Here we are, my friend, sister, and I, inside of the Adventurer's Guild waiting patiently in line. *Sigh* I for one, was entirely content with going over to the request boards and picking up any little quest not too dangerous and very quick. However, thanks to my amazingly good and punchable friend, Axel Naklo, who decided to inform my little sister of an official membership, we're now waiting in the little line, that isn't so little.

Truthfully, I have no idea why this line is so long. The only other time I've seen it this long was when we were here with the other students and teachers. Though, comparing this line to that line is stretching it, our sign up line was much longer that time, glad I didn't have to wait in it. I can't help but feel impatient in lines. I always need to be moving. That said, shouldn't there be another line for registration? All the guys in front of us seem like they're already registered. Also, I will admit, I'd rather not have Aisha get an official membership to the guild.

"While we're at it," Axel says, "Let's make a small party before we go out on a quest."

What? Why would you bring that up!? Nervously, I take a few short glances at Aisha. She's hanging on to his every word.

"We'll be able to take a higher level on then while also sharing some points. My bad about last time, I took all of the points." he finishes while rubbing the back of his head.

Smiling awkwardly, a weak laugh escapes my mouth, "Eheh. No worries Axel. I still got paid." I say so while stepping in between him and Aisha. Making sure she can't see, I form an x with my arms, signaling Axel to quit opening his jibber-jabbering mouth.

"Hmm? What's that Rai?" he flashes me a mischievous smile. "You want me to-"

Right before I was about to land my fist in his stomach, a shout echos through the large room that is the Adventurer's Guild. A young, well-armed and stout man is complaining to the woman manning the desk. Wearing a fine sword by his side along with a decent, but not amazing, helm, he's clearly somewhat experienced.

"What do you mean that was a C-ranked quest? Those kobolds weren't your average monsters! They knew magic and were waiting for us! They were hunting us!" an adventurer yells from the front of the line. Slamming his hand against the desk, he says, "What's going on with some of these quests? I took on one to find the Salu plant in the Kasherian Plains north of here but the place was filled with giant arachnids. The rankings are all wrong!"

The lady at the desk, with both hands up, attempts to calm him down, "S-Sir. I need you to calm down. We're working on-"

"What do you mean calm down?"

"The same thing has been happening to us!"

"Yeah, what are you going to do about it? A bunch of us got injured during one of those missions!"

Slightly unnerved, Axel asks, "Yo, Rai. What do you think's going on here?"

I remember back to when Blue Hair and I took on that one D-ranked mission. "Probably a string of misinformation given by the requesters trying to lower the amount of money they have to pay. Too bad for them, a quest with false information is worth more than just a rank or two's worth of coin."

Other adventurers are jumping in, all of them are in line. Those at the tables and boards constantly glance over. Some adventurers even put back the quest they were taking a look at. The staff, those at the front, are hurrying around trying to calm things down. The flustered clerk steps back, looking at her coworkers for assistance. They're all busy with their own groups of complaining adventurers. I suppose this is why there's not registration line.

"Shut up, all of you," a gruff, older man enjoying a drink says. "Quit pestrin' the guild and its clerks about your problems." he sits alone at a table with three empty cups on his left, a half empty one in hand, and a full one across from him. Parts of his scraggly brown beard is stained by the beer.

"What's that old man? You think it's acceptable that we're being led around by the guild? People have died from these missions!" the well armed and hot-headed adventurer from the front replies.

Taking a sip of his drink he says, "It's been a long time since I last took on a quest  but such is the way of an adventurer's life. You can't go 'round blamin' others for your lack of prep'ration and ability."

"Are you calling me weak?" he yells. "Why shouldn't they take responsibility for what's been going on? They're the goddamn guild that controls all this shit for gods' sake! It's their fault my buddy lost his life!"

"That's a shame, it truly is. However, If you want to blame something, blame your own weakness." the old man takes another drink.

Angered by his response, the armored adventurer leaves his place in line and starts towards him. "Why don't you go on a quest and have someone die on you and tell me how it's like!"

Even without the old man's words, I already know what he's going to say next.

"Do you see the drink across from me?" the wrinkled veteran asks.

"What about it? A peace offering?" the armored man asks, unaware.

"No, not for you kid. It's for one of my friends. His name was Daka."

Suddenly, the anger drains from the younger man's face. His gaze lingers on the empty seat for entire seconds. The room's once disruptive atmosphere has died. His balled fist loosens and he asks, "What happened?"

"Like I said kid, blame your own weakness." blankly staring ahead, the bearded man lifts the drink up to his lips and downs the entire thing. Setting down the now empty cup, he walks past the well armed man and cuts to the front of the line. "Thank you for the drink." laying out a couple of coppers, he makes his way out the door.

