too busy starting off seaward.

"I think I am. At first I was disoriented by how much is expected of me, but this 'free to populate' policy is great! I don't have to constantly keep track of my UT and I enjoy contributing to the community around here. All the merchants here are decent people... unlike in Rayne where everybody is too occupied with having enough UT to get by, or find ways to get more."

"Hmm," Areis hummed, "Is Rayne coming under hard times?"

Colonel swished the sword into its hilt, "Yes. Well, I'm not one to say. I pretty much had it the easiest in the entire kingdom. I wasn't a stranger to the gossip of the common person, though. I have my own ideas on how to keep unemployment down... But I'll need the crown first."

Rather than seem inspired, Areis displayed some melancholy, "Oh... So you'll be going back as soon as possible, huh?"

What was that supposed to mean. Colonel was about to vocalize this but instead was met with Areis poking a yellow flower into her hair. The archer giggled at the sight and went back to pick more.

Colonel, thinking it a very good idea to keep off the previous topic, looked to some Slimes, "Are they still at it?"

"Huh?" Upon closer look, every Slime in the meadow still pointed toward sea and, on a creepier note, just staying in place... even when under attack by a newbie. "That IS strange," Areis added.

"Attention all low-level adventurers!" an echoing voice traveled through Roumen. It was Chief Roumenus himself. The Second Skin of all in Roumen picked up the shouts, "report to the fountain in the plaza for a special quest! I guarantee the compensation will be well worth it!"

Hearing this turned heads. Colonel and Areis were no exception. "You want to?" Colonel had asked, but the answer was obvious.

-

Despite the earlier enthusiasm, Roumenus seemed extremely stressed when Colonel and Areis reported for the mystery quest. "Come join me in my office..." Roumenus muttered, making sure nobody heard. Looks were exchanged, then the three of them were in Roumenus's office.

Unfortunately for Roumenus's pitch at secrecy, a certain green-haired young mage couldn't help but notice Roumenus's body language and followed, remaining out the door to eavesdrop.

The chief himself pulled a ragged piece of paper out of a drawer and looked up to the two in front of him. "I won't pull any fact to you two... There is a quest, but it isn't as glamorous or, ahem, 'fun' as how I made it seem in the shout. The fact of the matter is that I needed a hook."

Both had the question on their mind, but Areis was quicker to the punch, "What's this about, Roumenus?"

Roumenus exhaled and extended the paper to Colonel, the nearest person, "Those dreadful beings have revealed their intentions."

"Dreadful beings?"

"The Slimes, of course."

"Ahh, of course," concurred Colonel, looking at the paper. At first glance, it was a letter of warning to Roumenus. "Where did you get this?"

Roumenus tucked his hands behind his back, looking like a chief. "It was mailed to me. At first I didn't think much of it, but you've noticed it as well, haven't you? The Slimes, every variety, are acting strangely... As if expecting something."

Areis's eyes widened, "Yes! We have! That's related to this..." she looked at the letter and her face fell, "attack...?"

"I'm afraid so. Whatever may have inspired it, the Slimes have declared war on the Henneath Alliance, if that letter is to be trusted. Apparently they are fed up with being used as instruments for training and otherwise being picked on. You wouldn't know of any reason that the Slimes would suddenly have a surge of violent activity, would you?"

"What would we have to do with...?

Suddenly, one moment stuck out to both of them. The Hero Slime from a long time back. What was that he had said before dying?

"WAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!"

Roumenus folded his arms contemplatively, "Hm, I wouldn't think that's directly responsible. It sounds like the typical Slime banter. Either way, I would rather be safe than sorry about this. A Second Skin that is too strong can be detected from a distance by a monster. That's why I'm asking for low-leveled individuals.

"According to the letter, there isn't a whole lot of time left before this attack is supposed to happen. I'm gathering a group to send on a ship to Cyclone Hill. It's on a peninsula off the main land. If the group goes by sea, it may be able to surprise the enemy. Allegedly, the King Slime has made the top of that hill his home. If the team can kill the King Slime, it will cause every other Slime to become disoriented and disorganized... enough to call off the attack, hopefully.

"I know it's a lot of faith to put into a single letter, but my hand is forced. This is too dire to NOT act upon. Areis, I recognize you from Dekkid's list of top students. Will you join the expedition?"

"Of course," said Areis, straightening up, "anything for Roumen."

They began talking, to which Colonel couldn't help but get a word in, "Excuse me... I know it's a formality, but can you at least acknowledge that I'll be going as well?"

"Y... You?" Roumenus stammered, "Er... This is an Isyan affair"

"Uh huh... There's no need to be diplomatic. I'd like to think that I have a stake in Isyan affairs once I got THESE." Colonel lifted her hands, palms out, to display the health and spirit stones that upheld the Second Skin over her body.

Roumenus was still reluctant, "Mmm... Quite. I can't say that your attitude is misplaced. This expedition needs people to stand up and take charge of Roumen's fate."

"Take charge, hmm? Now I REALLY must go."

Roumenus pinched the bridge of his nose, "Ugh... Time is short. I must recommend that if you ever want to back out, just return to the ship and tell the captain to head out. No offense to you, Areis, or any of the others on that ship, but Colonel's life means more than the rest of you combined and tenfold... Several times."

"Hmph," grunted Colonel, "I won't have to make that choice because we and the rest of the expedition will make damn sure that the operation is a success. By the way, how big of a group are we talking about here?"

"Including you two... Fourteen."

"Fourteen!? Will a larger group of people with Second Skin really alert the enemy that much?"

"It will, it will. Go. I've ordered all ships to remain at dock until this has been sorted out. It's the only ship that's taking passengers."

"Fifteen."

Roumenus turned around, "Cora! Uh... How much of that did you hear?"

"I've known since earlier today," responded the determined young mage, "I can't have heard all that and not do anything about that. Tell the captain of the ship that you have me coming along as well."

"I will not! I can't see your mother allowing you to ship off into danger like that!"

"I KNOW you can fit one more person in that group, I DO have Mother's permission, and you can't afford to stand around arguing like this, can you?"

"Just go!" yelped Roumenus, "You certainly are insatiable like her!" Cora smiled and gave a little honored and grateful bow on her way past Roumenus to the ship. "Teva," he then said to the sky," guide this expedition to victory with no casualties... At least to spare me Angel's wrath."

[captaingammer]

The ship was a Trojan Horse type. It was big, but hollow on the inside. The last person to arrive was a hasty spectacled mage who hopped in hurriedly. The doors were closed behind her and the ship rocked, starting on its way. The group inside was varied... Quite a few Rayninites, but mostly native Isyans. All of them knew what they were getting into. Some kept their minds on the task, psyching themselves up, others looked understandably nervous. There was an undeniable tension. Everybody looked around at each other. The stares could men anything, but in an enclosed space on the way to danger, nobody was in the mood to test the waters.

Almost everybody.

"It's so QUIET..." A fighter murmured in a loud whisper. He turned his wide-eyed gaze to the person next to him. "Hi! I'm Saren Ryon Hart. This is going to be SUPERB! And what's your name?"

The vigor was infectious. The young lady next to Saren popped a laugh. "I'm, uh... Cara." She wore her bright orange hair down and wavy with bangs and a pair of ornamental cat ears over her petit face, amber eyes and all. Her choice of attire was a Sakura Costume.

"Ooh," said Saren, "Cara! You know, in some languages, 'Cara' means FACE! I'll bet you were named Cara because you're a cleric who gets in people's FACES!"

"I don't know about that..."

"Saren!" Cora spoke up, "Don't you remember me?"

"OHWHAT- Cora!! Yeah, with the wicked wooden staff skills! POW!"

An interruption came when a mage cleared his throat loudly. He was a mage with wide, white hair. "Not to interrupt the super happy fun times, but your enthusiasm is entirely inappropriate... Not to mention that sort of attitude tends to annoy people."

"Ohhh, you don't know what you're talking about, Trinity!"

Just like that, the ice was broken, Trinity's comment was left behind, and people started to talk.

Areis leaned over, "Phew... I was about to suffocate when everything was all quiet!"

"Indeed," Colonel agreed, "and it's good we're getting to know and trust each other. Maybe we should separate into... Uh... What was it called when people used Second Skin to form a more efficient group? Fiesta?"

Areis lifted an eyebrow trying to comprehend, then got it, "Oh, a party!"

"Party!" Colonel repeated.

"Yeah!!" Shouted Saren over the crowd of voices, "A party! That's what I like to hear! Aww, I'm just kidding. I'm going to party up with FACE! Aww, I'm just kidding again, ha ha! Cara!"

As the people in the boat selected their parties, Colonel couldn't help but see Saren chat up fill up his party right away. Second Skins can only handle keeping a bond with up to four other people in a party at one time. His party had a bunch of soft-spoken people who were more bold in speaking up around Saren.

"Do people really respect and follow a person like that?" Colonel asked nobody in particular.

Cora smiled, also looking, "It certainly helps people come together and work in a team when they're all good friends. Mother told me that pageantry is a big part of leadership. Hi, I'm Cora Gammer."

Colonel hummed in recognition before double-taking at the name, "Gammer? Well, you're definitely in my party! I am Colonel Rayne, and this-"

"Areis." Said Cora immediately with a smile to the archer.

"Oh!" Colonel genuinely flushed, "You know each other! Brilliant." She looked around and saw a male cleric somewhat in the peripherals of the scene. His hair might be a bright Rayninite shade of red, but he wasn't fooling anybody with his rounded facial structure and trim frame. He was Isyan, all right. As soon as Colonel's gaze went his way, he bowed his head, his face beginning to match his hair. "And you are?"

The cleric snapped to attention like the shrinking violet he tried to hide, "Oh, sorry. I was just thinking ahead. What's up?"

"Um... What's 'up' is that we're forming parties, if you haven't got one, there's still some room here."

"Yes!" yelped the cleric. He composed himself, "I mean, sure, any party's good, right? Well, I'm Ingo."

Introductions went around and the fifteen people sorted themselves out into three groups of five. Suddenly, this expedition didn't seem so hopeless.

-

Back in Roumen, Roumenus could at least breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the expedition is on the way. All he could hope now was to see the ship return the next morning at the latest and hear the reports of no Counterattack. He walked leisurely over to the Warp Guard who sends people to other major locations.

"Ah, beautiful day. I wish to speak to Guard Captain Shutian. May I please have a warp to Elderine?"

"Of course," said the guard. He swirled magic in his hands and thumped his spear on the ground. This is the point when the warp takes effect.

Normally.

"Odd," the guard mused. He thumped the hilt against the ground a few more times. "My spirit is all full!"

Roumenus was more terrified than confused. His face lost color and he looked around. He felt like his eyes were playing tricks, but they were not.

There were Slimes everywhere. Purple creatures shuffled about the plaza. A few were in the fountain. Some were sliding down the stairs. One was being chased away from the storage by an irate Raina. People were amusedly looking at them, poking them. They were on top of the buildings, under benches, on the statues that normally prevented them from entering town.

"Oh god..." Roumenus gasped.

The town chief wasted no time in taking his post in the center of town. He shouted to every Second Skin in the area, "Attention Roumen!!"

Heads turned.

"This is not a drill! What you are seeing now is the prelude to a dire catastrophe. Get all your children indoor and anybody, ANYBODY who is capable of battle get ready for anything!"

The general populace of Roumen was unbelieving. On cue, Angel Gammer walked up to Roumenus, "What is this about, Roumenus? First you're talking about a special quest, and now all these Slimes are supposed to be threatening to us?"

"It's true, Miss Gammer. Take a look at this note. I factored in the strange behavior of the Slimes, and now warping will not work. I have sent an expedition of adventurers to Cyclone Hill to kill the King Slime and avert this disaster."

"Hey!" An archer that Roumenus recognized as that 'Athemis' that Colonel parted with approached, "I'm trying to leave town but there's no warp and Slimes keep piling up at all the town exits. I know that you don't keep track of your monsters here, but GEEZ!"

Both adults were given a start. Angel's head swerved to Roumenus, "This is bad... I'll start telling everybody to get ready. Have you seen Cora?"

Roumenus stiffened up, "She didn't have your permission to go... did she?"

"Go? Go where? That expedition!? NO!! You let her go!?"

"Sh... she wouldn't take no for an answer..."

"Forget that," Athemis butt in, "Where's my brother!?"

"... Conjurator also forced his way in."

"THAT'S MY BROTHER!!!" Athemis rose her crossbow, to which Angel pushed it back down.

Roumenus cleared his throat, "Don't worry... both of you. They are with thirteen other very capable adventurers. I'm sure that the expedition will be a success with no casualties. If they are in peril-"

"IF!?" Athemis's bow went up and down again.

"... They are in the company of Colonel Rayne... and your friend Areis, Angel."

Athemis yelped, "Colonel!?"

Angel yelped, "Areis!?"

Roumenus now stared down a crossbow with no saving interference, "Oye..."

-

The captain of the ship to Cyclone Hill poked his head down into the ship, "Another five minutes, I reckon. Ready your weapons and spells... and Teva watch over you."

A nervous exhale passed through the depths of the ship. Somehow, a few of the people found laughter in Cora's general direction.

"What's their problem?" Colonel asked.

Cora sighed, "It's my guild. Those guys are in the academy of the Isyan Vanguardians. I'm in a guild called Parfait. It's not a warring guild. Non-warring guilds are generally looked down upon."

"Well... That's in poor taste."

Said people were Trinity, an archer will tall bright green hair named Kurisu, and Des, a fighter with long red hair. Like Ingo, she couldn't fool Colonel into thinking she's a Rayninite. To be fair, Des was really the only one making fun. Kurisu and Trinity were just going along with it. Regardless, they were all Isyan Vanguardians. A fourth in their party was a cleric who wore her dark red hair in the mid-length feathered style. She had all the ornamental wings and horns of an Isyan Vanguardian, not to mention a black and red formal dress. She had a gothic aesthetic about her, but her expression and mannerisms told a different story of a kind person. Maybe she just wanted to look cool. According to overhearing, her name was Roxca... 'Rox' for short.

On another bench, a young lady fighter and a young man archer were deep in conversation... Judging by the way they interacted, more intimate than most of the conversations to be had on this ship.

Areis nudged Colonel, "It takes all kinds to make a team, huh?"

Colonel's pause told Areis that the nudge was awfully informal. They both didn't know what to make of it.

"We're here!"

The process of landing, anchoring, and getting the doors open was strenuous on all nerves. Finally, the reddened sky shown down and the expediters began the walk to Cyclone Hill. Cora stopped right out and grimaced. The first breaths she took were labored and she rubbed her chest. Areis stopped by her, "You don't look well. Are you sure you want to keep going? I know about your health."

Cora made a show of clearing her throat, "I'll be fine... I'm just nervous."

"Take these!" The captain took a moment to greet them all and handed them badges that my all means looked like red hearts. "These are extremely rare, extremely hard to make items. They are saved only for the most important crises. Every time your Second Skin locks up and you are defeated, one of these will act like a super health stone and override the lock-down. You'll get right up instead of being sent back to Roumen."

These things were accepted without much ceremony. There was a King Slime to kill. The parties stuck together to talk strategy and ghost stories about what was just up ahead. Ingo figured that if Areis could get some friendly physical contact, so could he. He extended a pat on the shoulder, "Don't worry, I'm a VERY attentive Cleric."

The person that Ingo tapped turned around. The lighting made her brighter hair darker, but her yellow, cat-like eyes clearly indicated it was a different person. A person who gave Ingo a look and asked, "Are you in my party?"

"GAH!" Ingo yelped articulately.

An archer came by, "Kitone, is this guy giving you trouble? I can take care of him."

"No he isn’t, Rennas," Kitone responded, looking annoyed, yet still leaving a lingering grin at the concern.

"OH WHAT THE-!?"

Saren's cry alerted the rest to what laid before them. After a bunch of ruins and over the hill, there were monsters. Purple Power Slimes, gray Iron Slimes, red Fire Slimes, imps, honeyings the size of people, and who knows what else. They all look on edge. What went through everybody's mind was dropped when Saren said what he had to say next.

"Beautiful creatures... Ha ha ha..."

"Beautiful?" Roxca echoed, speaking for the first time. She playfully twirled the mace in her hand, "They're still in our way. Hm... Uh, guys, where's that other guy in our party?"

Trinity wore a very un-amused expression, "Over there."

A yet-unmentioned archer laid fallen in front of a Power Slime, "rev plx" It's worth mentioning that being beginner's classes, none of the clerics knew how to revive a Second Skin on the spot.

"OHWHATTHE he's already dead!" said Saren.

"Right..." muttered Des, looking outright annoyed, "You're out of our party."

With a hand motion, she and the rest of her party felt the archer's presence fade into nothing. Soon after, one of the archer's three hearts melted into his Second Skin and brought him back to his feet.

"repty" he said, asking to be brought back into the party. Des didn't pay him any heed.

Cora stepped up, looking at the entire group and then at the monsters, "We can't just rush in. We need to be organized. I think if the parties split up as-"

"Shut it," Des shoved Cora aside, "Just shut up. I am NOT taking orders from a weak little MAGE." She made entirely too much of a show of it, making sure that everybody saw the shove and climactic finger point. She took the spot, calling out, "Everybody follow me. Attack what I attack. Cleric, heal. God help you if you don't heal me."

"My name is Rox-"

"Talking isn't healing!!"

Roxca was visibly disturbed. Regardless, she followed along with her party as they ran ahead and began slaying every monster in their path. Cora watched them go, arms folded and eyes moist.

The fifth member of Cora's party, a younger mage with dark purple hair grunted a judgmental tut, "That's what happens. Everybody tries acting like a Rayninite and ends up being an *******... As if there's any difference."

Given the choice of reprimanding Des for her attitude or correcting the Mage, Conjurator, on his own, Colonel went between the two choices to Cora who she stood in front of and placed a hand on each shoulder.

"I would gladly listen to you, Miss Gammer."

The other eight seemed to share the sentiment. Cora bowed her head in a grateful smile, which Colonel lifted back up with a finger on Cora's chin. The moment lasted a second longer than was needed, acknowledged by Cora hastily turning to face the rest of the expedition.

"Well... I can't take credit for any of my ideas. My mother has developed a lot of great strategies for keeping parties together and working as a team from her guild days. I know they can work well here. Let's catch up to the others!"

[captaingammer]

At the gates of Elderine, a messenger boy burst through. He had run there from Roumen. Exhausted, he mustered the energy to bellow a shout, "Take up your weapons!! Roumen will be besieged by the Slimes within the hour! Mount your steeds and defend your fellow men and women!!" He then collapsed.

For a brief second, Elderine was silent, but only for a brief second. Every single molecule of activity returned to as it was before the messenger boy had arrived. Near the eastern fountain, Guard Captain Shutian hummed thoughtfully, "I wasn't aware that Roumen was holding an invasion preparation drill today. Usually I get word of it."

-

"She WHAT!?" was uttered for the umpteenth time, this time most worriedly by Cons Gammer to her adoptive mother. To her defense, she WAS talking over the rush of violence of the Slimes assaulting everybody and everything in sight.

Angel bashed down a Slime, "Apparently, she and a bunch of low levels were sent to Cyclone Hill based off a tip in a letter. It's been right so far, but that doesn't make me like this any more."

Cap, the third at attendance, shot down a Slime in midair, "I'm worried about Cora too... I can't help but to think about the big picture, though. The Slimes attack, a letter arrives warning us, and furthermore to send the low-levels... These things have to be related."

"As much as it would explain," Angel started, interrupted to beat down another Slime, "I'm afraid just what such an explanation would be."

Everybody in Roumen was in on the fight, especially the vendors. James pulled his axe from behind the counter, Zack went on the offensive with his dependable sword and shield, and even Raina had a staff in her personal storage to pick off Slimes with magic spells. Healer Julia was worked to the bone, running all over town and healing, but that's what she signed up for. Near her post, she saw a sight that hardly any of the Roumen shopkeepers cared for.

Exercising futile diplomacy she said to them, "Sirruk, Morah... Your abilities would be very useful in avoiding a calamity today. Would you care to kill some Slimes?"

"Not really," said Sirruk immediately, scratching his head, "They haven't done anything to deserve it."

Figures. Julia turned to seek the next person in need of healing when a "Wait up!" stopped her. Morah had gotten up and ran over.

"Yes?" Asked Julia, hopeful.

"One question... Are you blind, or just an idiot?" Julia figured if she talked, Morah would cut her off, Morah continued, "Can't you see that I'm not buffed? Chop-chop, cleric."

Needless to say, Julia was disgusted. "I have a town to help save," she muttered lowly and ran down the stairs.

Morah spit, "Noob cleric waste of space."

-

As the assault on Cyclone Hill escalated, the parties kept to themselves and worked well. To be more specific, the party of the Isyan Vanguardian academy members kept to themselves and the rest of the expedition worked swimmingly with hardly any threat of fail or ill will.

On the other hand, Des's voice was so loud that if there were a King Slime on the top of the hill, he'd be tired of her by now. The rest of the expedition sure was... especially Rox. She howled orders at her party members and was all too eager and quick to chastise them... especially Rox. By the time they were nearly at the top, everybody was sick of the word "HEAL!!!"

Ingo took notice of Cora coughing, "I'm just about to get physically ill from the harsh vibes, myself."

Cora laughed off the claim, but still got Colonel's suspicious hum.

Cyclone Hill was named as such because it is overall a cone shape with several levels of flat land. The floors were full of monsters that became increasingly fierce. The Slimes gradually got tougher from Silver Slimes to Gold Slimes to the large Prince Slimes, which were twice as tall as any of them.

"Don't steal my kills!!" Shouted Des to anybody who she didn't approve helping her out.

"Last I heard," muttered a seething Kitone, "the goal was to SAVE ROUMEN!"

Before that conversation could continue, Rennas pushed Kitone away, "Not worth the time, Kit. Not worth the time."

They continued as such, for better and worse, until the final barrier created by Slime Gates was taken down. Excitable as ever, Saren charged up to see what was on top.

"OH WHAT-" he started, but Cara who was next to him swung her hand over his mouth.

On the top level, the very tip of Cyclone Hill, the King Slime stood, almost in waiting. He was a huge green Slime with markings, most notably a green crest on his forehead. He certainly was the biggest Slime any of them had ever seen. The way he rippled, he definitely would hold up any invasion on Roumen. He looked back at the adventurers, but at that distance, only with curiosity. Everybody stood tense. Anything was possible.

Colonel took the first step forward. There was a murmur amongst them and it was Conjurator who asked, "What are you doing!?"

"Sir," Colonel said back over her shoulder, sword and shield drawn, "finishing this conflict."

-

The conflict was still well underway in Roumen. The situation had stabilized, but it was still a savage fight. Cap ran through town picking off Slimes and causing them to follow her. The train of monsters bounced breathlessly after her. In a wide open space, Cap stopped to reveal her trump card... "Nature's Mist!" A single pull of her bow generated a rain of arrows carrying the taint of poison on them. The Slimes were struck down with the impact alone.

Cons didn't have the benefit of such a widespread attack, but she certainly wasn't in any danger. With her armor and defense training, she didn't even budge when Slimes assaulted her. Bashing them down one by one was all well enough for her. In an exemplary case, a Slime bumped into her from behind, barely making any effect. She turned around and glared down. One hammer swipe later, the Slime was send down for the last time with a shout of "traitor!!"

