The 7th Saga

SerraBritt · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 8:35 pm Post subject: The 7th Saga

Descriptions and background
The world is called Ticondera. Approximately 1000 years earlier, a civilization called Melenam controlled the world through technology: planes, robots, phones, etc. Then, the continent that Melenam was on sunk. No one knows why or how this happened. The technology was lost, and many people considered this the dark ages. A few years later, people found out that their children were being born with magical talents. Soon, every living being on the planet had some rudimentary magical power. Any person using magic usually has to use some object to channel the magic, though a few people could channel magic through their body. Some people had more power than others. These people usually became the rulers, either through force of by election. King Lemele was one of the elected ones. He had the greatest magic in the world, and proved it by sealing away the darkest evil in the land. Now he has brought seven students under him to destroy the evil all together.

Name: LUX TIZER
Race: Tetujin
Age: Somewhere between 1000 and 1500 years
Job: Servant
Personal Goal: To revive the history of Melenam.
Lux is one of the remnants of the ancient civilization. One of the robotic servants, now called Tetujins by humans, he is trying to find out about his past. He has found that Tetujins do not retain memories. He can only remember back about 100 years. Tetujins are the only living race without magical power. Lux makes up for this weakness by being a powerhouse. He can form his hands into any type of weapon, and is made of metal. He also has access to the ancient skill of "lasers". Lux is about 6-1/2 feet tall and has a basic humanoid shape.

Name: Lejes Rimul
Race: Demon
Age: Lost count
Job: Archmage
Personal Goal: To dominate the world
Lejes is a powerful individual who likes to think he is better than anyone else. He is demonic in nature, and has a great deal of physical and magical strength. He believes that a firm offense is the best defense, so he concentrates on powerful attack magic and weapons. He is one of the few mages who use swords. Unfortunately, his complex spells require him to wear robes. Since Lejes is a demon, he doesn't require anything to channel magic. He stands 6 feet tall. From the waist down he is scales and claws, much like a bird's legs. He has two ram-like horns sticking out of the side of his head.

Name: Kamil Dowonna
Race: Human
Age: 32
Job: Soldier
Personal Goal: none
Kamil is basically the in between man. He was never able to choose between being a fighter or a mage, since he had many attributes of both. He finally decided to stick to fighting, though his simple spells can get him out of a jam fairly well. He is able to wear armor. His favorite method of casting is straight through his sword, as he is attacking. Kamil is the only student who is not in this for personal gain. He is tall, at 6 foot 1 inch. He has brown hair and keeps his beard shaven.

Name: Valsu Saizer
Race: Human
Age: 59
Job: Priest
Personal Goal: To rid the world of evil
Valsu is a devout follower of the god. He has pledged to destroy evil at every turn, though he has had to make a small exception for Lejes. His age is finally catching up to him, and he's not the spry, tough man that he was when he was younger. He doesn't mind, however, for it has allowed him to research his magic, and he does have quite a bit of magic. The god has granted him the power to eventually learn the most powerful healing magics on the planet. Valsu is a bit of a weakling, and can no longer wear the heavy armor of his youth. He always carries a staff with him, because that is how he channels magic. Valsu is only 5-1/2 feet tall. His white hair is pulled back into a ponytail which reaches to his waist.

Name: Esuna Busy
Race: Elf
Age: Won't reveal it, but thought to be between 300 and 500 years
Job: Mage
Personal Goal: To prove that women are as capable as men
Esuna is the only female student. She is bitter about this, but she always works every bit as hard as the others do. She comes from the dying elf line. The elves live for an extremely long time, but many of them lived in Melenam. Now there are only a few remaining in the world. Esuna is strong of body and spirit. She doesn't come near the strength of any of the other students, except Valsu, but she makes up for it in pure magical muscle. She has been practicing for so long that she is even more powerful than Lejes. She also doesn't need a channeling object. Esuna is only 5 foot 2 inches, but this leads many to underestimate her power. Her striking face is surrounded by unkempt black hair. Her ears stick out at sharp angles to her head, and those who have never seen an elf before think of them as horns.

