A cold wind blew softly over the forests of the Western Region, and Jarrod couldn't help but cross his arms to keep from sneezing. "Now why is it cold in the middle of May? I mean, I know it's always windy around here, but come on! Can't a guy get a break here?" The swordsman shrugged to no one in particular. There really was no one else around to amuse him, and to be honest, he felt kind of sad about that. Nothing to do but to keep moving forward, keep moving forward, keep moving. . .well, it was boring in its own right. The wind blew harder now, and Jarrod sighed. "Glad to see that at least Mother Nature is enjoying herself."

At that moment, his gaze perked up at something far distant in the horizon. "Oh? Now what's this?" From the looks of it, it looked like a town, and not too far away as well. Grinning, Jarrod rushed forward, eager to take a little vacation from his quest. It didn't take long for him to reach the town, standing in the middle of its busy center. Crossing his hands behind his head lazily, Jarrod took a look around at the place.

Shops lined the streets everywhere, and it looked like all sorts of people from the different Regions were here to buy something. Jarrod smirked. The West was always known for its use of earth controlling technology, as well as its knowledge of the various types of poisons. Food shops, technology stores, even one that sold free samples of magic from other Regions. Yep. Typical Western plaza. This place had everything.

A low grumbling sound made itself known, and Jarrod looked down at his gut awkwardly. A few people paused to give him stares before walking off and snickering. Jarrod grimaced. "Oh man! I need to eat something soon or I'll. . ." Digging into his pockets, he found nothing but lint and broken dreams.

"Really? I was hoping for at least something!" Left with no real choice but to beg, the swordsman went around to random people, a hand extended out in pity.

"Change? Spare change ma'm? Dying man over here. Gonna collapse in a few seconds if I don't get something." Another growl, this time louder than before. "Great. This is what I get for wasting my money hunting for Yggdrasil. Just another thing it took from me." Raising his fists in the air, he began yelling out in false anger.

"Curse you oh great Yggdrasil! Wherever you may lie, know that you've robbed me once again!" Another growl. "This time of my diet!" He ignored the stares once more. All that mattered was food.

I heard the guy yelling and grumbling of his stomach he seemed to be funny and to see him being for change was actually sad. I was debating whether or not to help him but when I hard him say that yggdrasil robbed him I got interested then amused when he said that he ruined his diet. Maybe he could help get me to see the world and spread my best stories to others. So I walked to him "if he really stole your diet then he must be getting really board"

Jarrod turned to look at the newcomer: a man with black hair and green eyes. Grinning, he extended a hand out in greeting himself. "Well, if it's going around spreading judgement on everything, I assume it gets hungry every once and a while. Name's Jarrod. Jarrod Smith. And you would be. . .?" Another growl from his stomach stopped him from saying anything further, and he chuckled apologetically. "Er, you don't have any food on you huh? Or maybe some spare change or money? I could go for some money."

The swordsman began to walk again, looking over all the shops a second time to try and see if there was a food shack or something. Instead, there lay a man covered in white and green formal robes standing in the middle of the market yelling his head off. Jarrod widened his eyes in interest. Obviously the man was a priest of some kind, probably from the Western Region. Considering they were in a West market, this made the most sense out of any other deduction.

"It comes! It comes!" The man was waving around what appeared to be a small book, flinging his arms about for the crowd to hear. "It comes! Yggdrasil! The great beast that embodies the will of the Dyteniteity! It appears before us! It knows our sins and has come to judge and make this world anew!"

Jarrod sighed, shaking his head at the man's claims. Yggdrasil was certainly judging, that was true. But was it really a sign from their beloved Dyteniteity? Maybe. With a little more evidence.

Scarlet wandered around the different shops looking for anything that could substantially be of use to her. Of course nothing caught her eye, and the things that did were generally too expensive. The traveler had a very low income at the moment. She made it by through doing small jobs for local townspeople whenever she reached another town. It proved to be a rather simple strategy but it also ate up a lot of her time and the pay was usually very low. Still better then nothing though.

