The sun was shining beautifully, coated in clouds and fog from the rain of the night. Footsteps could be heard coming towards the Silver home, the door creaked open ever so slowly, "Hello? Are you guys awake?" whispered a shy Rokas. Elias and Ariah were still sleeping, Elias was moving a little in his sleep and murmured "Ari, can you shut the door? You didn't close it all the way last night."
Rokas was peeking one eye into their small home and saw the bed Elias was sleeping on but couldn't see Ariah. "You're so annoying, why don't you get up and close it next time" she replied while slamming the door shut. Rokas was hit by the door harshly and the twins could hear his body tumble onto the ground beside their door. The twins looked at each other, frantically jumped out of bed and quickly opened the door.
"You know, I thought you two were the sort to be awake early. I brought these books so we could study what lies ahead on our journey, but now, I have this gash on my forehead, and it hurts, bad." Rokas groaned as he was holding the wound with his hand.
Ariah got close to Rokas and moved his hand and said, "Let me help you, casting Aquatic Restoration". A sphere of rotating water mana swiftly penetrated the wound, it graciously brought the large bump down to a minimum and also stopped the bleeding.
Elias grabbed a wet rag and cleaned Rokas' face off, "what were you planning to show us in these books? I'm sorry this happened, I hope her healing spell helped." he said with a tone of regret.
"Before I get into that, Ariah, you're a healer too?! Not to be weird but I thought something was special with you two, so I was kind of stalking you and Dusty when everybody was coming here from Dockton. When y'all were in the woods setting up the attack on those Orcs, the spell that Ariah used is taught to high-ranking mages of the Artos Military. So that led me to wonder, how did she learn that spell, where are the parents to these twins and why have they been left in small-town Starch to fend for themselves?” Rokas asked intuitively, then he would point a finger up with a dramatized look of understanding, “The answer clicked right away, please do not be offended, but you twins are unmarked humans. Other known as non-reported births because King Artos doesn't believe that twins should be allowed to be born. The other reason for your parents being quote on quote missing is because they serve the military of which they despise, but they are forced into it." Rokas said straightforwardly.
The twins stared at the boy, surprisingly they started smiling and thought that he was very astute for someone of similar age. Ariah would reply "I don't believe we have much to debate, you have your facts right, strictly based on watching us. With that being said, it is time that we learn what else you know, because we will be leaving after the festival ends today as a farewell goodbye, for now anyway to our town folk. So, let's get to it."
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With the morning sun painting the sky in hues of gold and amber, Ariah, Elias, and their loyal companion, Rokas, stepped out from the confines of their modest home. The twins' residence, nestled amidst the quiet lanes of Starch, exuded a sense of warmth and familiarity, yet today, an air of anticipation tinged their departure.
As they strolled through the now bustling village, Ariah's bright eyes swept over the familiar faces that populated the gravel streets. Merchants hawked their wares, their voices mingling with the cheerful chatter of townsfolk going about their daily routines. Elias, ever observant, took note of the lively energy that pulsed through the heart of Starch, a testament to the resilience and camaraderie of its inhabitants.
With Rokas bounding happily at their side, they wound their way through the throngs of people until they reached the town's bustling tavern—a hub of activity nestled at the heart of Starch. The tavern's inviting glow spilled out onto the street, beckoning weary travelers and locals alike to its welcoming embrace. As they pushed open the heavy wooden door, the sound of laughter and merriment washed over them, mingling with the aroma of hearty fare and ale.
Taking their seats amidst the lively crowd, Ariah, Elias, and Rokas settled in for a moment of respite, eager to partake in the warmth and camaraderie that flowed freely within the walls of the tavern. Here, amidst the spirited banter and jovial atmosphere, they found solace and kinship—a reminder of the bonds that bound them to their beloved village of Starch.
Ariah, Elias, and Rokas were seated in the tavern at a round table seated for three. The lit torches around the interior kept a nice tone for reading with the beautiful red and white rugs that lined the flooring, Ariah would look around the room and know she would miss her favorite town.
"Alright, I think it's time I introduce you two to more creatures than you have seen before. Now I know you have seen gryphuars, crows, livestock animals, and the occasional bear-spider, but this book here contains mythical creatures unlike the others aforementioned. The creatures I am speaking of are descendants of the moons and suns themselves. Inside them contains gem shards that can be used to power weapons with new spells or unlock new physical powers. Truth be told, I have unlocked one of the said powers, I managed to find a very rare moonbat when I traveled south to Swampstead." Rokas said proudly.