Name: Wilme Pelin
Race: No one knows
Age: He's not sure, but he was 765 of his years when he came here
Job: Warrior
Personal Goal: To find a way home
Wilme is not from Ticondera. He came from somewhere else, so many people believe he is a demon. He knows he is not, though. He faintly remembers his home world, but is unable to remember how he got here. Where he grew up, however, taught him a lot about fighting. He doesn't use weapons or armor, preferring his powerful claws to rip opponents to shreds. This, along with his inhuman agility, makes him a fearsome warrior. Wilme has recently found that he has a lot of untapped magical power, but instead of applying it towards magic, he has found a way to use it in fighting. He is able to produce fire at his fingertips at will. Wilme stands a tremendous 7-1/2 feet tall. He has red skin with various horns poking out of his body. His face is quite ugly by human standards.

Name: Olivan Jaess
Race: Dwarf
Age: 275
Job: Soldier
Personal Goal: To become young again
Olivan is the only self-appointed student. All the others were chosen, but Olivan came by himself. Lemele took him in, so many people believe that if Olivan hadn't come, Lemele would have gone looking for him anyway. Olivan is a very old dwarf. The dwarves, like the elves, are a dying race, though the dwarves aren't as bad off as the elves quite yet. Olivan has a lot of fighting experience, and even though he's old, he still packs a punch. His casting method is very strange, as he uses a special set of gloves to channel through. He is one of the most magically inclined dwarves on the planet. Olivan is the shortest student, at 4 foot 7 inches. His white hair is short on the head and long on the face.

(Characters and world belong to Enix from the game 7th Saga)
_________________
Minimews Beast Female Fighgunner/Fortefighter/Acrofighter
Minimage Newman Female Wartecher/Fortetecher
Minimech Cast Female Guntecher/Acrotecher
Minimaya Human Female Fortegunner/Protranser

SerraBritt · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 8:36 pm Post subject: Prologue

Lux Tizer followed his master on the day's venture. He wasn't sure what they were going to do, but he always could do it. Heavy lifting, plowing fields, whatever, it didn't matter. He could do them all. He still had a sense of longing, though. He wasn't sure why he was here. Sure, it could be that he was made to work, but why? Humans could do anything if they tried hard enough.

Lux snapped out of his mind wandering because he noticed that his master was talking to a tall, gray haired man. Memory banks whirring, he finally put a name to the man. Lemele. King Lemele, to be precise. Lux was suddenly excited. What did this man want? Did he know anything about the Tetujin race?

"Excuse me, what is your name?"

Lux answered automatically, "LUX TIZER."

"Thank you, sir. I will be taking him with me." Lux's master bowed, then left. "Lux, you will be my student. I have to train you for a very special task. Come along." King Lemele began walking, and Lux followed, eager to please this new man who seemed to know so much.
----
"Fire!" A fireball formed at Lejes Rimul's hands. He threw it at the cave wall. "Fire!" he screamed again. Again, he threw the forming fireball at the wall. "What a bore." Lejes, finished with his daily practice, leaned against the opposite wall looking at the damage he had done. "I'm not powerful enough. Barely a scorch mark on the wall..."

"Would you like to learn how to use magic effectively, Lejes?" a voice interrupted.

Lejes whirled around, ready to throw a spell or worse at the new enemy. He was surprised when he recognized the figure. "Lemele! What are you doing here?"

"I have come to ask you to be my student. I will teach you more magic, and better ways to use it."

"Why? Are you sure you want to? I am not your friend."

"It's important."

"Important to you, maybe, but not me. Besides, give me power, and I'll just kill you."

"That is a risk I will have to take. But if you don't want to come..." King Lemele turned and began to leave.

Lejes shrugged. "Why not?" he said out loud. "I don't think it will hurt." Lejes followed Lemele at a respectable distance, never once letting down his guard.
----
"Where are we going now?" Kamil Dowonna always was ready to challenge his captain. "Is this another fool's errant?"

