The Rostical Guild - Sceldrant's Comet

by Michael Rogers

  Whaka: "WATER STORM" *An erupted of water blasted the Scoldrant into the air.*

  Lucky: "Lucky and Whaka sorry, friend." *He spoke with sadness, watching the Scoldrant fall back towards the hill.*

  Scoldrant: *Its eyes changed into a natural black-like colour before hitting the hill.* "My eyhes? Lhyucky, Whakah, shorry.."

  Whaka: "Korkkikiii."

  Scoldrant: "I agreeh... Yhou know what to dho."

  Rachael: *She slowly stood up, ignoring the grass burns on her arm.* "..."

  Lezard: *He silently stared at the Scoldrant, watching a faint puff of dirt swirl around it.* (The Scoldrant's Neurons have significantly dropped-)

  Twortz: "It's like they're talking?" *She waddled up to Rachael and Lezard.*

  Lezard: "They probably are.."

  Lucky: *He looked down, kicking the hill in sadness.* "Lucky doesn't want to-"

  Whaka: "Kork!"

  Scoldrant: "Yhou mhust!"

  Lucky: *He slowly nodded his head and turned around, staring at Whaka with watering eyes.* "Ougi..."

  Whaka: "Ougi.." *Its words caused the blue glyph around it to become three-dimensional.*

  Rachael: *Her eyes watered.* "What's happening?"

  Lezard: "There's been a new disease.. Well, not new, but recently more active-"

  Twortz: "Disease?!" *She quickly looked at Lezard in an urgent-like manner.*

  Lezard: "It's been happening in Scoldrants, but a few people have received this condition too. It essentially improves the user's power, at the cost of becoming aggressive and out of character."

  Lucky: "All your power!"

  Whaka: "HYDRO CANNON" *It suddenly spurted out a high pressured blast of water into the Scoldrant, causing the hill to explode around it.*

  Twortz: *She felt the sprinkles of water touch her on the face.* "There's got to be gallons.."

  *The stream of water pushed the Scoldrant off the hill and through the air, slamming it into the cave's wall, exploding chunks of rock around it.*

  Lezard: "I felt that throughout the whole area-"

  Lucky: *He turned around and pouted, tightly hugging Whaka.* "Lucky sad."

  Rachael: "..."

  Twortz: *She watched the water splash on to the ground, leaving swirls of white orbs which slowly floated into the air.* "What are those orbs? And where did the bird's body go?"

  Lezard: "It died.." *He spoke in a slow, caring-like manner.*

  Rachael: "Huh?"

  Lucky: "Yhurk.." *He pouted and sniffed, causing Whaka to comfort him with its tentacles.*

  Lezard: "When creatures with enough Neurons or Astragons passes away, their body becomes physical Neurons, which we call Roharnia.."

  Rachael: "Roharnia.."

  Lezard: "Need I say more?"

  Rachael: *She slowly shook her head and noticed something shimmer above her.* "No-.." *She replied to Lezard and reached up, watching a red feather float into her hand.*

  Lezard: "What have you got there?"

  Rachael: "A feather from the Scoldrant?"

  Twortz: *She lowered the frying pan and placed her hands behind her back.* "It would appear so."

  Lezard: "Ahem-" *A white glyph drew itself under his feet.* "Quick internal light, INVOKING AURA"

  *A swirl of warm light flashed around Twort'z wrist, healing her wounds.*

  Twortz: (The pain? How did he-?)

  Lezard: "Quick healing shot, HEALING IMPLOSION"

  *Light glowed in the graze mark across Rachael's arm, queuing it to start rapidly healing.*

  Rachael: "Awesome!" *She smiled in appreciation, twirling the red feather in her fingers.*

  Lezard: "Phew."

  Rachael: "Lucky, are you okay?"

  Lucky: *He stepped away and slowly nodded his head.* "Lucky fine."