Angel felt the beating of Slimes, but had to concentrate if she was going to raise Roumenus. She pooled her spirit into revitalizing Roumenus's and with a burst of divine energy, a light shone on him and Roumenus was back on his feet. From there Angel could heal herself and let Roumenus pound the Slimes with arrow shots. A spell circle appeared beneath them, resulting in rising flames which engulfed only the Slimes. Raina's help was much appreciated.

Up on the top floor of the town, Ruby kept Slimes' attention while James and Zach used their axe and two-handed sword respectively to devastate and finish off the Slimes in that area.

"Your tank build is a blessing, Ruby!" Zach called over sword swipes. Shortly the Slimes were gone. Ruby's mind was elsewhere.

"Ugh, where is he? Dammit... I hope the Slimes didn't block Summoning..." Ruby rubbed a ring on one of her hands.

Over in Elderine, a matching ring on Marty's hand glowed brightly.

"HOLY-!" he yelped, and then looked down, "Oh... Ruby's calling me? Ugh... I'll bet she's going to tell me that I should be taking that test in Roumen more seriously. I don't want to be yelled at. Right... Hey, here's your time to shine."

Marty placed an understudy in charge of his skill shop and gave his ring an affirming pinch. In moments, he was warped in front of Ruby in Roumen. He saw her condemning face and decided to be a tough guy this time.

"All right Ruby, what's this abouuu...?" The trailing off was due to watching a train of slimes hopping in pursuit of a screaming Fighter. "There are Slimes in Roumen!!" he pointed out.

Ruby sighed, "Nobody in Elderine gave a damn, huh? Great..."

With Marty's might added to the fight, the situation was still managed. Angel thought aloud to them, "Is there any end!?" She, the two Warrriors, and Roumenus found themselves backed against a wall. They prepared their best skills when...

"Devastate."

The ground tore up from beneath the Slimes, tossing them away. From behind them stood a young man in a Nightmare Costume. It fit his build of trim muscle well. His dark red hair was pulled into a ponytail with two barb-like bangs. Most striking were his dark blue eyes, deep emotionless pools.

He stared at the four he just helped for a moment, and then turned to another group of Slimes. He extended an arm out to the side. A spell circle appeared beneath the Slimes. They looked at it amusedly until a torrent of ice crushed them all. The young man walked away after that, seeking out more Slimes to slay. Angel, Roumenus, Ruby and Mary were all awestruck.

-

"YOU!!!" shouted the King Slime. Even though everybody felt it was personal, Colonel got the biggest impression. Familiar or not, Colonel got to the King Slime first and prepared for the worst. The King Slime's attacks were the same as every other Slime, but a bigger body meant more mass and more damage. Colonel tried to block with her shield whenever she could.

Naturally, Des waved her sword, grabbing the attention of the King Slime with the Sneering Kick ability. The King Slime focused its attacks on Des.

"HEAL! HEAL, GODDAMMIT!"

"I-I am!" Roxca shouted back, "Your Second Skin is taking too much damage! If you had a shield or something then I could heal fast enough!"

"Bull****! You're not healing! You pile of **** retarded Cleric!!"

Rox's face contorted with hatred, "You know what? You're the pile of ****. Die, for all I care."

Des was halfway through shouting again when the King Slime rammed her from behind. Des was down.

"YOU'RE OUT OF THE PARTY!!" Des shouted from the ground.

Rox grinned, "Already quit."

"****ing NOOB," Des spat, "I'll make sure you never make it into the main guild."

Colonel took over taking the King Slime's attention while the mages and archers pelted it with spells and arrows.

"Grrrgh!" The King Slime growled, "I will kill you all! Already, my kin have started the attack on your towns. The time of the Slimes is upon this land!"

The King Slime continued to batter Colonel's shield. She lost ground, but gained it through Ingo's heals, and now Roxca's, in between her own hits with the mace. "I don't know about the treatment of monsters in this land," Colonel said to the King Slime, "but all that motivates me now is defending Roumen from attack. Feel free to not believe me."

"Ha!" said the King Slime, "You fight honorably... and for the sake of others! In another time in another place, we could have been friends. However, fate has dealt a cruel hand... A cruel hand with no middle ground. With all due respect, friend... perish!"

The King Slime flattened down, but this time leapt high in the air. There was a swoon of worry among the expediters, and unfortunately it was well warranted. When the King Slime landed, spikes of itself shot from the ground. No armor or Second Skin could stop it. All the Fighters and Clerics crowded around it were stabbed. Yelps of surprise and pain echoed up. A few Clerics and Fighters stumbled back and fell until their hearts brought them back up.

"It is over." The King Slime said to Colonel.

Colonel stood before the King Slime, her custom made clothes torn through front and back with a wound that was big and openly bleeding. The attack caused a status merely named Bleeding, in which the Second Skin is broken and folded in to the user's body in such a way that actually keeps an open wound from healing naturally. She clenched her left fist and stood as slowly as she could. A heal from Ingo, who smartly had stayed back, picked her back up. Her shoulder still glistened with new blood pouring out, but all the efforts to keep her alive kept the blood flowing at least far enough to keep her body functioning.

Colonel hissed, "Not even close."

It certainly was a lot of bravado for her state. Experiencing a stabbing and blood loss was horrific on her energy levels. She could feel every bit of focus in her body go to her wound. It felt like a mountain of pain in her upper body, one that encompassed everything her body could feel. Her legs were soft, and so where her arms. By her own power, she could have collapsed right there. She moved her Second Skin like a shell and her body was only being carried along by it. Only by imagining the motions she could take could she move.

The King Slime growled again, then shouted, "Slimes, destroy them with my power!"

Various squishing and wet slapping sounds came from the ground. Much like the spears, Slimes squeezed from the dirt and wasted no time finding the nearest person to attack.

Saren whirled around and caught one of the Slimes, "OH WHAT THE we have to take care of these little Slimes first!"

"Fool! Don't turn your back to me!" The King Slime jumped on the opportunity and then on Saren. The King Slime opened its mouth wide and bit down on Saren, puncturing him with sharp teeth and engulfing the Fighter's upper body inside of it.

"SAREN!!!" Shouted many voices among the group.

It was no use. Saren struggled, but couldn't stop the King Slime from lifting him up and forcing him inside. The silhouette of Saren could be seen inside the King Slime.

"Oh, ****!!" a Cleric shouted in a panic, "Oh ****!! That's ****ed up!! Oh ****!!"

Des was among those who couldn't take the hit from before. She stood back up, lip trembling. "**** this." She eventually muttered, turned around, and started the long walk back to the ship. That Cleric followed after in a bit more of a panicked rush.

"Where are you going!?" Kitone shouted after them.

Rennas looked back with her, "Let them go. They made their choice." Screams erupted as Kurisu was next to be eaten the King Slime. "A choice that doesn't seem so bad right about now..."

[captaingammer]

"Sneering Kick!!" Cora called to Colonel.

"I am!"

"No! Don't stop using it! Even if the King Slime is attacking you, keep using it! It will make you keep its attention."

"Got it..." Colonel winced, "Don't know if I have THIS, though..."

Cora rustled around in her pockets and produced a bright blue scroll, "Use this! It'll hel- ahh!" She had a close shave with a Slime and dropped the scroll, "Oh, damn!"

"I'll get it!" Areis called out, taking a step toward the scroll, but a step away when another Slime leapt over it at her.

All three Clerics, Cara, Rox, and Ingo, had to keep their concentration on the healing. It didn't stop Cara from kicking the scroll over to Colonel with a call of, "Save them!"

Colonel broke from her sparring with the King Slime to beat a run over to the scroll. She recognized it from when Areis told her about how she makes some of her own. This one was a Shield Defense scroll... If applied, it would raise her Second Skin's resistance to damage. If she could get it, she could keep several Slimes on her and put this fight back on track.

"They never learn..." muttered the King Slime, "Perish!" He made a jump into the air.

"WATCH OUT!!" came various voices. Colonel turned to see where the King Slime came from, but he expected that. He landed behind her and shot his spear to her, the only one in range.

The spear came out Colonel's stomach and retracted back into the King Slime. A burst of blood came out her mouth, hitting the ground before she did.

"NOOO!!" said those same voiced, some cracked and obscured by tears... mostly on the parts of Areis and Cora.

Thinking fast, Kiton immediately used a Sneering Kick on the King Slime. Distracted, the King didn't think to eat Colonel and hopped past her to chase Kitone. "Crap, crap, crap, crap!!" she chanted on her way to not being killed.

The ploy worked. The King Slime didn't see Colonel jump right back up, a heart expended. Her clothing was ripped around the navel, but still covered by the red glow of the heart repairing the fatal wound. Her Second Skin didn't allow her to move, just stand. A cold realization swept over her when she felt a draft directly on her vital organs that her stomach wall hadn't been reconstructed yet... as indicated by Ingo looking ill upon looking at her.

"Catch!!" Rennas called out, tossing the scroll.

It was a very clumsy toss. It wouldn't reach Colonel. Unless... Conjurator furrowed his brow and willed the scroll the travel farther, in a different direction... Right into...

Colonel's hand caught the scroll with a firm slap of the parchment against her palm. She only knew what it looked like to apply them, so she played it by ear. She unfurled the scroll and slapped it against her shoulder... a maneuver with very little hindsight. The scroll remained in place, creating a bright blue ripple in Colonel's Second Skin.

"Nice!" Rennas complimented... Unaware of the King Slime behind him. He wasted no time taking Rennas into his mouth.

"Oh no you don't!" came Kitone. "SLICE! AND! DICE!" With precise strikes to the King Slime's face, Kitone caused a burst that let Rennas go and fall into Kitone's waiting arms. They were waiting, but not ready. Kitone hit the ground under Rennas's weight.

Rennas coughed, "You... saved me."

Kitone winced, "You're on my stab wound."

"Crap!" Rennas jumped off and helped Kitone up.

"COME AND GET IT!" Colonel bellowed, using the Sneering Kick. The King Slime turned his attention away from his previous targets.

"You must die! Slimes, destroy them with my power!" This was actually the third summon. This time, the Slimes were few, but they were Prince Slimes. Behind them, a different Slime. This one was bright pink and had... a tiara? "Be careful, my love..." the King Slime said aside to it.

Ingo's face soured, "There's a Queen Slime? Then that means they... eugh..."

"HAVE AT YOU!!" shouted Colonel to the Queen as well. The Princes scattered, to which Kitone could handle with Cara's healing and other support.

One of the princes stayed behind. It said to Colonel, "Hello there... dumb fighter! Gyah ha ha ha!"

The only person or thing that had called Colonel a 'dumb fighter' was... "No way..." she groaned.

Colonel had to admit that the Cleric had a point, at least in another context. Compared to her old life, Colonel NEVER would have imagined she'd one day be fighting enormous gelatinous creatures that stab and eat people using skills that up to now she had been told to regard as heresy. As glamorous as her old life was, Colonel still felt more alive than any combination of moments in her life before. She actually felt like an important person in her own right rather than a mere stepping stone in a process that has been going on before her time and will continue after her time, none of the cycles differing from the last. Being involved was a cause worth fighting for.

Fending off the King and Queen Slimes, as well as the former Hero Slime was a dizzying affair. Colonel's vision was blurred and her body was composed equal parts of flesh and throbbing pain. Regardless, she fought on, using her learned skills and getting her shield up when she could. The spells and arrows of Areis, Cora, and Conjurator were of some comfort in not being alone.

With a critical from Colonel's blade, the Prince Slime fell back, "You suuuuuck!"

More spells and arrows came, denting the Queen Slime back. Colonel saw her chance, "SLICE! AND! DICE!" Bursts of light came from every sword stroke. The Queen fell in pieces.

"M... My love! Queen!!" The King Slime stuttered, "It... It's no matter... If I can kill YOU, then it will all be set right! ALL OF IT!"

"... What?" Colonel responded, but knew she wouldn't be given an answer.

The fight was winding down. The King Slime looked fatigue, and so did the adventurers. The stones in all their Second Skins were running dry.

"A crystal!" Cora called over, "All of these elemental and summoned monsters that are created with matter other than skin and bones have a crystal heart! You have to reveal it and destroy it!"

"Futile!" the King Slime called back, "Perish!" Colonel knew that cue and this time she was ready. When the King Slime came down, she saw the tell-tale crack in the ground. She lifted her shield and dodged. The shield, though it bend from the impact, deflected the spear from Colonel's body.

"NO!"

"YES!"

That last voice was Kitone. She vaulted herself into position and began a frenzy of attack, "FATAL SLASH! BONE SLICER! SLICE! AND! DICE!!"

The King Slime's weakened state couldn't hold its body entirely together. Kitone shredded the beast's face off, revealing the transparent gelatinous slime underneath. Saren and Kurisu inside were long passed out and in the early stages of digestion. Their clothing was nearly entirely dissolved and patches of skin had seared off. Wisps of blood escaped them, fogging the inside of the King Slime, but it was still there... a crystal a darker shade of green than the surrounding body.

"You will not kill your friends. You will not kill me."

Saren and Kurisu were moved around in the King Slime's body and placed around the crystal.

"You coward!" Colonel chastised.

"I am a gentleman who's hand is forced..." The King Slime muttered, "Either you die or you watch these two die."

Nobody knew what to do... except Cora. She hissed aside, "Conjurator! You can move things with your mind, can't you?"

Conjurator was amazed, "How did you...?"

"I've heard of an academy student under special training with Wishis, and I took notice just now. Conjurator, you have to move them out of the way so Areis can get a shot."

"Me?"

"Yes. It's a small target, but I know you can hit it. Perfect accuracy in the range, right?"

Areis nodded. She readied her bow right at where the crystal hid. The King Slime grunted, "Huh? Which one of you is doing that!?"

"Dammit," Conjurator hissed, "He's resisting it... I can overpower him, but you need to shoot first! DO IT!"

Areis let her Aimed Shot fly. Conjurator watched it go. He didn't know how long he could move Saren and Kurisu where he wanted them to go, if anything over a split second. Everybody watched the arrow sail right and true to its mark When it was very close, Conjurator screamed under the intensity of his focus. The bodies shifted away and the arrow struck the crystal.

The King Slime emitted an inarticulate gurgling as his body began to melt. Saren and Kurisu were dropped out, and in time. Their bodies glowed with vital energy, patching up the seared skin and purging the digestive fluids.

"C... Colonel... Raaaaaayne..." said the dying King Slime, now just a face-shaped puddle.

Colonel walked toward it, surprised, "How do you know my name!?"

"Be... Beware... the man... the... the Impossible Man..."

"Impossible Man? Who or what is the Impossible Man?"

The King Slime died before it could receive the question. The puddle vanished.

"Impossible Man..." Colonel moaned. Her Second Skin sensed no danger, so it relinquished its hold on her, letting her collapse.

[captaingammer]

The rallying cries of the Slimes turned into shrieks of horror. All at once, the Slimes scrambles around in a disorganized mess. They eventually evacuated. Some returned to their positions in the forest behind Roumen, whistling innocently.

"What is this!?" Ruby demanded.

The Rayninite young man said softly, "It appears your expedition was successful, Roumenus."

"Ex...!" Roumenus fumbled for the letter, "You... You were the one who wrote this!"

"... Perhaps..."

"Who are you!?"

"Me?" He looked into the sunset, "I merely wish to be a savior to the people..."

"Savior..." Roumenus repeated.

"I foresee a hero's welcoming celebration. The ship will come from there... directly where the sun sets."

All present looked to where 'Savior' had pointed, not knowing what he meant. When they looked back, he was gone. It wasn't so mysterious when in Isya, one could warp to another town if they possessed the proper scroll.

As predicted, the only ship sailing Isyan waters returned the next day, flying the Roumen crest. Whether it came from where the sun sets was debatable, but the crowd that gathered to see the expedition back was most concerned about young people than about contradicting Savior.

The starting precession out the door wasn't encouraging. There were three ad hoc stretchers made out carrying a person and carried by two people each. Des merely hopped out looking very unhappy, and the Archer and Cleric who were in the expedition wordlessly went on their way. Kurisu's stretcher was carried by Trinity and Rox, because despite Des, Rox found the other two to be decent people. Saren's stretcher was carried out by a very concerned Cara and Kitone, who had Rennas in tow. The latter of the three has some puncture wounds from his close encounter, but none too deep that health stones and rest couldn't fix.

"Get these two to Elderine!" Roumenus ordered in a hush, trying to make as little people see the horrific effects of partial digestion, much less smell it. "They need the help of Lord Elbama, no doubt!"

The third stretcher came out carried by Areis and Ingo. Though Colonel was the best off of the three, that wasn't saying a lot. Her wounds still glistened with the fresh blood, only replenished by Ingo's attentiveness.

Cora and Conjurator came out last, the second of which to no safety from assault.

"CONJY!!" came the voice from nowhere followed by the hug from nowhere. Athemis tackled her brother lightly. The way that Conjurator was a head height above her, you never would have guessed that she was the elder sibling. "You're okay! I mean, yeah, a scratch here and a bruise there but those things heal. More importantly, did you kick a lot of Slime ***? I bet you kicked a lot of Slime ***."

Cora's own family was there as well. Before they were too close, Cora coughed out some phlegm and made sure to hide her hard breathing. Angel beat a brisk power walk to embrace her daughter, and was beat to it by Cons. The former two were surprised, but Angel held back and smirked knowingly.

"I had no idea what I was going to see coming out of that ship..." Cons sniffed, "next time you do something so stupidly noble, tell me so I can at least prepare you for it!"

Cora laughed at Cons's concern and sobered up when she looked over to where Cap was hugging and consoling Areis, more specifically to Colonel, "If it hadn't been for her, I know it would have been a horrible failure."

"Colonel..." Angel said softly, walking over to where Colonel was laid down. Julia was looking her over while Roumenus looked on with concerns.

"Ah, Angel..." Roumenus said upon Angel's arrival, "Julia's about to take Colonel to her clinic and tend to her while the Bleed fixes. You're a well traveled Paladin, are you not? This is a high tier Bleed... I'm not sure if anybody in the vicinity can fix it."

"Let me try."

Julia and Roumenus stepped back to allow Angel to work. She placed a hand over the two wounds. Indeed, the Second Skin was broken and curved at the point of puncture in a way that impeded a body's natural healing process. She'd seen this before on a certain archer a while back, but those were minor and haphazardly done. This Bleed was very specific and very wide... Without those three clerics, Colonel could have died or at least suffered permanent damage to her body.

Angel laid her palm over the more pressing wound over Colonel's stomach. The heart that was given to every adventurer did a well enough job, but Colonel needed real back muscles and bones to heal properly fashioned of her own muscle tissue to heal properly. Slowly, making sure not to disrupt anything, Angel cast a Cure spell, closing in her fingertips to a point and pushing down. Her focus on Colonel allowed her to see just the Second Skin as the flaps which burrowed into Colonel followed along. They also curved back into place and fused into the solid layer of magic that all healthy Second Skin is known to be. She repeated the process with the second wound in the shoulder. Angel then cast a standard Heal. Hers was strong enough to completely replenish the vitality of the Second Skin. Colonel's bodily wounds, having been blocked off by Bleed for so long, could only be helped with Clerical skills and health stones.

Angel let out a breath, "That's all I can do for her now. I'll leave the rehabilitation to you, Julia."

Cora nudged away from the two affectionate healers, "I want to help any way I can! She protected everybody the best she could... Not a lot of Fighters do that nowadays."

"I'll listen to you, Miss Gammer."

The way Colonel was so understanding and used the right balance of emotion and physical contact... It made Cora shiver in many ways... most of them positive.

With Julia escorting the remaining adventurers in need of medical attention, Angel joined Roumenus and the other local merchants in tending to the fallout of King Slime's Counterattack. Roumenus addressed her.

"That was some marvelous healing you did back there. You kept your cool as if it were as natural as breathing. Masterful, really."

Angel sighed, "I know the Henneath Alliance is scouting me for the successor for Paladin Master Keast."

"Um..." Roumenus looked away, "you can't blame a town chief for trying. Are you at least considering it?"

For a few moments, Angel concentrated on picking up some debris of a sign that pointed new adventurers to the beginner's training grounds behind the town. Every second, Roumenus felt the question slip until Angel asked a question of her own, completely dropping the topic.

"What was the deal with that Savior man anyway? You saw... He used Devastate, a Fighter skill, and clearly he used Frost Nova immediately after that. That's a Mage skill."

"Well, Angel, 'devastate' is a common word. I've seen Inferno tear up the ground before... I think he's a Mage."

"He was a Rayninite, though."

"Even though Fighters and Clerics are human occupations and Archers and Mages elven, it is not unheard of for a species to defy the conventions... It's just more difficult for them. To be trained in more than one class... It surpasses the physical, mental, and emotional capabilities of a sentient being."

"I guess so... Hey, I've changed my mind. I want to be with my daughters. Is that all right?"

"Of course."

Angel dropped off the wood she was carrying and began the short walk to Julia's clinic. She caught a peek of the slimes in the training ground, still trying to look innocent. Oh, whatever. At long as things have stabilized for now. She couldn't get what Cap wondered out of her head... The big picture. Hopefully, there wasn't one. Realistically, there definitely was one.

Meanwhile, as Julia applied health stones to Colonel, Cora was deep in her own thought. The King Slime took too much interest in Colonel. If she didn't know better, she'd think that killing Colonel was the goal of the entire counterattack. Sure, she's royalty and killing her would send a message, but this is Isya. Things are never so simple. Furthermore, there's this 'Impossible Man' to consider. Was he even a threat? After all the King Slime turning noble in his last moments was unlikely. He WAS a monster, after all.

One day at a time, Angel had always taught Cora, know what's important. Julia emerged from the room and invited everybody in. Right now, letting Colonel know how much her effort was appreciated was top priority.

[T3h_SyN]

Wooooot! I'm in this chapter :3

Good chappie, as usual, I wanna know who this Impossible man is and how can that dude cast Deva and Frost nova... I call haxX

My favourite parts:
Thinking fast, Kitone immediately used a Sneering Kick on the King Slime. Distracted, the King didn't think to eat Colonel and hopped past her to chase Kitone. "Crap, crap, crap, crap!!" she chanted on her way to not being killed.

Great use of plan B *thumbs up* when in doubt, run like heck!

Rennas coughed, "You... saved me."

Kitone winced, "You're on my stab wound."

I lol'd :D

[roxca]

Woot another chapter! And I'm in it! :O And I can't wait for the next one I wanna find out this "Impossible Man". ;)

A fourth in their party was a cleric who wore her dark red hair in the mid-length feathered style. She had all the ornamental wings and horns of an Isyan Vanguardian, not to mention a black and red formal dress. She had a gothic aesthetic about her, but her expression and mannerisms told a different story of a kind person. Maybe she just wanted to look cool. According to overhearing, her name was Roxca... 'Rox' for short.

I love the description you gave me! :)

"Everybody follow me. Attack what I attack. Cleric, heal. God help you if you don't heal me."

"My name is Rox-"

"Talking isn't healing!!"


