When she regained consciousness, she found herself in a damp, cold room, barely illuminated by candlesticks. Sitting against one of the solid stone walls, a man was watching her.
-Why are you doing this? -she asked with a trembling voice.
The armored man didn't say a word.
-Is it riches you desire? Is that worth renouncing the honor you've garnered through the years?
-It's not your father's money I'm interested in.
-What is it then?
-Power.
His sharp eyes, glaring directly at her for the first time, pierced her soul so deeply that she dared not utter another sound again.
Lookin' for Lukin
Surrounded by big, sturdy walls and a thick forest, the Kingdom of Cornelia stood proud and peaceful. The towering castle watched over the whole town, made up of humble red-roofed wooden houses, stone trails, and a small stream of water which gently crossed it. The fountain at the center of the village, right in front of it's main gate, added a final touch to that beautiful picture and welcomed any visitor passing by. That day it was bound to greet very special guests.
"Cornelia, the city where dreams are woven", Khilio read on the sign by the entrance. He was weary from a long journey, and headed directly to the inn at the side of the way. Other than leather leggings, gauntlets and shoulder pads, he wore a long red cotton shirt, fastened with a belt by which he carried a slender blade. Blue eyes and chestnut hair gave him a juvenile semblance; however, Khilio was a brave and practical warrior, proof of this is the fact that he had come all the way from Crescent Lake, his far away hometown, and didn't have a single scratch, despite of all the beasts that were to be found on the outside world.
-May I help you, sir? -asked the clerk.
-Is there any room for one available?
-Certainly. Follow me, please.
Khilio was led to a simple and rustic room. It was entirely made of wood boards, the inlaid floor was sturdy, and the bed's structure was mainly built out of trunks and logs. Other than that, a desk, a chair and a cupboard were all the furniture.
-Thanks, I'll be staying at least two days.
-Here's the key, sir. Have a good stay.
As the door closed behind him, Khilio headed straight to the bed, not because he was sleepy, but for relaxing and deciding what his next move should be.
-I've been looking for you.
The voice startled him. A bizarre individual was standing by the door. A blue cloak covering his whole body and a pointy hat contributed to the eccentricity of his persona. He carried a rather improvised crook. Between the little space by his clothing and his hat, bright round yellow eyes could be spotted amidst blackness, there was no nose, no mouth, no face.
-Who are you?! -exclaimed Khilio jumping out of bed.
-My name's Hjaze. I don't think that's what you wanted to know, though.
-How did you get in here?
-I can be a little sneaky.
Dissatisfied by the answer, Khilio instinctively grabbed the grip of his sword.
-There's no need to fight -said Hjaze emotionless.
-Then what do you want from me?
-I don't usually leave my forest, yet, I was drawn here, to you.
-Why?
-The answer's on your wrist. You've got one like this.
Hjaze showed Khilio a green crystal, in fact, with the same shape and size as the one Khilio had around his wrist, tied with a string. Khilio's was red, however.
-What about it?
-Don't play fool. You should know, I heard you foreshadowed the meaning of these crystals.
-I don't have the slightest idea of what you're saying.
-Aren't you Lukin?
Both shared a look during a few seconds, which echoed the obvious response to the last question, "no".
Hjaze raised a hand and a burst of fire originated from it. Khilio barely avoided it with a quick side somersault and attempted to slash the intruder, but he was fast too and Khilio ended up bumping into the desk, launching the chair through the room. The confrontation that ensued caused quite a commotion.
"Guards! Guards! Help!", could be heard in the distance.
Khilio lifted the wooden desk and throwed it forward to intercept a second fire blast, then rushed toward his opponent sword in hand. Hjaze pulled out a knife, and the two men stopped on their tracks, not because of the armored guardians that barged in, but for their respective blades being in a position about to slice each other's throat.
-Halt! Don't move! You are under...
The guard became mute as he saw the crystals both men were wearing.
-Gentlemen, let it be peace, please. Accompany me, His Majesty would be most interested to meet you.
Not long after, another peculiar face showed around in Cornelia. His attire consisted of a small jacket that left his chest uncovered, revealing a perfectly trained body; also, spacious pants which seemed to be easy to move with, all of it purple-coloured. A black belt and a red headband, fulfilling the purpose of preventing his cupric hair from getting into his eyes, completed the young man's outfit. He walked around in bare feet. His face was a little grimy, so he stopped his march by the fountain, washed it, and took a moment to look at his reflection. His thoughts were soon interrupted, though, by an ephebe boy who approached him.