  Whaka: "Korkikiki." *It suddenly disintegrated into tiny blue orbs, swirling into Lucky's arm.*

  Lucky: *He watched a blue tribal glyph burn into his flesh.* "Good to have Whaka-Rangi back, hyuck."

  Twortz: "What happened? The creature is gone?"

  Lezard: "You'd have to ask an actual Scoldrant User about their abilities, but I think when they reach a certain level, the user can materialise their partner at will."

  Twortz: *She frowned.* "So why didn't he materialise his partner off the wall?"

  Lucky: "Friend's Neurons blocked Lucky's request."

  Twortz: "Oh.."

  Rachael: *She glanced at Lezard, noticing a cut on the side of his neck.* "You're hurt, Lezard?"

  Lezard: "Ouchies?" *He felt around his neck, shrugging his shoulders as if he didn't care.*

  Lucky: "Ouchies, hyuck hyuck." *He chuckled and clapped his hands, walking towards Lezard.*

  Lezard: "You're getting much better at using your Remenistal!"

  Rachael: "Thanks.. Although, I feel like I've hardly tapped into its power?"

  Lezard: (That's because you haven't.. What you can do is a far cry from what captains can do.)

  Twortz: *She discreetly stared at Rachael in disgust.* (That's not really you... You imitator-)

  Rachael: "Twortz?"

  Twortz: "I'm fine." *She pretended to smile and looked around.* "Do we have to walk back?"

  Lucky: *He sniffed and shook his head.* "Same glyph at end."

  Lezard: "Splendid! Let's get going, little monsters?"

  Lucky: "Rawr! Hyuck, hyuck."

  Rachael: "Hehe."

  Lucky: "Lucky show you way, but Lucky stay."

  Rachael: "You won't be coming?"

  Lucky: *He shook his head like a child.* "Lucky needs to wait for Ernest. Ernest help."

  Lezard: "As much as I don't feel comfortable leaving you here, knowing that you've got such a powerful and respectful Scoldrant, I can put my mind to rest."

  Lucky: *He looked down and placed one arm across his chest, as if he was listening to something.* "Whaka wants you to have good luck on trip." *He smiled and started to rub his ears by habit.*

  Rachael: "Naw.." *She looked down, noticing the red feather in her hand.* "Here, take this, Lucky."

  Lucky: "Feather? Lucky confused." *He started to rock back and forth.*

  Rachael: "This feather will bring you luck."

  Lucky: "Like Lucky's name?"

  Rachael: "Hehe, yeah!" *She giggled, giving Lucky the red feather.* "It's something to remember us by."

  Lucky: *He twirled the red feather in his fingers.* "Hyuck, hyuck!" *He chuckled in excitement, gently stroking the feather like a child.*

  Lezard: (Naww, that's sweet.)

  Twortz: (How time-consuming..) *She sighed in thought and looked away, as if she wanted to leave.*

  Lucky: *He bent down and placed his hand on the ground, causing the grass to glow.* "Lucky asked envirement, envirement will help you."

  Rachael: "The environment will, what-?" *She noticed the line suddenly travel further into the cave, causing her to gasp in amazement.*

  Lezard: "Well, looks like that's the way out."

  Lucky: "Thank you." *He smiled and started to walk backwards, as if he was saying farewell to the group.*

  Rachael: "We'll always remember you-"

  Lezard: "And Whaka!"

  Rachael: "Hehe, yeah!" *She started to walk down the spiral path, closely following the glowing line.*

  Lezard: "Bye, Luckymottus!" *He spoke with a giggle and wiggled his bottom.*

  Twortz: "Farewell." *She spoke in a professional-like manner, slowly following Rachael and Lezard down the path.*

  ----------

  *Nathan, Trevour, Luna and the champion made themselves comfortable in one room, listening to the crickets buzz outside.*

  Luna: "I can't believe I'm from another world..."

  Trevour: "I'd really like to eat some of these burgers you talk about, heh heh."

  Champion: "Oh my, everything about this is something out of a child's fairytale."

  Luna: "Nah, this is the fairytale, aye."

