"Oh, come on! He doesn't have to know! What's one night, huh? Have a little extra fun before you're, hic completely tied down for good."
"I'm okay. I'm sorry, but I'm only loyal to him," she answers while holding up her hand and showing off quite the expensive ring, as if to prove her point.
"You're looking absolutely amazing in that bunny costume, I can't simply take hic no for an answer." He starts feeling up her ears and she turns red, starting to tremble.
"Alright, that's enough." Another voice announces from a table in the corner as a younger man stands up. He approaches them and states, "The young lady already refused your offer, so just leave her alone.""And what if I don't?" The man shoots back.
"Then we'll have a problem."
"Huh!? You wanting to brawl, kid?" The man sobers up slightly as he eyes the young man before him.
The stranger smirks, "Maybe I will." He's pretty short, with tan skin and messy black hair. He's dressed in blue clothing cut in such a way that indicates he comes from the northern wintery lands. His get-up is a bit stranger when taking note of his belt where crystals hang from several slots. Most of the crystals are completely transparent as they should be, but one of the crystals has a store of some black liquid swimming around on the inside of it. He's lean in physique and, despite not looking like much, emits an aura of great latent power.
"Why you, do you know who you're dealing with? I am Haman the Ma-" At that moment, the young woman leaps into the air and shouts "Ettextendius". She grows from the once 5'10 into at least 10 feet, veins popping out around her muscles as she crushes the man under the heel of her sandal. The drunkard cries out in pain. The ground beneath them splinters into a miniature crater and the commotion drives away one or two customers who were just making their way through the door. The man lays there moaning and groaning in agony. "Etterecendum" she says, shrinking back down to size. She let's out a sigh then turns to Xander with a huge smile on her face. "I really appreciate what you tried to do for me, young man."Xander turns a bit red, he didn't take the time to get a really good look at her up until now. "Beautiful..." he mumbles without thinking. The woman blushes a bit and responds, "I appreciate the compliment." Xander's cheeks heat up even more, as if his entire face is about to catch fire, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that aloud."
"No, you're fine, hun. My name is Frizz Extallia, but most everybody calls me Bunny. What's your name?" She extends a hand.
He takes her hand and shake while his jaw hangs down in awe, "My name is Xander Prolly...I'm sorry, did you just say Frizz Extallia? As in one of the most powerful witches in Lunar Ray?!?!""That's me!" She responds proudly. It starts to dawn on Xander: the bunny ears, the growth magic, and then... Thanks to her somewhat revealing attire, Xander catches a glimpse of her guild mark above the left breast and underneath her collarbone. Sure enough, it's the mark of Lunar Ray: a crescent moon emitting light in every direction.
Lunar Ray is quite well known and considered to be one of the top mage guilds in the world. Their members are said to be monsters due to their destructive power and rambunctious nature.
Xander often comes to the pub just to witness firsthand their rowdy behavior out in public. They often drink the place dry and stir up quite a few brawls amongst themselves as well as other patrons and regulars.
"I-I always wanted to join your guild," Xander blurts out. "Then why don't you?" she says. He stares at her, into her eyes, realizing she's being genuine."I'm not that strong though. I have yet to come into full control of my powers. I would just drag everybody-"
She rests a hand on his shoulder and answers, "You don't need to worry about those things, Mr. Prolly. We accept anybody and everybody from any place or time, as long as you share the heart of the guild and the drive to be there for your comrades. Besides, you are not the only one looking to find control over their abilities, there are many others in our guild trying to find solace in their situations as well as their pasts. I may be strong but nowhere near on the level of my soon-to-be-husband."
"Who's your fiance?"
"You will find out soon enough!" she says with a smile then practically drags him along, making their way straight to the guild.
"Uhh, Ms. Extallia."
"My husband will pay for it!" she shouts before hurrying along with Xander in tow.
"OI!" the bartender tries to race after them, but they're already long gone. Nobody can contest with Frizz' quickness.
Only a few minutes later, Frizz and Xander stand before a tall brick building. The colors of the guild paint the outside of it, royal purple and black. The place looks eerily magical. Even before stepping inside, Xander can feel the magic power emitting from the members lounging about. At the very top of the building, just below the rooftop the guilds insignia is etched into the stone. A crescent with light emitting from it, all colored in the royal purple color. In the moonlight, the insignia even appears to glow against the black stone."Wow..." Xander says in awe.
