SHAPE THE FUTURE
Prelude
The story is set in the planet of Gaia, which is home to humanoid creatures who can easily manipulate the elements at their own free will. Once, they were one, coexisting with each other peacefully, on the continent of Kahe'inupa.
However, one day, ambitions grew deep within the hearts of some of these people. Slowly, these ambitious leaders began amassing their own group of loyal followers.
Their clash began peacefully- a simple debate over the designation of territories. They would move on to their preferred continents, Fire to Ipeo in the South-East, Water and Ice to Pi'paen, Earth to Cayld and Wind to Ouneum.
Then, Kahe'inupa would be left as an open continent which would allow the other elements to live on, and for the various elements.
If only it would be as simple as they've planned.
On the same day that the Elements parted ways to their separate areas, the Fire people decided to turn against the others. It was a scheme that had been planned right from the beginning. Ironically, the Ice and Water people had plotted exactly the same thing.
Seeing the two elements fighting, the Earth and Wind people sought to make the most out of this situation, which they thought could be a quick way to reign supreme.
And so, the nations, instead of moving to their new homes, remained on Kahe'inupa, just for this sole purpose of quickly eradicating the other. So focused were they that they spared no resources in this battle. Only the Ice and Water people were clever enough to split their forces to establish their control in Pi'paen.
Meanwhile, in the mainland, Kahe'inupa, the battles rage on fiercely. So fierce was it, that the lush greenery that used to fill the land was now nothing but a wasteland, which served as a battlefield for the violent clashes. It was only then that the nations split their forces to establish their bases in their designated continents- mainly to supply themselves with food.
However, this wouldn't be the reason why the move to establish their bases was praised later in the annals of history.
Kahe'inupa, devastated by the destruction of war, finally reacts to the people. During one of the battles, as if fighting back, the land sunk. It was an abrupt occurrence, being at the center of the entire continent, the warring factions could not retreat quick enough.
And so, they sank with the continent...
Meanwhile, the people that split up with the main force continued on with their orders, establishing their foundations on their new homes, so that they may seek revenge...
Chapter 1: Requiem of the Fallen, Introit
Clasping her hands together, fierce bolts of lightning swirled around the girl. Immediately, gasps of awe rose from amongst the crowd that had encircled this particular girl. A pair of eyes stared at her, as she continued on to project the bolts of lightning towards the night sky. Upon meeting with the clouds, the lightning spread out like a tree.
Gasps became cheers, and immediately, they began tossing the coins. It was then, the owner of the very same pair of eyes came into the picture, from within the shadows. With a wave of his hands, shadows leaped from the ground, pulling the coins into their dark embrace.
“Thank you for watching!” Luna said, smiling broadly at the crowd that promptly applauded her splendid performance.
Bowing together with Luna, Galen doesn’t look as cheerful as his friend.
The crowd then split up, leaving the two. It was then, Galen called the shadows to him, collecting the day’s earnings from them. “Not bad, this adds up to a tidy sum, enough for the next two days.” Galen mumbled, proceeding to put the coins into his wallet.
“Whew. The people of Pi’paen are certainly generous!” Luna commented, the smile glued onto her face. Indeed, they had reason to be happy. “We’ve never earned so much before!” She added.
Galen nodded sagely. “Well then, shall we celebrate with a slightly more lavish meal then?” He asked, knowing the response before Luna even replied. Spinning over as fast as the element she wielded, Luna grasped his hands. “Really!?”
The man sighed. Brushing his jet black hair aside, he could only chuckle as he nodded in response. His eyes of onyx sparkled as it rested on the girl. The weather-beaten face contorted into a grin. “Yes, yes, Luna. Really.” He replied.
Moving away, he tried his utmost to ignore the high-pitched squeal that followed. Certainly, people must have thought her to be insane!
Galen glanced over his shoulder at Luna. The blonde-haired girl was following, rather cheerfully too. The grin have definitely spread broader than before, and on her pale face, it made her seem more radiant. “Come on, where are we going then?”
“Uh. How about Moonlight Tavern?”
The smile faded. Frowning, Luna shot back,” What!? How is this a celebration if we return to where we always ate!?”
Galen sighed,” Then, where, my dear sister?”
Smiling now, her following suggestion startled Galen greatly. “I’d say… Royal Inn.”