She came to a stop in front of a small shop that offered various foods from her old home in the south. The familiar but vague smells suddenly reminded her of home, causing a feeling of homesickness. On a whim, she bought some of the longer lasting foods and stuffed them into her small satchel. Food was always a need so she figured the money hadn't gone to waste, even if it was jut because she desired the taste of the food she had been raised on.

At the mention of Yggdrasil, Scarlet turned her head so her gaze now focused on the man. His words made her roll her eyes in annoyance. Cupping her hands around her mouth she shouted loudly in response, "You over there! Close your mouth! You are wasting both my time and patience!" she hollered at the man, her voice carrying over the crowd.

Now with that said, she turned casually and began to walk on. It was as if nothing had happened. Of course she still felt a hint of annoyance. First off, she disagreed with his theory about Yggdrasil. Plus, Scarlet liked to think of herself on a break right now so the last thing she wanted to hear about was the threat she was planning on killing.

I smiled following behind Jarrod Smith and said "well if you like my parents own a small tavern nearby off your hungry. But you have to tell me why you come this far, your obviously not s local and I love a good story" I said grinning watching our local priest talk about yggdrasil wondering if he was telling the truth or in hysteria but I grinned seeing that girl shut him up. hello beautiful I thought to myself looking at her

This placed homed too many people. Ananeas was used to the mountains and there he hardly ever came across anyone. And now since he was on the road, he began to meet more and more people. In cities like this it’s hard to go anywhere unnoticed. Even at night people roam around the streets. And you have lights everywhere. Even with all that Ananeas learned how to move around, being unnoticed for the most part. Thanks to his climbing skill and good agility, he mostly travelled by rooftops. Though now, he was standing in a small alley that divided two buildings. It was dark, narrow and no one looked this way. A perfect place to silently watch, and observe.

As the day came close to midday more and more people filled the streets and the whole place became more crowded. Now Ananeas could see little from his alley. The mass of people blocked all vision, and this forced Ananeas to change his position. Going deeper into the alley he moved away from the street where no one could see him. Here he began to climb on top of the building. Took him less than five minutes to reach the top. Once on the roof he kneeled down on the edge and looked down on the masses. Though he may not hear much except for the yelling of an old geezer he could at least see what was going on.

Then a yelling of another person picked his interest. Some girl just yelled at the old geezer and walked away like nothing just happened. To Ananeas it also seemed like she knew where she was going and what she wants. For some reason he hoped she could give some information on the beasty he was searching for. Slowly he moved atop the roofs, every once and awhile he came close to check on the girls movments.

Jarrod shrugged at his new companion's request. "Why I came this far? Nothing much really. I'm actually from the Eastern Regions, if you catch my drift. As to why I'm all the way out here, ehehe. . . " He scratched his head awkwardly, trying best to explain himself. "Er, I'm here to slay the almighty Yggdrasil and become a hero?" He was interrupted with the sudden yelling a female voice. Looking around, he saw the priest being told off by a girl with blondish-red hair. Shamed and no doubt embarrassed, the priest slunk off the the side of the road, probably heading back to where he came.

Jarrod raised an eye of interest at the girl. Not only was she headstrong, independent, feisty, spoke her mind. . .but also because he could smell food from her! Or at least, he hoped it was food. "Excuse me for a second," he told his companion. Then the swordsman ran after the girl, eventually catching up with her and tapping her on the shoulder.

"Hey there miss! I really became inspired by your brash act of criticism to that priest back there. Crazy guy for a crazy world, right? Am I right?" He grinned as if the two were now best buds. Which in his mind, that was probably the case. "Name's Jarrod. Jarrod Smith. Two quick questions. I couldn't help but notice your beautiful external features. And a fine lady like you must have food or money for food, right?"

"So. . .can I have some? Come on, spare a few for a poor swordsman like me. I'll even throw in a trick or two. . .oh and question number two? Er, does it feel like we're being watched or something, cause I got that strange sort of feeling we are. Just a guess."

I smiled watching him and I started a close distance to him, tying to slay the great yggdrasil and become a hero. Now this is something I want to hear in detail. I stayed near the corner to watch him try to snag a cute blond with the aggressive side. I watched around knowing we were being watched hell I should know I do it all the time sneaking around killing from a distance. I kept watch fit whatever was watching us

Scarlet felt a few eyes go on her. She was sure a few, if not most, of them were unfriendly due to her own little outburst. However, she continued on her way without a care. That is until a strange man approached her. or at least she thought he was strange.

