Renisuru's Search

[Nemorian]

Chapter 1

An old, bald man in a white robe stood by an ornate door, peering at the person dashing around and cleaning in the next room. "I understand your complaint, but what would you suggest I do about the problem?" He asked softly, stroking his long, white beard thoughtfully. He turned away from the door to face the man that was with him that was wearing a similar robe, but had short black hair. "I can't simply throw him out in the cold, Brother Orland."
"Cold? This is not Hassen! Even if it was, it wouldn't matter to him! The man is a menace and should be gotten rid of!" The black haired man replied shortly, his right hand clenched into a fist and shaking from rage. "You know as well as I do what he has done!"
"Hmm..." The old man closed his eyes, thinking. "Yes. He has done... considerable damage to the temple. However, he is well intentioned. He is simply... accident prone."
"Accident prone?" Orland repeated. "If he stays here, this whole temple will be brought down around our ears, Brother Artemis!"
"I think you're overreacting to-"
A smash came from the next room, followed by a panicked voice. "Crap! I got it, I got-" A series of smashes covered up the voice, there was a scream and a loud crashing came from the next room.
Artemis and Orland hurried inside what used to be a small library. Now it looked like it could be in an old ruin. The table in the middle of the room was on its side. The few vases that had been in places around the room were smashed on the floor. The candles had toppled over, spilling wax onto the floor. The bookshelves on the far wall were all toppled over, laying on the pile of books they used to hold, and the person that had been cleaning was nowhere in sight.
"I only looked away for a second... how could-? Ren! Where are you?!" Artemis called, looking around the devastated room.
A groan came from the piles of books, and a pure white face emerged from them, followed by a robe that looked off-white in comparison. He coughed, rubbing his blood red eyes from the dust and long, grey hair getting in them. "Ow... my head. Next time someone tells me words don't hurt, I'm telling him he never got hit with a library."
"Renisuru!" Orland snapped. "What in the name of Nexus have you done?!"
"Huh? Oh, hi Orly. I was just cleaning. Brother Garrett's orders, said it would be good training. Though I don't know how he figured that." Ren said, standing up and stretching.
"O... Orly?! I am Brother Orland, and you will address me as such!"
Ren ignored him, turning his attention to Artemis. "Brother Artemis, I apologize for the mess, I'll have it cleaned up as soon as possible."
"Save your energy, Ren. I must speak with you privately about something... more important." Artemis said calmly.
Ren stared at him, a worried expression growing on his face. "Y-yes. I'll wait in the usual place, then?" He asked, his voice wavering slightly.
Artemis nodded, and Ren hurried out of the room, leaving the two monks standing in silence amongst the chaos. Orland was the first to speak. "That Morte boy has no business becoming a monk." He said crossly.
"Brother Orland!" Artemis said sharply. "I will not have prejudice in this temple, or such language. Hassite or no, Renisuru has talent."
"I apologize for my words," Orland replied, but with little noticeable sincerity in his voice. "but talent and good intentions alone do not excuse all he has done."
Artemis sighed. "Yes..." He turned toward the door, hearing another crash and Renisuru's voice echoing from some distance away. "I do pity the poor boy... and have no desire to cast him out on his own, that is not what we should do."
Orland thought for a moment, then grinned. "If I may, Brother Artemis. I believe I have a way to... keep him from destroying the temple."
"Oh? What would you suggest?"

"I... I'm sorry, Brother Artemis? I... I don't think I heard you correctly." Ren stuttered,
"You heard me clearly, Ren. Now, will you agree to do it?" Artemis asked, staring out across the plains. It was almost noon, and a cool breeze was blowing from the west. He always brought Ren outside for their little chats. Ren thought it was because Artemis enjoyed nature... but he was really just trying to keep Ren where he could do the least damage.
Ren hesitated, wondering why he would be offered such a thing in the first place. "I thought... only experienced monks were sent on such a mission. I am not even a full member of the-"
"That doesn't matter." Artemis interrupted him. "Anyone, anywhere, anytime, can become an investigator. You have talent... the talent to be a great mage. If you so wish it, I will help you on your way. Not to mention that if you are successful... you may find your way back home to Hassen."
Ren opened his mouth, but couldn't find his voice. Becoming an investigator... the prospect of leaving the temple... and of going to Hassen... it was too overwhelming.
"What do you say, Ren?"
"I... I'll do it." He replied at last, his heart racing. "I'll become an investigator... for the good of the temple, the people..." and myself as well...He added to himself.
"Excellent. You will leave tomorrow; everything will be prepared for you by then. You had best get some rest and say your goodbyes." Artemis said, walking off toward the temple.
Ren stared at him as he left. "T-tomorrow? That soon? That's... probably for the best. If I wait too long I may decide against it." He mumbled to nobody in particular.

