The sun rises, and many people wake up ready for another day, their routine in action... Conflicts, compassion, emotion, all will still enter even if it's bright. However, even after all this. They wake up.

Looking around the building, it feels familiar while unfamiliar to them, they delve into their memories. But they are... Faded, Forgotten. The only one intact is a name. And one more thing, a scene of a person likely them, facing an enemy... the person fights with their best, but it was far greater than them. However still holding their ground. They get hit, and The memory ends.

Though when the person was fighting, they felt a feeling, a feeling to explore. Chart lands, fufilling a purpose they couldn't understand. The feeling pulsating, like it's been there since day one.

Staying in an inn, located inside a rural village. From their experience, it isn't the best. But it's at least functional, standing up and preparing gear for the expedition ahead. Pulling a unused long bronze Sword from their late father.

Fully ready, heading down the stairs. Greeting the person running the inn and the residents, for the last time.

Seeing the landscape ahead, knowing the dangers of monsters. But they move. With a purpose.

Walking down the pathway, Nothing in sight but rustling in the trees and bushes, rocks clanking together, and sounds to faint to hear at the forest in the left, and a horse carriage belonging to a merchant behind them Suddenly stopping when he sees the person walking a long path. Turning to be a man, farmer to the Village they just departed.

"Mornin'' stranger, this roads pretty long... care for a ride to the next town?"

Offering a ride, seeing a random person wandering alone. However they shake their head, kindly denying the ride.

"Well, if you say so. Gotta hand it to ya though... But uhh, before I start this up again let me say something."

Nodding his head to the forest, the sudden lack of sound fills it, before turning back to them.

"You know... That sometimes sound goes haywire over in that forest? Some folks back in my village said maybe the creatures combined or something like that... Wouldn't trust them though, some of em have lost it. haha, see ya!"

Speeding off, leaving the frame in a few minutes. Turning to the forest, sounds return as if nothing went on in there. Continuing down the road ahead apposed to heading in.

But... After an hour of walking the safer path, they think "Why explore already charted pathways?" Stopping in their tracks, turning their head. Walking in the unknown...

Walking in, only small enemies reside. Slimes and Living rocks, quite the sight to behold. Drawing the sword, ready to initiate.

Finding more enemies, only taking them down in a few swings, Looting the ones they took down, not finding anything good.

Exploring deeper, talking down more enemies. Their sword still holding up, and it seemed to pay off as one hour in, a hundred and two slimes and Living rocks down. They seem to stumble upon a large cave, roughly 12 feet in height, and unable to calculate the width.

Through simple inspection, a watered down sign simply saying "Marauder's Den." is presenting itself proudly. The inside filled with light, seems like many of them are present in the moment...

Only a singular Marauder Guard is in duty, His eyes sharp, showing off his weapon proudly. However the positioning mediocre at best, clearly being the first time on solo duty.

Planning for a sneak attack they start climbing the caves walls, the rocks texture easy to grab, while not to share to Pierce. Making it easier to traverse than normal.

Being able to reach the top without much effort, walking back to the entrance they see the guard again. This time, they are above the Marauder.

Releasing Their blade they take a simple breath, knowing this might work. But the possibility it won't is high... They take a step, leaping from the top, aiming for a quick knockout... Almost succeeding, but his weapon meets with theirs.

The Marauder. Heard them drawing their sword and managed to clash with the blade, using a scimitar as his weapon. The Sparks from the blades clash, when both release from it, they slide back, the sneak attack failed. And now they have to fight a uphill battle.

Both of them circle each other, anticipation is on full effect as both of them dare for the other to make a move. The first one to crack was the Marauder, Lunging in. Relentlessly swinging the scimitar, Although facing this, They manage their ground.

Dodging and blocking each and every swing, trying to counter, but the Marauder won't falter... Finally, after what seems to be a down hill battle they found the perfect time to strike, charging forward. Blade in hand holding power in it. The Marauder See's this and also charges his weapon.