A look of ridicule was present on her face as he spoke. It was likely that she could spare some food. After all, she just bought some because she wanted to not because she needed it. But, Scarlet was never one for sympathy. Crossing her arms, she snorted at him. "Do I look like a charity to you?" she said bitterly, not quite liking how he acted as if they knew each other well. "I suggest looking elsewhere or getting a job."

Yep, she was one of those people. It was a strike of greed that laid within her but it usually only sparked up with small items. Such as food. Of course, Scarlet reasoned that she was simply being smart. She had to save it for her journey. The travel between towns could vary significantly.

At his last point of being watched, Scarlet took the time to briefly look around. Without being careful, she simply brushed it off with a shrug. "Oh well." she mumbled.

Oh doth my eyes deceive me? A woman of class and caliber. " I said smiling at her "I must say a woman like you is rare around these parts. one with obvious beauty yet with remarkable sense of need. I would be honored if I could take some of your time to talk possibly in my family's tavern to talk about possible travel together?" I asked smiling knowing that my charm outshines most and even if she refused I know she would at least smirk at my clever attempt. A girl like her is tough to get along with but I simply needed to find the right phrase to get her on my side

Seeing his new companion try to smooth talk the girl and sensing a slap out of it for his efforts, Jarrod sighed in mock annoyance. He chose to walk behind the two in the back, still intent on getting something to fill his stomach. A few bitter words wouldn't be enough to deter him. Besides, weren't people supposed to be charitable to lonely travelers like him? Crossing his hands behind his head, Jarrod walked with the two travelers lazily, still trying to figure out how he was gonna eat for the next few days. Another internal rumbling and the blonde swordsman grimaced slightly. Make that the next few hours.

And yet. . .Jarrod couldn't help but feel something was off. Of course they were being watched, but this was something new. Something not human, almost beyond his sense of reach. He glanced around, looking for anything abnormal. His eyes couldn't see anything in the shadows, and this new presence felt like it wasn't trying to hide. No. No, it felt big. Massive. And it felt like it was closing in on the small market with each second.

He grinned. How very interesting. At least this new threat would keep his mind occupied from the hunger, right? Running forward to catch up, Jarrod slung both is arms around his two companions. Choosing to ignore the girl's earlier words, he asked cheerily, "So, uh, does anyone else feel like a storm's gonna hit soon?"

Not too far away, a massing force was fast approaching their location. Yggdrasil? No. . .Yggdrasil's very presence would have torn holes in reality. So then, what was this?

It's not uncommon here my good man, now to my family tavern where you can eat, and I can take this lovely lady to someplace she would live for it's class" I said leading them out of the village to the small tavern nearby called ' sly silver's' it was a modest place having a common wooden exterior but it was very strong and inside you would see refurbished wooden furniture with plenty of kegs. my mother was working the bar while my sister was serving drinks and meals. "Brought another one Angelo?" My brunette freckled sister meaning the girl with us and I simply shrugged

Scarlet eyed Angelo with an almost identical look to the one she had given Jarrod, except it held more annoyance with. "Leave me alone." she stated, hinting it to be a possible threat. She didn't take kindly to strangers, to say the least. Most people didn't bother approaching her a second time unless it was to argue or get something out of her.

As Jarrod slung his arms around her and Angelo, she appeared ready to hit him but his question caught her interest before she could do so. Her gaze surveyed the sky for a moment. Something was off, that much she could tell. Both of her hands slipped down to rest on the hilts of the daggers she always carried. The daggers were sheathed at her sides in a belt holster that was similar to that you would use for a gun to some extent.

"Hmm... Maybe I'll have some work to do in this town after all..." she mumbled quietly, mainly to herself. Se moved away from the and towards the direction from which the force was coming. Then her eyes moved to look around at the crowds. If it was hostile, which it likely was, this wouldn't be pretty. Despite her rough exterior, Scarlet didn't want to see anyone die. At least not if they hadn't even done anything wrong.

such a harsh mistress, it really will be difficult to break down her walls if she didn't even smirk at my attempt. I simply sighed and kissed my sister on the cheek telling her to take care of my friend Jarrod as I went upstairs and got my bows and arrows and went outside following the fire of the day. "you are such a hard girl to please you know. I find it hard to believe you cant even smile" I said smiling standing next to her wondering why a storm would catch her interest more then to actually relax at a good tavern.