The captain groaned and stopped the small group of mercenaries. "We're trying to find a lost child."

"We're mercenaries! Why don't we ever go fight in wars, or at least protect towns? We're always looking for lost things. Children, pets, TOYS!"

"Would you like a new job, Kamil?" someone said.

"Huh?" Kamil turned and saw someone...respectful. He immediately dropped his act.

"I am King Lemele. I want you to become my student." Kamil stared with rapt attention to this person.

"Alright, men, let's move out. Lemele has chosen Kamil, and I don't think we'll get him back." The captain led the men away.

"Sir...King...I will follow you anywhere!" Kamil breathed.

"That is good. Come with me."
----
"God, please protect these sinful people. Help them to see thy true calling." Valsu Saizer stood up. It was hard work being a priest in this world, but he wanted to try to save everyone from evil. Those he couldn't save, however...

"This is a good calling for you, Valsu, but I have a greater calling for you." Valsu calmly turned to look at the speaker.

"Ah, King Lemele. Your heroic deeds against the armies of evil will always make you welcome in God's temples." Valsu secretly wondered what Lemele had really come for.

"Valsu, I know you are on a mission to eradicate evil. Become my student to help further that goal."

"An interesting proposition. I accept. I will be sure to learn much from you." Valsu followed Lemele out of the temple, and out of the city of Valsu's birth.
----
Esuna Busy sat in a bar, staring at a glass of ale she had stupidly ordered. She still didn't know why she had bothered, especially since she had spent her last bit of gold on it. "Stupid humans, and their stupid glasses of ale," she mumbled. She had finally decided to take a drink when a voice stopped her.

"Esuna."

"What do you want?" Esuna asked before she even turned around. When she finally did turn around, she gasped. "Oh, my..."

"You recognize me. That is good. I will get right down to business. I want you to be my student."

"Student? Me? Yeah, right." Esuna turned back to her glass. "Personal handmaiden, I'll bet," she said under her breath. "Maybe even more."

"Esuna, you aren't very trusting. But that can be a good thing. Though I guess it doesn't matter anymore. Goodbye." King Lemele left the bar.

"Student...HA! But what if...nah...but still..." Esuna jumped up. "WAIT!" she yelled as she ran out the door.
----
Wilme Pelin growled. The people standing before him backed up a step. Wilme stepped forward with a malicious grin on his face. The people turned and ran. Wilme smiled, even as he wiped a hand across his forehead. "Never show fear to an enemy" was one of his mottos. Even if he was in a strange place where he knew nothing about the people. How DID he get here anyway?

"Hello."

Wilme jumped back even as he turned to face this new threat. Then he realized that he understood this one. "What is it?"

"I want to help you. You are on the planet called Ticondera."

"Umm...never heard of it."

"Well, this is where you are now. As I said, I want to help you. If you come and be my student, I will teach you the language here."

"Sounds like a good deal. I agree." Lemele held out his hand. "What's that for?"

"You're supposed to shake it. Like this." Lemele took his hand and shook it. "People do that as a courtesy when they strike a bargain. Let's go."
----
Olivan Jaess looked up at the immense castle. His tired body screamed for a rest, but Olivan wouldn't rest. He wasn't there yet. Though he was close. Just a few more yards. He dragged himself through the streets of the castle town to the gate of the castle. He raised his fist to knock, when the gate suddenly opened.

"Ah, Olivan, I've been expecting you."

"That's nice, King Lemele. Do you have a bed? I've traveled a long way."

"Did you come to be my student?"

"If I get a nice bed and three meals every day, I'll do whatever you ask."

"Welcome, then. I was afraid I'd have to go look for you. We begin tomorrow."