-Excuse me, could you tell me where can I find a man by the name of Lukin?
The kid, probably a teenager, had long blond hair, charming green eyes and a skin silkier than a woman could possibly have. He was dressed with a long, hooded white robe with a red triangles pattern all along it's sleeves and borders, simple boots, barely visible dark leotards, and, what standed out the most, a large wooden staff with a prominent green ribbon right where it's spiral-shaped upper end began.
-I'm sorry, but I don't live around here, I don't know where he is.
-Oh, I see. I'm a traveller too, what brings you to this beautiful kingdom?
-Actually, I'm looking for prophet Lukin as well. May I ask what business do you have with him? Erm...
-Pardon me, I should've introduced myself. My name's Lumen, I come from the Onrac region, far to the north, crossing the sea.
-I'm Ion, I've been living in the northern mountains for a while now.
-That wouldn't be the mountains where this witch I've been hearing about lives, or are they?
-Yes, they are -Ion softly smiled-, but she's less frightening once you know her.
-Oh, I haven't answered your question. I've been researching the disaster from two hundred years ago for quite some years.
-The sinking of the Onrac shrine.
-Exactly. The seas keep dying, fishing has ever since more become a rather impossible task. I understand Prophet Lukin had a vision about the decaying of the world only a few months ago, and I'd like to ask him some questions concerning the matter.
-Well I'm sure you know this already, but it didn't stop with the ocean losing life. I'm a martial artist, I live and train in the wilderness. After years in the mountain, I've developed a certain sensibility, and I can tell... the earth is beginning to die.
-Actually, I wasn't aware of that. If it's true, the situation is urgent, even more than I had thought.
-I was hoping that the prophet might know what can be done, there has to be an answer to all of these developments.
-Would you come with me, please? I believe I found something earlier this morning.
Lumen pulled a worn out book from a shelf in the local library. He rushed through the pages as if he knew it's contents by heart.
-Here, there it is! -Lumen exclaimed joyful to have found what he was looking for.
-"About the brilliance of the Crystals" -Ion read a big title.
-It explains how the world is comprised of four basic elements: earth, fire, water and wind. For each element, there's a crystal. If something would occur to disturb this balance, the crystal's glow would fade.
-So, according to this, the crystals corresponding to earth and water should have lost their shine.
-Wind too. It happened four hundred years ago. I read somewhere that the weakening of wind caused an ancient civilization to perish. The fire crystal must be the only one in fine fettle, which makes me think there's little time until it all gets worse. My guess is that nothing's going to change unless the light of the affected crystals is restored, and the cause of their fading found.
-The issue is, how? Where would these crystals be?
Lumen became silent and lowered his head. He put his hand below the neck, underneath his garment, and revealed a blue opaque crystal, made into a necklace. Then he solemnly looked at Ion in the eye.
-It can't be... It looks just the same!
-What do you mean?
Ion pulled a seemingly identical crystal from his pocket, except for it's sober yellowish colour. Their attention was suddenly caught by a resounding blow. An emerald-haired girl in a white lace gown had just dropped a heavy book and was now staring right at them.
-You... -she gasped- Please! You must come with me to the castle!
Khilio and Hjaze had been kept waiting in one of the castle's corridors. Blue marble floors and white columns gave the place an air of grandeur. The walls were simpler, made of resistant stones, carefully polished and assembled. The commander of Cornelia's legion himself, Darus, kept the two men company. Both were still uncertain of the reason of their presence there, but remained silent.
-Princess! The Queen has been worried sick! This is not a time to leave the castle -exclaimed Darus.
Princess Saffron entered the room bringing Lumen and Ion with her.
-I know! I just couldn't stay in my room, I felt so powerless.
-Who are these?
-Darus, I found them while I was doing some research on the northern lands at the library. These young lads are the Light Warriors!
-What?! Are you sure?
-There's no doubt about it, look -Saffron pointed at the crystals.
-What's all this about? -asked Khilio, restless.
-Princess, one of our soldiers found these men in town. They are crystal bearers as well.
-This is a miracle! Just like Prophet Lukin said!
-Is Lukin in this castle? -Lumen interrupted.