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"What power did you receive? By the two moons, that's insane!" Elias said excitingly.
"To most, it may seem lame, but I obtained controllable distant hyperacusis, which means I can hear conversations, footsteps, and sounds in general at an exceedingly far distance compared to most. This will likely prove to help us in our adventure. With this being said, we need to hunt some of these creatures so you guys can find what powers you need." Rokas responded.
"So this large, old and dusty book you have, it has the mark of the Artos Military. If I'm correct, isn't it illegal to have this in your possession? To be honest, I took you as an outsider who didn't make it out much." Ariah asked.
"Well since we will be traveling together, I suppose you two can know about who I am. As you already know, I'm a descendant of the Aros family which founded many new magic spells and forms of magic. King Artos knew about us long before his reign as the Saintsland leader, let’s just say his identity isn’t what you think it is. This book that I have here is called The Creatures of Unknown, written and passed down by my kin. My father knew that had my birth been discovered, I too would be drafted into the military as magical knowledge and be appointed as head of the Mages Guild, run by the military. My father, Kane Aros, gave this book to me and told me to come here to tell Dusty a secret code so he knew of my residence and need for protection. Unfortunately, when I asked my father why I had to run, I had found out that the Artos family is a branch off from the Aros family. If you didn't know, the king's formal name is Runescar Artos, his father and mother changed their last names, illegally, so they didn't carry the Aros tag, knowing they'd be targets of those who oppose magic. The Aros Isles were formed as a scapegoat location for my blood family to hide, Runescar knew of the area but never knew how to access it due to a magical barrier. I'm sorry for ranting, however at this point, this is all I know so far." Rokas explained shy-like.
"Rokas, I'm very sorry to hear that your history is as immense and deep as it is. I couldn't imagine the weight you're carrying, we hope to help you in any way possible, you picked the right people to be alongside on this journey. There isn't much to say about the situation, but we do have little time. We should dig into this book, acknowledge the information, and learn which creatures we should find first. I see there are a lot to choose from here, what would be the easiest route for a decision?" Elias asked.
"Well, may I be honest about my studies from watching you two during the Orc fight?" Rokas requested.
The twins both nodded their heads and simultaneously responded, "Yes!"
"Elias, your fighting could be used greatly, I see that you utilize air and gravity to propel yourself using the mana in your feet, an amazing speed comes from you. Though your up-close battle can be tweaked with more precise planning, you have no distant styles. We need to find you a Gravity Toad. Lucky for you they are right in Swampstead's marsh, as hard as they are to defeat due to their floating-like abilities, they can control the gravity to objects they touch, this would prove effective with an idea that I wish to save for later." Rokas said while staring into Elias' eyes.
"What about me Rokas, I just have to know!" Ariah asked excitedly.
"Ariah, when you casted your Aquatic Needle Threader, I was in shock that you used it as an offensive maneuver. The fact that you technically double-casted the spell using each hand is phenomenal for someone as young as yourself. However, your mana reserves are low, due to your age and arcane stature, your body cannot contain high mana amounts. Rather than gaining an ability, we need to technically enchant an item so you can have faster mana regeneration. At the peak of the mountains south of Starch is a small pond filled with mystical mana. We could craft a mana flask that refills by the power of the moons and the suns. The enchantment is called Power Rejuvenation which I know how to craft, luckily. So we won't need to defeat a difficult monster of any sort, but we will have to traverse the steep cliffs and cold climate. So what do you guys say, we should enjoy the festival today, and see Dusty before we leave to pack the necessities, are you in?" Rokas asked.
"Let's do it!" the twins yelled with joy.
Savoring the warmth of the morning sun filtering through the tavern's windows, Ariah, Elias, and Rokas indulged in the morning's special breakfast—a hearty meal that invigorated both body and soul. As they savored each bite, laughter and light-hearted banter filled the air, a comforting symphony that echoed the bond shared between siblings and their faithful companion.
With satisfied smiles and contented hearts, they washed down their meal with mugs of fragrant tea, the soothing warmth seeping into their bones. Amidst playful jests and fond reminiscences, they lingered in the cozy embrace of the tavern, relishing the simple joys of companionship and camaraderie.
But as the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the village square, the time came to bid farewell to the welcoming haven of the tavern. With a final exchange of affectionate quips and a pat on Rokas’ head, Ariah, Elias, and their loyal companion ventured back out into the bustling streets of Starch, ready to face whatever adventures awaited them beyond its familiar confines.