Guide End Chapter 1

End Begin

1

I was heading into a giant Labyrinth. It was famous for having many mystical Regalia but being equally filled with mystical beasts ready to kill. It was currently nighttime, it was extremely quiet despite being surrounded by forest, but Approaching its entrance I started to hear something.

“!”

It was a cry. The cry of a child.

Why on earth would a child be up here? With the entrance, a large rectangular gateway made of intricate stonework, in view now I cautiously went towards the crying seemingly coming from the entrance. At the center of it. There sitting on the floor was a bundled up baby in cloth. The crying was emanating from it of-course.

Now how in the world is a child right here at this place? To that I have now clue why even to this day. On that day I walked away from the Labyrinth without even going in. and only returning with a child in hand. I named him Arcady.

He was only a baby at the time. How could a baby just be sitting at the front of the entrance to a dangerous place? I still ask myself this question every now and then. The circumstances were just miraculous.

I was but a wandering adventurer of sorts. A great Magician but not a well known one. I raised the boy in the nearest city to the Labyrinth, known as Littoi. Over the next seventeen years I raised him into becoming an expert magician. He had exceptional ability to do so. To the point he can be classified as a jack of all trades magician. Known as a Compass Magician. Pushing him hard every day in a rigorous training method to hone his skills in intense battles under pressure. At first Arcady struggled to fight. But overtime he quickly grew. And understood what's best when it comes to fighting. Usually I’d fight him but sometimes he would be sent off to fight creatures in the forest. Going on day-long journeys to fight specified beasts all alone.

Arcady was a Prodigy you could say. Only faltering at times if in the company of others he cherishes. He was a boy who worked best alone but never wanted to be alone. Now though I think he's good enough to go out on his own and see the world with his eyes and experience it. He's had a good seventeen years being trained by his so-called mother figure.

The one thing about him is that while using magic I alway sense something. It has a dreadful eerie sensation coming from within him. Almost like the Pressure of a Soul Fire User. But much darker. I've sensed this presence before. Only ever when near a King. one of the strongest beings in this world, and going into that. . .

Oftentimes he would ask me “Runia how was born? How did you find me? Do you think the Labyrinth has something to do with my birth?” Ever-curious about his conception. I'd always tell him the same thing, how I found him and my theory of sorts. As I am right now. He was sitting on the floor in front of me, criss crossed as he always is when in front of me ready to learn while I sat in a chair within the small house we lived in.

“Arcady I believe that for one. That god awful labyrinth has barely anything to do with your origin. Why do you ask? The answer to that leads into the answer to the next question. Your presence. Once you start using magic I've always sensed something deep inside you, it has a menacing aura similar to that of some of the strongest beings in this world. Because of that similar presence dwelling within you I believe that what you have is a Crown within you. Crowns are powerful objects that only the Sixteen Kings hold. Giving them ultimate power”

“What so just because you think i have this crown inside me you sense that means i'm one of those Sixteen?”

“No, not one of the Sixteen. But the Seventeenth. Thus based on the fact that you most likely hold a crown you have relation to the Seventeenth King, known as Polaris of the End. That is what I believe your origin is. And the labyrinth is unrelated. Simply just a place that you happened to be ‘Born’ in. most likely because well, most don't know this but that labyrinth is a dumping ground for Kings.”

After this explanation that I came up with solely due to the existence of the Crown he holds Arcady always questions this. He doesn't want to accept such an unusual origin to himself that doesn't even fully explain anything. It doesn't explain how he was born nor who his parents are. Only that he has some correlation to Polaris of the End because of the facts I've laid straight. I've been near a King before and distinctly know how the presence of their Crowns feel and what is inside Arcady is exactly the same. And due to the fact that all Sixteen Kings are alive and hold a crown it can only be assumed to be Polaris’ Crown. Another reason why he doesn't accept such an explanation is Polaris.

He is the King of the End. said to one day destroy the world and will be stopped by the combined effort of the Kings who are his enemies. On top of this dark being’s history is a group known as Crux Alta. you could say they are a terrorist group or cult that seeks to end the world. And they worship Polaris. They are a group hated by the world due to the atrocities committed by them.

It's understandable to not want to accept such an explanation for being remotely related to such a group and being. After all, who wants to be correlated with someone that wants to destroy the world even though they themselves don't want to?

“If you don't like this answer you can always go and find one yourself. Try to disprove it and even find another one.”

“I want to do exactly that, Runia!” saying such, standing up off the ground he was sitting on in front of me.

“My goal is to find out about my own creation and explore this world you've always talked about that is outside Littoi and Librinthia! But first I must ask!”

“Yea what is it?”

“Where do I start!”

So adamant yet so lost.

“The Middle.”

“!”

Arcady looked up at his teacher's eyes. his mother and master sense he was born. In surprise.