(Characters and world belong to Enix from the game 7th Saga)
_________________
Minimews Beast Female Fighgunner/Fortefighter/Acrofighter
Minimage Newman Female Wartecher/Fortetecher
Minimech Cast Female Guntecher/Acrotecher
Minimaya Human Female Fortegunner/Protranser

SerraBritt · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 5:33 pm Post subject: Chapter 1

"Finally finished," I whispered to myself. For the first time in five years I had done something with my hair other than cut it. Since it was graduation, I had decided to at least brush it. The hardest part was getting one of the maids to let me borrow a brush. I smiled at the thought. The one who had let me borrow it looked at me in surprise, but mutely handed it to me. I can understand, since I didn't let any of them ever touch my hair.

The only thing I've ever envied about humans was their ears. Such tiny little ears that they could brush around. I had to be careful not to pull my ears off with the brush, but since I've been brushing around them for more than 200 years, I was used to it. Although five years of no practice did mean I had to keep on my toes.

"Esuna, it's time," a maid called from the door.

"Hey, hold on! I'm almost ready!" I answered back. My dress was nice, custom made for this event. I had still insisted on the traditional large sleeves of the mage. Most people don't think that mages actually use them, but the sleeves are actually a pretty good place to keep things.

I thought about a ponytail, but since my hair was only shoulder length, I didn't bother. I followed the maid out the door and through the hall leading to the throne room. Looking about, I realized I would kinda miss the place. Wouldn't really miss the people, but I would miss this place.

I stepped out into the throne room to find that everyone else was already there. I managed to turn a graceful red color even though I wasn't embarrassed. Kamil stood off to one side, his gleaming blue armor just recently polished. Valsu stood near him, his robe sporting thick sleeves as well. Even though he was more of a cleric that a mage, he still needed his space. Next was Lux, his metallic body shining with some kind of polish. Olivan stood next to him, literally "dwarfed" by the huge Tetujin. I grinned. Wilme stood a ways away from everyone. I could never understand him, but I did try. The biggest pain about him was the fact that he didn't use his magic correctly. I hated the fact that he would never turn his magic to actual "magic". He was wearing only a loin cloth, but it was only because he was trying to be polite. Since his body was different, he wasn't really hiding anything.

Finally, off in a corner, I located Lejes. I had a great deal of respect for him, because his magic was almost as powerful as mine. I knew one-on-one I could beat him...except for the fact that he cheats. He broke the hard and fast rule of "no swords" for mages. I suppose he doesn't really count because he is a demon. Still, I never liked the fact that he used them.

I walked over to the place settings at the table and took my traditional center spot. I had threatened to permanently scar (some way or another) anyone who took the center seat. No one tried to call my bluff. Though in some cases it wouldn't be a bluff. I waited as everyone sat down. We waited the respectful time, then King Lemele appeared on his throne. I say appeared because that's what happened. He is a powerful mage, after all.

"So, my students," he began. "You have all done quite well the last five years here. I couldn't have picked better people than you to train."

"So, what are we going to do?" Kamil asked rashly. I hoped Lemele would punish him, but he never punished anyone.

"I have trained you for one purpose," King Lemele said. "I have trained you to find the seven Runes." I gasped. Everyone else did too. Valsu leapt to his feet.

"I demand to know why Lejes has been included in this!" he yelled.

"Valsu, sit," Lemele said sternly. The old priest did sit, and stayed that way. I suppressed a chuckle. "You have all been chosen for your talents. Not the ends that you will go. The Runes are powerful in themselves, but when all seven have been gathered, the holders will gain immense power."

I couldn't help but say, "Even greater than yours?"

Lemele nodded. "In front of each of you is a crystal. These will help you by showing you the locations of the Runes as you near them."

Lejes grabbed his crystal and stuffed it in his sleeve. "Well then, I'll be off. Good luck to you chumps, even though it will be me who gets them all." He walked purposefully out of the castle.

I waited until everyone else had left. I didn't mind, I could get the Runes with my eyes closed. "Thanks for choosing me as a student, King Lemele," I said before I left.

"I think you have the best chance of all, sister of the Elves. I hope to see you with all the Runes." He nodded his goodbye, then flickered out of sight. I walked out of the castle with a small bounce in my step.