Scarlet rolled her eyes at him. "I'm afraid that if your looking for some easy girl to please you're barking you the wrong tree." she retorted. She ran her thumb over the hilt of her dagger and smirk to herself. And so the over confidence began to shine through again. It seemed that whatever was coming their way both interested her and gave her a sense of excitement. After all, this could be a good time to find out information. Of course, she was already getting ahead of herself.

if I was looking for easy id go to my family's tavern. local girls are easy but its obvious to see that your not. so instead im going to show you the skills of the poison archer" I said unwrapping my hand from its bandages to show a deep cut still their ready to cut with my arrow for easy access to my poison blood. I said grinning seeing her smirk as she ran her thumb over the hilt of her dagger. From that action I could tell she was confident in her abilities or overconfident I couldn't tell, what I could tell what that she was a fighter and what better way to show off then to kill off whatever was coming before it got her. "so why don't we talk, I never did catch your name gorgeous"

"If you two are done flirting, I believe we have a slight problem at hand." Jarrod followed them both out of the tavern, not intending in the slightest to sit back and let someone's sister watch over him. Though of course, that didn't stop the fact that excitement filled him up at the prospect of something. . .well, happening for once. The sky began to darken slightly, and the noticing people began to take shelter and pack up their shops and belongings.

Jarrod gripped the sheathed sword at his side, anticipating where the attack would come from. A loud screech answered his questions, and he looked up to see a strange sight. It was big, at least human sized. It resembled some kind of vulture, but not anything of the natural world. No, instead its wings and flesh looked like a mix-match of metal and organic material. A metal beak screeched out once more as the inhuman scream pierced the air. Metal talons ending with green glowing knives clutched at the air wildly.

Jarrod narrowed his eyes at that. "Must be poison then. Makes sense since we're in the Western Region."

A rotating double-barreled cannon rested nicely on the creatures back, with one muzzle billowing out smoke and the other rattling, as if bullets were being grinded together. Magic and technology. Working side by side.

Jarrod scratched his head at the new creature before them, taking it all in. "Well it's official. We're facing an Anomaly. Guess that means Yggdrasil's nearby, huh?"

either that or he's just really ugly" I said laughing a little at my own joke "if you get poisoned come to me and ill help. time to see what combo will help" I said the last part to myself as I got an arrow and cut my hand to let the blood drip and when the blood hit the ground it gave a slight hiss from the poison mixed into or part of my blood however one would look at the idea. as I got the arrow covered in the blood and aimed it at the creature "shall we call this a neo cockatrice?" I asked considering it looked like one from I book I read but without the metal wondering if he wanted to charge it instead

"It's Scarlet. And now that you know it I suggest you refer to me as such." Scarlet muttered but her eyes didn't leave the swarm. Being called gorgeous didn't seem to have a very positive effect on her but then again, she could have said harsher words to him. She didn't bother to ask him his name in return. Partly because she figured he'd tell her anyways and her focus was somewhere else now.

The metal things approach made her quickly take a defensive stance, looking ready to put up a fight. Her gaze studied the strange creature. "Posion huh? I'm not sure I like the idea of the enemy having that..." she said in response.

At the mention of Yggdrasil being near, she gave a curt nod. "If he is, it would make my life a lot easier. Less searching at least." she commented. "So, how exactly do we take care of these things then?" she asked referring to the Anomaly.

like you do anything else, take off the head" I said rather serious as I let the arrow fly at the creature aiming at its neck but it caught the arrow in time and crushed it in its hand. I growled a little and dipped another arrow in poison "since you guys use close combat go after it and ill shoot it when it leaves an opening" I said coating my arrows in my blood making sure it was a neurotoxin this time so I could stop it in its tracks when it hits that ugly thing. all I would need is one clean shot with the poisoned arrows then I could drink the poison from its claws and add another one to my blood