The clear blue sky starts turning yellow. The sun is setting. Sora and Amamiya have walked long, and now they finally reach civilization. The meadow now has been replaced by fields of wheat. The windmill that they saw in the horizon now stood only in the distance of throwing stone. Not far away, can be seen a walled city with its gate and battlements. On the road to the gate, stand a few market stalls.
Seeing the city Sora and Amamiya let out a relieved sigh.
"Elzen," said both of them in unison.
Amamiya stares at Sora curiously. "How do you-."
"We can discuss that later," said Sora. "We need to enter the city."
They approach the city and stop in front of the market row.
"We just entered the city?" asked Amamiya.
"Actually, no. We need some money," said Sora.
"Do you have any suggestions on how to get the money?"
"Well-"
Suddenly Amamiya yelped. Something grazes her foot. She grabs Sora's hand and looks at the creature. Sora also looks at the creature that makes her partner squeeze his hand.
It's a small fowl with yellow feathers. Its appearance resembles chicken but, not have any crest.
"Wh-What is that?" Amamiya squeezing Sora hand tightly.
"Aaah, it's only piya," said Sora calmly. "It's harmless."
Amamiya releases her companion's hand. She calmed down but, still a bit scared of the yellow fowl.
"You sure?"
"Of course. My implanted memory says so."
Amamiya looks at Sora with doubtful stare.
The appearance of a piya makes both of them realize there are a lot of that yellow feathered fowls running around them. This actually gives Sora ideas on how to get money.
"Come," Sora invited his lady companion. "We have some foraging to do."
Sora invitation gives Amamiya chilly filling, and that's not because the cold evening wind starts blowing and she only wears a bikini.
Both of them walk through the bushes and tall grasses that present around the road. Sora leading the way as if he knows what to look for and where to look. The sharp bushes grazing and scratching unprotected skin of the two travelers-suddenly-turn-foragers. Sora occasionally grunt in discomfort when through the bushes. Amamiya experienced this foraging part of the journey the worst. Her bikini forces her to move more carefully and slower. Finally, Sora stops and crouches at the tall grasses. He looks at a rather big tree standing a couple meters in front of him. Soon, Amamiya was also crouching besides him.
"What are we looking for?" asked Amamiya.
"That," Sora pointed at two piya nests under the tree. "Those piya eggs will provide money for us."
"So, you want to pillage two chicken nests and sell the eggs?" asked Amamiya again, now with a condescending tone.
"Yes," Sora gave her a madman smile. "And you will help me do it."
Amamiya just sighs.
"We grab those nests at the same time. At my signal we dash out and grab them," Sora laid out his plan.
Amamiya simply nodded. Although reluctant, her heart filled with excitement to do this pillaging.
Sora looks around, spotting several piyas in the vicinity. Amamiya also notices those piyas. At this moment, she notices something wrong.
"By the way, why are we hiding?"
"Now!" Sora dash out, ignoring Amamiya's question.
Following her companion's action, Amamiya also frantically dash out. They run swiftly to the three and take the nests that are in fact full of eggs.
However as soon as they grab the nests, the piyas charge at them with murderous intention.
"Run!!!" Sora leaped through the bushes and ran.
Behind him Amamiya also ran as fast as she could. The excitement that was present in her heart now replaced with terror.
"You said they are harmless!!!" Amamiya protested at Sora's previous statement harshly.
"They are harmless unless you attack them or pillage their nest!" explain Sora. "They will attack you like murders of yellow crow!"
"Why didn't you say that earlier!?"
"If I say it, you won't help me pillage their nest!"
"Of course, I won't!"
When they reach the road more piyas join to pursue them. The two companions keep running while screaming in terror. Luckily, their scream drew the attention of a few peddlers and city guards. The guards were actually surprised seeing flocks of piyas with evil eyes approaching the market row. When they come to close, the guards immediately disperse those fowl with their spear.