(Characters and world belong to Enix from the game 7th Saga)
_________________
Minimews Beast Female Fighgunner/Fortefighter/Acrofighter
Minimage Newman Female Wartecher/Fortetecher
Minimech Cast Female Guntecher/Acrotecher
Minimaya Human Female Fortegunner/Protranser

SerraBritt · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 8:42 pm Post subject: Chapter 2

"Let go of me, you old woman!" I harshly whispered, as to not attract attention. I hadn't gotten very far out of the castle before this hag had grabbed my arm. Try as I might, I couldn't break her vice-like grip.

"You must take this!" She stuffed a vial of blue liquid into my free hand. "You must always remember to carry Potn 1."

"Potn?" I asked, amused. "Don't you mean Potion?"

"NO! It's Potn. Don't argue." She released me and I walked away relieved. I had gotten a free POTION in any case. I could never understand why the lowlifes in the village insisted on calling it Potn. Well, I shouldn't really argue. I dropped the vial into my sleeve with the other necessities I had: my dagger and my spell book. The only reason I kept the spell book was the fact that I just couldn't understand it all. Of course, I'd never admit that to anyone.

"Well, time to leave town," I muttered. Who knew if I was going to be back? I took one last look before sauntering over the bridge out of town. "Back into the wild." I knew from experience that monsters liked to prey on caravans and the like, and certainly lone travelers like myself. But I was up to the task. I wasn't completely helpless, I just looked like it. At least, that was the image I tried to project. I started on my way southward towards Rablesk. And was almost immediately confronted by a hermit.

"Toll bridge!" it said.

"Uhh, hate to break it to you, but there's no bridge here," I answered. "Besides, don't trolls do that?"

"Fine then, I'll just skewer you," it replied. "I only wanted to say something like that once, in any case..."

I didn't wait. I drew my dagger and in one motion thrust it into his face. "Ah, hermits are always stupid. Oh, well." I never knew why, but every monster always carried some amount of cash. Maybe there was a welfare program for them. I looted the dead hermit and continued on my way.

Five miles and about 17 hermits later, I dragged my tired body into Rablesk. I really hadn't been prepared for such a workout. I mentally scolded myself for not doing more of the weight training that Lemele had assigned. Well, I was getting quite a workout now. I only wish I wasn't so sore in the meantime. Seeing the bar close by, I wearily pushed open the doors and dropped into a seat. "Water," I choked. My throat was so dry I could barely feel it...except when I talked.

"Hey there, lass, I'll get you some better stuff," one man said. I turned my glare on him and, while he didn't back down, he did notice that I didn't want "better stuff". My throat scratched too much to ward him off with words. Much to my dismay, he dropped into the seat next to me. As soon as my water arrived, I drank it down greedily. I felt so much better. Now I knew why everyone else had left with water skins, except Wilme and Lux, of course. "I take it you're heading south," the man said.

I took a long look at him. He wasn't as young as I had thought he would be when I first heard him. He looked fairly strong, but he had a short white beard. "Yes, I'm planning on passing through the cave of the Earth."

"Hate to break it to you, but the gate's been closed and locked. I was just on my way through when a big man with a whip closed it up. I've heard he sent the key to Aran castle."

"A man with a whip...hey, how do I know you're telling the truth?"

"Ah, well, as I said, I BARELY made it through." He showed me his shoulder. It was lacerated with small, deep cuts. "Well, my name is Gain. I need to get back to Bonro. If you open up the gate, I'll give you my map." He leaned close and began to whisper. "It's magic!"

"I'm Esuna. Lemele trained me. I should be able to get this key, no problem."

"Ah, one of the students! I knew I'd chose the right man! Or in this case, woman," he added sheepishly. "Here, I'll pay for your stay at the inn. I look forward to your success."

I yawned. "Thanks. I will feel much better tomorrow. I'll start first thing in the morning. Don't worry, I'll find this key." I took his money and paid for a bed at the inn. I collapsed onto the bed and was asleep in seconds.

