Saren Harlaus
Unknown Location, Eastern Drakovia
"This book holds more power than any Mage of the Magiya could ever imagine... You do not understand, I can save this world, I can prevent natural disasters, I.. I can destroy all who oppose the order of the Magiya! We could be the most powerful people in the world! Even the Dragons would fear our supreme power! We could be like gods, Master!"
The metallic rasp of a sword slowly unsheathing filled the dark stone-built hall. It was just the two of them: Master, and Apprentice. One of them would die here. Over what? An old spellbook? This isn't what the old Master-level Mage wanted... "Saren, give it to me. It has corrupted you. ...I can still save you, if only you will listen to reason."
"Reason? M-Master... I understand fully what I'm doing here! This book, these dark secrets, they can save the Magiya! We can just resist the evil, we're immune to such things!" Saren argued, not a hint of doubt or dishonesty in his voice.
"Save the Order from what!?" The old man yelled at his apprentice, "What enemies do we have? What overwhelming threat is there to face? None! By using the power of that tome you hold, you will only destroy our way of life... Please, give me the book. I do not wish to take it from your cold, dead hands - because believe me, that is how far I'll go. But only if you make me." The old man negotiated, but his apprentice stiffly shook his head once again and began to flick through the jet black, ancient-looking book. "...We can still return home, Saren..." He offered, extending his hand out to his apprentice, the other still wielding the silver-bladed sword. A splash of red dashed across the floor as the sword turned on its wielder and stabbed through his gut, the younger of the two Mages shivering with fear at his own murderous action.
"Master... I'm sorry. You don't understand why I'm doing this, ...you... You can't stop me!" Saren muttered in a sad tone, before emitting a monster-like growl and telekinetically slicing the heartbroken old Mage to pieces with his own weapon, despite his attempts to cancel Saren's spells, "...I'm so sick of you, the people I hold dear... You all just.. you don't understand a thing..."
The white-robed mage's apprentice treaded carefully towards his Master's messy corpse and leaned down to pick up his sword. It was automatically drawn to his hand by the powerful telekinetic energy, making the new wielder's frightened expression form into a mad smile. Now there was nothing holding him back. All he needed was time. In due time, he would have unimaginable power. Enough to make the world tremble in fear before the Magiya. No, ...before himself!
Rei Shirokaze
Shizukesa, Northern-Eastern Morallea
"A letter?" Rei asked as she laid down her bokken and knelt on the wooden dojo floor, "But it has already been opened. This was addressed to my father. Why did you bring it to me?" she asked as she wiped the sweat off her forehead with a cloth. The envelopes seal was of Clan Magiya. Golden, so it was obviously a top priority message. It was addressed to Shirokaze Sasuke, Rei's father and the Daimyo of the clan - he was not a King, but a Lord and a General. For the message to have been passed to Rei, it meant he had a task for her. Judging by the contents, ...this was very important.
"His lordship asked me to bring it to you, milady." Rei's personal servant bowed as she spoke, but the silver-haired young lady pushed on her shoulder and waved her hand in dismissal as if to tell her to 'quit licking my boots'. The servant woman looked kind of embarrassed, but also quite pleased. With that over with, Rei began to read.
"Dear Lord of the Shirokaze Clan,
It is in the Magiyan Elder Council's highest hopes that you shall lend assistance in our time of need. We shall spare unnecessary formalities, as time is of the essence.
Nearly one week ago, an apprentice mage of our order left our city with a certain artefact that we currently do not wish to reveal to you for reasons of security. His name is Saren Harlaus; Drakovian born, usually seen wearing cream-coloured robes, noticeable by a razor-like tattoo underneath his right eye. He has black hair, and as of one month ago, has blood red eyes through said artifacts corruptive abilities. The item he stole before leaving the Order of Magiya is dangerous enough to throw the world as we know it into chaos, and we cannot let that happen. Take our word very seriously for it when we say this is not simply superstitious nonsense. The artifact must be secured at any cost! Cutting to the chase... If Saren is to be captured, or even killed if it comes to that, we require a team. If one capable representative were to come from each of Morallea's four clans, the versatility of such a team would be able to track down and capture Saren before he can put any schemes into action.