Blinking several times, the well armed man simply stands still. Eventually, after being called by the clerk at the desk he responds.

"That was... unexpected." Axel mutters. "Aha. W-Well let's just kinda forget that happened and sign up."

"Umm, about that." Aisha tugs on my sleeve. "Let's skip that part. I can register another day."

"R-Right," Axel says, "That's probably for the best."

"The line's a little long anyways." I add. "Let's do a quick quest then. One without needing to fight." leading the way, I start taking a look at the ones posted on the board. Though the people inside of the guild are mostly silent after that commotion, I can still pick up little bits and pieces of conversations being had.

Key words are, "monsters, stronger, bigger, smarter, armies, awakening, dragons, dead." Something's going on and it seems like no one has any clue as to what it is. Would Carlyle know? Does my master know? Does the invasion and these strange events have anything to do with each other?

It's all just a jumble of information. If only I could talk to some of these guys one on one then I'd be able to understand something.

"Let's do this one Rai. It's another, "look for x" but it shouldn't be too dangerous. The only thing that would really be bad is if we were suddenly attacked by an old lady with a cane." Axel says, while lifting a piece of paper from its place on the board.

I swipe it out of his hands and give it a quick scan. It's safe enough. "Looks good. We're only searching for a lost dog. How about it Aisha?"

"Mm." she nods. "It's fine for a first quest."

"Good, that's decided then." with a clap of his hands, Axel begins to leave the guild.

"Wait," Aisha says, "Don't we need to report that we're doing this quest?"

"Oh. So you do know a few things about adventuring," I say. Honestly, I find it kind of odd she'd know about this. Although it may be a little self explanatory, seeing as how one needs to report completed quests to rise in ranks. Sometimes, the rewards are left to the guilds to give to the adventurer.

"Of course I know!" she exclaims, puffing out her cheeks. "S-So do we have to wait in that line to do the quest?" she asks hesitantly.

"No." Axel responds. "Not for the lower ranked quests like this one. It's only an F-ranked one so we should be fine. C-ranked or higher are the ones that you'd need to report. Most of the time it's a requirement to actually take on the quest and get the reward but some of the time it's also to inform other parties or adventurers that someone's already on the job and that they should probably take another one."

"But it's usually a requirement?"

"Yep. But, luckily for us, that one isn't so we should start right away." Axel gives her a thumbs up. "Since it's your first mission and it isn't really a dangerous one, want to lead the way?"

Aisha shrugs, "I don't mind." doing like she said, she led the way while Axel and I stayed behind her.

Quietly, once we left the building, he leans close and whispers, "What do you think of the incident back there?"

"Weird. For now we should avoid any out of the city missions. The monsters are starting to become unpredictable. I'm sure the empire and the higher ups in the guild are already aware of this. In a week or so it should die down and compensation should be given to the adventurers who were harmed by the misleading quests." I reply.

"Agreed." he backs away for a moment before leaning back in, "Uhh. What do you think about that commotion with the old man?"

"I had no clue that they served drinks in the guild."

"Haha Rainen." Axel laughs sarcastically. "Did you understand the- never mind. I know you did. Anyways, you okay with taking another one of these quests? We go on these quite often."

"Didn't we just agree this would be best?"

"Yeah, I know we did but I was just asking for politeness sake."

"And when have you ever done that?" I ask.

"Just then bud. Don't worry, I won't make a habit of it."

"Great," I say. "Having Aisha lead was also a bad idea."

"You just figured that out? She only got here yesterday," Axel says.

"Then why'd you have her lead?" right before he's about to answer I hold up my hand. "Never mind. I don't want you to answer that. It should be fine though. It's still daylight." I should've known better than to say this. I don't believe in jinxes but I'll admit, they have come back to bite me before.

A few hours later and the sun's down. Originally, I had plans to go to the warehouse today, like I usually have been for the past few weeks, however, the quest sadly hasn't been completed yet. With time ticking by and the night getting longer and longer, I push forward, overtaking Aisha. She doesn't complain and wearily switches places with me.

Passing through dark alleyways and navigating through crowded streets, it takes us a great deal of time, even with me leading, to find anything. Searching usually goes like this, either you find the animal very quickly or it takes days. Most of the time, searching the general area around where the quest giver lives is a good place to look but this one didn't put anything down for their address.

I suppose they also gave the reward money to the guild as well then. Let's see. I lift the paper up again to examine it. At the top right, there's an expiration date. It says, "14/28." Three days to go until the request is canceled. Looking over the information again, the dog is completely black, around 145 pounds and 30 inches. It's a large pet. The description also says it has a missing ear.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Wonder how that happened.