"You're leaving tomorrow?! Seriously?!" A blonde monk-in-training like Ren cried, watching as he packed what little he had. "Ren, but, this is that jerk Orly's idea, isn't it!? I hate that guy!"
"Brother Artemis is the one that suggested it... and you shouldn't speak ill of people even if they are..." Ren hesitated, wondering how to put it nicely.
"No better than imp crap?" The blonde boy said, all feigned kindness tossed to the side... as usual.
"That's not nice, Ian." Ren said, smirking. "True, but still not nice."
"I still just can't accept it. You can't leave! You're... you're the only other guy around here that doesn't drive me nuts! I..." Ian trailed off, clenching his fists.
"I told you time and time again. You aren't suited to life in a place like this. You're too short-tempered. I still wonder why you came here in the first place, whenever I ask, you change the subject."
"Here's something else I don't understand- you're just a mage. How are you supposed to handle chaotics on your own?! This isn't a holy mission, it's a death sentence!"
"Yeah, just like that." Ren chuckled, heading toward the door. "I'll see you tomorrow when I leave. Goodni-"
"It wasn't my idea." Ian said abruptly.
Ren turned back, giving him a confused look. "Sorry?"
"Coming here... I didn't want to. I had no interest in becoming a monk. It was all my idiot father's idea. I caused some trouble in Dainan... got into a few brawls, nothing major. He thought sticking me in here would put me straight. All it did was tick me off." He explained, giving the wall a punch before continuing. "I have nowhere to go... if I leave here there's no way my stupid father will take me back in. I'm stuck... at least with you here it's bearable... but if you're gone, I don't-"
"Suck it up." Ren said firmly.
Ian stared at him, his mouth slightly agape. Ren had never spoken to him like that before, or anyone else for that matter. He was never the one to be rude, Ian usually covered that part himself.
"Suck it up." Ren repeated. "Be a man, don't let anyone push you around. Take a chance at something, even if it's stupid. That's... what you've always told me. Maybe it's time for you to take your own advice, Ian. Do what you feel is calling you... that's what I'm doing. It took me a while to realize it, but this is my chance to do what I've been putting off for all my life. I'm taking your advice... you have to take a chance once in a while." He grinned at Ian before heading out the door. "Goodnight."

The next day, Ren departed the temple as planned. Everyone came to see him off, some of them looking more relieved than sorry to see him go, and a few, Orland included, looked downright cheerful. Ren tightened the black mage robe he had been given around him, and pushed up the huge wizard hat he got with it that threatened to slip down over his face and obscure his vision. He gave the temple one last look as he walked away; abandoning the only life he knew for an adventure he wasn't sure he was ready for.

[Nemorian]

Chapter 2

Renisuru walked awkwardly along the street, unsure of how to properly carry the spear the shopkeeper had somehow talked him into buying. He figured it was best to keep the pointy end in the air after almost accidentally skewering that old lady on his way out of the shop, but it was hard to balance. He should have just gotten a staff.

The shopkeeper's words entered his mind again. "This is just like a staff, only a bit longer, thinner and better in a fight! It's perfect for you!"

"Perfect nothing... I'm no Dragoon. What was I thinking?" Ren sighed, finally getting the spear steady. It was too late now, the keeper had made a point of telling him there were no refunds. He'd just have to make the best of it.

He left town, heading toward South Kreland and mumbling the checklist he had memorized. "Let's see... I spoke with the King like Brother Artemis said to, then got some equipment." He glanced at the spear. "I remember one of the Brothers at the Temple telling me about something in Dainaria I should probably investigate... even though a magic clock is the craziest thing I've ever heard of. He was probably just joking, with my luck."

