Sun is warming my back, as usual. This heat is horrible, as usual. However I have always loved working in the fields. Tending to our crops and taking care of pesky bugs, the farm life is always busy, yet very beneficial. We always have food during winter and if we're short on money we can always sell more crops or help out at the local village. I am part of a farmer family, born and raised in our little spot. I would never trade for anything else. I, Fic, will work on the farm till the day I die.
"Yes, mom?"
"Oops, I forgot. I'll do it right away!"
"I won't mom!"
And I ran off. How could I forget about guild master's birthday? I should hurry before the day is over! But I have to run fast enough trough the forest. In a world where magic and monsters exist, death can be found on every corner, and as famers, we have no magical talent. While anyone can posses magic, it is quite useless for farmers, since you can't use it to duplicate crop yield, nor can you speed up the plant growth. Although healing magic is helpful, in case one of us accidentally cuts their hand or injures a leg, it can be easily healed. And I already- wait... is this... the right path?
I've been thinking to myself so much that I over-thought my sense of direction. Goblins and Wolves could jump out any moment, I barely know how to punch! I have to quickly run back... the way I came... I have to find the path to village.Â
--- While Fic was running around in the forest, aimlessly, the guild had received cryptic news ---
'Guild master Casto, it is a pleasure to meet you'
=Ah, the Grand mage Tarmac. I am so happy to see you alive. And also worried to see you standing here. Come to my office. Quick, quick.=
=A drink? Our farmer's cows are making wonderful milk!=
'I will refuse. I think we should cut to chase.'
=We should. You only come here to warn my village about monster hordes or about upcoming wars. Which one is it this time?=
'Both.'
=Both?=
'Yes. Both.'
=That is not possible. The March Devil has been dead for decades by the grand heroes party. You helped them kill the devil didn't you?=
'I did, and I most definitely assure you that the March Devil is dead. It can not be resurrected either so the world should not need to worry about it's wrath. However, this is a different force that's fast approaching. '
=...from where? ...who? ...when?=
'From the outer space. Unknown sentient beings. They arrive in a week.'
=...=
=BHAHAHAHA. Oh Tarmac, you just came to pull my leg!=
'...'
=That's a first from you! You're always so, so serious. Good to see you have some humor with you.=
'It is no joke'
=I find that hard to believe=
'After a week you would not. The stars have spoken.'
=Stars warned you about an upcoming war? I think your humor is slipping away.=
'I have never lied nor joked about anything in my life, so what makes you think I would right now?'
=Hmmm... I guess it could be that you're getting older. Trying to still feel young by worrying your elders... ha ha=
'I only come here to warn you about monster hordes or upcoming wars. You said it yourself. They plan to take over our whole planet.'
=... What are they? How many?=
'They are gray and blue monsters, never seen before. Their bodies made from steel, and aluminum, harnesing the power of lightning. They have no life to breathe and no blood to bleed. Yet... they can speak like humans... act like humans... think like humans... '
=Oh... god...=
'They have a leader they follow, and it can't be stopped. They have found something that pulls them to us, and they will kill each and everyone just so they could use our beds.'
=... What weaknesses do they possess?=
'I have no idea. Neither me nor the stars have been able to identify these monsters. I am unsure if it is a war. I think we will all simply get slaughtered.'
=There is really nothing that we can do?=
'I will continue looking for any possible answers or clues. Warn the other guilds and the Headquarters.'
=I will.=
*knock* *knock*
(muffled) "Guild master Casto? It's me! Fic! I wanted to talk to you about... something..."
'I should leave. Do not waste time'
=I won't.=
'Hello child.'
"Oh, hello wizard! Is Casto here? I have a few thing to discuss with him!"
=I'm right here kiddo, come in, come in!=
"Hey Casto! How have you been? Any interesting adventures you've been on recently?"
=Ha ha, kiddo! I recently had to look for a flower that is so, so rare! It grows on the highest point of Kyuho mountain, and it only grows twice a year. Not to mention, it is being guarded by a huge, huge Wyvern!=
"Whoaaaa!!!"
=It's claws were as big as a sword, striking with the might of twelve men. The swings we exchanged, The punches we traded. Our battle was fierce, it was legendary. And I won over the Kyuho wyvern, reigning supreme over it's loss.=
"Whoaaa!!! Casto you're really strong!!"
=Of course, of course! I am as strong as the mountains, fierce as the wind storms and cunning as the Kyuho wyvern. I am so strong I can lift this entire guild!=
"You're so cool Casto! But wait, why did you need the flower?"
=Ah right, the flower. It is a special potion ingredient to make the Restoration Potion. It can revive a human back to life with just few drops. However the resurrected person will feel last pain once again, or if anything is stuck in their body, maybe a spear or a log. Any missing body parts wont regrow. The potion just brings back people to life.=
"That is a really powerful potion! I'm glad you came back alive. The Uho village is happy you're still here."
=BHAHAHA, well I have always believed that life is a gift from God, we must cherish it forever...=
"Oh my! I almost forgot something important!"
=What exactly?=
"Happy birthday Casto! This is a present from my family to you! I hope you like it!"
=It's... a necklace? Did your dad make this? I have to say that he has outdone himself. It is so beautifully crafted... thank you.=
"You can also open it to put in precious items or pictures, or letters so that you have a piece of favorite memories with you forever!"
=You really can! I'm amazed, your dad has outdone himself... he has... he has...=
"Casto? Are you okay? Did you not like the gift?"
=It is not that, never, never. It is something else, I've recently been told about a- ... a- a secret message! From the mysterious wizard you saw before! Apparently, there are hidden crystal shards hidden on every continent and I was invited to participate in this treasure hunt to re-assemble the lost... uhhh... Tomato crystal! Yes! Legends have told about a Tomato crystal that can control the aging process of anything living!=
"Even farm crops!?"
=Anything living! This crystal can speed up the process or slow it down to sabotage our enemies and help flourish our allies. It can also age humans, cows, forests, weeds... anything living!=
"That is a powerful weapon! We could prevent a lot of battles! We could be rich!"
=Y- Yes! However the expedition only starts in a week so I will be in and out of the guild sending letters and passing the info to other strong people! The treasure will be ours!=
"I want to help look for treasure too!"
=BHAHAHA, I like your eagerness Fic! But you're too young. Maybe after few years I'll take you on an personal adventure.=
"Promise?"
=Promise. Now hurry back, before night arrives, before your mom starts to worry. And don't tell anyone! It's a secret.=
"I won't! You can trust me! I, Fic, promise to never tell anyone about the Tomato crystal!"
=You just did...=
"Wah.. I won't.. From now on! See you later,, Casto!"
=Bye, Fic!=
Oh boy, I did it! I delivered the present! And Casto was happy! I wonder what will he store in the necklace! A letter of a loved one? A family picture? Maybe a favorite bug? Maybe he will leave it empty until he finds the right thing? Oh I will ask him all about it the next time I see him! But.. why was Casto so sad? Maybe he was a bit tired? Maybe the Tomato Crystal treasure hunt is way too dangerous for him and he may be risking his life? Though I think he just had a bad day... Arrgh! I need to run home before it's dark! I won't find my way home trough the forest at night! I better run! Fast!
--- Although Casto managed to deceive one villager, what will he tell the rest? Will he even? ---