Chapter One
In the edge of Peridot Fields…
Thump Thump Thump. Footsteps dominated the array of noises displayed in the area. In the land of Shard, anything can happen. A frog can grow to sizes half the height of humans. Tortoise are faster than a full grown man. The humans can barely survive at this province of Shard. With no official leaders to organize people, you can easily be betrayed by anyone, so trust was not in abundance. Even though survival seems unlikely, hope still lives among us, and we can not give up. With population at under 10000, a fate that will lead us humans to victory will be widely accepted, no matter how ridiculous it seemed. They are desperate for a solution, to this apocalyptic world.
(“Days” are “unumals”. ”Weeks” are “decenimals”. “Months” are “quinquagintans”. “Years” are “quingentinals”. There are 20 hours in an unumal, 10 unumals in a decenimal, 10 decenimals in a quinquagintan, and 5 quinquagintans in a quingentinal. Overall, there are 500 unumals in a “year”.)
On Unumal 15th of Quinquagintan 4th, a boy was born. The seemingly ordinary boy was named, “Shadow”. In Shard it is customary for every boy, girl, to be trained in the arts of the sword. These children are to be raised into warriors against the creatures in Peridot Fields. Shadow and his family currently resided in Kyanite village, his family only has 4 Silvacles of life savings.
(The coins of bronze, silver, and gold are called Bronziclez, Silvacles, and Goldize. 100 Bronziclez is 1 Silvacles, and 100 Silvacles is 1 Goldize)
. . .
Shadow’s parents were Derk and Lilicale. The parents had always been very fond of their son Shadow, but little did they know that they had gave birth to a great warrior and leader. Shadow began his training when he was merely 7 quingentinals old. His parents introduced him to his teacher.
“So Shadow, this is your teacher, Marth”, proclaimed Derk, pointing to the man in his mid 30’s, standing over Freg Hill.
As they approached Marth, Marth quickly turned around and unsheathed his greatsword. A sudden CROAK announced the appearance of a giant frog. The frog hastily leaped at Marth, but even more quickly than the frog, he swung. The blade shined in the sunlight as Marth suddenly sliced the frog in half. Like all monsters in Shard, the frog disappeared in a sudden mist of purple smoke. However, it left behind a nugget of iron, which could be sold back in the village for some Bronziclez.
Shadow had a sudden interest in Marth. He watched excitedly as Marth sheathed back his greatsword.
“So, this is the boy, eh?”, questioned Marth as Shadow and Derk approached him once again.
“Yep”, exclaimed Derk. ”This is my son, Shadow.”
“‘Course he is, who else would he be”, muttered Marth quitely.
“Well, I believe we’re all set right?” asked Derk.” You had said that you have a sword for Shadow?”
“Actually, I was going to take Shadow into Kyanite Village to get one himself. A warrior chooses his own weapon!”, exclaimed Marth. “You can go now of course. I’ll pay for the sword.”
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“Well, I’ll be off now. See ya Shadow.” waved Derk as he walked down the hill and off into the horizon. Shadow watched Derk go farther and farther until he was a mere blur in the distance.
“Alright, let’s head into Kyanite, shall we?”, said Marth. He didn’t wait for an answer and headed toward the village. Shadow followed.
. . .
They were mostly silent the entire way there. Occasionally Marth would cough or mutter under his breath. Shadow couldn’t hear most of it. When they reached the village, Marth spoke up.
“Ok, take your pick, a broadsword, a longsword, or maybe even daggers.”, asked Marth, for real this time. Inspired by Marth’s amazing showcase of the broadsword, Shadow said:
“Broadsword”, in his medium-pitched voice.
“Sure”, grunted Marth. He led Shadow over to a small blacksmith, with an antique broadsword, hanging over the empty doorframe. When they reached the counter, a skinny man with a scruffy shirt greeted them.
“‘Ello fine gents. How may I be of assistance today?” announced the man. “My name is Earl.”
“We’re here to get this boy a broadsword.” grumbled Marth. He pointed to Shadow as he said this. Shadow didn’t exactly like the way Marth had said boy, but what could he do? Marth is the kind of guy who would most likely cut anyone in half without even thinking. It must be survival instincts, Shadow thought.
“Ah, of course! How much training has this fine gentlemen received?” questioned Earl.
“None, this boy is a newbie.” corrected Marth.
“Well, we all started somewhere! In fact, I think this fine gent has the qualities of a fine warrior!” exclaimed Earl. Marth grunted, and Shadow liked Earl more and more. “So, what is your name anyways?”
“Shadow”, responded Shadow.
“Well Shadow, you’re just in luck! I’m just finishing off a starter sword! Light and deadly!” pointed out Earl. He quickly headed behind a door near the counter. When he opened it, a wave of heat blasted out of the door, indicating a forge and a furnace behind the door.
It was quiet while Shadow and Marth waited outside. Marth began to sort out Bronziclez and Silvacles. It was 5 minutes of silence until an opening door announced the return of Earl. He held a medium sized broadsword, made of pure silver. It’s sharp edges and shining blade told that it was recent.
“This is a Med-Broadsword, made of 100% goblin mined silver, made just yesterday.” announced Earl excitedly. “Now, you need to name it.”
Shadow thought about a name, but Marth cut off his thinking.
“We can decide a name later. For now, how much does this cost?” hissed Marth.
“3 Silvacles and 15 Bronziclez”, responded Earl. Marth staggered and almost lost his balance.
“3 SILVACLES!?” exclaimed Marth with shock. “3 SILVACLES, FOR A STARTING SWORD!? I CAN MAKE ONE MYSELF FOR 1 SILVACLE!
“Why don’t you then?” countered Shadow in Earl’s defense. Marth gave Shadow a glance and turned back to stare at Earl.
“Obviously, you have a more cheaper sword in your possession.” threatenly Marth, more calmly than before.
“Well, I do have a bronze sword, 25 Bronziclez.” gulped Earl. Disappointment showed on Shadow’s face as the prospect of having a great silver sword disappeared. Earl noticed.
“I’ll take—”, Marth started.
“—How about 1 Silvacle and and 50 Bronziclez for the sword?!” interrupted Earl.
Marth stared at Earl for being interrupted, but then relaxed. He counted 1 silver coin and 50 bronze ones and handed it over to Earl. Marth held his hand out for the sword, but Earl gave it to Shadow instead. Marth muttered under his breath.
As they exited the shop and headed toward Freg Hill again, Marth spoke up.
“Alright boy, you will meet me every unuminal at this hill. If you’re sick, you will come. If you’re injured, you will come. There are no exceptions within this class. If you miss ONE unuminal, I will keep your payment of 2 Silvicales and I will stop teaching you. Do you understand?” ranted Marth.
“Yes”, whispered Shadow.
“Good”, proclaimed Marth. “Alright let us begin.” They had reached Freq Hill.
Now here, on Quinquagintan 11th, Unuminal 16th, 1:00 p.m., started Shadow’s 11 Quinquagintans of pure hell.