Mystic Mana Gems, My very first fantasy RPG Options

[Presea]

Luthien had been riding for two days now. Normally, it would have taken a normal rider and horse at least a week to cover the distance she had. However, Ariwana was a special mare. She could ride like the wind itself with but a few whispers of ancient elven power from Luthien. Already they had nearly reached their destination. They stopped to rest for a bit inside a forest not far from Tavindal.

"Ah, I remember this forest." Luthien said, dismounting her steed. Suddenly, her elven instincts picked up the sounds of swords clanging together. Very faint, but there. She knelt, and pressed an ear to the ground.
So, according to their movements, they seem to be not more than a half-mile into these woods She thought, standing up.
"Ariwana, you stay here. I'm going to do some... investigating." She said, a mischevious fire flickering in her emerald eyes. Ariwana winnied.
"Of course I'll be careful." Luthien said, as if in reply to the mare. "Besides, it's not like anyone will be able to see me." She smiled, and bounded into the woods.

Luthien leapt from treetop to treetop, quickly and soundlessly making her way through the wood. Finally, she came to a clearing, where she stopped. Just below her, two figures mingled together in combat. Judging by their strokes, I would guess they are in the midst of a training session. She thought as she observed their movements. Concealed in the shadows of the trees, she decided to stay and watch for a bit...

[Kyouka-chan]

~Astartu~

"Ah, no, but I need something killer sweet right now." I said. That bitter taste of Ereshkigal's presence was still in my mouth, and I wanted it gone right that moment. I turned to a spot close to Sir Ramoria, and found two figures that seemed close enough to be affiliated with him somehow.

"And you two, I didn't see you before. May I ask your names and if you know Sir Ramoria here?"

~Ereshkigal~

Looking around at the stores, I found a particularly well-furnished staff of sorts. Golden, but strangely lightweight. I picked it up and looked at the top. Unlike many staves I see being sold in other magic stores, the top had only a holder for a stone. Normally, I see staves with stones already set into them and mages only have to get used to controlling its power.

But this one seemed particularly special, and Alal tells me that it would come in handy. So, I took the very little money I had and the staff to the counter, paid for it and left the store. On the cover of Alal, which actually houses some strange being that often talks to me, is a black stone that aids in the concentration and release of the powers Alal grants. So, by direction of the spirit, I took the black stone and set it on the staff, where it fit perfectly.

I held the staff at my side and looked at it for a while. "Perfect."

[Yuki Fukurou]

"Sure thing," he said. Ramoria walked over to the bartender and asked if there was anything that was sweet around. He replied that there was and that it was popular amongst races of all ages. The bartender said it was known as Honeydew, which was basically a mix of sugar and some fresh berries picked from the woods. It was by the mixing of the two, the juices from the berries and the sugar which made it syrupy sweet. Ramoria decided to buy 3 of them and paid the bartender as soon as it was served. Giving it a sniff on his glass, he thought to himself, 'I'm sure this would wake up Jurai easily if he manages to fall asleep. It's so sweet that it'll probably knock his shoes off.'

Going back to where Astartu and Seria were, he took a sip from his cup & his eyes widened in surprise.

"Talk about sweet. They weren't kidding," he said surprised.

- Jurai -

"I get your point. Though...how exactly am I supposed to do that?" he asked.

"Ah...my young grasshopper...that...is for you to find out. You must let go of everything, including emotions, to help you see clearly what your opponent's next move is and to distinguish the real thing from the fake," explained Narya. Clearly he wasn't going to make it easy.

Shifting his footing, Jurai then closed his eyes and tried to do as the mage had told him. He thought he figured out the next move and charged forward again, only this time, the mage just simply stood there waiting, and just when Jurai got near, he did a quick sidestep and with a tap of his staff, knocked Jurai down to the ground.

"You need to take your time and not rush things, or even think you know just by gut instinct," replied Narya. Then stepping back a few paces, he said, "I think that will be all for the meantime. You should probably head to the bar now. Your dad is probably waiting for you."

"Ok. Thank you for the lesson," said Jurai, as he headed out the door. "And tell Faeon and his daughter for the tea and snack. It was great."

"Of course," said the mage, smiling.

By the time he got to the bar, he then spotted his dad with the two that they accompanied.

'Now what is he up to?' he wondered.

[Kyouka-chan]

~Astartu~

"Thanks," I said, as I took the glass from him. Even though I wanted some kind of pastry to munch on, something nice and sweet was good enough, even if it was a drink. Not hesitating, I took the cup and downed the entire think in one gulp. Not the kind of thing you'd expect from a girl, but I was pissed...