The weapons collide, a giant clank is created, as both of them fight on whose will is greater. But... Steel is greater than bronze, the Marauder stops the clash, and swings again. This time shattering the bronze long Sword into pieces... Only the hilt remains.

They drop the hilt, trying to think of what to do, and how to confront this situation at hand. They back off a few steps, Shock etched on their face after Their blade shattered. The Marauder seeing the attempt to flee, chuckling at it while Waving the scimitar at their direction.

"Easy there!, I won't make it hurt... I'm just kidding though but it's the thought that counts."

He exclaims proudly, dropping his guard every so slightly. They see the opportunity and pick up shards from the broken Sword, throwing it one by one. He didn't expect this, but still being able to deflect one shard.

But he looks to them, his eyes widen when he sees their fist charging at him, swinging his weapon. Although they thought ahead of it and ducked, dodging it.

Flicking the shard to his face, he managed to Dodge easily. Winding up a swing he gets a glimpse of what they are doing, as he then gets hit by 3 punches to his chest, staggering back. And now charging a punch at him, as it connects... Knocking him out cold.

Losing the battle, they stand over his unconscious body, picking up his scimitar. Claiming it for their own.

Wandering off, they only instigated for the weapon he was holding, and now... They head off, to the village ahead. New Weapon in tow.

45 Minutes have past, the road safe and easy to travel.

Seeing the village ahead the size of it is something they haven't seen yet, only knowing the village they departed from. Meeting the only two guards on duty in the entrance of the village.

"Good morning sir, but I have to stop you from entering here."

One guard proclaims, signaling for the other to continue the conversation at hand. The second one perks up, Steadying themselves as they speak.

"Before any traveler foreign to this village, you must proclaim your name and Business for entering. And after then we will allow you to walk in."

The second one speaks, saying it as if he has said the same line many times, however still stuttering but still being composed. They nod their head, pulling out a small piece of paper. It's contents already written, Saying.

"My name... is Kaze. And I'm a traveler from a far away land foreign to here."

They begin realize they haven't written anything about why they want to enter, quickly writing it in. Now saying the following...

"I am here to simply explore the lands, and this just so happens to be the first landmark I stumble upon."

The two guards study the note intently, straighten their backs they look at him, opening the doors to the village.

"You are welcome to enter the village of Balarock, please abide by the rules and stay out of trouble... Kaze."

Kaze nods, heading inside the village. The doors closing as he enters, This is just the first landmark he will inevitably explore. More is coming in the future.

Getting knocked back, they try to collect themselves. Losing sight of a figure, only smoke is there as it appears right behind them… Placing a hand on their shoulder.

"Try to focus, you wouldn't want to... Lose this far in, Do you?"

In a mocking manner. As many rocks surround them, a red aura present on each one. As it closes in on them at blinding speed, before it connects though everything is pitch black. As Kaze wakes up, a slight shiver is felt across his spine... Looking at his hands, trembling every so slightly... trying to find a conclusion.

"It's... that dream, no. Memory again..."

Thinking to himself, why that one specifically. Extending each time he sleeps, putting it aside. As they have a purpose to attend to, for now he stands up preparing gear and brandishing his new scimitar. Another day, another reason to explore. Heading down the stairs of the place he was staying at.

"Wait, wait! You there."

Getting called out by a person behind the counter, confused at this. Simply blinking twice and turning to the person.

"I, couldn't help but notice something... You're an explorer, or maybe an adventurer yeah? Well, that much is obvious."

"You should head over to the main center of Balarock. My brothers and sisters run almost all the stalls there, only travelling merchants are the exception... Run along lad, may luck be guiding you."

Waving their hand dismissively, Kaze nods and exits the building. Pinpointing the center through catching a glimpse of many people flocking to a specific place.

As he is pacing through, Kaze is admiring the scenery. The cheers from people, the smell of celebration, looking around more and more, some structures pristine, others collected dust... Enamored by this not noticing he had arrived.