I would have quit the party then. I can tell the first signs of disrespect. e.e

On the other hand, Des's voice was so loud that if there were a King Slime on the top of the hill, he'd be tired of her by now. The rest of the expedition sure was... especially Rox. She howled orders at her party members and was all too eager and quick to chastise them... especially Rox. By the time they were nearly at the top, everybody was sick of the word "HEAL!!!"


Oh my gosh don't get me started on that... T.T

"Bull****! You're not healing! You pile of **** retarded Cleric!!"

Rox's face contorted with hatred, "You know what? You're the pile of ****. Die, for all I care."

Des was halfway through shouting again when the King Slime rammed her from behind. Des was down.

"YOU'RE OUT OF THE PARTY!!" Des shouted from the ground.

Rox grinned, "Already quit."


Yep that's me :3

*Waits eagerly for the next chapter*

[Dragonfly77]

That was awesome! Didn't think a King Slime KQ could be used so dramatically.


"Forget that," Athemis butt in, "Where's my brother!?"

"... Conjurator also forced his way in."

"THAT'S MY BROTHER!!!" Athemis rose her crossbow, to which Angel pushed it back down.

Roumenus cleared his throat, "Don't worry... both of you. They are with thirteen other very capable adventurers. I'm sure that the expedition will be a success with no casualties. If they are in peril-"

"IF!?" Athemis's bow went up and down again.

"... They are in the company of Colonel Rayne... and your friend Areis, Angel."

Athemis yelped, "Colonel!?"

Angel yelped, "Areis!?"

Roumenus now stared down a crossbow with no saving interference, "Oye..."


Yar, Roumenous. Ph33r meh.


Ingo's face soured, "There's a Queen Slime? Then that means they... eugh..."

:eek:

The King Slime's weakened state couldn't hold its body entirely together. Kitone shredded the beast's face off, revealing the transparent gelatinous slime underneath. Saren and Kurisu inside were long passed out and in the early stages of digestion. Their clothing was nearly entirely dissolved and patches of skin had seared off. Wisps of blood escaped them, fogging the inside of the King Slime, but it was still there... a crystal a darker shade of green than the surrounding body.

That's disgusting!! >.<;;


Nobody knew what to do... except Cora. She hissed aside, "Conjurator! You can move things with your mind, can't you?"

Conjurator was amazed, "How did you...?"

"I've heard of an academy student under special training with Wishis, and I took notice just now. Conjurator, you have to move them out of the way so Areis can get a shot."

"Me?"

"Yes. It's a small target, but I know you can hit it. Perfect accuracy in the range, right?"

Areis nodded. She readied her bow right at where the crystal hid. The King Slime grunted, "Huh? Which one of you is doing that!?"

"Dammit," Conjurator hissed, "He's resisting it... I can overpower him, but you need to shoot first! DO IT!"

Areis let her Aimed Shot fly. Conjurator watched it go. He didn't know how long he could move Saren and Kurisu where he wanted them to go, if anything over a split second. Everybody watched the arrow sail right and true to its mark When it was very close, Conjurator screamed under the intensity of his focus. The bodies shifted away and the arrow struck the crystal.

Wewt x3

XD

[yyty255]

Yay...I'm in the chapter and Cara's name means face! You also got her personality perfectly. :D
"Be... Beware... the man... the... the Impossible Man..."

"Impossible Man? Who or what is the Impossible Man?"

I feel a conspiracy developing now...

This chapter=Awesomeness times 10

[sladejt]

This is a really great story.

I was a bit annoyed at how some of the people in the KQ treated their clerics, but it did show how people behave in-game. The mysteries you left in the latest chapter were integrated really well and I enjoy how you explain away game mechanics. I can hardly wait to see what happens next!

[dark__knight]

It's Wednesday. >.>
New chapter nao, pl0x. D:<

[T3h_SyN]

It's Wednesday. >.>
New chapter nao, pl0x. D:<

And that's why I don't set specific days to update on... but srsly... chapter pl0x?

[Dragonfly77]

Yes, new chapter please!!

[dark__knight]

And that's why I don't set specific days to update on... but srsly... chapter pl0x?

Yes, pl0x.

[roxca]

I agree with all of you. New Chapter please x.x

[captaingammer]

*Takes down the 'Updates Tuesdays' line*

EDIT:

Nothing to see here. Move along.

[T3h_SyN]

I like the edit better than the original message. But anyway... Nuuuuuu! I need moars! I can help with inspiration :D

[hehelolz]

wow this is gona take me a bit to read but ill get it done ;D then ill post again!!!!

[T3h_SyN]

Bump for Goods?

[T3h_SyN]

Double posting for more goods?

[roxca]

Where have all the chapters gone? Q.Q

[Dragonfly77]

My thoughts exactly..

[T3h_SyN]

*cough*Bump*cough*

[T3h_SyN]

Second Page?

I don't think so...

[captaingammer]

The Age of Apoline

Chapter 3: Mara Pirate Avengers

The world continued to turn after the failed attempt on the Slimes' parts. The shops continued to sell, adventurers continued to head out, guilds continued to war, and the grace period for students affected by the attack only lasted so long in the academy. Visiting Colonel while she recovered was the primary reason Cora went to the clinic. Even confined to a bed in the clinic, Colonel was a very interesting person to talk to and get to know. Secondary, everybody who took part in the assault on Cyclone Hill was requested to visit their town's clinics.

"I just don't know what is with you adventurers and your pride..." muttered Julia to Cora, "wear this."

Cora took the mouth guard from Julia, "What is this?"

"You've been having coughing fits since returning from Cyclone Hill, yes? You've been feeling tired and sleeping for most of the past few days, right? I noticed it immediately... The air at Cyclone hill is full of smoke, sulfur, and who-knows what else. The effects are small on a healthy person, much worse to you. This will filter air and purify your lungs. I'll also be running tests on your condition whenever you're here."

"Mmh," moaned Cora, "you, Wishis, Roumenus, even Mother can't stop talking about testing my condition."

Julia shuffled her tools around, mostly to not have to face Cora, "You know why, right? By studying you, we'll understand deletion better. Nobody had been so far before you were- AHEM, anyway, wear that mask and see me next week."

Julia's derailed train of thought was due to Cons entering the clinic. The two of them shared a knowing nod and Cora left with Cons to Elderine.

-

Cora and Cons take nice walks around Elderine after the days' lessons. Recently, Cap had been an addition to these walks. Since Areis insisted on visiting Colonel at the Roumen clinic, however, Cap was there now.

Cons nodded, "I'll have to meet this person. You mention her a lot."

"Of course... Without her, I'd be in much worse than a face mask right now."

"If you ever need a means of covering your mouth and that thing breaks," Cons chuckled, "You could borrow this helmet of mine."

"Okay! Take it off right now!"

"Uhhh... You took that too seriously."

"Oh..." Cora rubbed the back of her head. There was great, undeniable disappointment in that single syllable.

On the other side of the body spectrum, Marty stood at his post entertaining some of the new Fighter academy members with some agile sword tossing. Without looking like it took much concentration, Marty flipped the sword, held the end in his gloved hand, very quickly swiped his hand to make the sword spin around in mid air, and caught the handle.

Cora looked on with moist eyes, "That's pretty cool..."

He further spun it over his shoulder, kicked it with his heel, and saw its landing by catching it on the very tip with just an extended finger. His act over, he let the sword tip over, flip one last time, and fall in the holster.

"Wow!" chirped Cora, "How come I never see Fighters do any of THAT?"

The axe-wielding Fighter next to her said, "'Cause juggling is pretty much all that anything which ISN’T an axe is good for."

When the Fighter was out of earshot, Cons muttered, "Charming."

Marty shrugged, "The common Fighter has spoken. Lots of people are or know Rayninites with a good amount of UT. UT makes defense training a joke. On the other hand, you can never have enough strength training. Fighters compare it as if it were the measure of their worth."

"You seem really at peace with that."

"Oh, no. I've been livid since I became Warrior Master. There's something about watching my students learn all about the different aspects of being a Fighter... only to have them COMPLETELY disregard it all, pick up an axe, and condense all that hard training to 'hit noob with axe.' I am not exaggerating. In this year's census of Warriors, there is about... three. Three out of hundreds of Warriors who kept the Sword and Shield! AS SECONDARY! There are intricacies of the two-handed sword that people don't care to grasp! There will be nobody who knows how to tank! This country is SCREWED if Hel- oh, never mind..."

Cora and Cons leaned back from the rant and had nothing to say to Marty, face down and pinching the bridge of his nose. One of them maybe perhaps considering speaking up to Marty's comfort, but he beat her to it.

"Well, that was a good vent. Which one of you want to hear about a new technique I've been devising?"

A change of subject? "Yes!" the young women responded.

Marty also took to it well, "Objectively speaking, axes ARE the damage dealer's weapon of choice, and Fighter damage dealers are a valuable party member. Out of all weapon types in every class, axes to the most damage raw. However, this is all in the realm of statistics and numbers. After all, the second class of the Fighter lineage is called the 'Clever Fighter.' It isn't just a name... Back in the times before Rayne, Fighters would use their brains as much as their other muscles and be crafty, unlike the Fighters of today... but I've already been over that."

Cons whispered, "Is the brain a muscle?"

Cora frowned and gestured not to bring it up.

"Anyway, we were testing this technique out and refining it until we became Masters. Other obligations outclassed this technique. We do know that it is a formidable enough technique to break the shell of the Boogy Knights that roam the Forest of Mist and Sea of Greed. In fact, I've started using Boogy Knights as a standard for power and craftiness. Consider it an informal requirement for graduation from the academy. I'm actually basing that off of your mother."

The glazed-over expression left Cora, "Mother? Mine?"

"Who else's? She could hit hard with her critical hits. Here I was, a big strong manly Fighter, being ineffectual against a King Crab back in my academy days, and along comes your mother with that mace of hers. POW!" Marty illustrated with his gestures, "It was history. Later on, before the promotion test was changed, she went up against a Boogy Knight. She's proof that lightning strikes twice in the same place if it wants to. One lucky bash and she blew off half the thing's shell! Nobody'd ever seen anything like it!"

"That's amazing!!" gasped Cora, her shining eyes visible even under her glasses.

"You're telling me. Anyway, that's the story of your mom and the Boogy Knights. Anybody who gets the screens to prove that they found a way to take down two of those by themselves will be the talk of the academies for sure."

Marty was soon called away for academy master duty. With the break in the conversation, Cora whirled around to Cons, "We have to find some Boogy Knights!!"

Cons's shoulders squared back apprehensively, "Wh... What? You really got caught up in that?"

"You didn't?" Cora demanded with vigor, "I... I always knew that Mother was an adventurer... I didn't know how great. If I'm going to be an adventurer like her, I'll have to follow in her footsteps!"

"That's great, Cora... but you're not exactly the same as Angel when she was your age. She should heal herself. Mages aren't known for their ability to solo often... if at all."

Cora responded first with a stubborn grunt and added, while walking on her way, "Would THAT have stopped her?"

"It could have!" Cons called after, but it was no use. Cora didn't exactly get riled up about a whole lot, but when she did, her will was an unmovable object.

In either case, neither Angel nor Cap would have been home to miss them. It was time for Cap's weekly repentance at the Tevan church in Elderine. It was part of her probation to attend a session with Lord Elbama weekly to meditate on what she had done. Only after Elbama had considered her fully rehabilitated will she no longer be legally obliged to attend.

The first time they went as a whole family was tumultuous.

-

"What do you MEAN we have to pay for the repentance services!?" Angel demanded of Elbama.

The Lord sighed in that sort of groaning exhale that comes with age and stress, "It's the truth. The Henneath Alliance has decided that a Lord's time is too precious to spent on personal matters... for free."

"... Yet ANOTHER Rayninite law that can't possibly work in another country yet was wedged in anyway."

"I am in no position to discuss further." Elbama cleared his throat and pulled a paper from a nearby desk, "Here are the rates. I'm afraid the Alliance decided to make this amendment to the church count."

Angel deliberately help the back of the paper to her daughters and read it. Despite the action, her distressed reaction at least told them it was going to be pricey. In another act of failed cover, Angel whispered to Elbama, "This much silver AND Universal Tender!? I would have to leave Isya every so often just to pay this off!"

Silver coins were the basic form of currency in Isya. They are broken down into copper pieces for change. A larger form of currency was the gold piece, which was mainly used in banks to account for 1,000 silver. Gems, 100 gold, were a rare site mostly in government holdings or adventurers of many years and little outside obligation.

To earn Universal Tender required taking work outside of Isya. Because of this, only a small percent of the population had any. One way or another, though, people build up a debt and have to earn it.

"As a partial member of the clergy, Miss Gammer, I can't do any favors. If you can't pay, she'll just-"

Angel hissed to cut him off, "The alternative is putting her through manual labor in the goddamn MINES. How is THAT supposed to substitute for emotional rehabilitation!?"

"Mother!"

The adults looked up to Cora. Her eyes were fierce behind her glasses.

"We can't let that happen to Cap. We can join Parfait! We'll help out and go on excursions. We'll get money and materials that way. If we dedicate ourselves to it, we can make a lot of money."

Cap's head was at that angle where she felt too unsure to have her chin up, but not giving in to gravity all the way.

"It's true. Just like how Cons sells enhancement stones, I can make buffer scrolls. Areis and I took scroll production lessons when I was still in the orphanage. I set up my shop at the Forest Perimeter outside of Elderine. PKers pay a lot for buffer scrolls."

Cons grunted disapprovingly, "This family does NOT need PKer money. Begging like that is worse than not trying at al-"

"Cons!"

Cons stopped talking immediately at the tone of voice that Angel rarely uses, "I have not being raising you young ladies to speak ill of each other like that. Shops are available to everybody. The clientele is neither here nor there. Cap, your contribution would be much appreciated. Cons, I'm sorry for snapping at you."

"It's all right..."

With that, no more objections were raised to Cap's repentance sessions.

-

The permit for the sessions was for the entire family, as per the laws. Whoever could go with Cap was welcome in. It just had to be another Gammer. Angel went most often.

Elbama greeted them as usual on this day. "Welcome, welcome, Cap. Miss Gammer. I look forward to another agreeable session. I do hope that my services have been some help and that I'm not just reminding you of something that causes you guilt, Cap."

"Reminding me...?" Cap muttered, "I can't forget. It's with me always."

Angel held a palm to Cap's back, "That's why I've been trying to promote a safe and nonjudgmental environment for you at home."

"I still don't know why... but I thank you. I know that I shouldn't have done what I did... but I can't see myself not believing that he deserved it."

Elbama hummed, "In that case, we can get started immediately. Angel, you may sit at the back of the room or wait outside if you wish."

Angel did neither, much to Cap's surprise and apparently Elbama's chagrin. She instead took the next seat over from Cap and propped her elbows up, both hands, fingers laced, in front of her solemn face.

"Angel... Are you really still repenting over... Are you still repenting?" His slip-up in avoiding mentioning the actual incident to Cap was all to blatant. "You have been repenting on that for coming on two decades, Miss Gammer. There isn't a soul in Isya that you could convince that you need to dwell on this any further. In either case... the Henneath Alliance AND the Tevan church currently rule that what you did is not sinful."

For a few moments, just over a comfortable amount of time, Angel sat still and silent. She opened her eyes to her hands, "I also cannot forget. Every time I see her, I think about what I've done to her... what I COULD have done further, what couldn't have been, what I would have thought of myself... With all due respect, Lord Elbama, I will continue to repent on this for as long as I feel I need to."

Elbama made the admission and left the other two to their means. Cap still snuck looks at Angel, scanning for any indication of what was going on. Finally, still in the position, Cap muttered aside, "I know it's probably not my place to ask... but what are you repenting for? You don't have to tell me anything... I'm just curious."

As if disregarding the question, Cap returned to her prayer meditation. She kept her ear open for any words from Angel. None came. Cap impatiently opened an eye and looked aside. Angel showed no sign of breaking stride any time soon, much less revealing anything.

Cap's mouth tilted with soft disappointment. Usually when the person asking gives a choice, it makes the other feel good enough to tell. Angel, or at least her secret, were greater than that... for good and bad. It just left Cap thinking about what Angel could possibly do, and who this 'her' was that she wronged. The answer may be obvious, but kept the question open. Gee, what a constructive session THIS was going to be.

[captaingammer]

The first habitat of the Boogy Knight was in the Forest of Mist. This was the name given to a collection of tree-covered cliffs and close mesas connected by bridges. The mist was more characteristic of what you see when you look down the edges of the mesas. Like every other raised surface in Isya, the drop eventually obscured to a fog with no bottom visible to the naked eye.

"pt plz"
"pt"
"need cleric"
"pt plz"
"boof plox"
"epic tanker for party plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"
"plzplzplzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz z zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzz"

"Ugh!" gasped Cons upon exiting the warp, "Stupid tower noobs!! Uh, pardon my language, Cora..."

The two of them rose their arms and waved off the swarm of shouts swirling about the zone. The Tower of Iyzel was a popular place, the reason escaping them both. Cora wasn't strong enough to enter and Cons apparently was too strong. To the northern end of the map, a little west, the Forest ended with a large and upwardly sloping mountain. This mountain actually served as a natural side to one of the walls to the city of Elderine. According to Marty, the Boogy Knight was close to a bamboo thicket.

The bamboo forest near the gate to Elderine was something seldom seen in Isya. The trees were thick for bamboo, bright green, and smelled of sweet flora. Somehow, the life-sized Boogy monsters navigated through these thickets for meals and any other means.

"There!"

Cons snapped her slime helmet in the direction of Cora's enthusiasm. She sure recognized a Boogy Knight when she saw one. Regular Boogy monsters are turtle-like monsters with blue and yellow patterned spiked shells. The Boogy Knight looked no different aside from being twice as tall as the nearest adventurer and even wider in aggressively violent girth. The aforementioned enthusiasm seemed to be increasingly sweating out of Cora, who gripped her staff just looking at the beast. Cons just had to offer something to ease the tension.

"Nothing's making you do this... or keeping you from accepting my help."

Cora slapped the staff into her opposite hand determinedly, "I can do this."

"In that case, nothing about doing it solo says I can't give you this."

Cons waved her hammer in front of Cora, prompting the appearance of a spell circle above the young Mage. Unlike the simple healing spell that Angel sometimes gives to new adventurers to give them a sense of confidence, this was an actual Endure spell. The magical buffer caused a blue ripple in Cora's Second Skin which increased the Health Points of the barrier.

The faint shape of Cora's mask behind the face mask curved into a smile. Between that and the reflection of light on Cora's glasses, there was little to see of Cora's face. Seeing such a thing doubled back on Cons's thoughts of her use of a slime helmet. It didn't last long until Cora's hug and thanks brought her back. From here, it was all Cora.

The Boogy Knight didn't suspect a thing. It was grazing facing away. Many thoughts buzzed through Cora's mind, first of all wondering about that technique of Marty's. Did a Fighter need a special technique to beat one of these, or was the technique just really efficient at defeating Boogy Knights? Is every class advised to come up with such a technique... and even need it? The only think Cora knew for sure was how she stacked her spells. She readied a ball of frost in her hand, preparing to launch an Ice Bolt. There wasn't a lot of strategy to hurling spells, but if Cora could frost her enemy's feet, she'll have the upper hand.

It was an upper hand that Cora would have to manage without. The Ice Bolt struck the Boogy Knight's feet perfectly, but none of it stuck. The Boogy Knight whirled around on its feet. Rather than seek out the source of what hit it, the monster just ran off in the general direction where it came from. Seeing Cora dart out of the bamboo was the success of that tactic.

The fight wasn't so bad when Cora had the distance, but winning the fight means launching attacks. Launching attacks meant stopping to concentrate. Stopping meant closing the gap more, and as much will power as Cora has, hers wasn't a body that could receive damage well, much less from an elite class monster like the Boogy Knight. Cora would have expected Cons to dash out and get the monster's attention, but that slimehead stood her ground on the sidelines. This really WAS a solo fight. Rather than take the premise as a reason to feel alone, Cora felt empowered by Cons's confidence. Only having herself to answer to was an uplifting feeling; one which she directed to the task of defeating the Boogy Knight.

Cora's Second Skin kept her informed of her limits and those of the Boogy Knight. It seemed like her elemental bolts were ineffectual, but they were surely wearing the monster down. The Boogy Knight, on the other hand, had the benefit of the exact opposite; every time it caught up, a sweep with its head knocked Cora down each time. If not for the health stones she burned through with every clench of her left fist, she wouldn't have lasted long in the conflict.

Typically when fighting an armored enemy, the logical thing to do would be to aim for the non-armored parts. One of Cora's first moves was the use of a Fire Bolt. The spell hit not the head nor the feet, but the middle of the side of the shell facing her. From there, her strategy composed of Ice Bolts to the foot and the rest of her spells where the Fire Bolt left soot on the Boogy Knight's shell. Oddly, her rotation did not include that same spell; it was the most powerful spell for Mages of Cora's level.

Another failed attempt to freeze the Boogy Knight's feet seemed to have given it an idea of what the young Mage was trying to do, for its next strike included a heavy exhalation of cold breath. When Cora picked herself up, she leaned on a sore and cold foot.

"Ahhh!!" she yelped upon feeling it. Despite the jolt of pain, she forced herself up. When she opened her eyes, everything was a tinge of blue. She shot a glance over to where Cons kept watch. Thankfully, Cons's body language was mild and her face was unseen. Cora was free to assume that Cons wasn't worried. Worried ENOUGH, anyway. Cora made for gaining any distance, but the decreased travel speed reduced her to a single limp before the Boogy Knight swept its head again.

Rather than fall forward, Cora kept her front to the beast so that she would keep her footing. Upon shaking it off, Cora pushed her hands forward for a risky Magic Missile. The bolt of energy sailed true to the charred spot on the Boogy's armor...

And made a crack.

The surrender of the armor was loud enough to be heard by all involved. The Boogy Knight suppressed a surprised and pained roar into a grunt.

"Yes," was all Cora muttered to herself. The context of that word was unknown and irrelevant. It was the prelude to the ball of flame in her hand. With no more build-up or psyche-training, Cora expertly flung her arm forward and lobbed the Fire Bolt straight at the crack. There was no doubt that it would hit.

An explosion of light covered and gave way to the image of the explosion of armor shards. The Fire Bolt's critical impacted the armor and spread the cracks all over the side until the tension was too great and sent the Boogy Knight skidding one way, the shards of its armor another.

During that moment of stun from the critical, Cora took the opportunity to throw every spell that the elements gathered to her. As strong as a Mage's will is, the elements of Isya have to keep up. The time it takes for the Second Skin to gather enough energy for another special ability is referred to as that ability's "cool down" time. As it turns out, Cora's waiting left her with everything she knew minus the Fire Bolt that gave her this opportunity.

Magic Missile, Ice Bolt, Lightning Bolt, and all that again. The critical hits flowed from Cora's inner strength, sending the visual representation of the Boogy Knight's life, a red bar, down chunks at a time. The Boogy Knight charged forward during Cora's assault. It held onto its method of charging in and attacking despite its fatigue and armor-less side. The Boogy Knight swept its head. Cora dodged the attack gracefully, turning her evasion into a single twirl with the embers of her charging Fire Bolt trailing behind.

