There was a silence floating in the air between the five warriors, as they sat together in a pub at Briyako Coast. No words, just stares filling the discussion as time passes by and in between, the same female bartender hands out on-the-house drinks. Jess removes her helmet, placing it beside her, then picks up her axe to remove the blue-blood it soaked up from the battle. Hina and Jaden smile at each other, grateful that they were able to find each other quicker than anticipated. Although they seem friendly, Franni doesn't take the chance, holding out a sigil ready to reduce them to ashes. Aly is the only 'normal' person, not paranoid, or infatuated with another, she just folds her hands delicately in front of her
Despite being in the backseats, secluded from the other guests, loud singing echoes throughout the entire inn. Traditional Briyakian songs playing in the background. Their loud booming voices, combined with their stomping created an earthquake in the inn. The spruce-wood creaking and the dust repeatedly falling with each jump
Aly reaches into her bag, Franni's eyes widen, gripping the sigil, and she reveals a map, spreading it upon the table
"A map of Yomar?" Jaden asks
"You experienced a battle with the ender dragon, right? And we were all friends, we just need to find the remaining others"
"The problem is that Anosha is meant to be part of our group", Hina says looking at everyone, "not part of the enemy"
"Well it stands to reason that we can get her back", Aly says patting Hina, "what about Michael and Ash, right?"
"Ash is a conjuror, she'll probably be in the Tower of Doe Cap. Michael, on the other hand, I remember his lust for battle, probably in Yusov Udet", Jaden says pointing at each location
Everyone stares with shock
"You do realise Yusov Udet is in Ghibli Kingdom?" Jess' voice wavers
"I know we're risking a lot, considering what happened in the past, but I promise you we'll succeed"
No one says anything, but the determined looks answer for them
"If we want to do better we need might need the six-powerful items of Yomar", Aly says rising from her seat
"I have a friend who might know where to get them"
And the warriors set off to catch a ride to Bomar, Jaden tipping the lady again as they leave. They arrive shortly after, catching the sun setting on the horizon. Franni breathes in the salty-water, feeling the breeze brush on his face, calming himself down. Unfortunately, Mr J doesn't enjoy peaceful moments that his master does. He momentarily closes his eyes in order to reset, and opens to the blazing sun. He looks at the light reflecting in the melodious water, the mellow colours of the sun reaching all the crevices of the world. And it was moments like this where he can indulge in a sense of ownership, and serenity, away from the duties of being Hina's mage
The captain stops a few meters before the deck, allowing the people at the pier to connect the boat to the pier. Jess is the first one off, lying down on the sandy beach not bothered by the elven couple amused by her behaviour. Aly comforts her, kissing Jess on the forehead and helps her stand. Jaden leads the way to Steven's house. A miniature cottage in the clearing of The Jokla Woods on top of a mountain, having to traverse a winding incline in order to make it to the cottage.
Steven was blessed with an array of flowers: in the springtime the primroses' everlasting beauty was present in the field, indicating life restarting. During the summer heat, the lilacs would appear, the neutral purple-colours coming to life to contrast the greenery in the back. The orange warmth of the chrysanthemums' petals sprouting in the autumn. And the hyacinth's cooler tones reflected the leaves floating to the ground. He could enjoy this eternal captivating spectacle, even when he would venture into the lands of Yomar.
Though Steven was reliable, doing selfless things for others, his occupation was the only thing he did not disclose to others. "Are you a merchant?" or any questions relating to where he goes to always happen. And he would respond "I'm just trying to discover things", smiling radiantly as he avoids the answer.
Jaden and the others make it to his cottage, finding Steven sharpening new arrows and restringing his bow. Trekking the incline Franni observes Steven's owl, with brown feathers, sitting upon the overgrown warped-fungus tree, it's eyes not deviating from the warriors as they reach Steven. Jaden calls out his name and Steven smiles at them, shaking their hands and inviting them, the owl still focused
"I can't believe you did it. What do you require?" Steven asks putting his bow into a chest
"Do you know about the six-powerful items of Yomar?"