Those guards Sora and Amamiya from being ravaged by flocks of piyas. Panting, they look at the guards who try to push off the piyas from market row with awe. Relieved filled them, and now their panting turns to laughter.
"It's fun, isn't it? Said Sora cheerfully.
"What fun for being nearly killed by flocks of yellow chicken!?" Amamiya said that angrily but, she can't deny, she too feels excited.
"Well, you never feel more alive when near death."
When both of them have recovered their breath and energy, they walk to the stall where they can sell the piya egg. The stall has a few rows of sausages and four gutted and butchered piyas hanging from its roof. The stall owner is a rather fat man with a thick mustache donning his friendly face.
"What can I help you two?" asked the man.
"How much for this?" Sora and Amamiya put the nests on the stall table.
The owner saw two nests full of piya eggs in front of him and inspected them.
"75 gold Zeny," said the owner, giving Sora a pouch full of gold coins. "50 for the eggs, 25 for the service that the young lady provides.
"What ser- Oooh…," Sora noticed the top part of Amamiya's bikini gone, exposing her epic, sweaty breasts. The top most likely lost when being chased by the piyas.
"KKKKKKYYYYYAAAAAA!!!" Amamiya covered her breasts with both of her hands and squatted to cover the rest of her exposed bits, to little avail.
"I've been violated. I can't be a bride anymore," she whimpers.
"Oh come on, It's not that bad," Sora tried to cheer her up in a very bad way.
"It is!" Amamiya started to sob.
"Hey, can you give her some robes or clothes," said Sora to the stall owner.
"I can give you this old coat," the owner handed Sora a red hooded coat. "By the way young man, you are not usually travelers, are you?"
"No. We come to look for information about the situation around here," said Sora while giving the coat to Amamiya, which she immediately put on. "Strange event or accident for instance."
"Hmm, you can try the Broken Lance pub for such information," said the owner.
"Any other source?"
"You can always ask beggars."
"Thank you."
They walk away from the stall, and to the city gate. Sora sees his companion's teary face and whips the tear from her face.
"Let's enter the city."
Sora and Amamiya enter Elzen gate along with several traveler entourages and merchant caravans. They pass inside the gatehouse, Sora looks at it with impressed visage. Never in his wildest dream will he see such a castle that is depicted in many movies and games. As he walks pass it, he observes the murder holes, pipes that most likely to pour hot oil or and any dangerous matters, but the things that most impressive to him are the two portcullises. A bit excessive in his opinion, but impressive nonetheless.
After they pass the gatehouse, they see what Elzen really is, a walled metropolis. A city that is surrounding a hill. On the top of the hill can be seen another set of wall and top part of a castle peeking from it. The road paved with grey stones in contrast to most of the residence buildings that were made of red bricks. Smokes that rise from the chimney, create a light smog around the city. Makes the walled city have a gloom appearance. Although, something else also gives this city a gloomy mood.
The sight of Elzen's inner part takes Sora and Amamiya breath away. Amamiya who has been down since her bits exposed in the public, sees the city with glistening eyes. Sora too cannot stop seeing all things around him with curious and impressed looks. Even though they only walk around the lower residence area of the city.
"I can believe what I see," said Amamiya.
"Nor I," Sora kept smiling while seeing the unbelievable scenery. His eyes now fixated to the castle on top of the hill.
"Hey, where are we go-," Amamiya noticed that Sora's left hand was injured. "You're bleeding!"
Before, Sora didn't even feel any pain from his injury. Now, after being told, he feels the stingy sensation from it.
"So that's the stingy sensation I feel since entering the city," said Sora calmly even though his wound bleed rather heavily.
Amamiya turns pale seeing the blood is spilling out from Sora's wound. "We need to clean it and stop the bleeding," she sees a small fountain near the building with a sign "Residence Administration" on it and drag her partner there to address his wounds.