"Ah, that was wonderful," I said, quickly getting a kind of high feeling from the sugar. I watched Sir Ramoria's eyes widen and thought to myself 'Yep that's sweet enough.'

"I think I'll get another one..."

~Suria~

Just as Sir Ramoria's did, my eyes widened as I took a sip of Astartu's killer sweet drink. "Holy mackerel, Astartu, how the heck can you survive this stuff?!" I practically shouted as I nearly coughed up the little bit I drank, but Astartu was already on her way back with another cup of that stuff. "Geez, Astartu if you need another one, just take mine. I don't want it."

~Ereshkigal~

By the power granted to me by Alal, the Destroyer,
I wish ill to my enemies.
Davenia is the target of my rage,
Housed in Suur, northeastern city
Of the country of Mytalzar.
With one swift motion,
Destroy the members of Davenia,
And wipe their very existence
Off the records of time itself.

I chanted an incantation quietly. Without Davenia to worry about, I could wander around by myself to find that pendant...

...in the distance an explosion with no flames or destruction could be heard.

[Yuki Fukurou]

"What exactly are you up to dad?" asked Jurai as soon as he entered.

"Um...I was just uh...getting a drink that's all," he said quickly.

"Sure you haven't been doing anything suspicious behind my back?" he asked carefully.

"Now why would I do that?" asked Ramoria.

"Because you sometimes drink too much, remember?" he pointed out.

"I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. Just getting a drink for ya. They say it's popular around all the races. Very sweet. Try it," he said, handing him a cup.

Sighing, Jurai said, "If you say so." Taking a quick sip, it nearly sent a shock to his whole body. "What in the world..."

"So...how is it?" asked Ramoria.

"Sweet. Though...too sweet for my taste," he answered, nearly coughing.

Seeing that he saw the two they escorted a while ago...he gave a friendly smile to Astartu again.

"We meet again, m'lady," he said, kissing her hand again.

"You really are a lady charmer, aren't you?" teased his dad, elbowing him again.

"Dad...drop it already," he gritted through his teeth.

Meanwhile, back at Faeon's house, Aeronia was on the balcony thinking. Raieous who was behind her...snuck up and whispered in her right ear, "You're thinking of him...aren't you?"

Startled, she whirled around but didn't realize that he was on the opposite side. "W-what?"

"Jurai. You're thinking about him. You like his well built body. How manly he looks...just seeing him like that turns you on, doesn't it? You just want to have him look at your beautiful body...let him caress it...touch it..." he whispered.

Her breathing became heavy, signaling that she was getting that feeling. But she managed to snap out of it quickly. Fuming, she faced her brother and asked, "What was all that naughty talk for anyway?"

"Hehe...nothing. Just thought you were thinking about him and all," he said quickly.

"Ooohhh...I'm going to kill you!" she shouted, holding out a dagger.

"Yikes," he said and started running.

"Come back here you little naughty runt," she shouted chasing after him.

[Kyouka-chan]

~Astartu~

Yay, he kissed my hand again! I squealed in response. That was enough to make my day. Again. Especially after Ereshkigal's stupid attempts to get all "close" to me. Ick.

"Hello again, Sir Jurai," I said politely. I took another sip from my wonderful drink, now having calmed down enough to take a sip, not down it. After all, by now I'd had...one two...three...about ten of those drinks, I think I'm good enough, hehe!

...but...this wasn't a good time for either of them to be there...

"My good, Sir Jurai...if you don't mind..." I said, getting close to him and hugging him tightly.

~Suria~

I watched in utter awe as Astartu finished her tenth glass. I couldn't even get a single sip down, I can't believe she can. But now stuff gets weird...

"Astartu, stop that!" Now I was being the voice of reason. "Don't make a scene here! You're drunk, stop it!"

~Ereshkigal~

Nobody noticed, hm? Good. Only the group was eliminated...and their existence has been erased from the entire chronology of this wretched world. Husbands, children, wives, they don't remember them anymore...they have been replaced by...some other humans. It doesn't matter to me.

...or did someone notice?

[Yuki Fukurou]

Suddenly, as if a sudden shockwave came over, Narya quickly went over to where Faeon's study room was where the elf was currently residing.

"I suppose you felt it too?" asked the elf.

"Yes. Though...it was as if there was nothing for them to notice, just...a concealed explosion," said Narya.