Sending an army after one man is simply too high-profile.
The representatives shall meet at the place Morallea's four-way Alliance was made at their earliest convenience, as the last contact we had indicated Saren was heading North, into Drakovian territory. The Golden Tablet is suitable enough to meet at due to it's proximity to the Drakovian border.
We wish luck to each of the representatives, and hope to see Morallea's Alliance is still steadfast as ever.
Godspeed,
The Elder Council"
"It seems you'll be away for a while then, milady." The servant woman frowned.
Rei's mouth curved into a slight smile as she folded the letter and put it back in its envelope. Finally she had a way to gain her own respect - no 'princess' issues attached. "Could you do me a favour and fetch my swords and kunai? I'll get dressed into something more appropriate for traveling and get some things to take with me. Meet me by the stables in one hour." She commanded, ...for once in her life.
The servant woman bowed and began tiptoeing off as fast as she could in her decorative kimono, "That's what I'm here for, milady!" She called back almost proudly. Rei was just so boring to attend to, because the girl did everything herself anyway!
"...So you're leaving, huh?" A silver-haired young man asked from the stable doors. He smoked a kiseru and wore a green yukata with varying jungle-like patterns running along it. His left eye was covered by bandages, a wound he'd received as a child. His name is Shirokaze Kirai. Rei's older brother and the next-in-line to become Daimyo of the clan. The two never spoke much, either through past childish grievances or because they just never got around to it. Rei was always training, and Kirai was always out hunting down bandits and the like to sate his seemingly natural bloodlust.
"So what if I am?" Rei murmured as she finished polishing a particularly shiny sword, while a guardsman was saddling the bright white Courser horse behind her. "I'm just doing what I've been tasked with, don't concern yourself."
"Heh, why so cold? I'm just here to wish you luck before you go on your way. Whether you like it or not, I'm still your brother. And this is, what, your first trip away from home by yourself?" Kirai grinned at his little sister, who seemed to be taking in the reality of the situation. To be honest it frightened her a little, but she wouldn't let it show - she liked to keep the image of a strong, independent young lady. Still, Kirai knew that blank look meant she was reconsidering leaving all by herself.
"...What's your point, Kirai?"
Before Rei could react, she felt a pair of arms cradle her and lift her off the ground, her head rested on Kirai's shoulder. He chuckled and patted Rei on the back before putting her down again, "That's my point. I don't give those out often, you little brat... But it's a special occasion." Rei started turning red and looked away from her brother's face. "You look after yourself out there, alright? I mean it."
Emitting a sort of displeased grumbling, the silver-haired girl climbed onto the courser. She flexed its reigns but paused, glancing down at her brother, "You can quit treating me like a kid, thank you very much! ...But I appreciate the concern." Rei turned her nose up, pridefully riding the horse out of castle grounds. Her destination: 'The Golden Tablet' - where centuries ago, Morallea became an independent land housing it's four allied clans. The tablet was a large structure about the size of a house. The text was ancient, Magiyan, but from an era far earlier. There were only few in the world who could read it, and Morallean leaders were made to understand the writing as a rite of passage of sorts.
"Yuki, faster! Let's get there before the others!" Rei smiled as she felt freer than she ever had before, the spirited courser galloping across the open fields. Her first real adventure.
Aura
Arcanium, Central Morallea
"Excuse me~! Is this Ms. Crais Magen's room?" A child's voice rang out in the halls of the College of the Arcane, followed by a few light taps on the door. The snow-white haired little magician stood there with a letter in both her hands as she waited for the door to open. All she was told is that Crais Magen was to be her mentor of sorts on a mission outside of the magical city. Why she had to go was beyond the girl. If it was so important, why send a child along? It was dangerous outside the city! Not to mention, Aura had never stepped outside Arcanium before... Not after she could walk, anyway.
...But maybe it could be interesting, all that danger. An adventure! "Miss Crais~?"