"Come on, silly. You still have to meet everyone." Frizz leads him by the hand further inside and the atmosphere displays a stark contrast to what Xander just witnessed outside.
A magical place with a quiet calm settling over the guild hall in the reigning night, replaced by a lively lounge: with members standing about chatting, shouting, arguing, a fight or two, drinking, someone playing a lively tune on the piano in the corner while a group of girls sit around singing along with the song.
In a matter of moments, Xander's sombering expression disappears and is replaced with a stupid grin spreading across his face, as if someone shared a secret joke with him. Frizz doesn't lose time noticing, "I see you already feel warm and welcomed by the atmosphere."
"To be honest, I wanted to find a new place to call home... I've been on my own for so long and don't really have many friends."
"Well, you will surely find a friend or two here, if not a family. You wait here, I'm going to go grab my husband- er, I mean fiancé." Frizz runs off and Xander soaks in the entire scene before him.
A fight that was going on near the corner reaches a climax when one of the members throws the other. The group of girls scream running out of the way as the body comes flying into the man playing the piano. He has striking silver hair and eyes to match with pupils that almost resembles slits. He wears a pair of thin metal glasses and a look of absolute calm. However, after getting bodied by the flying member he sits up with his glasses laying crookedly on his face and he does not look happy.The young man that had thrown the person laughs while pointing at the glasses, "Looks like I bent your glasses, Eze-y."
"You wanna die, Marilyn."
"Huh!?!" the brawler crosses his arms while glaring at glasses, "You wanna go?! I told you not to call me that, it's Marlo." Marlo has striking blue hair that hangs down past his shoulders, wild and unkempt. His has very light skin, much lighter than Melkhi's regular tanned skin.
"Melkhi Eze and Marlo Qorz..." Xander says breathlessly, "A dragonborn and a dragon soul."
Dragonborn and dragon souls are two different classes of people sharing a contrast in their nature. Dragonborn are those born from a dragon parent and a human parent. Dragon souls are those who carry abilities and power on the level of dragons and can even utilize the dragon force. The two of them butt heads, somehow Melkhi's glasses are fully repaired again, the metal no longer bent.
"I'll take you any time any place, little Violet.""You want some, four eyes?"
"You two knock it off already! We don't need you destroying the wall again. That would be the third time this week," a young woman says sternly as she approaches them. Melkhi scoffs and pushes his glasses back up onto his face, "That's impossible to ask from a non-intellectual like Marlo."
"At least my power's not half-baked."
Melkhi's right brow twitches. Then he lunges and they start going at it, forcing a magnificent display of magic that spreads like a contagion and suddenly everyone starts fighting with each other.
"Tch. Typical." The young woman who had interrupted them stomps off, carrying a book in her hand. Xander just stands there helplessly watching as the lounge seems to fall apart, conflicted with how awesome and how scary the whole scene is.
Meanwhile, upstairs Frizz awaits for her fiancé's return. He currently stands in the Magic Amplification Converter & Energy Nexus, or the M.A.C.E.N. It amplifies/magnifies an individual's magic power and energy. Or rather, his astral projection stands in M.A.C.E.N., his real body is elsewhere, attending a very important meeting. A little while later he finally reemerges. A tall man with curly black hair and dark skin stands before her in dark clothing and a black cloak hanging down to his feet. A bead of sweat trickles down his forehead, after all he did use a great amount of energy teleporting to the other side of the world."Welcome back, love. I have great news! I found a new member to join the guild!"
"Mmm.." he responds.
Frizz frowns, "What's wrong?"
The man smiles half-heartedly at his fiancé, "Just some troubling news is all...I'll tell you about it later, I promise." She embraces him and rubs her cheek against his chest, "Maybe you should go rest and meet the new member tomorrow. That teleportation and astral projection must have you spent."
"No, no, I'm fine. I'm never too tired to meet a new member."
Suddenly, the building shakes. The man listens to the commotion going on downstairs and he groans, "Those brats. They're as lively as ever causing damage to my hall again."
