* Date: September 28, 1173

* Time: 10:00 AM

* Location: Quake Town Outskirts

The sound of horses galloping on a paved path echoed, pulling with them a caravan filled to the brim with wheat, spices, and wines. Handling the horses was a young merchant, and he had with him a signature hat. Displaying his allegiance toward the merchants guild. Currently, the caravan was heading toward Quake town.

'I wonder why I was assigned to Quake town...'

'...But I suppose I can't question the guild master.'

The merchant thought to himself. It wouldn't be soon until he noticed in the distance Quake town. Smiling, the merchant would speed up his horse's pace. Suddenly, his horses would be tripped over. In his eagerness to reach his destination, he hadn't noticed the rope attached to two trees in front. The merchant started to panic; he had heard tales from merchants that met their fate from bandits. Emerging from the foliage were four bandits. Armed with swords and axes, they eyed their prey. One of the bandits then stepped forward, smirking.

''Well, well, well. Look what we got here...''

''...A lonely merchant.''

The merchant was lost for words. A possibility of death was very imminent. It wouldn't be long until he started hyperventilating.

''Alright, listen up, merchant! You'll hand over your cargo to us, and you get to live.''

''How- How would I- I trust your word?''

The bandits then started laughing. Sheathing his sword, the bandit walked forward. Meeting the merchant face to face.

''Oh! I assure you that we will keep the end of our bargain...''

''...Now, men! Search the back!''

''Of course, boss!''

The three other bandits flanked the sides of the caravan. Upon reaching the rear, the bandits proceeded to open it. They saw vast amounts of goods.

''We're gonna dine tonight!''

''Yeah!''

Cheered the bandits. Meanwhile, the leader in charge was getting impatience as his men hauled the loot.

''What are you morons doing! Hurry up, for Pantheon's sake!''

Yelled the bandit, inforcing the others to take out the goods. Unbeknownst to them, a seven-foot-tall armored figure had sneaked up on them. The two bandits didn't even notice until the armored figure used its hands to crush their skulls.

''Huh?''

[You know that's not supposed to be yours, right?]

''Who said-''

Cutting the bandit off was a quick snap to his neck. The armored figure then moves on and heads to the front of the caravan. Meanwhile, the bandit holding the merchant was getting angrier by the second.

''Hey! Didn't you hear what I said? Hurry up!''

Reaching the front of the caravan. The armored figure stood tall, and its hands bloody. The merchant had stiffened in fear and dared not to move.

'First, it was the bandits. Now, this thing. How could this day become worse.'

The young merchant thought as the armored figure passed him. Right after passing the merchant, the armored figure then stopped. The bandit unsheathed his sword and pointed it at the newcomer.

''Who are you!''

''No one.''

''What did you do with my men!''

''They are now disposed of.''

''What?''

Staring at the armored figure's hand, they were bloody, and since the armored figure's arrival. Recently, the others hadn't responded yet. That could only mean they were dead already, and the blood on the figure's hands signifies it.

''You! You killed them!''

''Affirmative.''

''You bastard!''

Yelled the bandit as he charged forward with his sword. Charging forward, the bandit noticed the figure's stature becoming larger as he got close. However, before he could land a blow on the armored figure. The figure then grabbed his head and started to apply force.

''Let go of me! You demon!''

Dropping his sword, the bandit would try and free himself. But it would be futile as the armored figure had a firm grasp on his head. The armored figure crushed the bandit's head as blood and brain matter gushed out of his skull.

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'By the Pantheons save me!'

Thought the merchant as the armored figure turned around. Tossing the bandit's corpse to the side like a toy. The armored figure walked toward him and stopped in front of his caravan.

[Hello!]

Suddenly, a lady in blue magically appeared in front of him. She wore an outfit foreign to him and donned a type of eyewear he had only seen nobles wear. The merchant was stunned; this armored figure appeared out of nowhere and started killing the bandits, and then a lady in blue magically appeared before him.

''Hi- Hi. Who are you?''

[My name is Vee, and behind me is my friend Tale.]

''I am Louis...''

''...I thank you- you for saving me. What do- do you want in return?''

The lady smiled at him, sending shivers down the merchant's spine.