“There?! But I thought that was a place that no one should ever go to and only certain people of great skill can go in!”

“Yep, that's why you get those qualities and make your way there Arcady. The Middle is where many Kings and knowledgeable figures live. It's the perfect place that every adventurer dreams of going to. I've been there myself, you know?”

Getting up out of her chair Runia walked in front of Arcady.

“In The Middle is also the Resting Grounds for Polaris’ Body. waiting for the day it will awaken. If you really aren't going to accept what I've told you then you can make your way there to disprove it.” Smiling down at the boy she said what he should begin to accomplish in order to find himself and explore the world at the same time.

“In Fact i shall meet you there Arcady i'll head off first and see you there. I'll meet you at the first place you get in there.”

Out of thin air an object appeared in her hand. It was a frying pan. The fact it appeared proves that that was no ordinary frying pan. It was one that was magically enhanced and can use magic. A Regalia.

“Umm. . . Master?”

With a sadistic smile on her face and frying pan in hand, Runia said her goodbyes to her one and only student and son.

“I'll see ya on the other side in the Middle Arcady! Now head out into the world boy! Meet people, make friends, explore, fight, and discover! This wonderful fascinating world out there at your fingertips.”

And at that the curtains closed. And so did her fingers, tightening around the pan.

Her hand swung down hard as her student looked on in fear.

“Ahhhhhhh!”

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Smack

As he went unconscious from this sudden domestic assault he thought one thing.

“Man, I'm so excited to finally go out into the world with my masters' permission. But why did she have to do it this way!!!”

2

“Uahh. . . “

Awaking on the wooden floor of their house, Arcady sat up. Rubbing his head.

Runia was cruel, calculative, cold, and rough with me sometimes. But she is also nice, caring and helpful almost always as well.

I got up off the floor I was passed out on.

Looking around it seems Runia wasn't here. But on the table she was sitting at talking to me there was a letter. On the front of it were the letters “To Arcady” . When I saw these I immediately dreaded what was in the letter. Considering the words she told me beforehand.

I rubbed my sore head, and began to open it. Inside the letter read:

Dear Arcady

I'm sure you are quite confused as to why I hit you over the head and left. If I hadn't of done that you would have cried and grabbed on and not let go if. I'm leaving for your own good as I have taught you all that should be needed for you to go out on your own. You can't be attached to someone all your life after all. It only causes weakness. And now that you have a clear set goal in mind I hope you go onwards with it and meet me in The Middle Arcady. I'd love to see how your training and newfound experience will get you to. - Runia

P.S. I got all you need and left some money for your journey in your room. As well as the Library of Weapons and some handmade sweaters for you.

After reading the letter I went into my room to find exactly that. A set of gold and silver coins from the country we reside in, Labyrinthia.

“So she really did leave. . . “

I was not expecting her to actually have left. It's saddening but I will be seeing her again. I'm looking forward to it.

The coins were laying on a table beside my bed, which atop it was a set of clothes, three pairs of the exact same set. I could tell these new clothes were all handmade by Runia herself. She made her own clothes after all and I know when I see one she has made. But this is the first time she's made something for me. It was a purple sweater with a leather strap going vertically down along the left side. adorned in orange patterns at the cuffs of the hands and neck. And attached to the back of the collar were two long strands also adorned in patterns. Along with them came a normal pair of pants for each set. She prepared them for me before leaving. A nice gesture indeed. To the right of the clothes lay six arrows. These were the Library of Weapons. Each of them did the same thing, store Regalia. Regalia are weapons or objects that have Spells ingrained in them or giving them the ability to connect with the magic ley lines; and are thus capable of using magic without the need of the users own magic. Such Regalia that store Regalia are called Pedestals. The Library of Weapons was a Pedestal that was divided between these Seven arrows and can summon Regalia just like any other Pedestal. What was notable about it was where it came from. It was found in the Labyrinth. Runia went in ever so often, coming back with Regalia which she stored there. It had seven arrows total. Meaning many people could use it at the same time. And meant' that Runia had the last arrow while I had the other six she's now given me.

Wonder why she gave me extra?

They could be attached to clothes. So I took two of them and attached them to a strap that adorned my clothes made by Runia. I guess since I had all my things here I can head out right away.

“Maybe i could catch up to Runia early and tag along with her~”

On second thought she probably would just ditch me again when the chance came.

I began to get all of my things together. Another thing about the Library of Weapons is it also allows one to store non-magical items in it which is unique to Pedestals. So I packed everything I needed in it. A tent, matches, canteen, money, clothes, weapons, some books, necessities such as toothpaste and some nice smelling soups and some food we had at the house. Since neither of us will be using this house for quite some time as me and Runia won't be in the City of Littoi, I'll have to ask our neighbor Damone to watch it. He was a nice man. I'm sure he won't let any robbers get into are house. It was a typical wooden house with two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a main living space along with a kitchen. Nothing special, It's been my house all my life. I will most certainly miss it.