Cora ended her maneuver squarely on the Boogy Knight's side. It could only turn its head as Cora's hand holding the Fire Bolt maintained its momentum and landed squared in its exposed side. Cora dunked the Fire Bolt into the Boogy Knight. The force and power shoved the body away while the life force drained to nothing. The Boogy Knight fell, defeated.

Cora followed suit, falling to her rear with a winded whine. She heard footsteps behind her, followed by a soothing light from above that allowed her the strength to pick herself back up. She turned around, not exactly knowing what to expect from the slimehead that looked back.

Cons placed a hand on Cora's shoulder, "That makes one."

Having no regrets is a nice feeling.

-

The second and more common habitat of the Boogy Knight was in the one place that apprentices were told to never go: Sea of Greed. Cons often had to vouch for Cora going in and pledge that she would step in if Cora got into trouble. When you're wearing a literal poker face, it's not so difficult.

Sea of Greed was a different place on the beach. There were two islands away from the mainland with shallow water between. The entrance from Roumen was established a long time ago, so it couldn't be changed. There used to be a gate leading to and fro, but with the influx of pirates, the door was taken down and templars were commissioned to monitor who came to and from both destinations. More people were familiar with Ancient Templar Maria, a blue-haired woman in ministry garb and a big templar's hat. Ancient Templar Beth was a very similar woman keeping tabs on everything in the Sea of Greed side.

Approaching Maria, there was a crowd of chattering people around her. As is inescapable truth in Isya, hardly any of them could speak properly.

"You cleared out some of the Boars... good. I will promote you to the next level."

A transparent green pillar swirled around the person Maria was talking to, the indication that a person's Second Skin was recognized as a level higher and allowed to use higher-leveled skills and equipment.

"thx"

Maria understandably looked as if every "thx" and "ty" was another chunk of her soul bitten off by Rayninite accents. She turned to Cora and Cons, "Right... which quest did you do?"

"We're warping." Cora said quickly.

"Oh, thank goodness. I mean- Ugh, never mind. Be careful."

That story was for another day. Reappearing in Sea of Greed and bidding a good day to Beth, the pair didn't have to go far. The Boogy Knight was grazing in the oasis of palm trees in the center of the small island. As if understanding the drill and the fact that it was second in line, its head popped up and it took a step toward Cora.

A scimitar plunged into the Boogy Knight's neck. The creature howled and gurgled in surprise and protest. A muscular man had jumped and grabbed onto the Boogy Knight's head and attacked it. The creature shook its head to get the man off, but its desperate bleeding sealed its fate. Before Cora could see any more, she felt the seize of Cons's gloved on her shoulders. She did not put up a fight in being led back to Beth. Looking back, a shorter and vulture-like man joined the other man and a woman with tanned skin and pink hair took her time in delivering the decapitating blow.

Those were people that Cora had been warned about in her academy classes. A crew of unruly and unlawful brigands who obeyed nothing and no one. They kill, they steal, they destroy, and have no respect for property... or bodies. They're the reason why certain... procedures have been forced acceptable by the Tevan clergy.

The Mara Pirates

-

"I'm sorry, Cora," Cons apologized during the calming walk through Roumen, "I know you're capable of running on your own two feet. It's just when I think about pirates and you within eyesight..."

"It's okay," muttered Cora, "I can only ask back your overprotection so much."

Cons turned her head, "O-overprotection!? You're Angel's daughter. And... and as a High Cleric, I protect people... and..."

Cora giggled, "It's okay! Calm down."

Cons rubbed the back of the slime helmet. At this point they completed a roundabout of the town and were on top of the stairs leading down to the warp guard.

"Pirates!" The rust yelp of bitterness came from Old Man Robin, ever vigilant in his retirement post on the bench overlooking where the town meets the hunting fields. He looked to Cora and Cons, whose attentions he garnered, "Oh, don't mind me. It's a long story and young people today only care about comparing their damage nowadays."

Cora furrowed her brow, "I'm interested to hear."

"Kill ten Mara pirates."

"What..." interjected Cons, "You want us to person-kill just to hear a story!?"

"Pirates;" Robin corrected, "deviants who chose a life of pillage and **** over anything real and fulfilling. If anything, the killing is not what I am after." Robin reached into his robe and produced a torn paper, "Do you see this? This is a guild license... torn right off of a person. This is the new pirate terror campaign. They forcefully disband guilds by tearing these licenses off. Even if a pirate is outmatched in combat, one quick motion and a life can be ruined forever."

Hearing all this made Cora and Cons lift their hands to their own Parfait guild licenses. Robin took notice.

"That is exactly what I am talking about. Who gives a quest to person-kill? The thought... I am asking for you to reclaim as many of these ruined guild licenses as you can. I have employed the help of others, and right now there are still ten guilds that can be rebuilt if we can only get those licenses back."

Cora's hands closed around her guild license. Ever since she could listen, she has heard stories about Parfait and all the people that it has saved. When her mother was forced out of the guild, she noticed a spark of life leave her. Though Angel has made a living and a livelihood from the situation, it just wasn't the same. Living through Cons, obviously, was too little for such a big person like Angel. Cora's lip trembled at the though of so many memories being destroyed or sullied by a single selfish act.

Cora's passions inflamed so much that she started to breathe unevenly and had to place a hand on her heart because of the pressure building up in there.

"Easy!" Cons hissed worriedly, "You know how your body reacts to strong emotions."

"I'm fine," Cora replied, the heat dying down as she kept her calm, "but something has to be done about these guild licenses. Let's go, Cons!"

[Dragonfly77]

FIRST TO POST!!!! *plants flag*

*goes read*

[captaingammer]

With that, Cora beat a path back to the Sea of Greed. She was so quick and abrupt that Cons was left looking at the empty space that used to be Cora for a baffled second before making chase.

-

As if the forces-that-be had a sense of dramatic tension, the moment Cora and Cons departed for the Sea of Greed for the second time was when Angel and Cap appeared in Roumen via the warp guard. Angel took in the indecision of what to do now before remembering her agenda.

She muttered, "Now's as good a time as any," and to answer Cap's curious nod, "Cora made a recommendation to visit Colonel in the clinic... especially if she can't visit."

Cap snapped to attention, "Oh, Colonel! She's been something of a talk of the town since the assault on Cyclone Hill."

Nearing the clinic, the crowd around it was normal considering the demand for spiritual stones, but the fact that it stayed there drew curiosity. Standing outside, the fact that it was mostly young women got Angel to raise an eyebrow and fold her arms trying to comprehend what was going on.

Cap giggled, "Word got around about the compassionate hero of the fight against the King Slime in recuperation here. Ever since the alliance patched Second Skin to be made stronger by marriage, real romance has been dead; visiting a hero is the closest thing to romance I have ever seen actually happen in my time alive."

Angel leaned over to see the depth of the line, "Did anybody tell them that the 'hero' is a woman?"

"What should that matter?"

Angel was quicker than needed in straightening back up, "Nothing; nothing!"

Colonel definitely didn't seem to be the type to forget people because Julia let Angel and Cap right through by Colonel's request to not especially not keep friends and family of Cora Gammer waiting. Angel stuck her head in the room and pulled it back out when she saw Areis at Colonel's bedside. Cap looked on, intrigued, and had to be pulled away from eavesdropping by Angel.

Areis swung her legs eagerly and continued to speak, "Well, I think you're on a good start! You kept the whole operation together real well."

Colonel hummed, "If I'm going to prove myself, I need even the disagreeable on my side when I need them."

"Maybe... But sometimes people just won't be allies; or people don't change their minds right away. If you keep at something until you see results, you could hurt your cause in the end."

The lesson didn't seem well received per Colonel folding her arms and pretending like she was seeing something new in the room she had been occupying in the past few days. Areis looked well at Colonel's body language, especially how her misty blue eyes flittered back, as if checking to see if Areis was watching her act apprehensive.

Areis exhaled, "Is that what they teach in Rayne; that emotion is immature and showing it will lose you social standing?" Colonel certainly wasn't going to give Areis the benefit of catching each others' gazes NOW, so she continued, "That's why I got you this!"

A remote change of subject was good. Colonel looked back and saw Areis hold, a tip per hand, a hair band with...

"Cat ears?"

"Mhm!" Areis hummed, "These things move according to how you feel and stuff. If you're not willing to express yourself, these will whether you like it or not. If you're going to be more likeable and personal, you should at least give them a try."

Before Colonel could articulate refusal, the cat ears were in her hands. "I don't... NEED to put these on... do I?"

"You don't NEED to," said Areis, looking down, "I just wouldn't have taken the odd job to get the UT to buy it if I didn't think it would help you."

Whatever will Colonel had to not place those ears on her head whittled away the longer she looked at Areis's pout. As if the force of Areis's stare was pushing it, the cat ears found their way onto Colonel's head. She looked for an affirming smile when the hair band gave a little twinge.

"Are you okay?"

Colonel flinched and looked back up at Areis. Did somebody with a very similar voice say the exact same thing at the same time? "Sure, sure. The band pinched a little is all. I'll just-" she pat her head where the band was... or supposed to be, anyway. She frowned, trying to trace up to where she could take it off and felt a rise... but it was no hair band. Colonel's head curved, which no seam in between, right into the cat ears and their unnerving similarity to ears you'd find on a real cat. Not quite in a panic yet, Colonel tapped the ears and wasn't sure if she was feeling them or feeling them on her head... then they moved.

"What is this!?" Colonel yelped, the cat ears swerving straight up attentively, "I don't even-!"

"Ssshhh!" Areis hissed, "It's just an accessory, Colonel! Your Second Skin makes you look and feel like those ears are really attached to your head and even lets you hear through them. You can take them off at any time when you want!"

As Colonel got used to the ears, she confirmed that she indeed was hearing everything around her in two different places on her head. As if it did anything, Colonel shook her head a few times, "You could have TOLD me that before you pressured me into putting them on."

"Don't worry about it; you'll get used to them, just like how you'll get used to other great things in Isya! You'll have to dive right in if you're going to get over those Rayninite misconceptions."

"... By frightening me greatly? At this rate I'll be all set to be buried in this country." At that, Areis rolled her eyes at Colonel's uncooperative attitude, a little disappointed. "I mean, right, I can get adjusted to this. It was just a culture shock is all."

"There they go!"

Always out of the loop, Colonel looked at the mirror Areis indicated and saw the ears on her head drooping.

"They reacted when you felt sorry for making me feel bad. Cat ears react to the way you feel, even if you're trying to hide it. I told you they would help you express yourself more."

Colonel had ready a comment on how she'll feel naked and vulnerable to a fault with her emotions displayed freely, but she wasn't keen on being tested again. Despite that, the ears pressed back into the center of her head in displaying the frustration. Areis took notice and giggled. Colonel looked away to at least avoid displaying the rush of blood to her face for all to see.

The conversation dwindled down and Areis had to cut her time short because of obligations at home. Right outside the door were Angel and Cap in waiting, trying very hard not to look like they heard anything. Cap took advantage of the Areis's unused visit time, leaving Angel with her own agenda.

"So how are you, Areis?" Angel asked directly, "Julia told me that you haven't been in for a mental check-up since Cyclone Hill. A simple checkup can keep something repressed from ruling your life."

"I know..." Areis muttered, scratching her head. Before the silence could hold in any misconceptions she then quickly said, "Not me! I mean, I'm fine, really. Everybody was nervous and scared up there. I never felt really in danger with everybody helping me. I'm more worried about my situation at home than anything else, actually... heh."

Right out of one bad conversation topic into another. Angel folded her arms and kept that scrutinizing look that demanded elaboration.

"We're in a debt of UT, all right? My parents are constantly telling me to get a 'real' job instead of being an adventurer. Sometimes I think it would be worth it if I don't have to worry about money any more. That's quite a deal, right? I get to keep my vital organs and work on my drawing. Uh... Cap's been in there a while."

If it weren't such a true observation, Angel would have continued staring more words out of Areis. The both of them turned into Colonel's room. Cap and Colonel were still in there...

... making out rather vigorously.

Understandably, Areis's face was of complete shock: eyes wide and mouth threatening to unhinge itself. Angel on the other hand, was more intensely fascinated at the sight; her folded arms took on a new meaning when combined with the raised eyebrow.

The very moment that the other two stepped in and saw, Cap and Colonel shoved off from each other as if it weren't too late to save face. Colonel slid to the middle of her bed and Cap flipped over and into her at-the-time unworn boots. Colonel tied her hair back up (which didn't keep it from looking messy anyway) and Cap walked toward the door, adjusting her own hair. She stopped at the door, her wide grinning face of bliss otherwise unreadable.

"She has a certain... magnetism. We have a home to get to, right? Yes. Right."

Cap walked past them and out of the clinic, giggling involuntarily. The young women in the legion waiting to see Colonel all wore the same expression as Areis with varying tones, much of them envious of Cap and hopeful.

Angel looked back to Colonel for a second, whose cat ears were flitting around excitedly. "Well...." she muttered to Areis, picking the young archer's jaw back up, "At least those cat ears appear to be working."

-

In another form of action, Cora and Cons made good time with getting the ruined license guilds back from the Mara pirates that patrolled the Sea of Greed. Between Cora's magic and Cons's attentive healing, they could at least pick off the weaker, grunt-type pirates with little issue. In no time, they had the ten guild licenses that Robin commissioned.

"Thank you," Robin muttered, "I know the former leaders to each of these guilds. Having these will at least give them peace of mind."

"The story." Cons demanded immediately.

Robin waited until he was done putting the licenses away to react, looking up at Cons and Cora in turn, "Always to the point. I guess it's to be expected when I send you up against pirates. Right... Ahem."

"A long time ago, there lived in Roumen a templar named Alebrin. She was the fairest and kindest woman in all of Isya. She was both a source of great comfort to the weary of life and battle and a rallying point of inspiration. Was I in love with her? Every man had eyes for her, but her thoughts on relationships and her calling were ever kept a mystery... At least until people started seeing her with a man named Karas. Nobody saw it coming... Elderine's most promising magician and Roumen's purest templar. It should have been a pair that founded the strong bloodline in all of Isya.

"Yes... 'should have.' One day, an exhibition into the Forest of Mist found something. It was Karas, and he looked nothing like the Enhanter Master that Elderine prided in. He was involved in a ceremony... a ceremony of the utmost lawlessness of the land. He was trying his hand at dark magic. Necromancy, among other things that the Henneath Alliance knows for a fact will corrupt a soul beyond repentance if wielded. And wield it he did. Karas and his followers intimidated a man who lived in the Forst, Iyzel, into letting them use his tower for their ill deeds. The exhibition believes that Karas was undergoing a ceremony to convert himself into an Epithian Mage."

Cons figured that 'Epithian' was some archaic term that was just meant to sound ominous and looked to Cora. Instead, Cora looked dead serious, clearly understanding. Cons gathered from this that an 'Epithian Mage' is not a good thing to have another of in the world. Robin continued to speak.

"The exhibition broke apart the ceremony and tried to capture Karas, but his followers were strong and persistent in having their leader escape. Karas got away and hasn't been seen since; whoever wasn't killed was arrested. Only Iyzel was spared, but the influence of the cult overtook him and, well... we all know what became of that.

"Alebrin hadn't been seen for a year afterward, and when she returned to Roumen, she... she had with her a pair of twins, a boy and a girl. Nobody knew what to think of the situation. Most everybody wanted to welcome her back... WANTED. The cities of the alliance knew that her connection to Karas meant that she and her offspring should be put to death. For her past services, the alliance relented on her sentence and merely sent her into exile with her children. She was silent and never changed expression throughout the entire hearing. She accepted her fate and walked away without argument.

"Today, we have reason to believe that Alebrin has died out in exile one way or another. As for her children... I'm sorry, but I cannot tell you unless you prove to me your capabilities."

"Capabilities!?" Cons exclaimed, "You expect us to take that seriously after we retrieved these guild licenses for you!?"

Robin cleared his throat mostly out of apprehension, "The pirates you fought were the lowest of the low. No doubt you've seen the high-ranked pirates as well, the Marines and the Elites? If you can defeat some of them, then I'll know it'll be safe to bring this story to its conclusion and finally tell you what it all has to do with pirates."

Rather than yell at Robin some more, Cons turned her slimehead to Cora, who looked no less than ready to fight more pirates. Cons sighed a gust of air through the helmet, "If you didn't have me, such a high-leveled person with you, I never even would have let you get started on this."

[captaingammer]

*looks up at post #84*

Ath you nerb. D:<

[Dragonfly77]

Haha!! :p

All right, here's two more characters you can use if you wish:

In-game name: Estoc

Name you want: Estoc

Class: Fighter

Gender: Male

Weapon of choice: Sword and shield, all the way. He has never held an axe or a two-hand, and has no idea how to use them. Although it doesn't matter, as with a one-hand he hits just as hard as most axe fighters. (+9 boss weps ftw!!)

Personality: First thing that you notice about Estoc is his kind personality: he's mild-tempered, down-to-earth, caring, but enjoys poking fun at his friends. When he does get angered, it's one of those deadly silent fuming that signals everyone to back off. He lives up to the knight's code:he will help anyone, and expect nothing in return. He is a full endurance build; and while most fighters will mock him for this, they tend to shut up after seeing how well he can hold his ground in a fight, compared to themselves. In PvP, he protects those that can't defend themselves.

Back story: Estoc is originally from Rayne like his Elven cousins Athemis and Conjurator. He comes from the rich side of the family, and was under apprenticeship under his father, a knight. He doesn't flaunt his wealth, and he can live just fine without it.

Here's his pic:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e72/dragonfly77photos/estoc.jpg

And this is his sister:

In-game name: Templana

Name you want: Templana

Class: Cleric

Gender: Female

Weapon of choice: She doesn't have a favorite, and uses whatever she gets her hands on. But she has more pride for her shield than her weapon.

Personality: She's head-strong and strong-willed, and is the much older/wiser sister. She can be a bit of a tomboy, and hates it when people treat her like a damsel in distress. She's a full support cleric; she won't fight unless it's absolutely necessary, but that doesn't stop her from fighting when it's needed.

Back story: Coming from Rayne, she had to put up with a lot of the typical stereotypes of women. Because she came from a rich family, she was mostly sheltered from this sort of treatment, and learned combat from Estoc, as they would often spar with each other. She also has tatoos on her face, a sacred pledge to help people where she was needed. She originally wanted to join the temple, to avoid being married off, as her rich uncle continuously pressed her family to do. Estoc knows she doesn't want to marry, and constantly defends her from rude suitors, that are more interested in the family riches than their love for her. Their lifelong dream is to move to Isya, and live a life of adventure. Both her and Estoc are cousins to Athemis and Conjurator.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e72/dragonfly77photos/templana.jpg

[T3h_SyN]

Kitone Read!

What did Angel do? I wanna know D:

[captaingammer]

The entire day had been full of kind words and hugs and kisses and... well, other things for Colonel; being left to herself and the fallout of attention was actually a relief. The lasting gain from the day was the cat ears that she couldn't help but remain amused by. She tried moving them through sheer will, but couldn't keep them from that amused upright position with the occasional twitch. Even sillier was when she braved a touch to the ears and felt it both on her hand and on the ears which weren't even a part of her an hour ago. Despite the fresh closing of visiting hours, a silhouette blotted out the light from the outside. Sadly, Colonel didn't pay attention to her ears lowering back defensively when she made out the person.

"Well," she greeted with anything but hospitality, "Here to laugh out the, ahem, 'noob?'"

Sirruk entered the room and rubbed the back of his head, "All right, I get it; we started off on the wrong foot." The roaming of his eyes to the cat ears on Colonel's head had a distinct disapproval about them.

"We started off on a hand, the foot was so wrong. I got the impression you didn't like me somewhere between insulting my training and accusing me of taking the wrong side in a class war of some sort."

"I overreacted," said Sirruk a little less than sincerely and willingly, "I apologize."

Colonel let the moment simmer, and the effect of those words echo between them. Eventually she rolled her eyes, "Apology - thus far - accepted. Is that all you came here for?"

Sirruk reached behind him, to whatever space his Second Skin stored items. "Actually, no. On behalf of the Isyan Vanguardians, I recognize your feats on Cyclone hill with a Charm bundle. Charms will make sure you never end up in here again, even if you lose a fight."

Giving Sirruk a hard time was too much work for such little reason, so Colonel just took the package. The word 'Charm' leaves itself up to the imagination and in the end, the 'Charms' seemed to be parchment with red and blue shield emblems, as well as one with a skull with a sword through it's eye. That sure didn't look ominous. Colonel picked one up, "So what exactly do these do?"

Sirruk popped a single chuckle and gestured to the charm, "These are what make for legendary Fighters."

"Huh... I was under the impression that leadership and competence were more what fit the bill."

"What? No! I mean, okay.... This blue one increases your base defense for about an hour. It doesn't go away even if some noobs team you and you somehow die. The red ones, heh, the red ones increase your base attack strength. Monsters crumble beneath you and noobs even faster."

"Say 'noob' one more time and I will block you."

"Ugh. Anyway, the point is that these charms will make you a powerhouse. You won't need anybody else. Best of all, it's not that much UT to buy them."

That last bit about needing Universal Tender was the last straw. Colonel held up a hand, "You have been in a crazed fervor ever since you laid eyes on these things. To most Isyans, having ANY Universal Tender would be a miracle, yet you speak only from the perspective of the very wealthy. No offense, but the way you say it, it sounds like you NEED these things to be at all relevant; otherwise nobody would look twice at you with your general attitude. There's something unsavory about these things, anyway... can't put my finger on it."

"F... Fine then!" Sirruk reached to the charms, "You don't have to have them!"

Colonel scoffed, "I think not. Unless I'm mistaken, that is not your authority. Please send back my sincere gratitude for this kind gesture during a time when I am mending."

Sirruk seemed to have something on his mind to say a few times, but in the end, just took his leave. The charms remained on Colonel's nightstand and were given a few more glances and curious holdings at best before she shut her blinds and enjoyed being alone for once.

-

Cora entered the Sea of Greed for the fourth time that day, trailed again by a reluctant Cons. The Mara Pirate Sailors and Elites were now behind them. After hearing the rest of Grandpa Robin's story, there was no way that Cora could just leave this be.

"I ran into Alebrin's daughter the other day... I had my suspicions, but seeing her up close confirmed it for me. Alebrin's daughter had turned into a bitter woman, hardened by life but uplifted by crime. It's the only life she knows and the only joy she gets out of it. It must have began with a single pickpocket up to a robbery to a murder and now this... The rest of you know her as... Mara, the pirate. I have no advice, nor do I know what can put the meaning back in Mara's life. I do know that she spiraled down to where she is and I am sure that her mother is looking down and begging, tearfully, for her to repent. The only way at this point is to deter her, perhaps even kill her before she can darken her soul any more. Anyway, that's the story. You've worked hard to hear the full extent of it."

Robin's intent was clear... he wanted somebody to do SOMETHING about or for Mara. At this point, Cora and Cons had roughed up so many pirates that the remaining crew dotting the Sea of Greed kept an uneasy distance from them. Robin ran into Mara on the island with the oasis at the northernmost point of the region. Once the oasis was stepped into even a few feet, the thicket within was anything but. It was, in fact, a camp of tents, each bearing the distinct Mara Pirates icon. The pirates surrounding the oasis did a good job of keeping people from investigating this secret base, but not good enough. Cora and Cons approached the center of the clearing with pirates gathering around interestedly, forming a cage around them. As if on cue, the entrance to the most elaborate tent parted and a tall woman wearing an attire of white leather appeared. Her gallon hat covered her face, save for her full crimson lips and the bright green bangs from under the hat. The crest on her hat said it all... this was Captain Mara.