[We humbly request for the three of us to enter the town up ahead. And maybe a large cloak for my friend if you have some?]

''An odd request, but I can grant it...''

''...And for your friend. I think I have a cloak large enough for him.''

[Oh, that's delightful!]

''Wait, my lady, you say there's three of you. Where's the third?''

[Let me call her out real quick...]

[...Joan! Come out; it's safe!]

Rustling out of the foliage was a little girl. Rushing toward Tale as Lady Vee calls him. Surprising Louis even more was when he saw the little girl hugging Tale's leg.

'Just who are these people?'

Louis pondered for a moment, and shortly after, the little girl would release her grip on Tale's leg.

[Her name is Joan. She's currently with us because wyvern's burned her entire village...]

[...She's the only survivor.]

''I see. Well, I suppose I should search for that cloak you ask for. I'll be back.''

Entering his caravan, Louis searched for a particular cloak he bought back at the capital. It was way too large for him anyway, so giving it to someone with a massive stature would be best. After a few seconds passed, he found it, although it was dusty.

'Found it.'

Shortly after, he would exit his caravan and walk toward Vee and her company.

[I assume that's the cloak for my friend?]

''Yes, Lady Vee.''

Louis was quite intimidated by Tale's height. The seven-foot-tall warrior approached the merchant, and Louis almost screamed in fear. But he still presented the cloak to his savior.

[Go on Tale.]

Taking the cloak out of the merchant's hands. Tale immediately wore the cloak, and it fitted him well. Louis saw Vee smile at her friend.

[Looking good! Now people won't look at you weird with that on...]

[...Now shall we proceed in reaching the town?]

''Of course!''

[Great! Also, you won't mind if Joan sits right beside you?]

''Not at all, Lady Vee.''

Hearing this, Joan sprung into action and boarded the caravan. Both Vee and Louis were a bit shocked but then chuckled amongst themselves. The little girl was lively, and that's what truly mattered.

''Horse ride!''

The merchant's caravan now traveled toward Quake town. Luckily, the injuries sustained by the horses weren't so severe. They were still able to gallop toward their destination.

''Lady Vee, may I ask you something?''

[Hmm, what is it?]

''Are you a spirit, perhaps?''

Louis questioned while Vee sat on her companion's left shoulder. Her blue body could be mistaken for a spirit, and she knew of this. Fumbling with herself for a second, Vee would then respond.

[I can assure you that I am no spirit...]

[...I am what you would call an artificial intelligence.]

''Artificial intelligence?''

[Uhmm, I won't reveal more other than that.]

''I see, and what about your friend?''

To Louis, Tale was just an anomaly. He was covered head to toe with armor, possibly enchanted armor by the looks of it. Another issue would be his armor's height: Tale would have to be the tallest elve to wear it. The only thing that could signify that he is an elve is that he can talk. Maybe he's not an elve but an advanced type of golem.

[My friend is special. And no, he's not a golem either.]

''Oh, may I know what he is then?''

[Unfortunately, no, but he does have flesh, blood, and bones.]

''Oh, so he's an elve!''

[Yeah, sure. Let's say that...]

[...Multiple contacts up ahead.]

Reaching the town's front gate, they saw multiple guards. Recomposing himself, Louis knew what to do. One of the guards then approached his caravan and raised his hand.

''Stop!''

Louis complied, and Tale followed; in front of them was the guard captain.

''What is your purpose here?''

''To trade, good sir. I've traveled far from the capitol to reach your town.''

''Mind if we search your caravan?''

''Of course!''

Turning around, the guard captain signaled his subordinates to come forth. Two guards approached him, and they immediately went to check the caravan. As the two guards searched, the guard captain before Louis took notice of Tale and Vee.

''What about him and her?''

''He's a mercenary I hired back at the capitol, and accompanying him is his lady spirit...''

''...They are very close. So I decided to hire them on my journey.''

Vee smiled; not only did Louis lie for them, but it looked like it worked. Although being called a spirit is insulting, she'll let it pass. The guard stared at both of them, waiting for a response.

[Yes, my friend and I were hired by the merchant.]

''I see. My apologies, lady spirit.''