"This is probably the work of some black mage. I suggest we go and find out soon," said Faeon.

-Back at the bar-

Jurai blushed as he was held in Astartu's arms.

'I know she's cute and all and...wait...what am I thinking? I'm falling for her already?' he wondered, still in her arms.

Turning to Suria, Ramoria asked, "Think we should leave?"

[Kyouka-chan]

~Astartu~

"Eheh..." Still hugging him, I kissed him on the cheek.

~Suria~

"Dear lord, Astartu! Take hold of yourself and practice control!" I pulled at Astartu's arm.

"Awww, okay, Suria." Astartu said, letting go immediately. I thought it would be much harder, but the easier the better.

"No, Sir Ramoria, that may not be necessary, but we need to sober Astartu up." I said, my eyes practically rolling at the unholiness I just witness in this wretched place called a bar.

~Ereshkigal~

Crap. Someone knows... ...I want to see who they are...this should be fun.

[Yuki Fukurou]

Jurai turned to his dad and asked, "Did you hear that?"

"What?" he wondered.

"That explosion," he stated.

"I didn't hear anything," answered Ramoria.

'Odd. Something's out of place,' he thought.

"I'll meet you back home in a couple of hours," said Jurai.

"Don't be long," he said.

"I won't," answered Jurai, heading out the door.

-Serpenzard-

Within a icy fortress in a different dimension, a sorcerer of dark power with snake-like eyes was watching gleefully at how things were going.

"That's right little one. Go and see what lies in store. My minions will be more than happy to devour you once they see you, and then the pendant of the dark dragon will belong to me," he said with glee. "Chameleon, Reptile...come forth."

Just then two creatures that resembeled scaly creatures, transformed into human form that wore clothes similar to that of a thief, yet their faces resembled that of their scaly selves.

"Yesss...massssster," said the first.

"What issss thy bidding?" asked the second.

"Take a group of Zombidacs and see to it that this boy doesn't reach his destination," he ordered.

"At once," said Chameleon.

"We won't disappoint you," said Reptile.

"You had better not," he said in a menacing tone.

The two then disappeared with a group of Zombidacs accompanying them.

-Jurai-

As Jurai went deeper into the woods to find out what caused the explosion, he could've sworn he felt a sudden blow of wind heading his way and felt that he was being watched. He whirled around a few times, but saw no one. But just as he turned back to where he was going, 2 human-like creatures emerged from the ground and a few other ugly creatures as well accompanying them.

"Not losssst are you?" asked the first.

Taking out his sword, Jurai prepared to defend himself.

"Who are you? And what do you want?" he demanded.

"We're servants of Master Serpenzard. And we just wanted to have sssssome fun...with our new...arrivalssss," hissed the first one. "I am known as Chamelon."

"And I'm known assssss Reptile," hissed the second.

'This will take a while,' he thought.

"Zombidacs attack!" commanded Reptile.

The creatures resembled that of decayed dead people with an ugly yet disgusting face that looked like dead fish. It spewed a globby gooey substance from its mouth which exploded as soon as it hit the ground. Feeling the force of the blasts, Jurai was thrown back a few feet, till he landed hard on his behind.

"All right. You want to play rough...let's dance," he said. Charging forward with sword in hand, Jurai began his attack. The creatures fired their attack again, but kept missing each time. Then taking his chance, Jurai stepped on one tree with his left, causing him to leap into the air then did the same on the tree to his right to gain even more air, sword raised, he then felt a channel of energy go to his sword. He then shouted out a fire spell.

"Vak Kruz!" he shouted, unleashing 3 huge huge streams of fire at the creatures, causing them to be knocked off their feet and disintegrated a few seconds afterwards.

Landing on his feet, the 2 human-like creatures then took out daggers and struck at the same time on Jurai. Yet he blocked their attempts and forced them back from pushing against his sword.

"Your power may be good. But ours is better. Serpent Strike!" shouted the first, unleashing a powerful force of energy that resembled a serpent's head.

"Guess again. Element Barrier, Fire!" shouted Jurai. A huge barrier of red appeared in front of him blocking the attack.

Then breaking through the barrier, Jurai did a quick spin, and struck from the left on Chameleon, and did another quick spin and struck Reptile from the right, yet both disappeared, and then reappeared behind him and then Chameleon fired his attack again, causing Jurai to be thrown forward from the impact of the blast.

"Impresssive. But not good enough," said Reptile.