Steven stops in his place, smiles turning to them
"Of course"
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The six-powerful items are known as The Tero Bonnel, forged when the dragon was loose accompanied by the wither. During that time Yomar was still young, the kingdoms, colonies, were separate and isolated from each other. The elves were reluctant to offer their gems to others, the dwarves had not taught their trade to different travelers, and the orcs had claimed control over trading nether items.
But with a dragon and a wither causing destruction of life in the lands, the colonies formed together to combat their enemy. Diamonds mined by an elf from Ga Sumee Forest were combined, by a dwarven-blacksmith, with netherite ingots from the depths of Briyaki Tal, supplied by an orc. While any person can recreate this, the armour was unique as mages from The Tower of Doe Cap, imbued the weapons with powerful enchantments.
The warrior who wielded such power was Hina's grandfather, King Poolius. He had traveled across Yomar at a young age, persuading the colonies to unite and return the lands to them. It was strenuous, trying to convince each group to join a suicide mission. Why follow an idiot with no plan? But Poolius had promised them territories of their own, and a place where they could come together to share resources
The wither had fired projections of decay onto numerous towns. Those that didn't wither away were changed into wither-skeletons, carrying death wherever they went. The dragon's breath incinerated buildings to ashes, leaving a purple hue as the fire died. King Poolius alongside his friends were triumphant in defeating the wither, and sending the dragon back into Tero Joklip. The only way to access the Gates of Tero Joklip was through the eye of enders, which is now guarded by orcs and elves. The Council of Yomar unanimously decided to hide each pearl in the kingdoms defended by creatures or magic. King Poolius decided to keep the armour, though the whereabouts of it remain hidden.
And there was peace in the world. He and his friends decided to split the land into four kingdoms, with leaders looking over the regions responsible for a particular resource. King Poolius established the first kingdom, Neon Kingdom, in the north of Yomar. The elves took the Eastern lands, Country Kingdom, the dwarves owned Resort Kingdom, and the orcs Ghibli Kingdom
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No one spoke a word. Mr J playing with Billiwog could only be heard as the companions took in the information.
"So why do we fight the dragon?" Franni faces Hina
"I'm not quite sure…" Jaden says, "Probably to get rid of evil?"
"Because of the grand prize, the dragon egg"
"I don't get it. What's so special about an egg?"
"Upon defeating the dragon, it will revert back to its egg-form", Steven says, folding his hands and leaning in, "by defeating it, the dragon will become, metaphorically, your sword, recognising the power you wield. You were attacked by ravagers and ghasts, right? Doesn't that suggest there's instability in Yomar? The kingdoms need to recognise your sovereignty, and I believe getting the egg is the best way to achieve that"
The others stay silent, their gaze falling upon Hina. She takes a few moments to recognise her duties as the next ruler of Neon Kingdom. She looks back to Steven, his smile making her skin crawl, but Jaden trusts him so she doesn't worry
"Where are the eyes?"
For at least an hour Steven explains the task before the adventurers. First, they must recruit Michael and Ash, and Anosha if they can persuade her. Splitting into groups: Franni will venture into Yusov Udet to find Michael, his magic is substantial enough to keep him alive. Jaden and Hina will go to Ash in The Tower of Doe Cap. Aly and Jess are to begin searching for the eyes in the Countryside and Resort Kingdom. Secondly, they must take the eyes from the guards that have them. They'll know the location when they see it
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The next day comes, they finish up their conversation, reiterating their objectives and take different paths by reaching the Borders of Connection. Before Jaden follows behind Hina, he is stopped by The Judge
"Protect her with your life", Franni says sternly, "she trusts you, so I hope you know what you're doing"
"Relax, she'll come back. She has a kingdom to save"
Franni scoffs at this remark, cloaking himself with his hood and begins walking towards Ghibli Kingdom with Mr J. Jess and Aly wave goodbye to the others, returning to Resort Kingdom first. Hina and Jaden walk towards The Tower of Doe Cap. And their journey begins. But in the back of Franni's mind, something bugs him. How did Steven know we were attacked? And he looks up catching the owl with brown feathers, eerily observing him