Unknown Location, Eastern Drakovia
"This book holds more power than any Mage of the Magiya could ever imagine... You do not understand, I can save this world, I can prevent natural disasters, I.. I can destroy all who oppose the order of the Magiya! We could be the most powerful people in the world! Even the Dragons would fear our supreme power! We could be like gods, Master!"
The metallic rasp of a sword slowly unsheathing filled the dark stone-built hall. It was just the two of them: Master, and Apprentice. One of them would die here. Over what? An old spellbook? This isn't what the old Master-level Mage wanted... "Saren, give it to me. It has corrupted you. ...I can still save you, if only you will listen to reason."
"Reason? M-Master... I understand fully what I'm doing here! This book, these dark secrets, they can save the Magiya! We can just resist the evil, we're immune to such things!" Saren argued, not a hint of doubt or dishonesty in his voice.
"Save the Order from what!?" The old man yelled at his apprentice, "What enemies do we have? What overwhelming threat is there to face? None! By using the power of that tome you hold, you will only destroy our way of life... Please, give me the book. I do not wish to take it from your cold, dead hands - because believe me, that is how far I'll go. But only if you make me." The old man negotiated, but his apprentice stiffly shook his head once again and began to flick through the jet black, ancient-looking book. "...We can still return home, Saren..." He offered, extending his hand out to his apprentice, the other still wielding the silver-bladed sword. A splash of red dashed across the floor as the sword turned on its wielder and stabbed through his gut, the younger of the two Mages shivering with fear at his own murderous action.
"Master... I'm sorry. You don't understand why I'm doing this, ...you... You can't stop me!" Saren muttered in a sad tone, before emitting a monster-like growl and telekinetically slicing the heartbroken old Mage to pieces with his own weapon, despite his attempts to cancel Saren's spells, "...I'm so sick of you, the people I hold dear... You all just.. you don't understand a thing..."
The white-robed mage's apprentice treaded carefully towards his Master's messy corpse and leaned down to pick up his sword. It was automatically drawn to his hand by the powerful telekinetic energy, making the new wielder's frightened expression form into a mad smile. Now there was nothing holding him back. All he needed was time. In due time, he would have unimaginable power. Enough to make the world tremble in fear before the Magiya. No, ...before himself!
Rei Shirokaze
Shizukesa, Northern-Eastern Morallea
"A letter?" Rei asked as she laid down her bokken and knelt on the wooden dojo floor, "But it has already been opened. This was addressed to my father. Why did you bring it to me?" she asked as she wiped the sweat off her forehead with a cloth. The envelopes seal was of Clan Magiya. Golden, so it was obviously a top priority message. It was addressed to Shirokaze Sasuke, Rei's father and the Daimyo of the clan - he was not a King, but a Lord and a General. For the message to have been passed to Rei, it meant he had a task for her. Judging by the contents, ...this was very important.
"His lordship asked me to bring it to you, milady." Rei's personal servant bowed as she spoke, but the silver-haired young lady pushed on her shoulder and waved her hand in dismissal as if to tell her to 'quit licking my boots'. The servant woman looked kind of embarrassed, but also quite pleased. With that over with, Rei began to read.
"Dear Lord of the Shirokaze Clan,
It is in the Magiyan Elder Council's highest hopes that you shall lend assistance in our time of need. We shall spare unnecessary formalities, as time is of the essence.
Nearly one week ago, an apprentice mage of our order left our city with a certain artefact that we currently do not wish to reveal to you for reasons of security. His name is Saren Harlaus; Drakovian born, usually seen wearing cream-coloured robes, noticeable by a razor-like tattoo underneath his right eye. He has black hair, and as of one month ago, has blood red eyes through said artifacts corruptive abilities. The item he stole before leaving the Order of Magiya is dangerous enough to throw the world as we know it into chaos, and we cannot let that happen. Take our word very seriously for it when we say this is not simply superstitious nonsense. The artifact must be secured at any cost! Cutting to the chase... If Saren is to be captured, or even killed if it comes to that, we require a team. If one capable representative were to come from each of Morallea's four clans, the versatility of such a team would be able to track down and capture Saren before he can put any schemes into action.