"So," she announced loudly, "you two are the ones who have been causing a stir in my ranks? I just might consider raiding that little port town because of you." The idea passed through the crowd of pirates as an eager murmur. "Little Mage, you have fought against a wild animal by forcing your way down its throat and into its stomach. What did you hope to accomplish here?"

Cora held her staff firmly, "I had hoped that I could talk you into turning yourself in. I KNEW that wouldn't happen."

The pirates rustled ominously. Mara popped a laugh, "So you came in here expecting a fight, did you? Normally I do not fulfill requests. Then again, requests normally aren't so much... FUN. However, I am saddened that you must hide behind the healing power of someone that is many times your level."

Cons muttered, "All I care about is her safety."

Mara looked from one to the other, "Very well, then. I will take you up on the challenge you claim not to have sought. I doubt that even if your healer isn't interrupted, that you'll remain courageous to take my invoked wrath. Come... I will even let you initiate the fight."

Tensions rose as did expectations. Cora didn't exactly expect to have to be the aggressor. Then again, she was the one taking down pirates left and right before... Out of a lack of anything better to do, Cora let forth her normal starting spell, Ice Bolt, and sent the frigid ball at Mara. Mara held out her rapier, which intersected the spell. The volatile energy stopped at Mara's rapier, forming a ball of ice at the tip. The pirate captain then broke the ice on a nearby tree and promptly charged at Cora.

Cora barely had a moment to yelp in surprise before Mara pivoted in front of her and twirled, sending a flurry of strikes in a small amount of time. In preparation, Cora's Second Skin seized up partially... a successful stun. Cons cursed under her breath and cast a Heal over Cora's Second Skin the very moment she comprehended what just happened. She immediately followed into a Restore spell, one which steadily raises a Second Skin's HP rating. It may not heal all at once, but in intense combat, that little added restoration can nudge the HP high enough to withstand the next attack while the next Heal was being prepared.

Mara grunted in minor frustration at Cons's attentive healing, but continued her assault on Cora. This girl was obviously protected by that Cleric's buffer, the one that extends the Second Skin's HP. Otherwise, that initial attack would have defeated the girl outright. No matter. Every Cleric had her limit; even the most attentive ones falter at some point and that is the moment of collapse. To the Mage's credit, she sure had the courage or stupidity to stand her ground. The initial spell catch was to demoralize the Mage and her healer friend, but it seems that it wasn't effective at all: the Mage was standing and fighting will lobbed spell after lobbed spell and the Cleric was as acutely focused as her taciturn implied. In fact, Mara took note of her own sloppiness. She just went in for the kill blows which had minimal effect when the target wasn't weary.

Cora rotated and shuffled her spell variety. She saw how Mara had a rapier swipe or stab to counter each spell and worked to mix it up as much as possible. As time wore on, the extreme heat and cold that actually did hit Mara managed to slow her effort, either through fatigue or the frost that remained on her legs. It was at this point that the unruly mob of pirates began to rile up and shout with disapproval. Cora's eyes darted around for any of the crowd that dared to interfere... no doubt Cons was doing the same with tenfold the vigilance. Both fortunately and unfortunately, a Magic Missile deflection on Mara's part went sour and deflected to her knee. The hit normally wouldn't have phased her much, but this late into the fight, the impact caused her to lose balance for a moment and land on that knee.

Mara was up in a few seconds, but that moment of her own collapse was just about enough for some of the pirates. Some of them howled impatient, animalistic screams and charged in at Cons, respecting the wishes of their captain to handle Cora herself. The very first thing that the pirates noticed upon laying their scimitars down on Cons is that it didn't do much. The blades scraped her Second Skin or unmovable force caused them to hurt their arms on the swing down. The flurry eventually began to wear, and Cons directed her attention from healing to batting down the clump around her. Despite not wanting it to come to that, Mara recognized an opportunity and had had just about enough of this. She twirled into another stunning attack, seeing Cora's vitality drop to scarce levels.

Just as quickly, Cons whipped around and through the crowd, managed to raise a Heal in the precious few seconds between Mara's stun and the regular jab that was suppose to finish Cora. At that, Mara paused, eyes wide. What manner of... of CREATURE was this duo? They fought together in such tandem that they couldn't have separate minds... Every other party that's tried to fight her out in the open was an unorganized mess of selfish children who happened to be fighting the same opponent at the same time. She was under impression that the attitude and synergy of the newer generations was deteriorating, not strengthening. What made these two so special?

A flash glance up made Mara really notice Cora's features for the first time. She looked ridiculous with those huge glasses and that mouth guard, but that hair... that shade of green... where had she seen it before...?

Cora saw Mara pause and look at her... hair? It didn't matter. Using that chance, Cora balled up all the flame in her hand she could and directly slapped the Fire Bolt into Mara's gut. The grunt of pain Mara emitted echoed through every head in the camp and all eyes turned to the pirate captain as she knelt over, this time staying off her balance.

All heads and slimehead turned to where Mara toppled over, followed by the horrified and outraged uproar from the pirates. Working as a hive mind, every pirate in the vicinity tossed him and herself in front of Cora and Mara, pushing their captain back and away from the Mage and the HighCleric. Mara seemed to object to this, but her fatigue and loss of balance said otherwise to her crew. In moments, the pirates had their captain pushed into a boat and paddled away while the pirates who couldn't fit stayed behind to keep Cora and Cons from pursing at all. They were merely pushing them back, not actually looking to pick a real fight.

Mara wasn't going to come back soon to finish this, so the pair decided that enough had been done. Cora lamented, "I don't think Robin wanted us to just beat her up..."

"It's fine." Cons said in response, "We crossed paths with her and sent her running. I think that counts for something among pirates."

"I guess..."

[captaingammer]

Not a few more steps were taken before Cons's gloved hand once again rose to block Cora off. The Mage was about to demand what gives until she looked ahead. Morah of the Isyan Vanguardians was standing in front of them in all her bikini-clad glory, holding up that axe which shined too brightly to be anything that a deity would approve of.

"That was some pretty good healing to keep a noob Mage alive against Mara."

Cons lowered her hand, "Thanks... I pride myself on being a good healer and her name is Cora, not 'a noob Mage.'"

Completely disregarding Cons, Morah continued, "That sort of healing can win guild wars. You know, I've been looking for a Cleric husband to be my heal-slave."

"Heh," Cons scoffed, "I'm afraid I'm not properly equipped to be a husband."

Morah rolled her eyes at that statement, "I figured you'd say something like that. Don't give me that look... I have you pegged. There's men all over this country who fail at their gender, so they desperately try to have everybody think they're women. It's pathetic. You're doing it differently, though, hiding yourself away and just giving people your word that you're female. It's different, but you're still lying and I see right through it."

As confrontational and insulting as that sounded, it still got Cora to wear a contemplative look, then look from Morah to Cons for reactions. As it turns out, immediate definitive reactions weren't Cons's thing. She did, however, defiantly place her hands on her hips.

"It's amazing how authoritative you can sound when you are completely wrong."

Obviously, Morah didn't take kindly to that. "Then take off that head and let's see!"

"And let you sleep tonight? I don't think so."

A few more unpleasantries flew around, as well as more irate shouts of 'noob' and the like in an increasingly thick Rayninite dialect. When all was said, it was a relief to finally be walking toward Ancient Templar Beth, the way back to Roumen, with news for Robin. However, Morah's allegedly off-the-mark analysis did leave questions. Cora opened her mouth to bring something up when Cons beat her to it.

"Look."

Cons pointed in the direction of another Boogy Knight. This one was also being stalked by Mara pirates. This time, however, they noticed the duo off to the side and looking at their prey, signaling a possible conflict of interest. Knowing well what those two were capable of, they kept an uneasy distance.

"I think if we can beat back a pirate captain well enough to shock her crew into backing off, taking down your last Boogy Knight will be simple."

Did Cons sense that Cora was going to pry and sought to change the subject? No, it wasn't likely. It didn't help that Cora DID feel pumped and ready for another fight after that intense encounter. It seems that she would be coming back to town with good news for Robin AND for Marty.

-

Meanwhile, back on the other side of that fight, Mara was being escorted onto her flagship. Among those to greet her was Marlone, a large man with tanned skin, scars of many petty fights, dressed in various brown and green leather armaments, and bald on top of his head with white hair around to the back of it that reaches up into crimson horn-like tips. He picked up on Mara's limping immediately.

"Mara!! Who did this to you!? I will kill them and their families!!"

Mara cleared her throat, "Calm down, Marlone. What happened on shore is more amusing than anything of actual concern. Moreso than either of them, I underestimated how well they work together. They must actually care for each other."

The pirate captain was walking herself into her cabin, followed by her hovering brother who was shaking his head, "You're... you're not making any sense. Are you talking about the people who attacked you? Anyway, we might not want to get too comfortable. Just before you arrived, your crew has been reporting seeing some Rayninite man on pretty much every ship in the fleet. I feared it was a raid, but they're reporting it's the same man... and that's just impossible."

Mara was clearly still in her own mind at the time, but was brought straight out of it when there was a man sitting in one of the chairs at her cabin's table. Marlone growled, "Him!! He fits the description perfectly!" He was stopped, however, by his sister's hand.

"If you're good enough to get in here," Mara addressed the man, "then you must have some business with me. I'm listening."

The man stayed in his position, sitting regally in the chair with one leg over the other. "I saw what happened in the Sea of Greed. Such a shameful display for a combatant of your caliber."

Mara exhaled, "So far, you are making me regret holding back the wrath of my brother."

"However," the man continued, "I know that was a singularity. Your heart wasn't in it that time. This game you're playing with the Henneath Alliance and with the adventurers must be amusing... but isn't it about time you made a stand and really did something to avenge your mother?"

Marlone took a step forward, "Our mo-!!!" Mara cut him off again.

"Be careful what you say next, Rayninite."

"I will."

The same voice came from behind Mara and Marlone. The two of them whirled around to see the same man behind them. They both did double-takes back and forth from the man on the table to the man who just entered the cabin... both the same man.

"Don't feel threatened," said yet a third of the same man who has been around the corner, "I want to give you this power, not use it against you."

Mara looked around at each man, "So this is some magic you're using, is it? ... 'You' aren't even here, are you?"

The first man on the table stood up, "You are an astute one. However, I am nearby. This power cannot travel too far from the one using it. In fact, if I were in this room, you could tell which one I am. This crest you see has a green jewel. The crest that I wear has a rose-colored jewel. It's a curious side-effect that has been convenient in letting allies know the difference. This is magic that will easily overtake Roumen."

The pirate captain and her bandit brother exchanged looks and whispers while the man's doppelgangers waited patiently. Mara turned around, "What invested interest of yours would giving us this power serve?"

A few of the doppelgangers vanished, leaving just the first one at the table to walk toward Mara and Marlone. "If you're talking about payment or anything of the sort, I will extract that on my own.... it is none of your concern. Consider me a benefactor for the ill-fitting. That is, ill according to the wretched priorities of the Henneath Alliance."

"Impossible Man..." Marlone muttered. At the glances of his sister, he elaborated, "After the King Slime's counterattack, the adventurers brought back with them word of an 'Impossible Man.' You have something against this country? Not that I am complaining."

"Impossible Man... I suppose that is a suitable moniker. My motivations are of no consequence to you. All you need to know is that I am indeed capable of the impossible. With my assistance, you too shall bend fact and stone."

Two Impossible Men stood in front of Mara and Marlone with hands extended, the sheer possibilities stored within them. There was much apprehension, as if making a no-win deal with Legel himself. Mara couldn't help but think back on that encounter at Sea of Greed. At first she was at peace with it, but with this new opportunity present, looking at the Impossible Man, the resentment really took hold. Of COURSE those two weren't symbols of something more promising... If anything, they were a frightening symbol of how Isyan culture uses its bright, kind, and courageous to protect its dull, ignorant, cowardly interior. Somehow, those two talented adventurers found it worthwhile to actually fight for a country that kills mothers.

Mara firmly grasped her Impossible Man's hand and shook, the effect of such transferring his promised power to her. Marlone looked at her, narrowed his eyes in thought, then back to his Impossible Man to which he extended his own hand and accepted the power himself.

[T3h_SyN]

So. Much. Win.

<3

[Dragonfly77]

Whoa, long chapter. Awesome job!

[captaingammer]

The Age of Apoline

Chapter 4: Rage of the Mara Pirates

The port town of Roumen sees almost all of Isya's imports and overseas travelers. Due to monsters and pirates, all the other ports and beaches are too risky for official business. The dock workers were preparing to load a shipment out when one of those threats made itself known.

The worker dropped his crate with horror upon seeing what came out of the shadows. "M... Mara... MARA!!!"

Every head in the vicinity turned to see the pirate captain herself walk calmly out of the shadows. The workers were in a panic.

"What do you want!?"
"She's a pirate, she doesn't need a reason!"
"But this place is heavily guarded!"
"Out of my way!"

One of the scouts assigned to watch over the work stepped forward and fired his crossbow at Mara. Mara swiped her rapier and sent the ball of volatile energy into the ocean. A normal person would have been too distracted to prepare for the incoming guards who took advantage of the confusion, but Mara wasn't normal. She twirled out of the way of the clumsy men. She struck one down in the twirl and kicked him onto the other guard to keep them both down.

Some Warriors who were called over stood ready with a two-handed sword and an axe, respectively. One gnashed his teeth, "You think you can just march in here and kill and take what you want!? You arrogant burden!"

Both of the men charged forward. Their techniques were refined and by the book. Their chosen fighting styles, however, were hardly a match for Mara's grace and precision strikes. One man ended up with cranial hemorrhaging from a direct collision of his head to a statue and the other man was too slow to roll out of the way of Mara's rapier, which pierced his Second Skin, his stomach, and the stone floor beneath him. All that remained were the living dock workers. Despite being undertrained for combat, a few stood tall holding common appliances, ready to fight to whatever ends.

Mara, however, merely scoffed, removed her rapier from the Warrior, and leapt off the dock. There was a small uproar on the scramble to the ledge. All that was below was a sharp, rocky ledge with the waves ever and eagerly lapping at the side of the wall to claim whatever they find. In this case, there was no Mara, dead or alive, under there.

"I understand a quick getaway," one muttered, "but the distance covered in so short a time just doesn't make SENSE. There are still PHYSICS to be obeyed..."

The dock workers got busy calling the infirmary and getting the shipment back on track, all in the lens of Mara's telescope, all the way back on a scout ship obscured by the fog beyond the Roumen horizon.

"What magnificent magic..." Mara muttered, lowering her telescope, "doppelgangers with all my skill, no sense of individuality, and leave no trace of their existence when killed."

Marlone, her bandit brother mirrored the gesture, "And that was just one doppelganger... We could wipe out any army and not be at risk ourselves the entire time. We could take Roumen right now!"

"Patience," Mara groaned, "A head-on assault would lead to preparedness on the enemy's side. We may find our enemies to be stupid, but that stupidity is one and the same as the will to overcome great odds." Mara laid her telescope down and roamed the cabin, running her fingertips along whatever furniture she passed by, "My friends in the top Isyan guild have inadvertently taught me a valuable tactic amidst their rubbish egotistical boasting. Putting aside our disdain for them, who does the Henneath Alliance favor in a trial between two guilds, one attacking the other for no reason?"

"The victims, of course."

"Indeed." Mara's roaming sat her in a chair with her feet propped onto a table, "My good friend told me that when they are in the Abyss and wish to destroy another party, they deprive the other party of their precious moral high ground. If the defenders were to unwittingly throw the first stone, then the matter would complicate, wouldn't it? That's why he reserves a spot in his party for an untrained, uncharmed, ahem... unskilled."

Marlone's eyes narrowed with thought. He turned to Mara when he figured it out, "He sends the unskilled to provoke the other party. Should they defend themselves, he can feign ignorance and use the defeat of the unskilled as a reason to attack!"

Underneath the white leather hat, Mara's crimson lips curved into a smile. Her glee caused her to twang her rapier absently, "Precisely. The defending party can call foul all they want, but when the first fell is to their credit, the grounds for their innocence is compromised. Even as a pirate, I find this tactic manipulative, disgusting, upsetting, malevolent, spiteful, and pungent with disrespect. It is exactly the stunt that will lower the alliance's guard long enough to strike the deathblow to their confidence."

The confidence that Mara spoke with was intimidating. Marlone remained standing, arms folded and staring at a large map of Roumen on the opposite wall.

-

"How are you feeling? Are you dizzy? Is your face flushed? I saw your leg wobble! Don't breathe in too deeply!"

"Areis!" Colonel snapped to her companion, then adopting a consoling stance, "I am well. Julia herself told me that I am in top shape."

Areis fidgeted, "I know, I know... But YOU didn't have to LOOK at the wounds you got and at yourself in bed... not even able to stand up to use the facilities the first day!"

Colonel chuckled with a hand behind her head, "I prefer to think of all that as the consequences of a risk well taken. I admit, I didn't foresee the severity of those risks, but if I did, I wouldn't have taken the risks in the first place." She continued walking and noticed Areis fall back in step a little. Colonel sighed and walked back, both hands on Areis's shoulders, "Your concern is appreciated, though."

The two shared a smile of synergy before a well-timed call out from Roumenus brought them over. The town chief looked Colonel over, still in his regal stance of his hands behind his back.

"You both look very well considering how it hasn't been that long since Cyclone Hill... That is encouraging; especially you, Colonel. Most people take a much longer break after a raid of that magnitude... You're showing a lot of promise as an adventurer and a leader."

That last word got Colonel's head to snap up, "Leader, huh...? I won't disappoint! I'll find some more people to help right now."

"Look no further," said Roumenus with a smirk, "I didn't call you over just to pay compliment. Here." He pulled from his back a shining black badge and placed it in Colonel's upward palm.

Areis looked over Colonel's shoulder, "You're giving her a Voucher of Trust already??"

Colonel looked back to Areis, then to Roumenus, waiting for the explanation.

"Wouldn't you say she's earned it? Don't get the wrong idea, Colonel. Everybody gets one of these eventually unless they have no interest in it. It's basically a formality to introduce newcomers to Roumen's sister city Elderine and its top authority Guard Captain Shutian. Just deliver this to him and enjoy the city; it's bigger than this humble port town."

The voucher was regarded well by its holder. "So I'm moving up in this country, eh? I'm making this delivery priority. How far is it to Elderine?"

Areis made to answer that question, but was interrupted by a raised finger from Roumenus. To Colonel, it merely looked like a gesture from somebody about to explain.

"I trust you have been to the Forest of Mist? If you keep north past the ruins and keep your sights set in that direction, the gates to Elderine are past a small hill. Mind the monsters around that area, as well as the territorial diggers. Both have caused a good deal of trouble to adventurers lately."

Colonel hummed thoughtfully, "The Forest of Mist, huh... I believe the area outside of Roumen is the Forest of Tides, then Sand Beach. Sand Beach leads to the Forest of Mist, and I'll remember your directions to make it the rest of the way to Elderine. That's quite a walk. Do you have the time to spare to accompany me there, Areis?"

A wealth of shortcuts from Roumen to Elderine, including a means to go directly from point A to point B, were on the tip of Areis's tongue. All Colonel had to do was look to the right to see...

Nothing, as Roumenus would have her believe. Colonel continued to map out the route while the other two exchanged silent gestures. Areis was understandably confused, then reluctant to put Colonel through the long way to the next town. It was just so... inconvenient.

"If you have any obligations, Ms. Mizin," Roumenus spoke up at last with a double-meaning smile, "I tell me what you need and I will provide so you may accompany the prince on her travels."

Areis's eyebrows lifted with a more genuinely pleased surprise. "Are you... really? Okay, let's go!"

The two of them set off for the gate to the Forest of Tides, though it took all of Areis's will to not grab Colonel's wrist and pull her over to at least the gate on the other side of town that went to Sand Beach directly.

-

Within the walls of the coveted city of Elderine, Cap was back to her routine repentance session. As always, she was concerned more about the comfort of her knees and whether her breathing is even enough to convince Lord Elbama of her sincerity. At the doors to the church, she heard familiar clinks of a few silver coins being dropped in the collection plate. They were followed by footsteps coming up to her row and next to her seat. She peeked up to see Elbama taking to the plate to the back room vault. Once he was out of sight, she looked to the person next to her.

"Master Dekkid," she said with the relief of a familiar face.

Scout Master Dekkid grinned a little underneath his blonde mustache, "You still call me 'Master' even though you have started your independent training and we are required by law to keep a distant relationship."

Cap looked forward again, "No amount of people that I could kill would make you my master any less."

"... An assertion that requires no testing, I assure you."

Cap cast her eyes down, "Sense of humor with a proven murderer, however..."

That bad start to a conversation left the church to its characteristic silence. Dekkid cleared his throat, "I apologize. It still is jarring when I consider the Cap who is my student and the Cap who is on probation to be completely different people."

"Of course," Cap muttered, keeping her tone, "you taught me better."

"That's why I'm here," Dekkid replied immediately, "I always give a donation and pray for the good fortune of my academy students when they embark on a field exam. I have also considered a proposition to the Henneath Alliance that would take great steps in lifting your probation and stigma. I want to set you up with an apprentice. I know, I know... you of all people. I trust you more than that. Imagine what people will think, seeing you flourish under the responsibility and coming out with an apprentice that any master would be proud to have. Cap... I wouldn't be saying this if I hadn't already observed you being a great help to the other students during your academy days."

Dekkid already had a triumph with Cap's pause and wetting of her lips with apprehension. She looked around the church, obviously buying time. She eventually exhaled, "Who would trust me with their life and education?"

The implications of that question weren't lost on Dekkid. He pursued, "A former student of mine is seeking the guidance of a well experienced archer. His name is Rennas."

"Rennas..." Cap repeated in thought, "He was one of the people who went to Cyclone Hill. He must be feeling very bold from that victory."

"Miss Gammer... before Piper, you were still well known for being a gifted archer. Just like how I am your master no matter what, your mistake hasn't taken away your ability."

"Flatterer," sighed Cap in her weakening resolve.

The back room door opened and Elbama's shadow extended past it, showing his gestures as he tended to a few last things before leaving the room.

"Will you at least consider it?" Dekkid whispered urgently and covertly.

Cap grinned with resignation, "At least."

Dekkid stood up in tandem with Elbama's entry from the bank room. The two men gave each other courtesy nods. Cap's thoughts, meanwhile turned to the prospects of mastership.

[T3h_SyN]

WOOOO! Update!

You and Ath write such awesome stories, don't tell her I said that, but the two of you always take sooo long to update D:

Simply excellent stuff, don't keep me waiting like that again ;3

[kym-masterofthedarkk]

Is there still room in this for a character or two? An avid reader myself, I know a fighter who would LOVE to get herself thrown into the action.