The previous two guards who inspected his caravan returned. And right after conversing with their guard captain. They would return to their post.

''There seems to be no problem at all. Pay the toll, and you are clear to pass.''

''Very well.''

Paying two coins, the guard captain would turn around and allow the caravan to continue.

''Open the gates!''

Yelled the guard captain, and his subordinates quickly went into action. Gears started to move as the gate slowly opened itself. Louis then rode his caravan inside and entered Quake town. The merchant smiled as he finally reached his destination. It was full of elves from different parts of the world. Selling, buying, and interacting with each other, it almost looked like a miniature city.

''Here we are, welcome to Quake town!''

[It looks pretty...]

[...Anyway, I have important things to do. I'll be inside Tale's armor, and Louis, keep an eye on Joan.]

''I will, milady.''

Right after, Vee would disappear on Tale's shoulder. Joan would pout, hearing Vee's command to watch over her. Louis noticed this and chuckled to himself nervously. Tale would attract attention because of his stature alone. The elves would be astonished to see him for the first time, but fortunately, none had the strength to question him.

* Date: September 28, 1173

* Time: 11:00 AM

* Location: Gian Pantheon Church

''He has arrived.''

A voice echoed throughout the empty gardens of Gian. In the middle lies a sword suspended in levitation. The sword itself is embroidered with artistic designs. Its blade glows with magic and seems to be alive. Surrounding the sword is a gazebo, acting as its resting place.

''The Hero of Eldrant...''

''...Our world will now face the threat of the Kaynians once more.''

Suddenly, footsteps began to come close. Shadows become visible on the marble floor: entering the garden was a white-haired woman dressed in a garnished white robe. Upon entering the premises, she immediately rushed toward the sword.

''Mother! I sensed a disturbance.''

''He has arrived.''

''Who?''

She asked the sword, who she called mother. Kneeling to her knees, she awaited a response. Her eyes speak of determination, and her heart aches with pain.

''The Hero of Eldrant...''

''...Our world will now face the threat of the Kaynians once more.''

Kaynian is a word that has not been used for two hundred years. But more than that, she recognized the first part of the sentence. The Hero of Eldrant is a prophecy about a warrior who hails from the stars. And is destined to save Eldrant from the Invaders. It was a prophecy that their mother foresaw, and now it begins to unfold.

''He is here...''

''...As your daughter, I will find him and fulfill this prophecy.''

Bowing to the sword, she promised to her mother. She knew what she had to do; for Eldrant to survive, she must aid the Hero. But first, she must search for him, and if her mother says he's here, then only the might of the Pantheons can stop her from finding him.

''I promise, Mother.''

Standing up, she turned around and began to step to the entrance. Isabelle exited the premises of her mother's garden. She made her way toward the hallways, encountering two of her subordinates.

''Saintess! What was the disturbance?''

''He has arrived.''

''Who?''

''The Hero of Eldrant, he's finally here in our world.''

The two priestesses were shocked by the Saintess's proclamation. Readjusting their postures and clearing their minds. Both came to the same conclusion that the prophecy dictates their world's existence.

''What are our tasks, Saintess?''

''You are to locate the Hero's whereabouts and bring him unharmed...''

''...Search worldwide. I don't care if your source comes from a rumor or not. We have to find the Hero.''

''It shall be done!''

The two priestesses then disappeared through the use of teleportation magic. Now alone, she heads to her office. She will be busy in the upcoming days, but first, she must make a call.

'I need you more than ever, sister.'

Entering her office, she immediately levitated an orb to herself. Applying magic, it then started to glow. A rune orb is used to communicate further distances that exceed telepathy magic.

''Sister, are you there?''

''I am here, Isabella.''

''I have important news. The Hero of Eldrant has arrived!''

''That is concerning.''

Her sister replied, why would she see this as a concerning matter?

''Why is that?''

''An hour and a half ago...''

''...General Eugene reported that my Champion engaged in combat with a live invader.''

This shattered Isabella's mood; an invader was already here. This meant they had little time left to search for the Hero. And it seems her sister has not yet revealed the extent of her information.

''Worst of all, the invader is headed toward a town.''

To Be Continued.