Now that I'm ready let's get out there and head into the unknown.

3

“Hey Damone!” I said to our trusty neighbor who just so happened to be outside at work practicing with a sword. He was a former adventurer who also went into the Labyrinth but practiced and kept himself in shape regardless of if he doesnt adventure anymore.

“Hmm? Oh hey kid. What's up?”

Damone lived to the left of our house. Many people come to Littoi to head into the labyrinth. It was a one of a kind feature in the world afterall. It was massive and had lots of beasts and treasure in it. Apparently Runia told me that it replenishes itself every year which is the reason that despite being looted for thousands of years, it always had stuff to offer. Due to the fact that people rest here to then go in the labyrinth many actually settle down in the city for the rest of their life once here.

“Did you see Runia leave a bit ago?”

“Yea i saw her leave about an hour ago.”

“Well she left the house for good and headed out of the city actually. And I am too. I'm starting a journey right now. And i'm wondering if you could watch our house while we are gone, it's a good house ya know?”

“Hmph. Both of you are heading out then? Sure I'll watch your house for ya but I doubt you two will be coming back any time soon.”

“Yea we will most certainly be gone for years most likely. . . but thank you Damone this house means a lot to me.”

Heading down the steps of the front porch I approached Damone while saying this.

“Well I'm going off now Damone, see you later friend.”

“See Ya Kid” He said while smiling at him.

I Headed towards the center of Littoi. It was a City of decent size. It was not as big of the great Magic Cities around the world I've heard of but it was no small town. It didn't have much going for it sadly though besides for its connections and proximity to the Labyrinth. I was going to the center because that's where the market was. I needed to find a map of the world. I need to know where The Middle even is located. I may be good at magic but I have no clue what is around me.

Once arriving it only took about fifteen minutes to find a vendor with a map.

“Hey sir, how much for these maps?”

“Ehehe one silver for a map of Labyrinthia, two for the Atcoa Region map and three for the World Map. . .”

He was a small old man with a vicious little smile. But I did not pay it much mind.

“I’ll take the World Map.”

Laying down three silver coins on his desk I went over and picked out a world map from a shelf labeled as such.

Opening it up revealed a rather large landmass. It was shaped like the number eight roughly with many islands and jutting out pieces of land all over. At the top and bottom were labeled two large circles. The bottom one was called Hell while the other was The Middle. Wait so the middle was located not at the center of the world but the top? Weird. There were no discernible features within either circle simply blank with the label atop it. Now to look for Labyrinthia. It took a while to find because there was quite a bit of places named. But eventually I found it. It was located not far from the center of the map which was named Port All quite a bit southwest of that was labeled Labyrinthia

“. . .”

This will be quite a long journey. The Middle was in fact the furthest thing away from where I was compared to the rest of the world. If you could imagine the number eight i was on the bottom part of the two circles and on the center of the left side. It was a rather small nation. Only has about three major cities, Littoi, Libermorgue and Feretei. In the eastern part of the country was the Labyrinth, a giant diamond shaped part of the map. At the center of Labyrinthia was the Littoi. Meaning that i just need to go north for most of my journey in order to get to The Middle. Directly north were three locations, Libermorgue, then going into another country called Redmisk was the Magic City of Roge and next was a small elevated region called Reedlaw. I knew virtually nothing about these places. As I've only been within Littoi and around the Labyrinth. The only thing I knew about the next places I was going to was Roge. it was a Magic City. meaning it was a place where magic leylines concentrated there making it an ideal spot to use magic. Ley Lines are the paths that magic can be used within. They exist everywhere but their concentration varies and can make it hard to use magic in less concentrated areas. Due to the proximity to Roge and the Labyrinth though Littoi was a great place for us to use and practice magic. Outside of the magic fact I knew nothing about anywhere in this regio-

“Hey boy are ya just gonna dilly dally around and stare at the map or buy something? I'm runnin’ a business here!”

The old man that I bought the map from looked at me quizzically.

“Sorry sir.”

I left his vendor. Map in hand.

So it seems I will have to travel to the mentioned Cities first to make it to The Middle. There were many more locations along the way but I didn't pay them much mind. I really only need to know the route I'm taking and I'll discover stuff along the way.

The only other thing I needed was to get some food, despite having provisions already it's always good to get extra incase of an emergency. Pedestals store items but they also preserve them. Making great places to store foodstuff in.

I explored the market some more, eventually finding a section selling food. I bought some and stored it away in the Library of Weapons. Which at this point is a Library of Things to be honest. And so I carried on with my journey now that I have all that is needed. Pushing my fist into the air I celebrated. Now my true journey shall begin here.