They sit on the fountain's edge. Amamiya rips a piece of cloth from her coat, dip it into the fountain and start cleaning the wound. Sora hisses a little bit from the pain. When the blood is cleaned, it reveals several lacerations from elbow to his wrist. Seeing the extent of Sora's wound, Amamiya flinches, she also feels the pain even though she is not the one who got injured.
"When did you get injured?" asked Amamiya.
"I don't know. Probably when running from the piyas through the bush," Sora sees his wound. "Maybe got pecked by them as well."
"How do you not feel it?"
"Well, it's in the heat of the moment, I guess. You also didn't realize when your top was missing as well.
Sora's grunt when Amamiya presses on one of his wounds to stop bleeding. Amamiya washed the bloodied cloth in the fountain and repeated the process.
"How can you be calm when you get injured this bad?"
"See that scar," Sora points at the scar on his left hand that stretches from index finger to back of the hand.
"What happened?" ask Amamiya curiously. Although her face clearly doesn't want to hear the complete story.
"The short version, science practice gone wrong," Sora spares Amamiya and himself in a painful past story.
For a few moments, Amamiya kept cleaning Sora's wounds. She also tries to stop the bleeding. At this time, blood is still flowing. Sora's calm visage turned a bit pale and he started to pant. Besides the bleeding, he was also exhausted from the journey. However, Amamiya keeps cleaning and pressing the wounds of her compatriot diligently until at last the bleeding stops.
Sora sighs in relief. He stands up, ready to continue the journey, but from his expression, he is clearly tired.
"Nicely done," Sora praised Amamiya while looking at his injured hand. "Thank you for doing this."
"Not done yet. I still need to bind the wounds," Amamiya tries to rip her robe again, but Sora stops her.
"If you do that, you'll walk around naked. Again."
"I know that. But, your wounds will start bleeding again if not bind."
"I know that as well. For that, we need to go to the place where we get information."
"And where was that be?" Amamiya tosses the piece of cloth that already soaks with blood.
"A pub named Broken Lance," Sora looked at Amamiya. He is also the part of the coat that Amamiya rips, and it makes him think. "On second thought, maybe that is not a good idea?"
"Why?" Amamiya confused why Sora changed his mind.
"For starters, you dress like that," Sora points at Amamiya's torn coat that reveals her navel and lower part of her breasts.
Amamiya pulls the robe to cover her bits and glares at Sora.
"Unless, you want to give another "service", we could go to the pub."
Amiya shudders hearing the possibility of being exposed in public again, in addition to something more. "W-what the other option?" she responded quickly.
"According to the trader I spoke before, we also can ask beggars."
That is a sound idea for Amamiya, but something is amiss for her," I don't see any beggars since we entered the city," she said.
"Beggars are normally ignored and content to be ignored," explained Sora. "Unless we purposely seek them, they will not appear."
Sora looks around, "Ah, there is one," he points at a man wearing ragged clothes sitting on top of a mat made of straw.
Amamiya was surprised seeing that man. They passed that place before and she was sure enough that man wasn't there at that time.
Sora approaches the beggar with Amamiya tugging behind him. Amamiya is not sure this is a good idea anymore. The appearance of the beggar scares her.
The beggar didn't notice Sora, or Amamiya who hid behind him, until three gold coins fell in front of him. He raises his head to look at who threw the gold coins to him, and he saw a man oddly dressed and a woman peeking from behind the man.
"Well hello, adventurers," the beggar greeted the couple with a grim smile. "Thank you for the alms. May the gods light your path."
"That's not out of generosity," says Sora. "I want information."
"And what you want to know?" the beggar put the gold coins to his pouch.
"What happened recently? Is there any cataclysmic event? Have there been any anomaly or weird things that have happened in past months?" Sora asks those questions in a single breath.
The beggar smiled again," That kind information is not expensive, but I will ask you to give me more coins. The answer is a rather long story."
Sora gives two more gold coins to the beggar," This should suffice."