  Nathan: *He placed the sword across his lap and scraped the rock across its ed
ges, listening to the party's conversation.* "Luna Lighten, Trevour Meister.. And..?"

  Champion: "Please, I've been called the champion for many decades now."

  Nathan: "And...?"

  Champion: "Champion should be fine-"

  Luna: "It's just a freakin' name, just bloody answer it, aye."

  Trevour: "Luna..."

  Luna: "Pssht, Luna me." *She grunted on her breath and looked away from the champion's general direction in an annoyed-like manner.*

  Champion: "My name reminds me of my past..." *She shook her head, as if she didn't want to talk about it.* "I'm more curious about your Rostical, Trevour."

  Trevour: "Madam?"

  Champion: "How is it you're able to manipulate sand, but not solid ground?"

  Luna: (Epic way to change the conversation.)

  Trevour: *He looked down, rubbing a part of his armour in recollection.* "I've just been able to do so."

  Champion: "Oh?"

  Luna: "I think it's awesome from wat I've heard.."

  Trevour: "R-Really?" *He sounded surprised, causing Luna to chuckle like he was an idiot.*

  Luna: "Yea!"

  Champion: "And you, Luna?"

  Luna: "Aye?"

  Champion: "I'm not sure if any of you noticed, but there was one person that was not sweating in the Purity Zone."

  Nathan: "Certainly wasn't me. I felt the lack of Neuron and Astragon bonding." *He chuckled in a deep voice, continuing to scrape the rock against the sword's edges.*

  Champion: "It was Luna."

  Luna: "Aye?"

  Champion: "Everyone is affected by the Purity Zone by some degree."

  Luna: "I dunno. Maybe it's 'cause I'm not from around here?"

  Champion: "Perhaps." *She smiled with her eyes closed.*

  Trevour: "While we're asking questions. Could I please enquire about your hunchback, champion?"

  Nathan: "Is it a birth defect?"

  Champion: "Oh my.. No.. It's just another reminder of my past.."

  Luna: "Gah! Don't go about leavin' bread crumbs to more questions."

  Nathan: "Hmmm." *His stomach rumbled.*

  Trevour: "Wow, you're still hungry? We just ate."

  Nathan: "Ha, I just love my food."

  Trevour: "Heh heh.. Well, that was a satisfying talk, everyone?"

  Champion: "Oh my, it sure was." *She spoke in her high tone of voice.*

  Nathan: "Well, it's good to know you guys aren't crazy."

  Luna: (Even after talkin' to these dipshits for a few hours.. I still feel like-) *She discreetly pinched her arm, trying to get a reaction.* (I'm just gonna wake up from this crazy vivid dream.)

  Champion: "What are your plans for tomorrow?"

  Nathan: "Well, I'm going to take Luna to Silver Wind Island. Maybe she'll get answers there?"

  Champion: "It does have access to The Library's informative archives."

  Luna: "Wat 'bout you'se?"

  Champion: "I will temporarily reside at The Twilight Forest once things have cooled down."

  Luna: "Wat about you, Rusty?" *She looked in Trevour's general direction.*

  Trevour: "I actually have nowhere to go right now.. So, I'll think about it on a good night's rest."

  Luna: "Fairo."

  Trevour: "And after you drop Luna over here, off. What will you do then?"

  Nathan: *He momentarily paused, as if he wasn't going to answer.* "I'm actually trying to find the reason why so many Scoldrants have suffered from the yellow-eyed syndrome."

  Luna: "Aye?"

  Trevour: "I've heard about this. This is where their eyes glow a yellow?"

  Nathan: "Yeah."

  Trevour: *He nodded his head, rubbing a smudge off his shoulder armour.* "Even some warriors have fallen ill to the disease."

  Champion: "Oh my?" *She tilted her head in curiosity.*

  Trevour: "It's a Neuronic disorder. I don't know much about it. The Consultants terminate any warrior completely out of the ranks once discovering they have the illness."

  Nathan: "Regardless. I want to stop it from spreading any more."