[kym-masterofthedarkk]

Ok, she's been driving me CRAZY. I told her I'd write her up for you and hope she gets a chance to spill some blood... -ehem-

In-game name: Songlet
Name you want: ...Songlet (I named her by her name!)
Class: CleverFighter
Gender: Female

Weapon of choice: She has a Shield and is very good with it, but her weapon Two Hand sword. DON'T ask how she got a 2H thin enough to use with a sword. You won't get an answer and she's very likely going to challenge you to an honor-duel you won't survive. Why she likes 2Hs: 1. It looks epic. 2. She kept breaking her 1Hs by hitting a monster (or a head) too hard with it. 3. She carries it epicly 4. She thinks that the axe is a weapon for those who want short term results and have no real skill. She herself is above swinging a pole with a pointy end around hoping to hit something, with no attention to defense or shield work. (I read your comment on not bashing other weps, but this is Songlet's opinion on the matter and she feels strongly about it, so maybe it would be permissible?) 5. It allows her to take the most advantage of her skill and speed, and deals better crits.

Personality: Cold. Cold and distant and focused only on her goal (see Back Story.) She helps people, but only if she thinks they have something to teach her or if it will benefit her. She is an unparalleled strategist, and her only pleasure in life is to prove herself in battle, challenging the best of the best to PvP. Once she was a good person, but that was torn from her (see Back Story.) She hates people who take advantage of the weak, but her response to PKing is to PK the PKer until he escapes. She is a berserker, but never loses herself in battle. She fights with cold accuracy and stoney passion. She is scared of friendship and love of any sort, and is a bit of a sadist. And loves cats.

Back story: Her story is really quite sad. She was a normal fighter, training to be the best and to protect her world, driven by her ambition and love of battle. However, one day after training, she was offered a spell to protect her from all harm by a dark young warrior. He tempted her, saying he could make her invicable, protect her from the ‘bonds that bind the foolish mortals’. She listened to his cunning words and accepted. Little did she know she had destroyed herself, accepting the ‘gift’ of Anis, the God of War. That day, returning home, she ran home in high spirits. But when she entered her home, there was nothing left. Her parents, siblings, friends, even her pet , everyone who knew her, everyone who cared about her, was gone, just... gone. Turned to ashes and blow away, the only proof that they ever existed being the blood that filled her home. Everyone who might have hurt her could no longer do so. THAT was the meaning of her ‘gift’. She understood. And scratched in the dirt beside the doorframe she saw the sigil of Anis.

She was alone.

And so she was left in the world, alone with her anger. She went insane, till her anger gave her purpose again. She became a berserk, not caring about anyone or anything. All she wanted was power. Power enough to bring down a god. She had become the Cursed Fury. Songlet continued to search the world for opponents and for the secrets of godhood. She never let anyone get close to her, for deep down she was afraid she would be the cause of their doom. So she kept herself distant, and kept herself searching. As time went by, she grew stronger and stronger, but more and more broken. With every battle won, with every secret uncovered, she punished herself that all she could do was seek revenge, that she couldn't have saved the people she had lost. That it was all her fault and that she was too late. And so the shards of glass were pushed in deeper.

Until she met him.

He was a fighter, best in his league. The only in his league, actually. But there was something about him that was different. Something that drew her, like a moth to a flame. He was HAPPY. He knew who he was and had found it to his liking. He was still pushing himself, still striving, but he knew who he was. She did not. And so she was drawn to him, against her mind's wishes, because her heart needed the kind of peace he could teach her. They dueled, and as she stood to finish him off, she couldn't. She couldn't harm him, couldn't hurt someone as purely peaceful as he. She stood back, mid fight, and broke into tears. Tears for the life she had known, and for the peace she had lost. And he accepted her, loving her like a lost sister who had only then found her way home.

And so Songlet, Warrior of Ashes, Cursed of Fury, found for herself a brother, Armagale, the only person she allows herself to grow close to. (She's VERY overprotective of him, even though he's older)

Picture: Stormy gray eyes that never laugh, her undyed violet hair out of her way in a single long ponytail, her face grim and focused. Her crown and pet honeying were both obtained from people she vanquished. She refuses to wear high level 'pants' because they, being more like skirts, are hard to fight in. She buys the male equivalent, keeping the female tops because they're lighter.
http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/134/6/2/Silent_Songs_by_Kimmy_of_the_Darkk.png

[captaingammer]

Ahem... Ninja'd me to it. Let's see here...

[drazong]

Bump for the \o/'z :3!
We demandz moar chapters! :D

[ohhhh-hiya]

D: More story please! I don't want to sound pushy... wait, maybe I do. MORE please! Meow? Please? More? Soonish, I hope :3
Moremoremoremoremoremoremore...... -trails off as lights fade-

[T3h_SyN]

Offtopic: 100 get.

Bump for more Distracting attention from my own stagnant story

[captaingammer]

As for Colonel and Areis, their excursion finally brought them to Elderine's gates. They were both disheveled from the final few yards of the trek in particular.

"What was WITH those creatures!?" Colonel gasped, brushing pollen residue off her sleeve, "I was just trying to get to the city and they pursued us as if we were some threat!"

"That's what 'agro' is," Areis explained, "most monsters are very territorial in this country. That's why people starting off as adventurers are taken to Roumen first, so they can learn about the ways of nature as they go."

"That I can understand... but what about those men that attacked us claiming that we were after their treasures?"

"The grave robbers... There are just some people who don't like the Henneath Alliance's ways and swore off all affiliation for any number of reasons. In the case of the grave robber's guild and pirates, it's greed. On a lighter note, we're finally here!"

Colonel hummed in curiosity and turned away from the gate to face Elderine. By now, everybody in that city knows it well and just sees it as part of the day, but for Colonel visiting for the first time, it was something to take in. Directly in front of her was a bright stone-tile road that leads through the center of the city. It was littered with miniature houses of many colors with signs on the top advertising their wares. Even more people passed through either browsing the market or just getting to point B. A statue was more immediately in front, celebrating a figure from Isya's history. To either side of the road, stairs lead to a slightly higher elevation to the city walls where businesses and residences were on one side, and a towering stadium on the other. The size of Elderine was such that Colonel couldn't even see clearly to the other side. Some enormous court, perhaps? Whereas Roumen was focused on people and homeliness, Elderine certainly was more culture and business.

Further West into Elderine, the road ended in more stairs up to an elevated perpendicular road that stretched to two gates out of town. In the middle of this second road was a plaza of sorts, marked by a fountain that took up a large radius within is, even further centered a statue rising from the fountain. At four corners of the plaza stood four people of interest: A blonde elven man, an old woman in Clerical attire, a tall woman with pale skin, and an armored man.

"Isn't that dangerous?" Colonel asked suddenly, pointing at the armored man.

"Where?" Areis turned to look, "Oh, that's Warrior Master Marty. You in particular will be seeing a lot more of him soon enough."

Colonel tilted her head, "What is he doing, though?"

"That's his 'technique' that Ruby and he started devising when they were still adventurers. She seems to have given it up, but he shows no sign of slowing down. So far all I've seen from it is him juggling swords around like a festival gimmick."

"FESTIVAL GIMMICK!?" Marty howled over the crowd, then yelping "Ow!" when a one-handed sword fell back on him.

Before that could develop into a rant on the merits of all three weapon types that Fighters use, an armored, bearded man called for Colonel.

"I heard from Roumenus that you were coming. The screens don't lie, you certainly are Colonel Rayne, despite whatever new... information... arises. Ahem, allow me to introduce myself. I am Shutian, the Guard Captain." He swept over the city, "Welcome to Elderine, the City of Hope! You are standing in Isya's capital, hub for the economy, guild activity, and class academies. I hope you're enjoying yourself."

"Certainly!" said the beaming Colonel, "This is more like it. I was beginning to miss the rush and liveliness that's characteristic of Rayne cities."

Shutian nodded with a smile, "Fantastic! When you come more into your own in this country, you'll be seeing a lot more of this city. Allow me to give you your first quest in Elderine. I've been meaning to send back a shipment of copper ore to Roumenus. However, the recent class academy activity has given my men no time for the task. Would it be possible for you to dig up some in the Echo Cave to take to him?"

Colonel paused with a few perplexed blinks, "I just walked here... and you expect me to go back so soon?"

Clearly not picking up on what Colonel meant by having just 'walked' there, Shutian pointed to the courtyard in the north-eastern corner of the town, "Not to worry. The warp guard does-" he spied Areis signaling for him to stop talking, but his mouth wasn't so quick to react. "-return trips?"

Despite the masses conducting their business all over town, sinking realization of different shades hit the three of them. Colonel cleared her throat, exercising her most theatric diplomacy. "This warp guard... he offers the service of transferring people across long distances... doesn't he?"

Shutian was made uncomfortable by Colonel's cool tact that clearly hid a more sinister rage and vendetta. "He does. Warp guards are posted in Roumen, Elderine, Sand Hill, and the Forest of Mist and you can go between the locations at will."

"Fascinating!" Colonel pursued, "I didn't know that. Did you know that, Areis?" Areis nodded sheepishly. At seeing that, Colonel cleared her throat and composed herself, "Right, right. I understand now. After all, I WAS filled with a great sense of accomplishment getting here. I apologize if I seemed beside myself."

Shutian was no longer uncomfortable, "Not at all. Roumenus has pulled this stunt only a few times, and yours is among the more civil reactions. Probably the most justified. Well, then... The ore?"

Colonel inhaled with a chuckle, "I may appreciate what you put your new adventurers through to have them better appreciate this country, but excuse me if I believe I can find a better use of my time than MINING. Thank you anyway, and I look forward to working with you more."

Shutian watched momentarily as Colonel continued on her way to the last sections of Elderine on her tour, Areis in tow.

The last stop saw Colonel visiting Guild Manager Frederick, the very definition of a noble knight, complete with the red feather out the top of his helmet.

Frederick looked Colonel over, "So... you're the Rayninite Prince whose reputation proceeds... ahem, her. With such a name being made for yourself, I don't doubt that guilds will start scouting you for their ranks. Not to be all about one thing, but have you given any thought to joining a guild? Here is the catalogue of the current guilds in Isya. They are in descending order of rank based on the quality of academy and their war record."

Colonel took the book and flipped to the first page, "Naturally, the top guild will get me the best connections..." Her face fell to unamused, much as Areis expected, "The Isyan Vanguardians. How could I have forgotten that they were the top guild. I'll just go down the list, then..." The quantity that determined guild ranks was very significant between the first and second place guild. Colonel did find something, however. "Parfait... Why is that familiar?"

"That's my guild!" Areis spoke up with pride, "It was Angel's guild before she was, ahem, obliged to stay out of guild business. The rest of the Gammers are part of the guild in her place. I, for one, think it's a great guild."

"If," Frederick continued, "you don't find any guilds to your liking, you can always start one of your own. You can found a guild by paying forward a mere gold piece."

A nervous chuckle was shared. Colonel voiced the sentiment among the three of them. "I don't even have a fraction of a gold piece to my name and I spend most of it on stones, gear, and necessities. It's a long way to being somebody big in this country."

Frederick gave a sympathetic nod, "Long, but justifiably so in how rewarding it is."

Entertaining the far-off notion of guild ownership, Colonel's exploration took her to the resident storage keeper. The fact that apparently her money and possessions that she put away in Roumen were somehow accessible in Elderine and probably many other places wasn't so much a surprise. Hopefully that was a good thing.

Storage Keeper Kyle, the proprietor, was a scrawny, humble man with his brown hair in a bowl cut. He seemed to be making inquiries of everybody that came by, only to be ignored and demanded to take or give this or that.

"I miss my mother..." he muttered solemnly while turned away at Colonel's turn in line to speak to him directly.

The tendency for questions and poor fortune to turn into quests gave Colonel the impulse to pry, this situation being no different. "What is it you're trying to ask everybody?"

"Oh!" Kyle yelped at the sudden interest, "I mean... it's been a while since Mara was chased out of the Sea of Greed and her place was raided for stolen goods to be returned. But... none of the guards in either of the sister cities have seen my mother's symbol... It's very precious to me."

"... And you think the symbol was taken by pirates and could still be in that camp?"

The line behind was getting edgy and impatient, but for once Kyle didn't stress himself about that. "It's a long shot, but it's better than thinking of it as being on Mara's ship, in her cabinet or something..."

"Say no more." Colonel interrupted with flourish, "I'm assuming you made this into a quest as soon as you could?"

-

A once-proud haven for outlaws, the encampment of the Mara Pirates was now a ravaged site. The trees surrounding the island oasis had been mostly torn down and the tents disassembled, stripped of stability and dignity. Despite no sign of life, a malicious air hung in the silent ruin as Colonel and Areis explored through it.

"There have been so many official search parties and adventurers that looted the place when the Alliance wasn't looking," Areis rationalized, "it's hard to imagine that something valuable would still be left here."

Her concerns were met with an urgent wrist as Colonel ducked behind one of the remaining standing structures. Areis followed, and saw near a distant fire a few of the pirates conversing.

"Cryin' shame..." one of them said, "We should'a just ganged the Mage. I dunno what Mara was thinkin', but now we're out a camp. Look at this."

One of the other pirates looked up from his hand, "Eh, we still got the sea and all the belongings left on our ships. Oi, take a look at this. I nicked it when we took that caravan going through the 'Greed. It's some sort of symbol... Looks like it'll fetch a good price if I get a guy to file out with woman's name."

At that comment, the pirate's karma was sent back to him by an Aimed Shot arrow that plowed into his chest, forcing him back and the symbol on the ground. The other pirates in the vicinity shouted in alarm and stood up. The previous speaking pirate saw the symbol on the ground and scrambled to reclaim it. At the last moment, his face met a shoulder that combined with an elbow in his gut that both hit with concussive force, staggering him back in a daze. While the pirate was incapacitated, Colonel look the opportunity to sweep the symbol up.

"That's the name of Kyle's mother." Colonel confirmed. To the pirates she called, "Many thanks for meeting us halfway in returning this valuable memento." She held her sword out to them, "Your payment is retaining your life. A good deal considering how little you've made it worth."

"Uhhh..." Areis murmured on Colonel's other side. A quick glance revealed more pirates to emerge from the tree and wreckage.

One of the female Mara Pirate Elites returned from the edge of the beach, "We've had enough of being shoved around as the Alliance's playthings to last a lifetime. Your heads will make nice mast ornaments..."

There really were no words to say that immediately came to mind, but words became useless when a pirate got too close for comfort and ate a Power Shot from Areis's drawn bow. From there, the pirates acted on their frustrated rants and made a full-on charge, blades forward.

The raid mindset was strong in this gang of pirates, for the immediate attack focused on Areis. Like all Fighters tend to do, Colonel took notice and leapt over to assist. That was when the pirates all decided to make well on Colonel's wishes to be the center of attention and turn to her. It was at that point that Colonel was surprised at and thankful for the Second Skin yet again, for all the blades descending on her would have been sure to carve her up beyond medical help otherwise. However, its own limits weren't lost, as the indicators in the corner of her eye were urgent. The red bar, she remembered was her Second Skin's limit of damage, and it was depleting too quickly for comfort. Even though she performed admirably in blocking or deflecting anything sharp that came at her, the numbers were just too great. When she was shoved back, the pirates rallied with morale. Some cackling pirates even ran off to deal with Areis.

It were enough that they were beginning to overpower her, but having Areis take any of the heat was unacceptable to Colonel while she could handle it. Grimacing from the thought of it and the effort, Colonel reached behind her back to produce a controversial item from her Second Skin's intangible storage. The parchment with the blue gem and the shield pattern was one of the 'charms' that Sirruk had given to her, and her understanding was that her Second Skin would be bolstered with additional defensive power; no more, no less. The proprietors around Roumen had much to say about the use of charms, but that health bar was dropping fast, and if her body gave out now...

Colonel lunged away the pirate horde long enough to crush the gem in her hand and slap the parchment onto her shoulder. The action caused a visible electric surge in Colonel's Second Skin and an involuntary shudder. The pirates seemed wary of what just happened, but gave no ground. The swords descended and the battle began anew.

[captaingammer]

Colonel watched for the rapid drop in her Second Skin's 'Health Points,' but the drop came without the rapid. In fact, the amount of HP she lost while waiting for the Health Stone in her palm to recover was the same as the amount that the Stone healed. Every bit of nervous tension Colonel was burdened with melted away and was replaced with confidence. The pirates took notice and visibly sweat the new development. One pirate lost his cool, panicked, and fell from Colonel's sword.

The other pirates were now just as distressed, now incapable of out-damaging Colonel's rate of healing. Every pirate returned to assault Colonel, and that gave Colonel the incentive to pull out her next trump card. If a single charm purely to enhance defense was capable of turning the tide as such, then the charm with the red gem... Colonel's eagerness led her to apply the charm of strength. This time, a red electric current ran through Colonel's Second Skin, though she was prepared for the shock.

When Colonel assumed her battle stance after the charm applied, she was a different person. She unleashed her Slice and Dice skill on an unfortunate pirate; the force bat him around until the last hit put him down and out of the fight. In desperation, the rest continued to try and get their hits in, but their numbers dwindled from the combined assault. The pirates had all been incapacitated or run away, leaving the speaking Elite to stand her ground.

"Y'think you've proven anything!? Using coward's tools... Mara won't fall to such things! ... Not that you'd ever manage to find her."

Having let the Elite say her piece, Colonel's patience wore thin. She kicked the Elite to the sand, knelt over her, and pressed the broad end of the sword to the pirate's throat, "WHERE IS SHE!!?"

Had the Elite seen Areis horrified at this sudden turn, she wouldn't have been so terrified herself. Unfortunately for her, all she could see was Colonel's face, contorted with malice. "Wh- we shored our lifeboats at the tip of this island! If you set a course directly in the direction the island's tip point you'll find the floating boardwalk that leads to the flagship! Jh... just don't kill me!!"

Whether or not the Elite was staring at death was hard to read. Colonel looked in the indicated direction and appeared to be thinking something other. It didn't raise her sword or loosen her grip, though.

"COLONEL!" Areis cried out.

Colonel blinked a few times, "... What? Oh." In somewhat of a daze, she stood off from the Elite, who promptly ran anywhere but there. Although reached, Colonel's mind hadn't been derailed from her current thoughts. She looked to Areis, then walked past, leading. "First we'll return this symbol."

Areis followed, and then asked, "... First? As in there's more...?"

"Yes," Colonel immediately said. She looked to Areis, "can I count on you?"

What Colonel had planned was apparent in her intentions and the way she acted. Her previous successes and the charms had empowered her... perhaps to a fault. Areis looked back, apprehensive. After a long stare, however, Areis spoke up, "Of... course."

-

As the afternoon wore on, Cora Gammer found herself at Roumen's fountain, having gotten out from her academy course for the day. Being all alone was a rare occurrence, and she seemed to be taking it for all it was worth, sitting, listening to the clash of the port town and ocean, letting the wind rustle her verdant hair and whip her Mage robes about her.

It all came to a close when Cora looked over to the warp guard that takes people most often to Elderine and saw Colonel and Areis emerge from the teleportation magic. Colonel, in particular, seemed to be on the lookout for something. Inquisitively, Cora hopped off her fountain seat.

"There's Cora!" Areis pointed out, adding with a giggle, "Cons isn't on follow with you?"

Cora popped her own titter, "Not today. Somebody called in a favor and only Cons could make it. Cap is busy with other things, and Mother has a vendor in Elderine. It sounded like you were looking for me in particular?"

"Yes. We are..." Colonel cut in, causing Areis to stiffen back up. The Fighter looked around for any eavesdroppers. "We are organizing a party to raid the flagship of the Mara pirates and put an end to this pirate menace once and for all. I know that the Second Skin allows for five people to be linked into a party, and I have already gathered us two and Ingo and Roxca from before. They've proven to be capable healers in the past. I'm looking for a good Mage to round out the party, and you've had experience fighting Mara. I'll wager you're looking to settle things, yes?"

The mention of Mara tightened Cora's grip on her staff. "I heard about what happened the other day. I set out to make sure Mara left everybody alone and she just comes back and terrorizes a docking crew. I want to do something... but just one party? It took three to take down the King Slime."

Colonel scoffed, "They're PIRATES... Incompetent cowards. I was at the Sea of Greed earlier today and easily handled a large group."

Areis looked to want to bring up a point, almost did, but backed down when looking at Colonel's face.

"This is a good opportunity," Colonel pursued. "Like you said, your family is all occupied. You can get this thing done in a short time and nobody will have to know until the news gets out."

Though she trusted Colonel and has reason to, Cora couldn't help but feel a pit in her stomach. Colonel's eagerness, her promises of no negative consequences, her insistence... She'd been raised to think twice or more about such offers. Based on Cyclone Hill, however, Colonel had an earned reputation.

"If I'm engaging the pirates with the same Colonel Rayne from Cyclone Hill, I'll feel safe."

Colonel gave a confident smirk, "Let's go. Our boat waits."

-

The lifeboat ride from the former Mara Pirates camp was actually somewhat brief. The very moment the shore disappeared from view, something rose from ahead. It was a flag pole, carrying a massive tent of a flag, bearing a mark that caught eyes on the newspapers, but punched into your soul to see it on a real flag. Bearing the Mara Pirates mark on anything, even for the purpose of costume, was forbidden. To see it for real either meant the user was stupid, violent, or a Mara Pirate, the worst of both. After the Flag appeared over the horizon, a mazelike structure of planks snaked their way from the flagship out, greeting the approaching lifeboat.

The lifeboat bumped against the furthest plank. As the party tied the lifeboat to the plank and stood tall on the beginning of the path of planks, the stretch ahead unfolded.

"It's the floating boardwalk..." Areis muttered, "It'd be awesome if it weren't a path of death."

"Death for whom...?" Colonel replied with her own mutter, unsheathing her sword and readying her shield in her other hand.

The two Clerics stood, Ingo unsure and Rox skeptical. Rox looked around, "At least with Cyclone Hill, I felt some form of rhyme and reason. There's no Henneath Alliance backing or anything. I thought Colonel had more for this than a regular party way in over their heads."

"In over our heads?" Ingo echoed, "We did just fine against the King Slime. We all played our parts and got it done. I believe in Colonel."

"Then where is she?"

Upon exiting their conversation, they both saw that Colonel wasn't there any more and Cora and Areis were jogging ahead to catch up.

"C... Colonel!" Ingo called ahead, starting his own sprint, "At least keep in range of my heals!"

-

Partway down the boardwalk, a group of pirates stood watch. One that was more fidgety than the rest paced around, then had to ask for the umpteenth time, "What IS our purpose our here? Even if we spot them, we're too far away to give any advanced notice to everybody else."

The Elite of the group lounged against a pike, more aware of the situation than the rest, "I know we're accomplishing what we were sent out to do just standing here."

"And what is that!?"

Before that irate, confused question could be answered, a Firebolt spell came from the far side of the boardwalk and incapacitated the speaking pirate with a surprise critical. Acting upon the same ambush tactic as before, Colonel leapt out from behind a parasol and stunned the Elite with a Concussive Charge ram to the gut. The remaining Marine thought to cut of Colonel, only to get a Power Shot to the side of his head. Colonel followed through with the stunned Elite, then turned for the final hit against the Marine. Ingo and Rox's heals kept all damage from landed pirate blades down.