(Characters and world belong to Enix from the game 7th Saga)
_________________
Minimews Beast Female Fighgunner/Fortefighter/Acrofighter
Minimage Newman Female Wartecher/Fortetecher
Minimech Cast Female Guntecher/Acrotecher
Minimaya Human Female Fortegunner/Protranser

SerraBritt · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 2:50 pm Post subject: Chapter 3

"Just...five more minutes..." I mumbled. Then I turned over and tried to fall asleep again. The shaking continued. I wearily opened my eyes to see the old innkeeper at my bedside.

"You, uh, asked me to wake you at this time..." the man said warily.

I looked out the window. The sun was barely rising. "I must have been more tired than I thought. Well, since I'm up, I'd better get going." The first thing I did after shooing the man out was study my spell book. I was determined to glean at least something from it. I had already figured out the Ice spell, but I had been using that type of magic for ages. Staring at the pages, I managed to come to terms with one other spell: Heal. I figured it could be at least useful...a good supplement to the potion I had gotten yesterday. Just to be sure, however, I went to the store and bought a few more. Who knew what I might find in the ancient castle?

I left Rablesk and headed southeast along the mountains. I knew where everything was in this area, it had been part of the training. Unfortunately, this area consisted of just two towns, the cave of the Earth, and, of course, Aran Castle. I mentally went over the details of the castle in my head. King used to have dog. Dog died. King put curse on castle. Or something like that. Maybe it was the king died first..? Well, I figured it didn't matter.

I reached the castle at midday. I stopped for lunch, then entered the castle. It had been built into the mountainside like a lot of good castles were. As soon as I entered I could feel a difference. The air was thick with the stench of monster. And age. The monsters had probably been breeding here for decades. And, to prove my point, two cloud-like monsters called Chimeras decided to darken my day. As I fought them, they became more solid and identifiable. They looked more like skeletons than anything else...

Other than the Chimeras, the other inhabitants where metallic statues. There were so slow I wasn't scared of them, though the got in the occasional lucky strike. I didn't mind fighting them because they didn't hit me often enough for me to worry. The Chimeras, on the other hand, were quicker and trickier. There was very little time when I wasn't fighting my way through swarms of them.

Other than fighting, I did a bit of exploring. There was a lot of ground to wander about in. I knew from my lessons that the throne room was in the basement. I was going to head there...eventually. I wanted to find everything that was left lying about when everyone left. Most of the stuff was useless, swords, shields, etc. However, I did find a couple of the Tambootie roots that help restore magical power. I don't like to rely on the stuff, but I had them just in case.

I did eventually wander into the throne room. Again I could feel a faint difference in the air. I also noticed that nothing followed me in here. A safe haven in this cursed castle, perhaps? I hoped so. The fighting had been extremely tiring, and, noticing the empty throne, I moved forward with the full intention of resting. Just before I got to the chair, however, I heard an EXTREMELY loud howl. I froze. That was the most terrifying noise I had heard yet in the castle. It did do one good thing for me. I was a bit too frightened to be tired anymore. Which was a good thing since a very large dog had appeared in front of me. It howled again, and moved towards me. I just as quickly moved backwards.

Before I could move aside, the dog leapt onto me, pinning me to the ground. I reacted immediately. I cast Ice. Small chunks of the stuff fell from the ceiling onto the dog. The dog growled and opened it's mouth. An electrical bolt flew from it's mouth at hit me squarely in the stomach. I almost blacked out, but I was coherent enough to cast Heal. Then I started chopping at the beast's legs. It yipped and jumped away. I got up and cast Ice again. It growled some more and again hit me with a bolt of lightning. This time it was just too much for me. I fell to the ground in a dead faint.

(Characters and world belong to Enix from the game 7th Saga)
_________________
Minimews Beast Female Fighgunner/Fortefighter/Acrofighter
Minimage Newman Female Wartecher/Fortetecher
Minimech Cast Female Guntecher/Acrotecher
Minimaya Human Female Fortegunner/Protranser