Chapter 3: Once A Saint ...
You sit at a old rotten table in a tavern that might have once looked beautiful, but the faded paint, and crumbling stones that are ever present mar the possible beauty of the structure. A dented flagon of ale sits before you half-empty, and your belongings lay in the pack by your feet.
'How long had it been since you last slept in a good bed, and dined at the Academy? How long had it been since you left, and an all out war erupted between the few existing nations of this world?' you thought as you took another swig from the flagon, and repositioned the hood over your face. The memories all came back to you as you took a sip from your ale, all of the day you left the Academy, and the day Alexander died...
A Month Ago ...You stood in-front of the Headmaster, the ground around you covered in dried blood, scorch marks, holes, and more vile things. Gathered around you were twenty other students that had decided to head out into the real world to do what they could to protect it. All around you a massive crowd of magical beings; centaurs, ogres, half-men, elementals, magi, and many more had come to send you on your way, with blessings, gifts, and advice to help you survive in the world outside. Out of those who are leaving you only know two people, Freya, and the mysterious boy from a long time ago.
The gathered crowd is a buzz with talk, but they all fall silent as the Headmaster clears his throat, and spoke,
"Friends, allies, family, and lovers. These are the things that will stay with us through life, and yesterday the rogue demon hordes attacked us, and slayed many of these. Some of you may wish revenge, some of you may be leaving us today to do just that, but would that truly honor their memory? For you to charge head-long into a battle you can not win, and die? That is not what they would have wished, they would have wished for you to continue to live, for you to continue to fight against the darkness that is flowing across the world, and for you to stop it. Today you will live this place, you will leave the Academy not Apprentices, but true Magi, Sorcerers, and the like. When you leave this Academy you will walk out into a world filled with war, and strife, these events will bring about a war that this world has never seen before."He took a pause to wipe some seat from his brow, and you notice his hair more filled with grey then when you had first met, the months had not been kind to such an old man. He quickly continued,
"I am afraid to say that this will show our true weakness to the world, we Magi are few in numbers, and those of us with great power are either old, or to young to truly use it. Nations will challenge us, and nations will fight other nations. Brothers will kill brother as each faction struggles to gain our power, and exploit the weaknesses that will appear. Those of you that leave this day will be tasked with trying to stop these wars before they kill thousands. You will be thrust into danger, and for that I am sorry, but if you do not do it many more thousands will die in this needless war. On this day I declare all of you true Magi of the Academy, may you serve your people, and your nation well." With that he stepped down from the platform, and the crowd closed in to congratulate, and help you as best they could. By the end of the day you had everything you owned on your back, and at your side.
Just beside your head the crystal had floated once more, it had been that way when you had awoken after seeing Alexander die before your eyes. That pain still filled you, but it had dulled like a rusty blade stabbing you in the side. With that you set out into world to do what you had been tasked with for what else would you do, you had no real reason to live, but that one goal the Headmaster had given you, so you followed.
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Back to Present day --
Over the following month you traveled over overgrown back roads, deep wheel rutted trade roads, and paved highways as you sought even the slightest information Within the first week you got wind of a small group of Magi that had been hired by the Alonar Empire to the north, what they planned you knew naught, but you had followed the rumors to this sleepy little town, White Spires, on the border of the two nations. All you knew was that the group numbered about five, and that they were located somewhere in this town, but you had no plan.
'What can I do now, I don't really have any leads.'500 Gold Marks
Rusted Short Sword
Mysterious Crystal
Book of Truth
Pack full of Belongings