"So far, so good," Colonel announced, not pausing to even look back at the rest of the party.

Ingo beamed at the progress, but Rox kept a narrow pair of eyes.

The path down the boardwalk was just as smooth. The pirates remained in groups with a few toss-up bandits and pet Boogies thrown in. No matter how high the toss-up, Colonel's ability to keep the attention of all adversaries and not give any ground let the party cut the path through the boardwalk. That is, until one particularly large platform of wood.

"I don't believe it," Areis whispered.

Before the party stood the lone sight of Mara the pirate captain and Marlone the bandit chief. The two of them stood far apart, but facing opposite directions.

Ingo was just as perplexed, "Do you think they moved up because we were spotted?"

"Impossible," responded Colonel immediately. "I made damned sure that no pirate got away to tell the tale of our encounter. They've made a tactical error by being out here, and I'll make just as damned sure they pay for it."

Cora spoke up, "Are you sure we should go for her first? Marlone is closer..."

Everybody looked to Marlone to judge for distance. They were all surprised when Marlone looked behind him, and then took off in a run. Looking where Marlone was revealed Colonel was already long on the platform, headed towards Mara. In her hands, she held a charm apiece and attached them.

Rox seethed, "THAT was the trump card!? That stupid-!!"

The four in hiding jumped out when Marlone engaged Colonel, starting with a sweeping cut that produced a shock wave. It was powerful enough to sweep a person off the ground, if it didn't produce vines from the wooden floor that held Colonel's feet.

"Marlone can inflict Entangle!?" Ingo called up.

"HEAL" Colonel bellowed over the sword clashes.

The commotion was enough to grab Mara's attention. She turned around to see the chaos of her brother alone effortlessly staving off one aggressive Fighter while not being phased by the long-range attacks of the far-off Mage and Archer. The Clerics were in a panic trying to keep Colonel up and fighting. She walked over at a leisurely pace.

Rox looked aside, "Crap, we got Mara's aggro, too!"

"Trouble, brother?" Mara cooed.

"None," barked Marlone with a grin. "This could go on for a while, though, and it's starting to be a chore."

Playfully, Mara shrugged. "Must I do everything myself?" With that, she added her rapier to the fray. Upon a successful jab, she saw the bruise sink back down from the healing magic. "There's an idea." She turned her attention to the two Clerics, purposely missing with a jab between them.

[captaingammer]

"Colonel!" Ingo shouted, "Mara's on us! Kick her off!"

Generally speaking, focusing all attacks AND heals on one person makes things simpler, and using the technique Sneering Kick allows a Fighter to make that happen. Instead, Colonel charged into Mara, locking her body in a stun. She attacked, but didn't use Sneering Kick.

"He said KICK not STUN!" shouted Rox.

Colonel looked miffed at being told what to do and said back quickly, "I know what I'm doing just heal"

If not for the near-death situation, Rox would have just stopped healing right there. The slight incoming Rayninite dialect wasn't helping.

Mara's confidence turned to disgust. "I've seen enough. Let's just wipe them and move on."

Both at once, Mara stood in the middle of the adventurers and executed a lethal twirl while Marlone swept his shockwave, knocking down both Clerics and Areis. Marlone kept on Colonel, who was able to survive with HP stones.

"WHY AREN'T YOU HEALING" Colonel shouted back.

"We're DEAD." Rox said up from her floored position, trapped by her Second Skin's emergency cocoon.

"Then revive"

"We. Are. DEAD you ****ing idiot!!"

"Sad..." Marlone muttered. He saw Colonel's HP levels dip into dangerous territory and decided to go for the final cut.

Never was a deathblow so cleanly executed. His scimitar jabbed forward with enough force to puncture the Second Skin, Colonel, and out the back. Colonel gasped and coughed, dropping her weapons for what remained of her Second Skin to store away.

"NO!" Cora cried, but couldn't follow up on for long, for she soon had Mara's rapier poking out of her the same way. Unlike Colonel, who merely acknowledged a painful strike, Cora's mind was sent into shock. Though Second Skin has made fleshwounds of normally fatal blows, it takes getting impaled a time or two to overcome the mental trauma.

Unfortunately for Cora, her experience as an adventurer has had her suffer a shove to the floor, at the worst. Her careful knowledge and the protection of surrounding adults has kept her from being in the way of a truly harsh attack.

Now, however, Mara's rapier sent a cold jolt through Cora's body, as if all the heat in it were expelled in the hot blood seeping out of the wound. The secure boundaries between Cora's body and the rest of the world were broken, and by an intrusive weapon wielded maliciously. To experience it is the sort of disillusionment that temporarily makes a person doubt everything good and comforting, and concentrate only on the truth of the horrific pain and the sensation of an intelligent being's physical form penetrated and shredded like something inanimate.

"Hello again," Mara said, tilting her gallon hat up to see Cora's terrified, defeated expression.

One by one, Marlone picked up and threw the adventurers off the boardwalk, which was a tall drop. Mara handled Cora herself.

"Take this and never let me see your face again." Hand firmly on Cora's neck, Mara shoved forward, letting the Mage's body fall into the ocean with the rest. She turned and walked up the boardwalk, prompting Marlone to do the same.

This all was taken in, once again, by the real Mara and Marlone securely in the flagship. Marlone again spoke first.

"I can't be amazed enough at this dark magic, Mara. A whole party of adventurers, clearly focused and taking us by surprise... and our shadows were powerful enough to dispatch them with hardly a scratch."

Mara leaned against the window. "That is all I needed to see. I'm more surprised at how utterly incompetent the new crop of adventurers have become. With time, the Henneath Alliance cannibalizes itself worse and worse and THIS bilge is the result. You." Mara pointed at a nearby pirate, "Did you capture the entire fight in screens?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Give the Isyan press a real scoop for the pundits to froth over. Come, dear brother. We have much to plan."

The pirate saluted and skipped out to travel to Roumen. Mara and Marlone entered deeper into the cabin where many maps and plans were drawn out.

-

... Strange. Colonel can clearly feel her eyes open, yet she still can't see anything. Suddenly, a pressure on her gut.

"Ahhh!!" She yelped, sitting up.

"No, no, hold it." Ingo said urgently, "Just a few more and you'll be in good shape for the clinic to look at you. It's a good thing you told us to bring the leftover heart badges from the Cyclone Hill raid. Rox, Areis, and I were able to revive and swim us back to the lifeboat. I was amazed the pirates hadn't done anything to it."

"Wh..." Colonel looked around. In the thick of the night, she could make out Ingo tending to a wound while Rox was patching up a cut on Areis. "Cora... where's Cora!?"

"She's at home," Areis sighed, "Rox and Ingo completely healed her first so her family wouldn't be any wiser."

Colonel groaned and lay back down. "That is good. I hope I can see her soon so I can tell her how profoundly sorry I am..."

Rox finally whirled around in rage, "There isn't a sorry loud enough or in enough quantity to do justice to what you put us through!! I... I have never seen such incompetent tanking and arrogant party leading. Ever. EVER. EVER!!!"

Colonel shifted her eyes away from any gaze.

Unfortunately for Rox's rage, she sighed in concession. "However, I noticed you were using those. Those charms. It all made sense when you reapplied them. You're new to Isya, Second Skin, and especially, charms, so I'll let you slide this once. The next time I see you with those things in your hands, you'd better have done the greatest thing ever if you want me to respect you again. I'm still deciding if I want you as a contact on my list."

The night was silent still after that. After all the healing had been done, Rox left as soon as she could. Areis and Ingo stayed until Colonel was well enough to stand.

"Here..." Ingo said, handing out green scrolls with wide ends around. "Maria gave me a lot for helping with a Ratman problem. It's no big deal." He broke the seal to his scroll, and no sooner did teleportation magic carrying him away.

"Warp scrolls," Areis explained, "there's one for every major location. Just do what he did and you'll be sent back to town."

Colonel looked the scroll over in a melancholy daze. "Thank you." Colonel separated the seal, and in a flash of magic, readjusted her eyes to see herself in the far corner of the Roumen marketplace, facing Vietree's shop. Areis seemed to have gone to Elderine where she lived.

Next to where she landed, Colonel took notice of a trash can, complete with circling flies. She looked at the trash can in thought, and then made an obvious choice of it. She took out the remaining charms in both stacks, then grunted with effort and disdain as she tore the charms in half, rendering them useless before dropping them into the waste. Alone, Colonel defied Ingo's advice and just walked back to her apartment.

The Roumen night was cold.

[kym-masterofthedarkk]

:O Funfunfun!! Poor Colonel... though I must say, it worried me when she started talking with that dreaded Rayninite dialect. Good thing she snapped out of it!! There's no excuse for it when you're talking, not typing in a life-or-exp-loss situation. But even then there's no excuse. :3

[captaingammer]

The Age of Apoline

Chapter 5: If you Wish to Become Stronger!

The following morning was a slow one to rise. The Second Skin's natural healing didn't account much for wound soreness. Even if it did, the blatant failure of the previous day's mission was a scar that would remain for a long time. It was a strange feeling for Colonel, for she trusted her Second Skin's Health Points rating that told her that her body was at full capability. The day still felt like a sleeper-in. After all, it wasn't like she had a public to avoid.

Upon exiting her apartment, Colonel could swear that she was back in the dark corner of her mind that predicted peoples' reactions to the failed mission. The first few people she encountered gave her a prolonged look before moving on. As Colonel commented to herself how strange that was, she noticed when a few adventurers hushed as she walked by.

"Hello," She said with a courtesy nod. The group seemed to still look on expectantly. One of them said something lowly to the others, and they all snickered. If Colonel hadn't come to ignore that sort of thing when dealing with the PvP guilds, she would have stopped and asked what was so funny. However, their guild badges were assorted, none familiar.

It was when Colonel spied an actual familiar face that should have offered some consolation, but that was quickly dashed. Areis was walking across town with some of the others from the Archer's academy; the rest looked downright ornery. Colonel caught Areis's gaze, but only for a brief moment. It was as if Areis had been looking into the sun, how quickly she noticed and looked away. She didn't tell anybody, did she?

Colonel's thoughts were answered when she saw a newspaper clutched in Areis's hands, wringing it nervously. "Oh, no..." Colonel muttered, and quickly walked to one of the town's newspaper dispensers, slipped a coin in, and pulled out a rag. Never before had she been so horrified to see her face on the front page.

Everything was there. Colonel's outburst to the Pirate Elite in the Sea of Green down to the very moment she and the party had been tossed off of the floating boardwalk. Every pivotal moment that portrayed Colonel in the worst ways was printed in ink on those pages, and the pages of every newspaper in Roumen, most likely Elderine and every other major location as well. Mind reeling, vision blurring, stomach queasy, and with a bad taste in her mouth, Colonel leaned her back against a light pole, hand over her mouth with the other loosely holding on to her paper. Like one cannot look away from a terrible shipwreck, Colonel lifted the paper up, needing to assess the damage to her reputation, not to mention the other four.

Should Colonel have not been so focused on the paper, she would have heard the yelps of protest coming toward her, but it took the paper being ripped out of her hands and being pulled forward by her collar to return.

"You think that life in this country is a GAME!!?"

Colonel could swear she was still in a daze. She was being yelled at and on the brink of assaulted, but she saw the adorable cleft-lipped face of a slimehead staring back at her.

"ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME!?"

The next shake snapped Colonel out of her funk. Unfortunately, just before a gloved hand slapped her in the face. "Excuse me!?" she snapped back. While saying that, she looked at who was holding her. It was a Cleric, judging by the faded blue armor, and a woman from the voice.

"Excuse you!? EXCUSE YOU!?" The Cleric bellowed against, shaking Colonel roughly again, "Does everybody else look like a PAWN to you!? Do you see all the people, all of these individuals with thoughts and feelings in terms of what they can DO for you!? Your popularity means NOTHING to me and for all I care, to HELL with diplomacy because any respect you command is FOREFIT."

This Cleric had a firm grip, much more than Colonel would have thought a healer to possess. Regardless, she tried to keep her composure. "Who are you to speak to me like this!?" The question came out a moment too soon. The previous voice of protest belonged to Cora Gammer, who was trying to talk her adoptive sister, Cons Gammer, into calming down. Cons wasn't hearing it so well.

"Who are YOU!?" Cons shouted, shaking again, "Who are YOU to so irresponsibly DRUG yourself and be so far lost that you drag down OTHERS with you!? My sister could have DIED that day. In fact, I've been so preoccupied with HOW she got away alive when at the mercy of bloodthirsty pirates and bandits, which YOU put her in the way of!!"

"I'm a novice at this!" shouted back Colonel, or at least attempted to with mirroring intensity. Cons was gripping her collar tight enough that it started to pinch around her neck. "I didn't know what I was getting into, alright!? I had never consumed anything even CLOSE to a charm before! It got to my mind and I wasn't prepared for it!"

Colonel felt her back hit the pole again, to Cora's loud chagrin, before Cons shouted back, "NO! Charms may be mind-altering, but they do not change a person AND THAT IS A STUDIED FACT. They are known to enhance somebody's personality to great lengths, and that is why charm use is mostly overseen, contained, or kept to trusted individuals. Power didn't change you; it showed you as you really ARE... a spoiled, irresponsible, inconsiderate CHILD!"

Unfortunately for Colonel's case, that last statement gave Cora something to think about, making her protest silent. Colonel dug deep for anything, ANYTHING to not lose ground, "S... so what if I am!? Violently calling me out on it won't make me feel any better! Weren't you taught as a healer to be supportive and telling me that I can overcome my demons!?"

Behind the slimehead, Cons took in a sharp breath. Had Colonel struck a chord? Certainly not, because Cons cried in rage and swung her hammer, catching Colonel on the side of the face. She would have lost some teeth for sure if not for the Second Skin.

"CONS!!" Cora cried in horror.

Colonel rolled after the fall, picking herself up, sword and shield pulled out and ready. "I've just about had enough of your tone... Cons. I might not be perfect, but I will not have you pounding out your insecurities on me!"

"... Insecurities...?"

Colonel cleared her throat, tugging her collar out, "There must be some reason you hide behind that helmet. You talk to me about respect, yet you have me talk to a plaything instead of a face."

Cora stopped talking Cons down, knowing full well the wrath that Colonel had brought upon herself.

"Have nothing to say?" Colonel taunted, "Every word you just said to me is starting to unravel the more you don't speak up for yourself. Or perhaps you'd rather settle this in a more GENTLEMANLY FASHION!!" Colonel stopped before Cons and rammed her shoulder in, causing a concussive impact that caused Cons to stumble. Colonel then let loose a flurry of sword strikes similar to her Fighter skills. PvP was forbidden in most of Isya, so Colonel's Second Skin would not provide her with the mana for skills. That didn't stop Colonel from striking normally. Cons was still standing, so it may take another round of beating.

In fact, another, very many rounds of beating. Colonel thought her eyes played tricks, but she saw Cons's Health Points rating remaining at a very tall percentage. And yet, Colonel herself was already breathing harder from her effort. Cons lifted her hammer, easily anticipating Colonel's reactive shield, lowering the hammer to strike an exposed area, flooring Colonel again.

"I am at a much higher strength level than you are!" Cons lectured down, "If you want to build the skills necessary to be anybody around here, you'd better rough it a little, princess!"

That last word got Colonel to stand up quickly, shouting back, "I AM A PRI-" but getting interrupted by Cons's punch, knuckles first, directly between the eyes. If the Second Skin softened the blow at all, Colonel wouldn't have known. She wobbled back, then fell flat on her back, knocked out cold.

Cons stood tall over her for a few seconds before shaking her wrist. "Damn... that hurt." She looked back to a moist-eyed Cora. "I know you didn't want to see that... but I needed it out of my system."

"It's... okay..." Cora sighed, looking down at Colonel with empathy where there wasn't pity. She gingerly walked away, toward the warp guard to Elderine, Cons following shortly.

-

For the second time in a short span, Colonel woke up. This time, she was on a bed in the Roumen clinic's quick response room.

"There we are," Healer Julia hummed. "I saw your little scuffle from here and got ready to retrieve y... uh, anybody who got hurt."

Colonel groaned, swinging her legs over and standing well, "You were going to say 'you.'"

Julia shrugged, "Well... it WAS Cons Gammer that you rubbed the wrong way. I've never seen her fly off the handle THAT wildly before, though."

"... I'm honored."

As much as the port town was like a home away from home for Colonel by now, exiting the clinic and taking a walk around Roumen made her feel tense. Who ELSE was going to laugh, condemn, or assault her? It wasn't even noon yet. Unfortunately, Colonel couldn't even look to an old friend.

"No, no..." muttered the dissatisfied voice of Grandpa Robin, still at his post at the bench just before the training grounds. "This is all wrong. So weak."

Colonel understandably soured, "You too, Robin? You were one of the people who actually got me on track here." She began to walk away, but pivoted back. "Is everybody going to just FORGET what good I've helped accomplished? Not too long ago, I helped repel the slimes!!"

"Bah!" Robin barked, "Slimes. You're not going to be anybody in this world if SLIMES are all you can brag about. There are worse monsters and much worse people out there!" He eyed Colonel, who leaned against the fence that loosely boxed the area in. After some time of silence had passed, Robin narrowed his eye, lifted his chin with interest, and asked, "What level are you?"

Colonel paused to remember that the Second Skin keeps track of a person's progress, knowledge, and skill via a variable aptly called 'experience,' and that every milestone is called a 'level.' Every level grants a person access to stronger or better equipment and skills, which the standards of the Henneath Alliance deem fitting.

"As a matter of fact, I am almost at the twentieth level. Why do you ask?"

Robin hummed, "Level 20, huh... In that case, you'd better report to your skill master in Elderine. If you're going to be an adventurer in Isya, you're going to have to train like one."

Anticipating another passive-aggressive insult, Colonel prepared to take that statement as much. Despite the not-unfriendly tone, Robin sounded more like he was giving... advice? The way Robin carried himself, sitting regally on the bench as if he had done something, gave him away.

"I think I will..." said Colonel, letting Robin have his covert pride, "thank you."

-

Coming to Elderine wasn't quite a trek the second time. Now that Colonel knew of the warp guard, she could be sent directly there from Roumen, and apparently to the Forest of Mist she had already seen, and a third location that she was sure she'd be seeing soon enough. Fortunately, the city was too busy and bustling to know to expect her. Relative anonymity in a crowd never felt so secure. Past the hedges out of the garden where the Elderine warp guard was stationed and over the bridge in front of the guild headquarters, Colonel remembered the four class masters stationed around the monumental fountain.

The four corners of this area were cluttered with large numbers of the specific classes, except for the Cleric's corner, which had some of the other classes standing around and waiting to be given the ever coveted 'buff.' The corners themselves also looked different, stacked with different supplies and gears. To Colonel's left, the Mage's corner contained a variety of smells, the sulfurous ones most prominent. The tile beneath their feet was scorched and frosted over from the effects of spells being practiced. The Archer's corner smelled of nature and had a few potted plants, which didn't keep a thin of layer of foliage from developing there anyway. The Cleric's corner was actually very neat. The medical supplies were in order and hardly out of place, and the tile beneath was clean from attentive sweeping.

"So!"

The sudden deep voice from Colonel's direct right gave her a start. Just in time, too. Colonel finally assessed the Fighter's corner and its master, Warrior Master Marty. The strong man looked to be expecting Colonel, presenting himself in a leaning position. The Fighter's corner was the most roughly treated, the cement between the tile scraped out, dented, or just broken through. The tile itself had many creases and scratches from generations of scuffling feel and swords which were knocked out of their wielders' hands.

"I hear you're not quite the Fighter prodigy you came off as at first!" Marty greeted. It took a double take to remember that there was no railing on the outer edges of the area that anybody could lean on so easily. Colonel looked and saw that Marty was leaning on a sword, which was propped up, tip-to-hilt, with another sword that had been jammed into the ground.

Colonel lifted a finger, "Isn't that...?"

"Oh, this?" Marty interrupted, nudging his head at the swords, "Oh yeah, this requires A LOT of concentration. One involuntary twitch and I could lose balance and end up hurting myself REAL bad. That won't happen, though, because even surrounded by all these people and taking questions and selling skill scrolls, I am in the ZONE. If you think about your sword as anything OTHER than a completely vital body part, you're just a little kid waving a stick. That's right; these swords right here are BODY PARTS to me, and NO, not THAT body part. I've heard that joke enough times. Even if my mind weren't so focused, I STILL wouldn't lose balance. That's because I know where my arms go, how to fold my legs, what angle my feet should be at, the PRECISE weight allocation, and how to alter all of these things when I need to cough or sneeze. That is what we call muscle memory, and over time, it can be carved into ANY mind which is willing. I'd also say 'able,' but there's hardly any skill level which wanting it hard enough can't get you were you want. WITH OBVIOUS EXCEPTIONS, thank you very much. You'd think that with how smart they are, Mages would pick up on that, but no. They just want to snark me down for the laugh-out-louds. Hmph."

Colonel didn't quite know what to make of all that. Not even options on how to react scrolled through her head.

Marty cleared his throat and gestured out again, "How may I help you?"

[captaingammer]

"You certainly are a boastful man, but not without credentials..." Colonel muttered.

Marty cleared his throat, interrupting. "No prologue. What do you want?"

"... to be a better Fighter and adventurer."

With that, Marty shifted his weight, taking the top sword into one hand and of course toppling over. In one smooth movement before Colonel could even react, Marty had the other sword snatched up in his other hand on the way down, rolled over his shoulders, and stood tall again. At the height of his recovery, he twirled the swords around and jammed them into twin scabbards. "Welcome aboard." What few jubilations Colonel could afford herself were interrupted. "I'll be seeing you early tomorrow morning, then."

"Tomorrow... for training?"

Marty turned to a book on a pedestal and began penning something in. "If you want to call it that, sure. Either way, you're now enrolled in the Fighter academy. As you ought to have done yourself if you had done your research on how things are done around here. Naughty naughty."

Following another beat, Colonel gestured, nonplussed. "You're just going to HEAP this obligation onto me!? What if I refuse to surrender large portions of my day to this inanely conceived idea?"

Marty put the quill down and looked up with a lifted eyebrow, "Oh, that's right. You have all of your friends who can't wait to hang out with you... not to mention all the people in town are lining up to commission you. Once something occurs that gives you a hint that your skills and perspectives need work, you're more than welcome to start attending." He flipped the book closed in a dismissing manner and walked past Colonel to tend to some fighters that had been waiting for their turn.

Though beside herself with rage at being spoken to this way, Colonel had to bite her tongue. She was plenty weary of making herself look like a fool by now.

-

While Colonel returned to her apartment, Angel Gammer pushed the door into her own residence. The woman carelessly let down the loads of various objects she held relating to the odd jobs she had been busy with through the day. Upon calling for whoever was home, Cons emerged from another room. Seeing Cons home meant one other thing.

Angel leaned to where Cora sleeps, "She's still in there?"

Cons cast a look over, "She said she's having a really bad sinus headache." The two of them shared a knowing pause. "... Or so she claims."

Working her mind, Angel shuffled around schedules and places in her mind. She said lowly to Cons, "Cap is out gathering at the Abyss right now, isn't she? You run out and join her. I'll stay here with Cora for the rest of the day."

