Saturday, March 12, 2005

   Chapters 1 & 2 of "Tales of Irmphitria"
Chapter 1

“Rogue!”
Rogue Shanirrim woke up suddenly. Wondering where he was, he quickly determined that he was in geometry class. Why Geometry? How come it couldn’t be at home, in his comfy bed, awakening from a nap? Rogue thought. He tried in vain to remember his dream. It had been such a good dream. The voice called once again: “Rogue, hurry! It’s your grandpa! He’s dying!” It was only at these words that Rogue finally lost all his drowsiness. “Grandpa Genis is dying?!?!” He was out of the schoolroom before he could even comprehend what he had said. Xiana was right behind him. When they finally made it to Grandpa’s house, there was already a small crowd of people surrounding Genis. Rushing up to his grandpa, Rogue realized that his grandpa, the only member of his family who actually loved him, was in his last moments of life. “Grandpa! No! Please, don’t go!” His grandfather spoke then what were his last words: “Rogue. Please...find Lloyd, and tell him...about...the...rising...of...cru---” Genis stopped there. Rogue was outraged. “Grandpa! Grandpa! No!” The crowd around them started murmuring about Genis’ sanity. “Of course, at 500 years old, what else would you expect? Ranting on and on about how he and some Lloyd person fused two worlds to form Irmphitria! Absolute rubbish!” Prof. Taisaine was saying, “I should know, I’ve been a history teacher ever since this village was founded---” Rogue was devastated. Grandpa Genis was the only member of his family he had ever liked. With him gone, Rogue didn’t know what he would do. Then an idea came to him. Before he could stop them, the words flooded out of his mouth. “I’m going.” “What do you mean?” asked Prof. Taisaine. “I mean I’m going. I’m going out to try and find this Lloyd person.” Rogue repeated. What am I doing? I don’t have any idea who this Lloyd guy is! Rogue thought. “I’m going with him” Xiana said. “I don’t care if you think I’m crazy, as well. Genis seemed to know what he was talking about when he told Rogue and James his stories. I wish to search for Lloyd as well.” Footsteps could be heard echoing from the stairs. A battered-looking James appeared at the top. “Thought you were gonna go without me, eh, Rogue? I’m going, too.” Prof. Taisaine seemed to still be in shock from Rogue’s statement. Three people believing Grandpa Genis seemed to be too much for him to cope with at once. “Now...Now, see here...” he began. “No, you see here!” Rogue yelled. “We’re looking for him no matter what you say, you got that? If you wanna stop us, them we’ll just fight back.” He drew his sword, a sword that Grandpa Genis had given him, saying that it had once held immense power over time and space. What had he called it? Ah, yes: The Eternal Sword. It had long since lost nearly all of its power and was nothing more than an average sword, but it was still the only proof Rogue had. “Fine, fine. But I swear you’re all making a grave mistake. I hereby give my permission for Rogue, Xiana, and James to leave the village in order to search for this “Lloyd”. Pack some rations and be on your way. Go now. I’ve got a pounding headache.” The Mayor said with obvious anger. As Rogue left Grandpa’s House with Xiana and James, he couldn’t suppress his curiosity. “Xiana, I never expected you to say that.” he said. “Oh, really?” Xiana sounded amused. “Raine has told me the same stories Genis told you. Although, Raine passed away a few years ago, I still believe as I did then the stories she told me.” Rogue was a little embarrassed that she had responded with such a personal reply. But then again, Xiana hardly ever revealed any information about herself, so perhaps it was a good thing. James was ready to go. “Well, he told us to get some rations, right? It’ll take a while to get through the Ahash Forest to Iselia.” “Actually, James, the nearest village would be Mizuho.” Xiana corrected. “We should head there first.” And so, the adventure began. Rogue, James, and Xiana stocked up on supplies and headed towards the northeastern exit of the village.





Chapter 2

Hey, what’s up? I’m James. James Remmington. I’m a little of a dramatic, but I think my creativity really adds to the story. When Xiana asked me to keep a travel log for us, I was more than happy to oblige. Then, after all my hard work, Rogue goes and complains that it’s stretching the facts too much! How am I supposed to work like this!?!? Oh well. This particular adventure happened just as we entered the Ahash Forest from Anastraunda--- “James, you aren’t supposed to make it a biography, you know.” Rogue, who was looking over James’ shoulder, said. “You’re just supposed to record our travels in a book. It’s not that hard. Like, maybe: We went to Mizuho through Ahash Forest. It doesn’t need any spicing up. It isn’t like anyone’s going to read it besides us.” James would have very much liked to say “like you know anything.” But seeing as how Rogue was the whole reason James was here, he decided to go along with it. “Okay, okay. Geez, I’m just bored. What else am I supposed to do?” “Hmm...I know! Let’s look through the rations you brought!” Rogue suggested and started to reach for the pack on James’ back. “I-I don’t think we need to...ah, I mean, I know I packed everything and---” James sputtered out. “Why are you acting all weird? I’m looking in that pack, James, whether you like it or not. Move over!” Rogue opened the pack with a jerk and several dozen books fell out. “THESE ARE YOUR RATIONS!?!?!” Rogue’s face was contorted with rage. “ARE WE GOING TO EAT THE PAGES OR SOMETHING!?!?!” James tried to think of some way out of Rogue’s rage, but there was no escape. Rogue’s eyes were blood-red, which didn’t mean anything good for James. “Now, now. Settle down, you two.” Xiana said suddenly. “If we hurry we should be able to make it out of this forest before dark, and find something to eat in Mizuho. The chief is kind, and is always willing to give hospitality to those who ask it. Perhaps he even knows of our mysterious Lloyd. Although I must express how foolish it was to pack books instead of food. If we weren’t so close to Mizuho, I may have gotten mad...and mad doesn’t do me any good...” Xiana seemed to think she had said too much, and stayed quiet for the a while. James almost had to stop himself from kissing Xiana as he picked up his books. He had had a crush on Xiana since he was 9 years old. Yet he had never had the courage to ask her out. She was only two years older than he was, but she had always been miles out of his league. A snake sped by them. James shuddered. He hated snakes. He supposed he would never learn to like them. Ever. 3 ninja stars speeding right in front of his face disrupted his thoughts. “What the?” he exclaimed and lost his balance, causing him to fall over. Rogue started clapping. “Very graceful, Mr. Remmington. Bravo, Bravo.” “Rogue, this is not the time.” He glanced in the direction the stars had come from but saw nothing. “I though I saw---” But what James thought he saw, Rogue and Xiana never did find out, because at that moment a girl with dark eyes, overly large canines, and long, almost claw-like nails appeared before them. “Who are you? And state your reasons for trespassing onto my land,” this girl said. “We are in search of a person named Lloyd. We wish to go to Mizuho for food and supplies.” Wow, James thought, Xiana doesn’t lost her head in a crisis. The mysterious wolf-girl went on, “My name is Kage. I will allow you to pass here only if you aid me in finding a certain snake.” “And if we decline?” Xiana asked. “If you decline,” Kage went on, “Then I will have no choice but to kill you all” Rogue, of course, said his favorite line: “Then we’ll just have to fight back!” “Wait.” Xiana’s calming voice stopped Rogue for a second. “She seems to have reasons for stopping us. Think about whether or not we should agree to help her for a second. Then decide.”


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