"Face it. Our magic is stronger than yours," said Chameleon.

Staggering to his feet, Jurai then began to wonder, 'What do I do now?'

[Kyouka-chan]

~Ereshkigal~

Amazing, but a rather sizable amount of power is coming from the forest. Could it be that my pursuers are there? Though many should have been able to hear the explosion, finding nothing wrong would simply send normal people on their way again without an explanation. From my position, I ran to the forest as fast as I could. If my pursuers truly were there, I was in for some fun...but if it wasn't them, there's still something worth taking a look at.

Once inside, I ran around somewhat aimlessly until I could sense the power again. But this time, I nearly collapsed at feeling it. "What the hell is this?!" I got up and ran towards it. To my surprise, I found Astartu's escort getting pummeled by strangely inhuman beings.

"Damn, how did you get wrapped up with these freaks?" I shouted over to Jurai. "Whatever. Today, you're lucky. I'm gonna help out." I ran to Jurai's side and brandished my newly-bought staff at the two.

[Yuki Fukurou]

Reptile looked over his shoulder and notice Ereshkigal.

"Looksss like we have company," hissed Reptile.

"Oh goodie. The more the merrier assss they ssssay," hissed Chameleon.

"I think I'm in for it now," said Jurai.

Chameleon's eyes began glowing and then unleashed its attack. "Serpent Strike!" it hissed. The dark energy shots resembling snake heads went for Ereshkigal head on.

'Big mistake,' thought Jurai. Brandishing his sword again, glowing with a red aura, he charged forward on Reptile, who then launched a dark lightning attack from its hands. Jurai just simply used his sword to repel the attack. Then Jurai just took to the air and casted his spell.

"Vak Kruz!" he shouted, unleashing 3 streams of flames again. Only when Jurai was spinning did it create 3 rings of flames surrounding his enemy. Then Jurai unleashed a new spell on Reptile. "Vak Rom!" This spell then created a huge fireball and hurled it towards Reptile, getting the full impact of the blast.

'Right on target,' he thought.

[Presea]

(OOC: Wow! You guys are fast! I've only been away for 1 day, and you've got this much already!)

The two who had been training in the woods soon left. Luthien made her way back to her steed, and headed off towards Tavindal at a casual pace this time.

She was past the forest now, and Tavindal's gates loomed ahead of her. Just as she was about to request entrance, Luthien sensed some sort of strange explosion. Her mare, Ariwana, had sensed--rather than felt it, which caused her to snort uneasily. Luthien calmed her in the elvish tongue.
What was that explosion? She wondered briefly.
And, all at once, she sensed an intense battle suddenly commense inside the forest she had only just passed. In the next instant, she turned her steed and rode at a breakneak speek back to the forest.
Something is wrong... She thought as they sped towards the wood. Pure evil emenates from that forest. But also power... power of a magic swordsman! She had reached the woods now, and raced through them with incredible speed.

A little ways into the woods, Luthien leapt off Ariwana and continued on foot, so as to take whatever enemy there might be by surprise. Even without the aid of the mare, she was incredibly fast. She soon reached the clearing that she had visited earlier. The younger one she had seen before was still there, accompanied by a girl about his same age. The older one was gone, however. And, in his place were two thieves, attacking ferociously. But... were they truly just thieves...?
No. They are something else. Something evil. Sent by an even greater evil. And that boy... he seems to be a magic swordsman in training. But already he fights like a demon!
She screeched to a soundless stop at the edge of the clearing.
"I need to get to the bottom of this." Luthien told herself. She then removed two of her concealed throwing daggers, and hurled them at the attackers, wounding one. The other dodged, and hissed at the new threat.
"These are no normal enemies... " She whispered to herself. And, at that moment, she charged from her hiding place, nocked three arrows, and began firing at the fiends.

[Kyouka-chan]

OOC: Yeah, I have no life and am pretty much here all the time. XD

~Ereshkigal~

A particular problem with using dark magic is the damn slowness of it all. Sorry, guy, but this might take a while. Focus on that freak there, Sir Jurai. And whoever our new savior is, just keep firing those arrows...I need all the time I can get!

"You think a mere lackey could take on Alal?! Even the greatest summoner's works couldn't best the Destroyer! You just keep attacking, it won't be long...before you and your disgusting friend are nothing but ashes!"