The chaotic exchange of words was disrupted by the opening of big double doors at the northern end of the hall.
-His Majesty will see you now -announced the Chamberlain.
Everyone slowly walked in. A red moquette with golden designs fully covered the royal chamber. Family emblems were placed on the wall, at each side of the King's throne. As he moved, Lumen directed a concerned glance at Khilio's crystal, the red one. A pair of eagle-shaped statues became visible as the guests delved into the room, such was also the motif of the blue emblems hanging on the wall. The King, dressed in a red fur coat with white pompous borders and boasting a heavy crown, awaited them in his seat, the Chamberlain by his side.
-Oh, Saffron, you're here too.
-Father, we have big news!
-I already heard dear, although I didn't expect such a crowd. Travellers, is it true that you are the Crystal bearers?
All four raised their respective crystals, as implicitly demanded.
-But, Your Majesty, we have no proof that these four are the true Light Warriors -argued the Chamberlain.
-Surely it is not coincidence that four warriors bearing crystals have appeared now.
A lachrymose glimmer of hope and desperation could be spotted in the King's eyes.
-May I ask, Your Majesty, what this Light Warriors affair is about? -Ion inquired.
-It is just as Lukin foretold... The prophecy says: "When darkness veils the world, four warriors of light shall come."
-This certainly can't be a coincidence -Hjaze's particular voice echoed in the room-, I believe we were all simultaneously looking for Lukin.
-It seems we all were aware of a prophecy regarding the crisis of the world, but we didn't know the prophet's exact words -Ion added.
-This is all new to me -Khilio said-, I came to Cornelia to find him, yes, but under my master's advice.
-Could we speak to him, please? -Lumen requested.
-I'm afraid that's not possible. Prophet Lukin left Cornelia, saying he was off to find the crescent moon -the Chamberlain explained-, we are not sure of what he meant by that.
-Oh, I see...
Lumen was noticeably worried, the rhythm of his breathing was faster than that of those present.
-Is everything alright, young lad?
-I don't think so. According to my research, the red crystal should be brightful; I can see, however, that it lacks resplendence as much as the others do.
-I've had this amulet with me ever since I was born, and it has always looked the same.
-If that's true, then it means that the drak menace from the prophecy has started long ago, despite us not being able to see it but as for a few symptoms.
That moment, a middle aged woman entered the compound in a rush. She had long, laced emerald hair and wore a beautifully ornamented crimson dress. It was the Queen of Cornelia.
-Jayne! You have finally left your confinement, my darling!
-Is it true what I heard? Have the Light Warriors appeared?
-These four young men here are they.
-Please save my daughter, I beg you!
-What's wrong with the Princess? -Khilio asked, as the others stared at her too.
-She's talking about my sister, Sarah.
Saffron glanced away, as her eyes were rapidly getting tearful. Darus laid his hand on her shoulder and spoke for her.
-Garland, once a knight in His Majesty's service, has abducted Princess Sarah. We have learned that he is in the Temple of Chaos, north of Cornelia. We attempted to rescue the princess, but his powers far surpassed ours. Garland was once a honorable knight. What could have driven him to such hatred?
-Perhaps the Light Warriors would be able to defeat him -the King suggested.
-Can we really trust them with such a mission? -the Chamberlain interfered once more- The cloaked ones don't look much like warriors to me.
Hjaze extended his arm towards him, but Khilio, anticipating the igneous attack, stopped him with a friendly gesture.
-This guy here is a black mage, very powerful -Khilio claimed-, I can guarantee it, as he almost killed me earlier today due to a misunderstanding.
-I can harness the forces of nature -Hjaze expanded.
-I've been studying white magic since I was a kid -Lumen stood for himself-, I'm basically a human shield.
-I might, as well, introduce myself. My name's Ion. I've been training in the mountains, surviving under harsh conditions. I'm a professional fighter.
-What about you, young warrior? -Darus asked Khilio.
-I've been trained by the man who raised me, a warrior himself. He was a father to me, as I grew an orphan. He instructed me in the art of swordfighting.
Many questions remained unanswered. A big deal of information had just been delivered to the four young travellers. They decided that, if they really were the Light Warriors portended by Lukin, they needed to prove themselves to fully believe it. And so they embarked on a new journey, to the north. They had accepted to go and rescue Princess Sarah.
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