Cons left agreeably, leaving Angel with her daughter. After a few moments, Angel entered Cora's room and sat on the edge of the bed. With a small sigh, she rubbed Cora's shoulder. "Love, how are you feeling?"

"Fine," Cora said immediately.

"Fine considering you weren't going to get out of bed until I pulled you out, and as soon as you were done with your errands your just fell right back in?"

"Uh-huh."

It wasn't like Cora to be of so few words. As such, when something was wrong, she had a way of projecting it. Angel just cut through the tension. "What happened on those docks was not your fault."

"I know," Cora muttered. Something occurred to her, causing her to turn around and sit up. Without her glasses, her expressive emerald eyes stood out al the more. "Please don't hold it against Colonel! I... I know she was terrible, but she has a lot more to learn about Isyan life."

Angel scoffed lightly, "She almost killed you. She could have lunged at you with a dagger and that would have been more forgivable. And here you're imploring me not to harbor any ill will. Cora, when I heard what had happened and saw you come home with those haphazardly-applied heals, I was first stricken with worry. And then I was in my right of mind to flatten Colonel into paper; THINNER. I guess Cons already did that for me."

"... That made you feel better?"

"No, no. I was still in my right of mind to break into the clinic and finish the job. Anyway, we're getting off of the subject here: You. I thought that losing a fight had you down, but you don't seem too torn over that. Something else has you bed-ridden and I want to hear it from you."

Cora's face flushed more than normal at having to make an admission. Her hand rested over her stomach where Angel herself had applied the final heals. "It just... hurt... So much. And... and they were PEOPLE. They had feelings and could communicate. And they wanted to hurt me. There was so much malice, and it was directed toward me. I was always taught about pirates... and Karasians and Epithian mages and the cult of Iyzel, and others... But actually seeing it and FEELING it for myself... I felt so scared and sick." Cora couldn't help but hug her knees to her chest and let her lip tremble.

"Cora, first of all..." Angel wasted no time in pulling her daughter into a hug. Cora was too tired to be proud and just hugged back. "I agree that it's awful for bad people to exist in a land as beautiful as ours... but no place is perfect. Somebody somewhere will always want more and somebody somewhere will be unhappy and overlooked. It's just a fact of civilized life." Angel let Cora go so she could speak to her face. "As for that malice you felt, I'm sorry to say, but the pirates and other such groups feel that way towards all of us... all the time. It only feels worse because it felt real to you instead of just watching it from afar or reading about it."

"But... how can regular, decent people be convinced to think and feel that way?"

"Like I said, love... No place is perfect. There are a lot of people out there who are unhappy or easily convinced that they are. Isya is a great place and I can't imagine living anywhere else, but she has her fair share of problem. Social, political, economical... I'd say the beauty and the horror of this country is an even split."

"You mean... like the terramorphs?"

"Terra...?" Angel paused, furrowing her brow. She settled on a weary smile. "That would be vintage Isyan cruelty. There's a lot of injustice out there, I can tell you that. I know what you were trying to do, running after the pirates like that. From a practical standpoint, I just can't see how you expected to succeed at it with just a single party. You're not even a Wise Mage, yet."

Betraying her earlier lethargy, Cora snapped her head back up. "But... but I am almost level 20! While I was out today, I heard Maria needed help with a Ratman problem in the Forest of Mist. I'm sure if I take that quest, I'll get really close..."

Angel regarded her daughter with a new sense of amusement. "Even when you're feeling down and out, you're still planning ahead."

Cora sheepishly looked away again. "Mhm."

"That's good," Angel said reassuringly, "but that can easily be just as bad. It's good to have ambition, but you need action to balance it out. Imagine that ambition is an egg in a basket, and action is taking that egg out and making something to eat with it. If all you do is plan and imagine, all you're left with is a basket full of eggs... and eventually those eggs are going to weigh you down. Are you following me?"

"I think I am."

"Okay, good... because I think I lost myself somewhere. You're making this parenting thing much easier."

Cora gave a little titter at her mother's unique brand of motivation.

"Seriously though, Cora, you have to keep your dreams in sight. Even finding your dream is a dream in itself. At the very least, I know how just the thought of a good adventure lights you up. That's why you staying in bed all day isn't healthy; for your body and your spirit. As a mother, I want you to stay inside today. Wishis is doing us a favor by calling you in sick today. Tomorrow, though, it would make me very happy to see you get yourself out of bed and on with your day. I know you don't have a motivation issue."

The two of them endured a moment of silence before Cora smiled up. "I think I can do that."

Because it felt appropriate, Angel hugged Cora again. "I love you, Cora. You know that."

"I love you too, mother."

Since Angel got off her chest the main issue, that left her with the rest of the day. Sitting got tiring, so she lied in the bed next to where Cora sat up. "It's funny... when I started out as an adventurer... a lifetime ago, my dream was to comb the entire world over. I wanted to see every landmark, hear every national song, experience the cultures, and after your father left... the bodies."

That last point gave Cora a good thought over before her expression lifted with surprise. "Mother!!"

"You're old enough to hear those sorts of things, Cora. Anyway, it's funny how your goals can change so drastically. First I just wanted to settle and have a family... then I wanted to go out and be free. Now nothing gives me more joy than to give back to my community."

"Yeah... after you had me, you had to settle."

"What!?" Angel sat up, level with Cora. "That's not true! Not at ALL! Never EVER think of yourself as a burden on others by just existing! And that's a rule of this house! From now on! I'll nail up a sign on the door if I have to!"

"Okay, okay!"

"Good. Your mother was very resourceful back in the day. Besides, no amount of obligations in the world could affect my biggest, loftiest, highest dream way up in the stars. Do you know what that is?"

Cora smiled knowingly, "You want to be one of the Guardian Magi that keep the balance of mana in Isya. Ever since you were a little girl."

Angel childishly groaned and tilted her head back. "How did you know that? I've completely forgotten about that until we started talking about dreams."

"Ruby told me, one of the times I stayed with her when you were out on guild business. That's why I can't help but associate GMs with clam chowder..."

The two of them shared a nice laugh at Angel's exposed secret and its relation to Ruby's choice in food.

-

By about this time, Cons managed to take her dragon over to the Forest Perimeter where Cap had been only waiting for a little bit to join a free party for the Abyss. Since Cap and Cons were exceptionally good at what they did, they made a formidable duo that the monsters couldn't catch, or at least take down. Even the lack of PKers in the Abyss made conditions ideal for a hunt. After another group of monsters and shadows keeled over, relinquishing the various dusts and crystals they held, Cap paused and looked deeper into the cavern.

Cons took notice and stood by. "PKers?"

"No... At least I don't think so," Cap muttered, still training her senses in that direction, "But I can swear I hear Rennas down there."

"Rennas? Oh, that's you're uh... apprentice. You've only been training him about a week, right?"

Cap hummed in confirmation, "That's the one. I guess he found a good party. He's part of the hunters' union... and further my apprentice. So I'm pretty sure his party won't go after us."

After a few more minutes, the distinct sound of magic attacks, sword slashes, and a few dull thuds of fisticuffs were heard, followed by the unmistakable whiz of an arrow and the soft impact into a target.

Cons scoffed, "Well, they went after SOMEBODY. And by the sound of it, they got 'em good. Let's be careful anyway."

That thought was tossed when the cries of newly spawned monsters rose and blasted from the cavern. Footfalls approached, revealing the Rennas that Cap heard, along with his party as they were making a path for the exit.

Cap looked behind Rennas's party but saw no monsters. Cons remained ready anyway, since a party rushing at her location was never a welcome sign. "Rennas!" Cap called as the other party passed, "What happened?"

Rennas straggled. In the moment, Cap picked up on an irritated stress. "Just get out of here! Every monster in this damn place just gathered over there."

Cons, ever distrustful, quickly asked, "Then where are they!? The only reason they wouldn't come after you is if they found another party to assault."

"I don't know! Lucky break! Just come on! I know when a situation is bad and it is BAD. Follow!"

"No," said Cap back, "if somebody is back there and needs help, we give help. Isn't that what being in the hunters taught you?"

Rennas gave a short, irate sigh. "You know what!? Go. In two seconds you'll be right on my heels after you see what's over there." He then bolted away. His stride spoke of his freedom from interrogation.

Disregarding that, Cap and Cons found there way to the monsters. There were a lot in there, and they were focused on a single point.

Cons growled. "Monsters aren't so organized unless there's something - or someone - over there."

Cap turned her wrist, making a sign to approach using her bow. It was reflexive of her Hawk Archer training and the training she did in her attempts to join the hunters' union. On the approach she called to Cons, "I'm going to hit them with a Nature's Mist once you extract whoever is in there!" She drew her hand back, readying the mana in her bow to aim.

The Second Skin is capable of detecting another person's presence, identity, and vitality signs. However, without an open direct path from one person to another, establishing that connection can be difficult. Cons circled around the mob, trying to find a gap to get at the center and see who it was and how long they had. Normally, the Second Skin detects when a person collapses and teleports that person to the warp guard who can take them outside. However, the Abyss weakens the Second Skin, and the monsters can keep it from taking the user away. Most PvP or PK situations are in controlled environments, but accidents DO happen... and some of those accidents aren't as accidental. Finally, a flash of red among the beige and pale forms; Cons cast a gaze at it.

"Kitone...?" She said aloud that Cap could hear.

"Kitone!?" shouted Cap back. She then cursed under her breath. If she tried to shoot a Nature's Mist into that mob, then Kitone would get hit; and poison was the last thing Kitone needed at that moment.

Cons kept updated, "She's looking bad! Really bad. Her Second Skin is burning out. I'm going in!"

Cap took aim at one of the monsters, because any attention away from Kitone was good. The monster turned around, the effects of the poison diverting its aggression to Cap. Cap did this for a few more while Cons dove into the mob. Finally, Cons broke out with Kitone slung over her shoulder. Even at that angle, Cap could see that Kitone sustained more cuts, gashes, bruises, and tears to fill up a lifetime. Cons was about to shout "GO!" but the whiz of falling poisonous arrows mere molecules away from where she ran indicated that Cap was on top of the agro.

[captaingammer]

The two of them applied their emergency speed scrolls and tore down the caverns, knowing exactly what turns to take back to the warp guard out of the Abyss. Camping out at the guard... none other than the all-stars of the Isyan Vanguardians. They were looking in Cap and Cons's directions because of all the noise.

Sirruk smirked, "Check this out."

He slapped a high-leveled accuracy scroll in his axe and held it ready for when the two women passed.

Cap cast a look nervously, "Cons..."

Cons snarled lowly, "I see the ****ing *****..."

All at once, Cap and Cons passed by Sirruk's axe. With a laugh, he laid it down, tearing up the earth at his feet and beneath Cap and Cons. Cap leapt into the air and twirled horizontally to fit between the shock and a large divot. Cons ducked far enough that her held-out shield was placed directly between the Devastate and her with Kitone. The attack missed Cap and Cons blocked it from both herself and Kitone. In the moment after, Cap landed on her feet and Cons stood, both touching the warp guard's spear and being lifted out of the Abyss.

The Isyan Vanguardian convoy stood perplexed for a moment. Finally, one of the other members laughed, "****ing FAIL bro"

To finish, the monsters arrived and swarmed around the convoy. The mage of the group shrieked and warped out while the fighters and clerics stood around inconvenienced at the monsters barely managing to scratch.

Outside in the Forest Perimeter, Cap and Cons reappeared. Cap began running for the portal to Elderine, but Cons had a better idea. "KNITE!!" she bellowed to he sky and made a bowl-legged leap. Her Earth Dragon appeared in a puff of smoke and took its place for Cons to saddle on. Cap looked behind and timed her mount onto the creature.

Knite tore across the Elderine plaza. Thankfully, everybody in the way was nimble enough to at least get clipped by the speeding dragon on its way. Without stopping or even slowing down, Knite once again vanished in front of the Elderine clinic where Healer Avon pressed himself to the wall to avoid. "Cons, what is-!?" he barely managed to say before Cap and Cons sailed through the doors.

Inside the clinic, the receptionist gave a lazy look up. "You can't-" but the two ran straight past, "... without a... yeah."

With luck, the emergency room was unoccupied. Cons scuffed the floor to stop next to the operating table and lay Kitone down without too much whiplash. Immediately Cons held her hammer over Kitone's wounds... thankfully obscuring the indefinable mess of blood and flesh that was her abdomen.

"This'll need more than heals," Cons said urgently, "Fruit. Spirit Fruit. Higher quality the better. Go!"

Cap had no time to just stand around tearfully. She rushed to the nearby cart and grabbed a jar of Highest Quality Spirit Fruit and handed it over. Cons continued to demand more materials.

"Okay, now more meat. Tender. Also Basil. No! Not Basil. That's, uh, ****... RAMSEAR! Yesterday!!"

Cap reminded herself that Cons was only being so blunt because this was so urgent. After a dizzying time which felt like an eternity, Cap finally looked down at Kitone. Miraculously, Kitone's body merely looked battered instead of shredded. Though Cons stopped applying medicine and heals, she was still hunched over Kitone's body. By now, Cap didn't need to see an expression to know that Cons was thinking something over. Finally, the slimehead rotated in her direction.

"Keep watch outside."

"What...?" Cap gasped, "You... but what if you need..."

"The hard part's over. I just need to keep the mana on until her body starts regenerating again. Back in the Abyss, she took a shock and that just stopped her body cold. Pretty much the only things working in there were her brain, hear, and lungs... If you could call those things lungs."

"Then why...?"

"Because I can speed along the recovery with my cleric aura."

"Okay..."

"And it works best when there's flesh contact."

"Okay...."

"I'm going to be taking off my armor."

For a tense time, Cap stared at the beady eyes of the slimehead, resenting how she was expected to comply without a genuine expression from Cons telling her that she needed this to happen. Finally, Cap nodded gingerly, "I'm going..."

"Thank you..."

Cap pushed through the door back into the hall of the clinic where a crowd had formed. Questions were thrown at her, but all she could do was hold up a hand and shake her head as she took a seat by the door.

She was left waiting for long enough that the crowd had dispersed. She jumped at the doorknob turning and stood up to see Cons. She was dressed the same as always, completely covered up.

"All she needs now is rest," Cons sighed.

Cap exhaled heavily, "Thank Teva... but more thank you, Cons."

Cons gave the courtesy of a drained nod. A few clerics walked past to claim Kitone from the emergency room. "I would say it's no big deal... but yeah, that was a big deal. I know you'd be just as concerned for anybody else in that condition... but weren't you and Kitone...?"

"We WERE," Cap interrupted, "but that's history now. We have a perfect understanding now as friends."

"Now she owes us one." Cons said, cracking her neck. "I think between all the farming we did in the Abyss and all of the unauthorized entry and use of clinic materials... we about break even today."

Cap smirked, "Knowing us, we're going to end up paying."

"Oh, I know... just wishful thinking on my part."

-

Even after a gruesome experience such as that, life goes on. Unaware of the previous day's excitement, Colonel reported to Elderine bright and early for her first day at the fighter academy. She was less than thrilled as she sat in place, shortly having other fighters huddle around her... most of them very novice.

"Good morning, fighters." Marty greeted, standing in front of the group. "If you haven't met her, we have a new apprentice in our midst. Colonel Rayne. Making a big deal about it would use up too much time, so we're moving right into the day's lessons. We have a lot to cover."

Marty turned to grab some gear. Colonel cast some looks around the corner to see some of the fighters gawking for one reason or another. Any other time, she would have taken the attention well. Looking around further, Colonel noticed the other class academy meetings taking place as well. In fact, Wishis and the Mage academy were just to the left. Further, Colonel caught Cora's gaze before the latter broke it off and turned to pay attention to Wishis's lecture.

"First of all," Marty said holding a particularly long sword, "it occurred to me last night as I was looking over the lesson plan that apparently, hardly any of you grasp the concept of 'discipline' as I define it for becoming a Clever Fighter. And you know what? All of the questions you keep asking me are answered IN THE ASSIGNED READING. If you took out, I don't know, half a damned hour, to even SKIM the tome, you would all be ready to promote by now. Your parents weren't charge material fees just so you can have a coaster or prop your chair on its short leg." Marty paused to make a show of ceasing to rub his brow. "Anyway, since this is necessary learning, I'm taking time out of the class to go over it in lecture form. Because the only time you take this academy seriously seems to be WHEN I'M YELLING AT YOU."

Colonel was leaning back the entire time, refusing to find any value in this berating. She didn't do anything wrong. When was she going to learn how to better stun a monster or hold agro off of her healers and damage dealers?

Marty held a fist over his mouth, closing his eyes with a rather Zen expression. He then looked to the fighter academy. "Discipline. The word is so taken for granted nowadays that we hardly consider what it actually means. If you are told to not take a cookie from the jar before dinner at the punishment of a spanking, and for the rest of your life you never ate your dessert before dinner... that is not discipline. That is being told what to do for the wrong reasons. You're motivated by fear, you still don't understand WHY eating a cookie before dinner is bad, and the idea did not come from you."

"Discipline is a change of PERSPECTIVE. Actually, discipline is the art of changing perspective to suit your needs. You can become a completely different person depending on how you view the world around you. You see the members of the Henneath Alliance around town. They are no different than you. They eat, shop, talk, laugh, love like anybody else. When a threat poses itself to our people, they spring into action. That's because they are disciplined to recognize when a situation calls for being a civilian or being a soldier."

"For instance, during yesterday's spar when Chad managed to stun Romi. You delivered the attack well, Chad, but then you decided to do a merry little dance in premature celebration of your alleged victory. It didn't take long for Romi to recover and knock you flat on your ***. You lost that fight because you displayed a... DEPRESSING lack of discipline. Your love for competition, hell, ended up LOSING you that, well, you saw it as a game! And therein lies the problem! You were Chad the little civilian kid when you were fighting Romi, and Chad the little civilian kid was not fit to win a fight. Now, if you showed a little DISCIPLINE during that fight, you would have approached the sparring session as Chad the respectable fighter, who would have taken advantage of the stun to finish the fight right there. After that, THEN you can revert to Chad the little civilian kid and had yourself a fist bump with the bros. But you know, I'd hope that if you earned that discipline necessary to win a fight, then you would have a little more respect for the fighter class."

"You know what, THAT is the new key word, right under 'discipline.' Respect is the base on which all understanding of the Second Skin is built upon. Yes, the Second Skin has a lot of recreational and cosmetic purposes... but most importantly, it is a valuable TOOL and a WEAPON in which you use to DEFEND yourself and others. If you can't GIVE respect, then you will never receive it back from anybody. That's not a social matter, either. The more respect you give yourself and what you are capable of, the more disciplined you will be to perform your best... and when you perform your best with respect to others, then others will see how you carry yourself and that respect will return right back to you."

In a complete reversal of Colonel's earlier judgment, she was now hunched over, hanging off every word. She may not have learned any flicks of the wrist, but all of this talk about respect and changing who you are have given her a lot to think about.

"omg..." A voice laughed from outside the plaza, "hes blowing tihs outta his *** lol"

Every fighter apprentice turned to see two fighters so drunk they need to lean on their shining axes for support. Before Marty's sour expression could lead him to respond, a fireball arced above the fountain and caused a blast that only resulted in vaulting the two fighters over the edge of the plaza and into the water below. All of the heads then turned to the Mage academy lecture where Wishis blew out the flames licking at her upper arm.

"Did you see?" Wishis said kindly to the mages, "I gathered the energy with my arm extended upward and delivered it with a smooth toss... None of this jerky motion as if tossing a big rock. Good question, Rafe."

Marty loudly cleared his throat, gathering all attention back to himself, "As I was saying, learn to respect your situation and you will shine. The person you are at this exact moment is not the person you want to be when a Ratman Knight charges at you... or when a pirate raid breaks out... or when a Karasian hex takes control of your lover's Second Skin and forces her to fight you..."

At that last 'hypothetical' example, a few eyebrows were lifted. Even Wishis turned her head and the nearby clerics looked past Keast. The Archers also fell silent because everybody else was doing it and it was a little creepy. Immediately the class masters got their academies' attentions and everything continued. Marty snapped himself out of his own mind and returned to the lecture.

"I bring this up because recently the heads of the Henneath Alliance have declared a possible state of upheaval. Monsters are more aggressive, I'm sure you have noticed. Abyss accidents continue to rise, and I don't think I need to tell any one of you about the recent attack by the Slimes on Roumen soil. Not too long ago, even Mara the pirate was reported harassing some dock workers. There were no casualties, and nothing was stolen... which worries the Henneath Alliance even more. As a result of that, all class training in the academies is being stepped up. If I had it my way, all of you butterballs would be detained in my academy until I knew you were ready. However, the Alliance has its rules. Instead of taking longer to train you up, I'll make you all suffer twice as much. Get up! If any of your stances are off, I'm sending you back to Roumen the long way to get some clam chowder from Ruby because dammit I forgot to bring my lunch today."

Urgently, all of the fighters around Colonel stood up, unsheathed their swords, and stood in hastily adopted fighting stances. Colonel herself tried to emulate the stance and watched as Marty paced around the fighters and poked and nudged out every imperfection. Every other fighter constantly checked his or her stance to apply the pokes and nudges. Colonel couldn't believe that the boastful man she met the other day was the same as this intense taskmaster now making astute judgments about fighter stances. Then again, if she was going to start consciously applying respect and discipline, this was as good a place to start as any.

[captaingammer]

Over the course of the day, each class academy received intensive lessons at exhausting paces. The Elderine crowd had stragglers all throughout the day stopping to watch the apprentices displaying such unseen focus. Among those were Cap and Cons, who watched their own former academies with interest.

"Intensive training, huh..." Cons mused. "It's been a few years since the academies really cracked down on students like this."

Cap nudged the bag of groceries in her arm to shift weight. She watched as Deikid choked up an archer's grip on his bow. "The last time I've seen the class masters work this is when... well, we were in the academies."

"Yeah... fun times. I remember when I was the target for Bash training because I could take a hit better than anybody else... ever, apparently. Way better than even any of the boys would care to try."

Cap took that bit of history for what it was. Since they had been in to visit Kitone earlier, that brought something to Cap's attention. "Cons... I asked Angel about a cleric's aura. She said that clerics do have an aura that can accelerate healing in extreme cases. But she said that the amount it helps, even with flesh contact, is too little to make any significant impact."

Cons folded her arms with a sigh, "She... just looked like she could use all the help she could get. I wouldn't have rested easy that night knowing there was something I didn't do."

"That makes... sense." Cap turned away, but noticed Cons was still staring; perhaps more intently than she ought to. Cap tugged at Cons's arm. "Come on... Colonel isn't doing anything bad to Cora NOW."

Reluctantly, Cons followed. "It's just... how could you... with THAT!? She's so close I could throw a stone at her."

"Stoning is forbidden in Isya."

"It doesn't count as stoning if I throw just one... and it hits a leg... and doesn't do too much damage... and nobody was really paying attention."

Up on the fountain plaza, Colonel stared daggers at Cons leaving. She didn't even notice Marty walking up beside her.

"Oh good," Marty said, "an opportunity to practice in blocking out distractions. Get on top of that."

Colonel gave a big, long, extended sigh, following through the sword-handling routine again. This 'discipline' stuff was going to take some work.