Frizz sweats when the pub comes to mind, "Here, let's go calm them down. We don't want to have to rebuild the entire hall a fourth time."
The man turns pale at just the thought of it and Frizz bites her lip out of frustration for making him worry. The two of them head downstairs in each other's arms. The light from M.A.C.E.N. dims until it fizzles out completely as the device turns off.
"So, you're still spewing that nonsense, Marlo.""What nonsense, for a dragonborn I sure have you on the ropes, Melkhi."
"I dare you to say that again," Melkhi responds while taking his glasses off. An aura of energy starts emitting from his skin and it grows stronger, adding to the gravity and tension in the room. Marlo stretches out one of his arms while his body starts doing the same thing. Activating the dragon force causes the fighting to die down a bit around them. The members start taking cover as if preparing for some real destruction in the already chaotic mess of a room. Broken tables, chairs, and barrels laying strewn all over the place.
Suddenly, the room is washed in flashes of purple light. "What the-" Marlo starts to say when suddenly a figure comes from behind him and pins him to the ground. Marlo struggles to get up but he isn't strong enough to push against the force from behind him. The same goes for everybody else as they struggle against multiple figures appearing and restraining them, keeping them from using magic or their limbs to fight back in any way.
"That is enough, Lunar Ray!" Everybody freezes as he appears. Xander stands there in utter silence before saying, "I can't believe it, it's him."
Frizz stands attach to the man's arm while smiling down at everybody, "We're a family everybody, let's not fight each other. You're like our children." The man catches Xander's gaze, "So, you want to join our guild? I am the master of Lunar Ray, Maritus Black, best known as-""Gridlock. You're one of the seven Paladins," Xander finishes.
A shudder moves through Xander, even from here he can feel the immense magic power radiating off of this man. He also takes a closer look realizing the figures that suddenly appeared are his clones. To make so many clones instantaneously with the power to restrain everybody in his guild of all guilds. Gridlock is an outstanding mage in a league of his own. He even carries the title of Grandmaster, 20 of the most powerful individuals officially recognized by the world government.
Suddenly, Gridlock and Frizz disappear then reappear right beside Xander. "What is your name, son."
"I- my name is Xander Prolly, sir. I practice crystal magic, although I'm not well-versed in my abilities and not that powerful."
"I am not concerned with power, young Prolly. Do you think our guild has reached the ears of the world due to a search for power?"
"N-no. But you do have the strongest mages in the world within your guild."
"Yes. They are among the strongest mages in the world because they are not lead by a hunger for power."
Xander listens and then notices that all of his clones had finally let off of everybody. People were starting to dust each other off and help each other up. Many of them grinning at each other, even Melkhi and Marlo.
"Our guild builds its power off of the strength we share with each other, not what strength lies within ourselves. To be there for each other and have the strength to overcome together. That is our true strength. Power is but another currency in this world. It can only buy so much but love and wisdom are both infinite. Learning and fighting for the sake of those you care about, follow that philosophy and you will be unstoppable." Gridlock's clones all disappear one at a time. "Now I ask, what are you seeking in joining our guild?"Xander looks down and thinks about it for a minute before answering, "While I do want to figure out how to properly control my power and hone my abilities, I just am looking for a home."
"Well then, you have found it. Repeat these words: I, Xander Prolly. Entrust my life and my future in the hands of my comrades."
"I, Xander Prolly. Entrust my life and my future in the hands of my comrades."
"And no enemy nor force of evil will stand in the way, without me willing the power to meet it. I swear these things by the strength of my bonds, the health of my soul, and the protection of those I love."
"And no enemy nor force of evil will stand in the way, without me willing the power to meet it. I swear these things by the strength of my bonds, the health of my soul, and the protection of those I love."
"Welcome, Xander Prolly, to Lunar Ray. May you find both the family and the home that you seek and may you grow ever stronger to keep those you care about safe." The room erupts in a flood of applauds and cheers. One by one the guild members surround Xander formerly welcoming him to the guild, clapping him on the back. "Shanna," Gridlock calls. The young woman with the book looks down from her nook up the stairs, "Why don't you apply his guild mark and help show him around for the next week or so until he gets used to guild life and going on quests?"Shanna sighs and replies, "As you wish, master."
