Doom Island, Right After Dusk
Roran watched a boy stumble off of his rowboat, his mind spinning with shock.
Who the fuck is stupid enough to row all the way here from an another island? he thought incredulously.
The boy looked up at the shelf of rock and groaned.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” he said.
Roran pulled out his sword and walked out of the rocks which he had been hiding behind. The boy turned around and backed away in a mix of fear and shock. He had black hair and dark skin, and was wearing worn clothing.
“What are you doing here kid?” Roran growled.
The boy looked at the sword in panic.
“I-I,” he stuttered. “I came here to help you. I heard that you were having problems with your chief and came over here to help.”
Roran was surprised. Word had spread that quickly? He doubted it. But still…
“How did you know?” he growled. “Our problems started 2 days ago. The traders haven’t come by yet. So who told you?”
“Theos told me,” the boy said. Roran’s mind flashed with disbelief.
“The WAR PHOENIX told you?” he asked. “Like he would task YOU to help us. How old are you even?”
“I don’t even know,” the boy replied. “I just woke up on Newground Island with no memory but my name. Please believe me.”
Roran was still suspicious. “You truly remember nothing but your name?” he asked.
The boy nodded.
“Your parents?”
“No.” the boy said meekly.
“Any friends?”
“No.”
“Your home?”
“NO!”
The boy had yelled so loudly that Roran stepped back in shock. The air suddenly felt charged and volatile.
The boy looked shocked at his outburst. “I-I’m-”
“Don’t,” Roran said. Something about the boy had changed his mind. “So you’re truly here to help?” he asked.
The boy nodded.
“What’s your name kid?” Roran asked.
“Pax,” the boy replied.
“Ok Pax, let’s go take you to the inn,” Roran said.
The boy’s face flashed with surprise. “Y-you sure?” he asked.
“Sure,” Roran said. “You can pay me back later.”
And so they both walked up the steep stairs to Darksong Village.
—
Marua had been trapped in this infernal cave for 2 days. Those foolish villagers had managed to trap him in this cave where he couldn’t leave. And every day, his anger only grew.
One day… he thought. One day I will escape this cursed place. One day I will make them pay. One day I will finally be free. And when I do…
I will kill every last one of those fools and burn their village to the ground.
End of Chapter IV