"Thank you," the beggar happily receives the money. "Well, where do we start the story? Ah yes, this land used to be peaceful. In fact, long ago, in the forgotten age, it used to be in one kingdom but now it's split into two city states, Elzen and Zandar. You can also count the Eastern Plains where the beast folks reside. However, they are a loose confederation of many different tribes. So, nobody really cares.��
"I presume the split between Elzen and Zandar will not come peacefully," says Sora, cutting the beggar.
"Not peaceful at all, young man. Great war takes before the two city states decide to walk in separate paths. Even until now, there is animosity between Elzen and Zandar. Nevertheless, if there is a common threat, both city states will stand together to face it. Well, at least until the threat is gone. After that they start to stab each other in the gut again."
"What common threat do you speak of?" Sora asked curiously. In his heart, he hopes there is an answer to why he arrives in this land.
The beggar chuckled, "No need to pushy, young man. I know which answer you are looking for."
"Then, tell me straight," Sora tried to force his hand to get the answer.
"Not without the full explanation. You two look too confused to understand any of the recent disaster. Especially your lady friend," the beggar points at Amamiya, making the scared Amamiya back hiding behind Sora.
Sora sighs, "Please continue your story, then."
Normally, Sora will eagerly hear the story, but he is too exhausted to hear the long story.
"Many times, the warriors from Elzen and Zandar stand side by side to face common enemies. The most recent is when the demon invasion armies came through the Black Gate eight years ago."
"Black Gate? What's that?" Sora again cut the beggar's story.
"A giant gate located on the foot of Silverpeak Mountain. They said it's connected to many different realms. Now, it's guarded by one of Elzen vassal states."
Sora nodded. Contemplating about that gate the beggar describes.
"Where were we? Ah yes, the demonic invasion," the beggar continues his story. "The invasion was a nightmare. Even with combined forces of Elzen and Zandar, the demon armies are too strong. The demon armies are pushed hard every day but, still resilient in their dark crusade. Catastrophic setback happened when the demon overlord himself appeared and led the demon vanguards in the frontline. And, before you ask who is the demon overlord, I will not say its name. The demon overlord nearly smashes the Elzen and Zandar armies to splinters, but the strangest thing happens. A young boy, dress as oddly as you, come out of nowhere. According to many stories, he shows up in the Elzen army camp and asks to join the fight. Not much clear stories about him but, he leads the Elzen and Zandar armies, even some says various warbands of beast folks of Eastern Plains also join him. With his leadership the coalition army achieved many decisive victories. The demon armies finally banished back to Black Gate and its overlord slain in the Battle of Grey Rock Hill. The young boy became this land hero. Thanks to him, the war with demon armies only lasted a little bit more than a year."
"What happens after that?" Sora is still not satisfied.
"After that, the relationship between Elzen and Zandar returns to normal and the hero disappears."
"Only that?" ask Sora again.
"Not really. For the reconstruction after the war, Elzen and Zandar extended their cooperation. Even, there are rumors about peace resolution between the two city states," the beggar chuckles, then his rugged face becomes stern. "The rumor will certainly realize if not what happens a year after the war."
"What happens?" Now Amamiya turns to ask the question even though she still hides behind Sora.
"Weird anomaly happens. Dimensional rifts open in various places. From that come out several demons. Initially, this was not a problem. The demons easily dispatched by the soldiers and our mages can close the rifts. Until, the demons stop, come out and in return creatures called "boggard" be the soldiers come through the rifts.," the beggar scoffed. "Even the small group of boggards can outmatch the hardiest veteran from the previous war. Ugly tiding comes when a horde of boggards come to sack Elzen. The attack is repelled at great cost, but the greatest cost is our alliance with Zandar. When Elzen calls for aid to repel the marauding horde, Zandar refuses to send any help. This is seen as betrayal by the Elzans. The two city states practically enemy, now."
"What of the hero? Did he come to help?" ask Sora. He feels very close to the answer but he still does not get it.
"He's not. Everybody is looking for him but nobody finds him or knows how to find him," the beggar stands up and rolls up his straw matt. "That's enough story for now. I'm tired now, and it's my dinner time."