Sending an army after one man is simply too high-profile.
The representatives shall meet at the place Morallea's four-way Alliance was made at their earliest convenience, as the last contact we had indicated Saren was heading North, into Drakovian territory. The Golden Tablet is suitable enough to meet at due to it's proximity to the Drakovian border.
We wish luck to each of the representatives, and hope to see Morallea's Alliance is still steadfast as ever.
Godspeed,
The Elder Council"
"It seems you'll be away for a while then, milady." The servant woman frowned.
Rei's mouth curved into a slight smile as she folded the letter and put it back in its envelope. Finally she had a way to gain her own respect - no 'princess' issues attached. "Could you do me a favour and fetch my swords and kunai? I'll get dressed into something more appropriate for traveling and get some things to take with me. Meet me by the stables in one hour." She commanded, ...for once in her life.
The servant woman bowed and began tiptoeing off as fast as she could in her decorative kimono, "That's what I'm here for, milady!" She called back almost proudly. Rei was just so boring to attend to, because the girl did everything herself anyway!
"...So you're leaving, huh?" A silver-haired young man asked from the stable doors. He smoked a kiseru and wore a green yukata with varying jungle-like patterns running along it. His left eye was covered by bandages, a wound he'd received as a child. His name is Shirokaze Kirai. Rei's older brother and the next-in-line to become Daimyo of the clan. The two never spoke much, either through past childish grievances or because they just never got around to it. Rei was always training, and Kirai was always out hunting down bandits and the like to sate his seemingly natural bloodlust.
"So what if I am?" Rei murmured as she finished polishing a particularly shiny sword, while a guardsman was saddling the bright white Courser horse behind her. "I'm just doing what I've been tasked with, don't concern yourself."
"Heh, why so cold? I'm just here to wish you luck before you go on your way. Whether you like it or not, I'm still your brother. And this is, what, your first trip away from home by yourself?" Kirai grinned at his little sister, who seemed to be taking in the reality of the situation. To be honest it frightened her a little, but she wouldn't let it show - she liked to keep the image of a strong, independent young lady. Still, Kirai knew that blank look meant she was reconsidering leaving all by herself.
"...What's your point, Kirai?"
Before Rei could react, she felt a pair of arms cradle her and lift her off the ground, her head rested on Kirai's shoulder. He chuckled and patted Rei on the back before putting her down again, "That's my point. I don't give those out often, you little brat... But it's a special occasion." Rei started turning red and looked away from her brother's face. "You look after yourself out there, alright? I mean it."
Emitting a sort of displeased grumbling, the silver-haired girl climbed onto the courser. She flexed its reigns but paused, glancing down at her brother, "You can quit treating me like a kid, thank you very much! ...But I appreciate the concern." Rei turned her nose up, pridefully riding the horse out of castle grounds. Her destination: 'The Golden Tablet' - where centuries ago, Morallea became an independent land housing it's four allied clans. The tablet was a large structure about the size of a house. The text was ancient, Magiyan, but from an era far earlier. There were only few in the world who could read it, and Morallean leaders were made to understand the writing as a rite of passage of sorts.
"Yuki, faster! Let's get there before the others!" Rei smiled as she felt freer than she ever had before, the spirited courser galloping across the open fields. Her first real adventure.
Aura
Arcanium, Central Morallea
"Excuse me~! Is this Ms. Crais Magen's room?" A child's voice rang out in the halls of the College of the Arcane, followed by a few light taps on the door. The snow-white haired little magician stood there with a letter in both her hands as she waited for the door to open. All she was told is that Crais Magen was to be her mentor of sorts on a mission outside of the magical city. Why she had to go was beyond the girl. If it was so important, why send a child along? It was dangerous outside the city! Not to mention, Aura had never stepped outside Arcanium before... Not after she could walk, anyway.
...But maybe it could be interesting, all that danger. An adventure! "Miss Crais~?"