While Shanna heads down the stairs, Gridlock turns to Xander, "According to my girlfriend-"
"Soon-to-be-wife," she corrects him.
"My Frizz," he says with a nod, "She tells me how you stood up for her in the pub."
"I didn't do anything really," Xander answers with a slight blush, "After all, she took the drunkard down all on her own. I didn't have much time to react."
Gridlock's left eyebrow twitches as he looks over at Frizz. She stands there looking down at the floor toeing the ground with her hands crossed protectively behind her back, "About that, love. I sorta...damaged Mr. Gara's floor again."Gridlock sighs, "It's fine, baby. I'll just cover the cost with guild expenses."
"I sort of also ran up a bit of a tab while I was at the pub," she says while rubbing the back of her head with an innocent smile playing on her lips and giggling.
"How much is a little?"
"About... 1 million Aris."
"1 mill-" the figure chokes in Gridlock's throat and he turns pale again. He topples over and Frizz cries out, "Maritus. Maritus?!?"
Marlo laughs aloud, "That wouldn't be the first time master stressed over expenses." Shanna knocks him in the back of the head as she comes down the stairs and huffs, "No thanks to you."
Marlo glares at her, "Don't think because you're one of their favorites I won't blow you away."
"Now, now, we don't have any favorites," Frizz says reassuredly while waving a hand, "Please give Xander a proper welcoming tour, okay sweetheart?"
Frizz uses her magic to grow a foot taller to make it easier carrying Gridlock up the stairs.
"Come on, we need to apply the guildmark before I can show you around." Shanna says while pulling Xander along by his arm.
A few moments later, the two stand in the basement of the guild before a stone tablet sticking out of the ground with the guild's insignia etched on the front of it. A window set in the underground room allows the moonlight to stream in, shining a mystical glow over the tablet. "What is this place?" Xander asks curiously."This is the guild mark application room," Shanna replies.
"I don't have to get it physically tattooed into my skin, do I?" Xander asks turning paler by the second.
"Tempting, but no. It's applied using basic aura magic."
Xander can't tell if she were joking about the first part, but she places a hand on the tablet. The insignia on the tablet begins to glow until the entire room is engulfed in a bright light. Then the light dies down again and Xander sees that Shanna's hand is encased in a sphere of light with a copy of the guild's insignia resting on the outer edge of it, "Where would you like the mark?"
"I can have it anywhere?"
"Preferably somewhere visible and not a place anybody shouldn't be touching."
Xander pulls up his right sleeve and taps on his right forearm, "Here would be good."
She places her hand on his arm and the mark sears into his skin immediately. Only for a split second, the mark is uncomfortable but then it grows very warm and soothing right after. Xander sighs, suddenly having a feeling of relaxation wash over him. "Come, we still have to give you the tour before it gets too late," she says rushing him along.
Shanna takes him back to the guildhall over towards the bar counter where a wall hangs behind it with posters tacked all across the board. "Here is the request board, you will find quests and jobs from around the world as well as any basic information to help you along the way. The currency is how much you will get paid for the job. The higher the reward usually implies the more difficult the quest is. Most of our regular quests range between 10,000 and 5 million Aris.""There are jobs that reach even higher than that, right? One time I saw a job for 100 million Aris."
"Correct, although those can only be accepted by A-class members and above."
"A-class? I thought only S-class was recognized as an official ranking for mages."
"Actually, the rankings generally range between D-class and A-class. They jump up to S-class when an individual is recognized for their incredible power and feats. And then there is X-class, individuals who share incomparable power and capabilities. After that, we have the Paladins and then the Grandmasters."
"What rank are you?" Xander asks.
"I am of the B-class. Although, I share the same rank with Marlo and Melkhi." "Wait really..." Xander says in disbelief. "There are many powerful mages in Lunar Ray, Xander. Even you know that. Though our B-class, A-class, and S-class are the best known, our X-class are extremely powerful...and elusive. Come on, I have to show you our crypt."
They continue walking along. "Is there a limit to how many members can be ranked in each class?"
