Book I — Chapter 1: A Legend

Written by: Fern

A few years in the past, at the training camp in Parali City. Students at the Parali Adventurers’ Guild academy are sparring to end another day’s exercises.

“Alright, gather ‘round. We’re done for the day.” Crea, the lead instructor of the, calls out as the sounds of weapons clanging are slowly replaced by tired breaths and sighs of relief. The students, a class of 8 young adults who have been training together for a year now, slowly approach her, doing their best to maintain their posture.

“You’re all prepared enough for the practical exam now, going out into the wild.”

 Rui perks up at the thought of going outside. “Will we be fighting monsters?”

“Nothing like that. You will be camping out for at least a week with a chaperone. They will teach you to track, hunt, navigate, and forage out there. We wanted to make sure you are ready enough for combat with a monster should the situation arise, but we don’t plan on that being the case.”

She takes a second to lock eyes with Rui before continuing. “Let me make this especially clear. If you find yourself face to face with a monster, your chaperone will give you orders. Follow those orders no matter what happens. If they tell you to run, you run.”

Silence falls as everyone’s expressions shift, but Crea changes tones rather quickly. “But, that kind of thing hasn’t happened to any of the classes I’ve run. This should be a fun experience for you all, and a good lesson to those of you who are a little too comfortable with city life.”

She makes a motion towards the west entrance, and two people walk in, a large bear hucrinis, and a human. “These are your mentors: Urase,” motioning to the hucrinis. “A storied paladin who has endured the toughest battles out there. And Ivan,” motioning to the human. “A diligent scholar who helps maintain the Parali barrier. We will be splitting up into groups. Meet your mentor at the main gates tomorrow morning, when you would normally begin the day's training. Your assignments are as follows.”

“You three, you’re with Urase. He’ll help you toughen up.”

“You three, with Ivan. He should guide you in some useful strategies.”

“The two of you,” She looks at Rui and Haruno. “Are with me. Hopefully, I can drill into you both how to follow orders.”

The next day. Everyone has gathered at the Parali main gates.

“All right, everyone, you will bring with you some basic supplies and your gear. Should anything happen to any of it, you will be marked down. Your chaperone will lead you to a preselected location, where you will set up camp and each complete a different task. In the case of an emergency, in each of your bags is a small magic device of Ivan’s design that will point you back to Parali City, as well as send distress signals to any adventurers who happen to be around. It has a limited charge, so use it only in the most dire of circumstances.”

As the groups separate and begin to make their preparations, Crea addresses Rui and Haruno again. “Our journey will be a little different. We will be heading to the edges of the Kradia continent to visit the Mahucrin village.”

“My mom told me about that place. Isn’t it said to be the birthplace of the Hucrinis?” Rui asks.

“So the legends say. We will be undergoing a regular pilgrimage to the shrine nearby, at the entrance to the Great Forest.” Crea responds.

“What for? I didn’t think the Adventurer’s Guild underwent spiritual missions.” It was Haruno’s turn to chime in.

Crea chuckles a little at the question. “We don’t. Our ‘pilgrimage’ is much more practical. In addition to the more political benefits of in-person communications, we will be delivering some specialized medicine to the shrine’s head. They are taking care of a medicinal mystery of a patient, and we have been developing medicine to assist in her care for some years now.”

“Why can’t they be brought over here?” Rui inquires. “I’m sure a group of adventurers could escort them to Parali no problem.” 

“Her condition is rather troublesome. We tried moving her, but had to turn back. Something the head mystic is doing is helping stabilize her to some extent, but no one is sure how or why.” Crea pulls out a small vial with a unique red color. “This is the newest version of the medication developed by our doctors here. Funnily enough, her case has helped advance our curative solutions over the years, so in a way, we have been benefiting from these journeys as well.”

“I understand why the guild would send medicine for such a unique case, but why are they sending you?” Haruno asks. “You’re a legend amongst adventurers. Shouldn’t this task be left to someone else?”

“I’ve been delivering these shipments personally ever since they began, even before the guild valued me too highly to let me leave the city. This is one of the only reasons I get to go outside nowadays.” Crea says, almost scowling at how shiny her armor was, a symbol of its lack of use. “Besides. We have to remember that helping people is a core value for adventurers. Hunting, fighting, and rewards. They don’t mean much in the end.” 

Crea begins donning her armor as the two get ready. “Years ago, likely when you were both children. An expecting mother was facing an incredible sickness. No doctor or healer could help her, and believe me, they tried.”

“With no other options, she came to the shrine, and they took her in. I’m told the process was difficult and painful, but in the end, she gave birth to a daughter. She named her ‘Matsuri’, a celebration of both a life lived, and a life born new.”  She paused, unsure of how to continue. “She died shortly after, and Matsuri has been suffering the same illness since the day she was born. Every batch I take to her is a new hope that she may feel better, and that she may celebrate the life she was given. This is what reminds me of why I became an adventurer.”

The two remain silent, unsure of what to say as everyone finishes preparing. “All right, off we go. It will be a long trip, but on the way we will have plenty of time for lessons, training, and talking. First off is endurance, we will be walking the entire day, so be prepared.”

“No breaks?” Rui asks.

“Few breaks, and no sparring. Our battle is with the road today. Onwards, and stay the pace. You wouldn’t want to fall behind.” Crea says as she leads the two outside the main gates, taking the road leading to the north.

“Allow me to regale you with a story to start our adventure. There is a prophecy the shrine holds. Of a child born under strange circumstances, on the border of day and night, claimed by both the Sun and Moon. A child who would bear witness to catastrophe, and hold the power to shape that coming calamity."