  Trevour: "Your goal is to stop this illness.. Does this have something to do with your background?"

  Nathan: "I merely come from Scoldrant Users. I am not one.."

  Trevour: "No problem, sir. Heh heh."

  Nathan: (Even if I wanted to talk about my background, I can't really remember personal details about my past.)

  Luna: (I still think they're all dipshits.. But, hearin' their stories. They've actually got a lot going on themselves-)

  Champion: "If we're heading towards Silver Wind Island, we've got a long walk ahead of us." *She stood up off the bed and waddled towards Luna, readying to help her up.*

  Trevour: *He reached around his wrist, causing his arm armour to suddenly clip open.* "I'd have to agree."

  Luna: *She felt the champion's hand touch her shoulder, causing her to reach up.* "Wat? How far is this island thingy?"

  Champion: "It will take the entire day."

  Luna: "Wat?!"

  Trevour: "Yes. Sometimes on a few missions, we take two days."

  Luna: "Shit.."

  Champion: "Your choice of words is-.. Unusual?" *She spoke with a smile, keeping an innocent frame of mind.*

  Luna: "Wateva." *She stood up and swayed to each side, causing the champion to support her balance.*

  Nathan: *He continued to silently scrape the rock along the sword's edges.* "..."

  Trevour: "I'll see you ladies, tomorrow." *He stood up and escorted the champion and Luna out of the room, gently closing the door behind them.*

  Nathan: "Why exactly are you helping us?"

  Trevour: *He turned around, facing Nathan surprised.* "Oh? Like I said, sir, I just don't agree on their ways."

  Nathan: "Hmm."

  Trevour: "If you don't mind me asking something?" *He shuffled to the other single bed he sat on and raised his foot, unbuckling his armour-like boots.*

  Nathan: "Go for it." *He spoke with a lack of concentration, as he focused more on the sword.*

  Trevour: "You said not to categorise you with a title."

  Nathan: "What about it?"

  Trevour: "What do you mean?"

  Nathan: *He sighed in accomplishment and started to wrap up the sword, looking to the other side of the room.* "You really want to know?"

  Trevour: "Yes."

  Nathan: *He leant back and lay on his back, staring at the ceiling.* "It's equality."

  Trevour: "Equality?" *He took off his chest plate and suddenly collapsed on his stomach, breathing through the pillow.*

  Nathan: "I've encountered many people that use their titles for their own advantage.. Sexism, respect and image, all these have a larger impact on titles."

  Trevour: "How does sexism, respect and image got to do with titles?"

  Nathan: "Just because you're a captain of- I don't care, doesn't mean I'm gonna bow down and give you my respect."

  Trevour: "I see.." *He tilted his head to the side, allowing him to speak normally.*

  Nathan: "Image.. You need to earn respect and make an image for yourself, not just rely on some title given to you."

  Trevour: "But not all titles are given, and some are actually used just to categorise something. Like, you use a sword, a sword wielder-"

  Nathan: "That's exactly what I get frustrated over. If you're a sword user, it doesn't mean I can only fight in the sword arts-"

  Trevour: "So you know something else?"

  Nathan: "Well, no.. But that's not the point."

  Trevour: "Right, sir. Please continue."

  Nathan: "Sexism, not that there are many reasons to hit someone, but just because of their gender, it doesn't suddenly mean they're weak defenceless creatures."

  Trevour: "No, sir. A man should never hit a woman-"

  Nathan: "So you think women are lower than men?"

  Trevour: "Of course not-"

  Nathan: "So why should you not treat them-"

  Trevour: "Like a m
an? Because they're not, sir."

  Nathan: "I was actually going to say, equals."

  Trevour: "Equals?"

  Nathan: "You're not treating them as equals if you have to act differently towards them."

  Trevour: (I.. Never saw it from that perspective before-) *He rubbed his eyes in a tired-like manner.* "So, you'll treat someone with disabilities the same? Or perhaps even an elderly couple?"