"Not really, no. There is no limit for either A-class or S-class. They're just incredibly difficult to obtain. However, only ten members can stand in the X-class category. Currently our X class are known as the Knights of the Moon." "I thought they were but mere legends... their level of power is said to be so unreal they could almost contend with the seven Paladins."
"A statement which isn't far off from the truth," Shanna answers, "I've never seen a single one of them, even though I've been a member for over a year now. According to the master, they're on a top-secret mission that's been going on for the past decade."
Xander looks down at his feet as they continue walking, "10 years for a single quest...I couldn't imagine how difficult it must be."
She nods her head in agreement, "You or I would surely die. Which is why we are restricted from accepting higher classed quests. A-class and S-class quests rarely take as long as X-class quests, nor prove as difficult an operation. X-class quests are usually S-class quests where all who accepted them met tragedy. Which is why it upgrades into an X-class quest."
The two of them stop as they are now outside and standing in the guild's private cemetery. "This is where our members from the past are layed to rest who died under honorary circumstances. As well as the graves of our guild masters."Aside from them, one other individual stands in the courtyard. "Cruccevo," Shanna says aloud. The man snaps from his daydreaming and turns, "Shanna Warsia, you must be showing our new member around."
"I didn't know you were back," Shanna replies looking away. If Xander doesn't know any better, she's hiding a blush.
Cruccevo is one of the most note-worthy members in Lunar Ray. He is known as the strongest male wizard in the guild among the S-class, although not much is known about him. He tends to take on more covert quests, but word of his capabilities spread like wildfire after he sealed away a titan demon by himself.
Cruccevo nods as he passes by them. He looks very similar to Gridlock, one could almost mistake them as brothers or cousins. He has black curly hair as well though it's shorter than the guild masters. His skin is also a lighter toned caramel color. He carries with him nothing but a satchel that he hides underneath his cloak.
As they pass by the grave he was staring at, Xander reads the engraving on the gravestone: Marina Allison, the strongest heart in the guild even without magic.
"I only heard about it recently, but that is the grave of his once lover...She used to be the guild's sweetheart, always posted up in the female modeling section of magazines. Although she had no magic, she would often accompany Cruccevo on his quests."
"Someone without magic going on S-class quests?" Xander asks in wonder.
"The guild master was often against it but Bunny allowed it. Unfortunately, one day, he took on a very destructive creature, a titan demon. The time he took to seal the monster away was about as long as Marina could distract it. She was crushed soon as Cruccevo activated the seal. He blames himself for her death and hasn't taken anybody on quests with him ever since. He rarely talks to anybody anymore either."
Shanna points at the graves at the head of the cemetary, "Here lies our previous guild masters."Xander only sees four graves, the oldest of them all being too wore down and decrepate to even read the engravings. Unknown was the first guild master. Hargon Klein was the second guild master. Cersi Langus was the third guild master. Xavier Black was the fourth guild master.
"Who was the first guild master?"
"We don't know. The name and history has been lost to time and a fire. Our old archives burned down about a hundred years ago when our guild was attacked by a dragon."
The mentions of such a beast causes Xander's ears to ring, "A dragon? Why would a dragon attack this place?"
"We think it was being controlled by one of the guild's enemies. Luckily the guild master's father took it down himself. Sadly the injuries he sustained from the battle took him later on in life."
She tugs on his arm again and says, "Come on, it's late enough. I still have to show you the guild's dormitory."
A little time later that night, Xander packs his stuff within his inn room. He had promised he'd move-in in the morning. The dorm is completely free to stay at as it has its own magical staff comprised of nature spirits who only requires the healthy keeping of the forest that covers the backside of the town. Apparently, Shanna herself keeps to protecting the forest. Xander can only imagine how she pulls something like that off.Xander hops into bed laying back and staring up at the ceiling in the dark. He finds it hard to sleep, the excitement is eating away at him. He can't wait to go on jobs, to meet and learn about everybody, to grow stronger, strong enough even to protect his comrades when the time comes. One thing he values above all else is acceptance.
He turns and looks at the moon. For some odd reason, ever since he's received his guild mark, he feels exceptionally stronger. Especially when the moon directly shines on him. 'Maybe I can ask Frizz or the guild master about it early in the morning,' he decides in his mind. He brushes the thought off and closes his eyes to finally get some sleep at last.