"Wait!" Sora give the beggar two more gold coins." What if I want to find the hero? Do you know here to start looking?"
The beggar gives the gold coins back to Sora, instead he takes Sora's straw hat. "I don't know what to look for, but you already have the first clue. Check your pocket."
Sora checks both of his pockets and finds a piece of paper. It's a photograph. But, it's printed in black and white, or more likely brown and white. The dusk light makes it difficult to determine the details. Amamiya takes the photograph from Sora but she also fails to tell what in the picture.
"If still confused, take the picture to The Hall of Knights," the beggar points up to the hill. "It's in the second level of the city. From the gate you enter just go straight and up the stairs. The Hall is on the left."
"Right," Sora nods.
"No. Not right. Left is where the Hall is. Right is the Mage Towers compound."
"Fine. I understand," Sora held his laugh.
The beggar then walks away. Leaving Sora and Amamiya alone with their own mind. Amamiya still tries to figure out the photograph, but eventually she gives up.
"Do you know anything about that picture?" ask Amamiya while she gives the photograph to Sora.
"No," answered Sora plainly.
"Then, we must go to the place that beggar mentioned."
Sora nodded. His energy was nearly out. "We must hurry. It's almost dark."
Both of them walk to the direction that was given to them. Along the way, Sora occasionally looks at the photograph. Even though he knows nothing of the picture depicted, he cannot help himself to feel familiar with it. Not long, Sora and Amamiya are at the bottom of the stairs to second level. The beggar said just up the stair to second level but, he failed to mention it's a long winding stair. Seeing another ordeal presented before them, Amamiya whimpers and Sora curses in silence.
Sora sighs, "Let's get this over with."
Many stone steps later, they arrive on the second level, both panting and ultimately exhausted. The second level of Elzen is not as packed as it first where most housing districts reside. In front of the stair only empty space, except for the fountain in the middle. After that, another gatehouse and a set of stairs to the top level. Most distinguished appearances of the level are both in the left and right side of it, a little bit far from the fountain, there are two gates. Each guarded by two guards but, the guards of each gate have a different appearance. In the left gate, the guards are wearing black brigandine and sallet and carrying a halberd. On the right side, the guards' armor is almost non-appearance because they are wearing long purple robes. Their helmet is also unique, it's like a bascinet with a plague doctor mask. The mask part only covers the guards' eyes and nose. The only normal things are the heater shield they carry and the sword that peeking from the robe.
After collecting the little strength they had, both Sora and Amamiya walked to the left gate. Sora carelessly trips himself, luckily Amamiya manages to catch him.
"Are you alright?" Amamiya is very concerned with Sora's condition. As she predicted, Sora's wounds are bleeding again.
"I'm…. tired….," said Sora. He barely has energy left to continue, moreover speaks.
"Come on, a little bit more," Amamiya tried encouraging her companion.
In front of the gate, the guards stop the two. Sora gave the photograph to one of the guards.
"Take it to any person that knows about the picture," he said with a faint voice.
The guard looked at the photograph with little care. However, his partner whispers something to him, something that changes his expression.
"Wait here," says the guard. Then, he enters inside the gate.
A moment later, the guard returned with a woman. Stern in expression. Her long silver hair is braided with blue ribbon. She is wearing a knee length arming doublet. On top of the doublet, a leather vest with four belts as replacer for buttons. She carried a schiavona on the left hand and the photograph on the right.
She looks at Sora and Amamiya with still stern visage.
"Are you the one carrying this picture?" asks the woman. Her voice is lovely yet has a very strict tone.
Sora only can nod and Amamiya holds her companion to prevent him from falling.
There is suspicion on the woman's expression, but Sora's condition makes her worried for the wellbeing of two adventurers who come to the gate.
"Come. We'll take care of you," the woman turned around and walked inside the gate.
Sora and Amamiya follow behind her.