Realizing this he looks around to see if nobody saw that, before he composes himself. Looking for specific stalls, finding it easy too. Heading towards a pawn shop, run by a man.

"Hm? Oh, yes! Welcome to one of the many stalls present at Balarock center. What are you trying to sell Stranger?"

Kaze pulls out a sack, filled with the core of the many living rocks. Making it an easy harvest, the man slightly puzzled by this coughs twice before inspecting it with an enhanced magnifying glass.

"Hm... Well these cores might serve something, but due to the quantity I'll give you... 300 gold."

Kaze nods, extending his hand for the money. The man pulls out a box and opening it, sliding 3 platinum coins.

"Thank you for the transaction, May luck be following you."

Nodding, taking the coins and putting them in a pocket. Walking to a blacksmith close by, greeting the owner with a wave.

Kaze drew his scimitar and tossed it slowly to the blacksmith, who caught it, inspecting it before looking up at Kaze.

"Well this blade of yours seems to be well, worn out. You shouldn't try to surpass limits with a fine blade like this."

Kaze flicks a platinum coin at the blacksmith, asking for repairing. At a better state than unused, going to work at a smooth but quick pace. Taking out the necessary tools for a clean repair.

And a clean repair it is, swinging the scimitar in the air for a test. Every swing delivers a strong sound, giving the blade back to Kaze. As he wanders off, he heard cheers from someone. Curious he wanted to see why people are flocking to the place specifically.

Blending in with the crowd he sees one figure standing in a podium. Hair gleaming crimson, a red mask with a crude drawing of a smiley face. Waving their hands out, acting more of a celebrity than whatever occupation they are.

But something is wrong, Kaze looks further into the figure. As if he already met with them... When the person speaks something clicks, but he needs more proof as to why...

"We seem to have a bigger crowd, I wonder why? But... The show is over, try to focus now. You wouldn't want to. Lose track of me this time?"

A simple snap of his fingers and he disappears. Only a trail smoke is left, where he stood.

As the crowd slowly disbands, Kaze stands there. Kaze is shaken, "Is it him." Thinking that over and over. "Those. Words, IS IT HIM?!?" The shock is taken out, searing rage replaced it like a switch. If it was truly him... Why was it too easy to find the person who is in that... Memory?

Nevertheless, He walks off. The thought is still present. The scenery he was enamored by before is sidelined, the person he saw... Why are they here? How are they here?

Trying to refresh his mind, he walks through Balarock. But every time Kaze tries to sideline it, it doesn't work... He wants to know, he NEEDS to know.

He leaves Balarock, returning to the familiar pathway... The scenery, once possessing a strange, undefinable charm despite its dullness, now felt ominous. The forest, formerly creepy and eerie, now seemed devoid of any life.

Entering it again, walking the exact path he did before. Locking eyes with the crude sign, "Marauder's Den" And nobody seems to be guarding it.

It's a simple walk in, drawing his scimitar. The cave was lit only by torches. Kaze grabbed one, using another to ignite it further.

Traveling the caves structure, sneaking past Marauder's along the way. Only searching for the boss.

The landscape becomes more and more polished the further he walks, the torches brighter and brighter. And then Kaze sees it, a person standing in a large room. Standing in the middle.

Having a black bandana and shades, his head down. But when noticing you he quickly pulls out a six-shooter, pulling the trigger with a giant BANG following the bullets trail.

But it misses, hitting a torch instead. Reloading his gun and begins to walk to you... Kaze is on the defensive, his scimitar already drawn.

"Look here, a vermin stepping into our territory... And it looks like you stole from us, no wonder why one of my men didn't have his weapon."

Stopping in his tracks, slowly pointing the six-shooter at Kaze and his hands on the trigger. Only standing there, both participants guard on full effect. And only saying one word...

"Draw..."

Shooting the six-shooter. Now, what will happen...?