Gulping, Galen’s stuttered in his response. “Seriously?”
Luna nodded, and right then, Galen knew he had no will to refuse his little sister’s demands. Already, he could picture himself getting electrocuted through the night should he have stubbornly refused. Biting back the gnawing realization that their money was to be spent in one day, Galen forced a smile and agreed.
…
Meanwhile, at the Royal Palace of Ustysia…
“And so, how goes the progress, Rezalus?”
“Your Majesty, we are at the final stage of the recruitment drive. All’s left, is about a few more before we are ready to launch the assault.” Rezalus replied, keeping his head low.
“Good. I expect this campaign to be successful. You’re dismissed.” The Emperor said. To this, Rezalus bowed, albeit awkwardly from his already low kneeling position. Then, the Minister made his exit.
“Damn those Ice people. How dare they connive with some of our people to turn against us!?” He cursed. “For such a foolish reason too..”
…
Galen sighed once again, his umpteenth time for the day. Looking briefly at the bodies that laid strewn around, as well as the smashed tables and frightened crowd, Galen turned and left, pulling Luna along. It was unfortunate, but in the end, Luna’s flamboyant desires had ended up costing them more than they had at the moment.
“So, we have to move on to the next continent now…?” Galen groaned, to which Luna could only grin sheepishly. The streets echoed with his words. It is already in the dead of the night, and most of the people are in bed. The day’s heat have been replaced by the night’s chill, but for the two foreigners, they may well be leaving as quickly as they came.
Perhaps, it wouldn’t be as quick as they thought. Just as they were about to leave towards the port, soldiers marched over to their sides. “Halt, you two.” One of them, apparently the leader, said, imperiously.
“Drats. Did they find out about how we forced the captain of the SS Killian in bringing us here?” Luna whispered. Hushing Luna into silence, Galen turned over to the soldier. “What is it.” He inquired, trying to be as polite as possible. No matter where they were, those in the military weren’t one worth offending.
Or so, Galen knew, from experience.
“Not much, we just want that girl, the blonde one in grey linen tunic.” He said, pointing a bony finger at Luna. Luna shrunk back behind Galen. “Oh really, think you the possibility of reaching her with me between you and her?”
This provoked the soldiers.
“You’re asking for it!”
Raising his hands, he blasted a jet of water at Galen. Calling forth the shadows, he created a wall of darkness that protected against the gushing water. “You’re in my domain. It is night!” Galen roared.
As soon as he said this, humanoids made out of purely shadows rose beside the soldiers, scaring them. Their blasts of water did little to destroy the minions Galen had summoned to his aid. ”Help!” A soldier screamed, whimpering.
Galen laughed, as maniacally as he could manage. The shadows he summoned were just moving around the soldiers in circles. He had no intention of killing them at all. “We just want to hire you to work for us! We’re not here to capture you!!!”
Eyes widening, Galen de-summoned the shadow minions. “Huh. What do you mean?”
Some of the soldiers fell to the ground, the experience having frightened them thoroughly. Only the leader stood firmly- which gave a solid reason why he was leader in the first place.
“The Emperor Pi’paen XIV wishes to suppress the rebellion in Dynycian Province. However, we lack a sufficient number of soldiers to suppress this rebellion. Too many of us are defecting to them! So, we are hiring mercenaries, all that we can find.”
Galen folded his arms together, as with Luna, moving to stand beside him. “What say you, Luna?” Galen asked.
Luna shrugged. “Anyway, being a mercenary would pay a lot more than just busking on the streets.” Galen added. The towering man sighed yet again, it was just like how he persuaded her into busking in the first place, from working part-time at some random shop on the other continents previously.
“I suppose I don’t mind,” Was Luna’s ambiguous reply.
Nevertheless, Galen saw this as a yes.
---
Words:
So, how is it thus far? I'd like to seek some opinions before I move on. It's not mentioned above, but this was actually a plot for another role play I created on another forum.
In this role play, I had intended it such that there is a fixed storyline, but the players are allowed to create actions for their characters, that would alter the path of the story, literally 'shaping the future', so to speak.
Well, that, and I took the title from Dissidia.
EDIT (6.10.09)
Figured I may have to wait forever for a comment to even come on. A simple prelude's probably not going to attract as much attention as the real deal.
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