Picking Up

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.

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