A Shadow's Plot [Archive] - Outspark Forums

kawasu

03-09-2011, 07:02 AM

Chapter 1: Awakening

"She's alive! Quick, get a cleric!" The soft patter of footsteps faded as several people ran off. "You're going to be alright, child. We're bringing help." The patter returned and grew louder, bringing the sound of armor with it.

"I'm here! Is this her? ... She's critically wounded. I'll have to be quick. Heal!" Slowly, the wounded girl felt life return to her body. Her arms began to move, her head turned from one side to the other. Suddenly, she was aware of an acute, throbbing pain pounding against her skull. She clutched her head and tossed violently, trying to keep the pain from making her head explode. "Cure! Rejuvenate!" At once her head stopped hurting, and she calmed down. Strength returned to her limbs, and she found she was able to open her eyes. She saw a woman clad in blue and white armor kneeling next to her, hand outstretched over her. A large, armored man with a thick beard stood nearby, watching as she recovered, and two young soldiers sat next to a tree, one wielding a sword and shield, one wielding an axe.

"She's ok! Thank goodne..." Her ears wouldn't hear anymore, and her eyes grew tired. She fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

When she awoke, she heard voices and the crackle of a fire. As she sat up to listen, a deep voice was the first she could understand. "...surprised she's alive. She had nothing with her. No weapon, no armor, no items.. It's a miracle the Shadow didn't just kill her inside."

"How did she get in at all?" a woman said. "I thought there was a level limit to prevent this sort of thing from happening. You know that if a person dies in there, they don't respawn. The shadow steals that person's soul, imprisoning it inside his crystal."

The deep voice spoke again. "I'm afraid that is my fault. I left my post for only a minute to help this young swordsman defeat one final monster. That put his experience high enough for me to let him pass, so he left to speak with Shutian. The little one must have gone in during that time, because she came out of the dungeon a few minutes after I returned, beaten nearly to death. The swordsman returned, accompanied by this axeman, so I sent them to find help. They brought you, and you know the rest. Ah, it looks like she's awake at last." The girl looked up to see the armored woman get up and walk toward her.

"Good evening, child. I'm Ishteki. What's your name?" the woman asked.

The girl thought for a moment. She couldn't remember the last time she heard her name. "It's...my name is..." Suddenly she remembered, as though someone reminded her of something long forgotten. "Minarai."

"It's good to see meet you, Minarai. Mr. Beard over there is Grandmaster Sean, the swordsman is named Bolt, and the axeman is called Goo." They waved as their names were called, and she waved back.

"Minarai, since you went into the Shadow Dungeon and came out alive, by Isyan law and custom, you're a warrior now. However, you're still very young and inexperienced to be considered a soldier. Do you want to join the Heanneth Alliance and train with us to become a soldier?" Sean asked.

Without thinking, Minarai exclaimed, "I've always wanted to fight, sir!"

He laughed. "In that case, let's get you to Remi to choose a class. You're still very young, but you DID pass the test. If that's anything to go by, you may be one of the most promising soldiers we've had in a long time. Welcome to the Heanneth Alliance, Minarai!"

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Deep inside the Shadow Dungeon, a dark figure laughs as he sits upon his throne, staring into a glowing red crystal. "Well done, 'Minarai'. They never suspected the truth. Phase One: Complete. Proceed to Phase Two."

"Yes, Sir. I will not fail you."