The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

The Dark Wanderer - Preepic Story

Inside the Inn, The Dark Wanderer is sitting near the fire, resting comfortably in the chair. On one side, Kano and Ame are sitting on the floor, with Ame sitting on top. On the other side, Shana is sitting in chair with Jodro leaning back on her legs. In other chairs, are two somewhat newcomers, Marie who Dark has not seen for while, and Elli who he has grown fond of. Actually, Dark is fond of both Marie and Elli....

All is quiet except the sound coming from the fire burning the wood, cackling and fizzling, and the voice. The voice belonging to Dark, he is telling the legend that he promised to tell before being interrupted by some unknown deity.

"And as I promised... the legend. I cannot be sure if I am telling it correctly or not, it's one of only things I can remember since it was after my memory of who I am or what I was involved with was removed. The legend goes something like this..."

Dark shifts his weight around so he can be more comfortable as he can get.

"There was a legend of the axe.... almost like mine but little more legendary... There was a man who had an axe that is composed of pure fire. And-"

Marie and Elli: "Pure fire?"

Dark did a motion with his hand that says wait until he's finished.

"Where was I... ah yes. Pure fire. And he sought to improve the fire axe that he has obtained from the fire people, who said that the axe was made deep inside Fire Mountain from unusual ore that only can be found there. And so, he sought out shaman of his people, the shaman told him that he is to take a test. The test was to journey high in mountains where it's extremely bitter cold, cold enough that it rattles your bones as wind blows."

*Snorts-sneeze* Dark looks at Somlius and shakes his head and then resumes.

"And so, the man went and went up to the mountain to seek the greater power. Oh yes... I almost forgot, the shaman also told him that he cannot go up there with armor; he only can go in cloth and an axe that he wields. Not a true test, he says, if he were to go in armor that helps him with cold. The axe-wielding man wandered up the mountain, getting further and further up in the mountains, fighting off creatures that lives there."

He shifts his weight again.

"He fought for many days and nights... growing weary and even colder with each passing day. That is, until he came across some cave, which he went into."

*Silence for few moments*

"Is that it?" Marie asked.

Dark: "That is all I can remember for sure... from what I can remember, it was said that he died in there. And I also remember that it was said that he woke up and his axe was stronger than it was before, supposedly some being came along and enchanted it with strength that he sought."

"Of course, there's another legend. But that's for another time. A legend about two brothers split at birth, one of desert and one of winter... two opposing elements combining their might into one and at same time opposing each other. But that's for another time..."

Dark gets up and stretches... "I think I will head to bed." With that said, Dark left before anyone can raise question or pursue any further.

Outside, Dark is sitting on the roof of his home, pondering on the legend. By then, he felt an odd shiver running around his body and a itching on his mind.

"Who dares to invade my mind?" Dark asked in annoyed and angry manner.

"I do, and how I can not intrude, your mind can be heard anywhere who bothers to listen. It's screaming at anyone who will listen, it wants to be heard, be remembered." said some woman stranger.

"Well that's more than what I can remember."

"I cannot read you... gods themselves have placed something on you to prevent your memory from being remembered. I can get some fragment, but not clear."

"Telling me nothing new... whoever you are. Who are you?"

*giggles* "That is for you to find out... You are a hunter yes?"

"Yes, I am hunter of various sorts... I hunted dragons, demons, and various other things..."

"So I propose to you that you hunt me down, ooh it shall be fun! Hunt me down up to the cold cold mountains that you told in your legend... If you can find a cave, perhaps I will help you then. Your legend is interesting... I would love to hear more of it, but for now... the hunt is on!"

"I haven't agreed to-" *sigh* Not feeling the itching on his mind anymore. "I will find you..."

Dark gets up from the roof and jumps down... getting ready for his journey to the mountains to find the woman.

“Somlius!”

*Grunt* Somlius came along and nudged Dark, asking what he wanted.

“Can you smell any stranger that has been here recently?”

Somlius shook his head and Dark nodded, “Just as I thought… You can go back to whatever you were doing.”

"Renla, you think this is good idea? Provoking or inviting him to hunt you down?"

"Ooh don't worry about it... he and I have been friends for long time... that is until those damn gods erased his mind, removing his memory of us..." In such a tone that could constitute them as being former lovers.


Story by Anuis