"Rai, wanna pass that over?" Axel asks.

"Sure. Keep on the lookout for a dog missing an ear." I hand him the request while continuing my search. Aisha leans against the wall, staring down at her feet. Feeling a little bored myself, I talk to her. "What's up."

"Nothing... just a little disappointed in my day so far."

"Did you expect something big? A dangerous quest?"

She nods, "A little bit. I mean, it's fun just being around you and your friend and all but I wish I could've also done a better job."

"Done a better job at what? Looking for a lost pet? That's a pretty tough job if you ask me. Sometimes it takes entire days to find these guys. I wouldn't sweat it." I reassure her. I hope what I've said so far reaches her. It'd be pretty bad if it all just fell flat. I don't know how much Aisha looks up to me but I sure hope that my opinion has some kind of affect on her, seeing as how much she's missed me in her diary. Oh, I should probably give that back later.

"So," she starts, "What was your first quest? When did you do it?"

"My first quest?" I repeat her.

She nods.

My first quest eh? I probably shouldn't tell her that I ended up killing a bear for my first quest. I don't know for sure but I have a feeling it'll discourage her a bit. Maybe I'll just tell her a lie? No no no! What am I thinking. Lying to my sister about something as simple as a quest? Next I'll be telling her how I have a mountain named after me.

"I was also looking for an animal." I respond. Yeah, that's true. It works for now.

"What kind of animal? A cat? Another dog?" she asks, glancing up at me with her head still slightly pointed down.

"A-Ah. Something like that. I ended up finding it at the end, but only with the help of someone else."

"Who helped?"

Would you stop asking these questions!? Do you want to be encouraged or discouraged?

"It was-"

I'm interrupted by a crash. Quickly, Aisha, Axel, and I run towards the sound. Scavenging around in a trash can is a large black dog.

"Hey Rainen, do you think..."

"Yeah. On three we jump it?"

"What if it runs?" Aisha asks.

"Then I'll stun it," Axel says, "Actually, I think I'll just do that now." taking a step back, Axel channels mana into his hand which begins creating a bright green ball. "Just a little bit more."

Once it's as big as his palm he releases it. Success seemed to be just within our grasp when, suddenly, the dog pulls it's head out from the bin and jumps back. It's head jumps between all three of us. Realizing that the magic from before was meant to temporarily stun it, the dog bares its fangs.

"Hold on guys," Axel says, "I'll launch another one right away."

"Nah Ax," I say, "My turn. I'm a much better aim than you."

Opening my hand, I let energy drain from other parts of my body into my hand. Along with a tingling feeling, the green ball of light is waiting in my hand. Now all I need to do is get a good shot at it. Watching it closely, observing it like it's doing to me, I anticipate its movements. With a long arching throw, which is unneeded, I pretend to send the stun one way while releasing it early.

Keen and already on the defensive, the dog dodges with ease.

"C-Can I try?" Aisha asks.

Axel and I meet eyes, "Why not?" we both answer.

Slowly, like a panther ready to pounce upon its prey, Aisha cautiously approaches the dog.

"Aisha." I hiss. "What are you doing?"

"I think I know what I'm doing," she says, "Let me try."

Let her try? Why yes, I'd also let a newly born chick try its luck at flying by allowing it to jump off the side of a cliff. Obviously I'm not going to voice any of these things to her, however, if that dog jumps at her, I'm going to instantly knock it away. I can't believe I'm going to let her try. It's a domesticated dog but who knows what it's had to deal with for the past, however long it's been missing for?

Calmly, and against my wishes, Aisha carefully holds out her hand and beckons the dog towards her. Without saying a word, Aisha continues to do so while getting closer and closer. Eventually, she gets onto her knees. The dog, which was baring its fangs before, has retracted them and now only wears a confused and battered look.

Gradually, as if still trying to pick up any hidden feelings of malice, the dog inches closer to her. My body tenses as the dog does so.

"Good," Aisha says as she starts rubbing it's head. "We'll get you back to your owner."

Axel nudges me with his elbow, "She's not bad. We've had to stun so may of these guys."

"Heh. Beginner's luck?"

Glad it worked out in the end.

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In the southern continent a few days earlier

"Umbra." the little green haired girl calls out to her companion as she sits atop a new rock, one not stained with the blood of the soldiers she just recently massacred.

"Yes Erika?" Umbra knelt, his head down in respect for his master.

"Out of those three over there, which do you think is the fastest?" she pointed at three soldiers tied to a tree, each on with a gag placed over their mouths.