The bridge across into South Kreland came into view and he scratched his head, having the distinct feeling he had forgotten about something. It probably couldn't be that important though. He smiled, waving at a couple people that looked like other investigators on the bridge as he passed, losing balance for a second from the weight of his spear. They gave him a rather concerned look at he headed off the other side, into the plains.

The bridge was soon out of view. Ren walked along the edge of a forest, knowing better than to attempt to walk through it. Many of the people he had gotten tips from before departing warned him about the forests, they concealed dangers far worse than anything he'd find on the plains.

The traveling conditions couldn't be that much worse though. As it was now, the grass was overgrown and reached his waist in some places. Not to mention that he kept tripping over rocks and stepping in obscured holes and streams. He was beginning to think things couldn't get much worse when the ground began to shake.

Ren looked around, wondering if it was an earthquake. He quickly found out it wasn't and was wishing it had been. Something huge, angry-looking and purple was charging at him, carrying the second largest piece of wood he had ever seen. (The first being a tree he managed to knock onto part of the Temple a few months back.)

He awkwardly aimed his spear at the oncoming giant when he remembered what he had forgotten, something so crucial he was amazed it hadn't crossed his mind before now... he had never fought a day in his life. He never even got through the basic training that was offered at the Temple.

The rustle of grass to his left caught his attention. He could see the top of something red moving through the tall grass in his direction. He aimed his spear from one chaotic to what he assumed was another, starting to panic.

The smaller one got within range first, something short and ugly leaped out of grass at him, wielding a dagger. He swung at it out of reflex, the pole of his spear connecting with its head and sending it tumbling onto the ground. He turned back to the ogre, not realizing it had already was already within reach and raising its club to crush him. It suddenly let out a roar, its club dropping to the ground followed shortly by the rest of it. A red light streaked by Ren's side, blasting the imp that was about to take another lunge at him.

Two people were standing over the fallen ogre, Ren recognized them as the investigators he passed on the bridge. One was a tall Anaran man in shining golden armor with silver trim, his black hair surprisingly neat for someone trekking through the plains. Next to him was a young woman in a white and pink robe. Ren noticed she looked rather nervous, scanning the distance for any more chaotics.

"Is that all of them?" She wondered, glancing at the knight.

He looked at her and nodded. "I'm sure if any more were around they would have gone after one of us by now."

"Right..."

The knight turned to Ren. "It looks like we made it just in time. Are you okay?"

"Ah... yeah... thanks." He answered, still a bit shocked by their sudden appearance.

"That's good. You really shouldn't be out here alone, though. It's too dangerous." The white mage said, walking around the ogre's corpse. "You should come with us."

"And draw even more chaotics our way." The knight pointed out, just stepping on and over the corpse to save time.

"Oh right... I forgot about that. Still, you can take care of most of them on your own, L.P."

"You're planning to leave all the work to me?"

"I think you can handle it until we get a little more used to fighting."

The knight chuckled, grinning. "True. I won't be stopped by small fry. Come on, mage. You'd better follow us for your sake, you're too weak to go solo." He said, walking by Ren and off to the south. "We're off to Dainaria."

"You don't have to put it like that." The white mage scolded him, giving Ren's sleeve a tug to get him moving since he had just been standing there and staring rather vacantly. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine... just a little..." Ren muttered.

"Shaken up from your first fight? I know the feeling. I started out a couple days ago, and was just as bad off after my fight encounter with chaotics."

Ren nodded, finally beginning to relax. "Oh... I almost forgot, I'm Renisuru. Thanks for saving me."

"You said thanks once." The knight reminded him, glancing over his shoulder. "I'm Lord Phoenix, but you can call me L.P. That's Celeste."

"Nice to meet you both."

Celeste looked around again, obviously still worried about chaotics showing up. "How much farther is it to Dainaria?

"Maybe an hour, depending on how often we rest and how many roadblocks we come across." L.P. said. "I wouldn't be in a hurry to get there though, the place is crawling with undead."

"Great." Ren muttered, in even less of a hurry after hearing that. I wonder if it's too late to just go back to the Temple...