By the power granted to me by Alal, the Destroyer,
I pray destruction on my enemy.
Grant to me the power required
To unleash Hell on their world.
And by the order of Ereshkigal,
Dark Sorceress of Suur,
Cause chaos within the minds of
The enemy with whom we fight.
Nux Psukhes!

A powerful spell indeed, it is designed to destroy an enemy by causing disorder within his thought processes. He will become delusional, begin to feel as if he no longer exists in his body, and, thinking that his own body is the enemy, will proceed to destroy it, and in many cases, in some of the most gruesome methods possible.

And just as I suspected, the one who attacked me has been driven from his mind...hahaha...HAHAHA! Die!!!!

[Yuki Fukurou]

Chameleon hissed in pain and anger, whirled around and spotted another attacker. This time, it was an elf.

"Curses. We must retreat," hissed Chameleon.

"Yesss...we must. We ssshall not forget this," said Reptile.

With that said, Reptile then chanted a returning spell.

"Uuza Ujira," he said, and then a dark magic seal appeared below them, causing them to disappear.

Getting to his feet, Jurai then turned to the one who was helping him. First...to the black mage.

"I don't know who you are or how you got here...but I appreciate the assistance," he said. Then, noticing the elf ontop of a horse, he couldn't help but smile at her.

Suddenly, a gust of wind appeared and Narya appeared atop of a branch of a tree, smiling and applauding.

"Very impressive. I wouldn't have expected much less from a magic swordsman. You've seem to have tapped into your own potential I see," he said, impressed.

"Thank you," he said, bowing. "Though...it was just due to that one session that we just had earlier."

"True. But...your training isn't over yet. You've still got a long way to go before you've mastered your element," said the mage. "I'll be watching you from time to time. To see your progress. But when the time is right...then I'll give you your final test. For now...rest up. You'll need it for tomorrow." Realizing that he wasn't alone, he then spotted the one that caused the explosion. "So it was you I see."

[Kyouka-chan]

~Ereshkigal~

"That's right, old man. And I appreciate the thanks, Sir Jurai. We have not yet met, but I saw you escorting my younger sister and adopted brother quite a bit ago. My name is Ereshkigal Tiaka." I said, not worrying about any kind of consequence.

With the target having disappeared, I had to call down Alal's power...with no target to direct the remaining energy, all we could hope for from the remnants of my spell was another good sized explosion capable of killing the lot of us.

"Though it does surprise me that our paths should cross once again in this forest, old man, and quite near the place of our first encounter. Tell me, how do you know that I caused the explosion?" I said, then as an add-on. "Though I bet it has something to do with that amazing aura that surrounds you..."

If I cornered myself, so be it. If I fall here because of three warriors against the darkness, then I am not worthy of bringing the Dragon of Darkness into existence! But I have a feeling they'll let me go...

[Yuki Fukurou]

"I suspected you for the cause of it...considering the aura that surrounds you. However...there's a bigger evil at work here...and those two henchmen you came across earlier...seem to have a connection with that evil. In other words...you're hardly a threat...compared to what is to come later on," explained Narya.

"Nice to meet you," said Jurai. Turning to Narya, he asked, "Bigger evil? What exactly are we talking about here?"

"All will be revealed in due time, young one," said Narya.

[Kyouka-chan]

~Ereshkigal~

"Ugh, I hate old people like you. Can't you at least pretend I have some commendable power?! I'm not a guy, you know! You know what, I challenge you NOW, old man to a good old fashioned duel!" I was quick to anger, especially when it came to an insult... "Besides, I did that to get rid of my own henchmen...they suck..."

...though that did give away a bit of my intention, having been so insulted by a remark about evil.

[Yuki Fukurou]

Hearing the request, Narya turned to Ereshkigal. "I accept," he said.

"What?!" asked Jurai, astonished. 'I better get out of the way.'

"You're move," said the old mage.

[Kyouka-chan]

~Ereshkigal~

"Haha, glad you accept, old man." I said, rather haughtily. "Though battle is far from "your move" and "mine." Quite simply, battle is "Hit your opponent before they hit you," and with that philosophy this battle is obviously won, is it not?" I wasn't referring to me, but him. With such a simple philosophy this battle was won by that old man before I even started to attack.

"But we'll see what happens..."

I held the staff, which I accordingly named Vis Alalis, and began chanting another spell quietly.

[Yuki Fukurou]

Narya, with staff ready, began chanting a spell of his own.

Jurai watched from a safe distance.

"Both seem to have the same attribute. Now it's just to see who's magic will outstrengthen the other" he said, analyzing the situation.