"I'd say the youngest one. The one to the left there." Umbra said without gesturing.

Erika quizzically looked back at the three men, "You think so? I'd put my money on the guy in the middle. Want to make a bet then? I place my bet on the guy at the right and you on the left. If I win then you have to listen to an unreasonable request of mine and if I lose, I'll listen to one of yours. How does that sound?"

"I do not mind. If I do end up winning, although I do not wish for much usually, I shall take your offer this time."

"Great!" she hopped off her rock and walked over to the men. "Today's your lucky day! At least for one of you it is!" she raised her hand in the air but stopped for a moment to inspect it. Seeing the state her hand was in, covered in blood, she instead lifted a sword off a fallen soldier and cut the vines binding them.

"Couldn't you have undone that with magic?" Umbra asked.

"Yes but that's less rewarding than doing it with your own hands, or sword." she turned to the three men who hurried to take off their gags. "I'm letting you three go. Feel free to worship me for this kindness I have done you."

The three soldiers didn't respond right away.

"Did you not hear her?" Umbra asked. "She is doing you three a kindness by letting you go. Would you prefer to end up like your allies?"

Their eyes widened and all three shook their heads, refusing to look at the sight just a head turn away. The horror they had witnessed was enough to disturb even the most veteran of adventurers. If Umbra or Erika herself had told them to cut one another's throat or be at her mercy, they'd turn on each other without a thought.

"Go on then," Erika said, "Be free and run back home to your little king. Make sure to tell him that I'm not someone a fool like him should be messing with." she herded them forward with her hand.

"Wait." one of them turned around. "You said something about only one of us being lucky. Why do all three of us get to leave?"

"All three of you get to leave? When did I say that? I let all three of you free, there's no question about that." smiling, she clapped her hands together. Three dogs, black as night with cracks in their skin showing a hint of fiery hell, appeared. "You have three seconds to run before I let them loose."

They looked at her in despair.

"One." she began.

Immediately they turned and ran.

"Two."

The distance they made was remarkable for those in armor. If one were to stand close in their path, no doubt would they feel the force of wind the three made as they ran past.

"Three."

Reaching the allotted time, the hell hounds broke away from her and chased rabidly after the men. Their tongues hung out and they panted loudly as they closed the distance.

In no time at all, two of the three had met their demise. Each on screaming for help.

"Awww." Erika groaned, "We didn't say what would happen in case of a tie."

"I suppose we both lose and shall listen to one request the other has then?" Umbra suggested.

"I like that. Good thinking Umbra." she patted him on the back. "All right! Stop being so formal then."

"I understand. Then you shall stop being so reckless."

Erika frowned, "I'm more meticulous than reckless."

"Only sometimes." Umbra responded.

"I don't like this request."

"I don't enjoy it either." Umbra agreed.

"I'm nullifying it. Continue being yourself Umbra."

"And you mistress."

Erika snapped her fingers and the hounds disappeared. With large, exaggerated swings of her legs, Erika made her way back to her little rock.

"What should we do with that girl who injured me earlier?" Umbra asked, feeling his side. "You said you had no use for her but you didn't kill her."

"Does it still hurt?" Erika asked.

"No."

"Good. Well, considering her bow was cursed and she was using it, I think it'd be a waste if we just let her be nothing but a corpse. So, I already started to stitch her up! Right now, she's kinda like a doll, you know, those ones with their mouths all sewn up."

"Will you use magic to control her?" Umbra asked.

"No." Erika shook her head. "I'll break her. Most people tend to break easily. I'm glad that bow protected her so well and also impressed at the same time. I'd hardly call it a powerful sealed weapon but it had some strength in it." Erika sat back atop her rock.

"When will we move on the kingdom?"

"Not yet. I don't really want to deal with the dumb king over there. I just woke up after a while so I think it's better if we take things slowly for now."

"Understood. How long do you think it will be before others notice our presence?"

"You mean like Aprus and Olethad? Hmmm, it'd be pretty bad if they knew I was out and about. I think it's better if we stay low for now. I guess that's another reason not to kill that dumb king then? He's pretty lucky." Erika pondered his luck.

"Then will we be staying here? The southern continent I mean."

"Only for a little while longer. Let me finish sewing up that girl first."

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Author's Notes: Hey guys, sorry about the delay and late night release but at least I got it out on Sunday. Though the story and some parts may seem a little jumbled now, a little bit more lore will be coming up about this world in the next few chapters so please bear with me. It's one problem of not just infodumping on the first few chapters of the story and the problems of a newbie writer.

Anyways, more lore will be coming out soon as this still is the early part of book 2.

Comments, opinions, and reviews are appreciated.