The Wizard

Wealthow was perched onto the Peco-peco rather haphazardly. Her mantle was already slipping off her head because of the confused birds ferocious strides. All she could see was the paved streets of Geffen and a hundred pair of legs that were running from them. She could feel Nervas knee just below her breasts.

"Where are you taking me?" Wealthow asked fearfully. "You should not be doing this to me! I requested for your release! I was the one who asked for that Sleeping Draught to be removed!"

The Priestess twisted her head a bit to see Nervas face. The Wizard was gaunt as a corpse, but he was handsome nonetheless. He did not seem to hear what she said. His sharp eyes were kept at the road, his hands tightly on the Peco-pecos harness.

"I released you!" Wealthow screamed. "You shouldnt be treating me like this! Let me go!"

Her mantle finally fell off, and her long brown hair went wildly across her face. She gave a piteous moan as she saw her mantle crushed under the Peco-pecos feet. Then the bird gave a wild wobble as Nerva steered it toward the western gate. Wealthow could see the feet of the guards.

"Stop right there!"

"Stop! STOP, WE SAID!"

A slight frown appeared on Nervas face. He extended his right hand, pointing the tip of his Arc Wand to the guards. Wealthow felt the color drain from her face.

"NO, GET OUT OF THE WAY!" She yelled.

Too late. Nervas commanding voice rang in her ears.

"FIRE PILLAR!"

A great pillar of fire appeared, swallowing the two guards in billowing clouds of the blaze. Wealthow could hear their agonized screams. She covered her ears with her hands and gritted her teeth. The western wall flitted past them. They were already outside of Geffen.

More screams rang in Wealthows ears. It was the voice of young Novices and Mages. She tried to look up; to warn them all to get away, but it proved to be exceedingly hard. She was bouncing wildly on the Peco-pecos back, and Nervas knee was already causing her pain.

"Nerva, stop! Dont kill them! Dont kill them! Stop it! STOP KILLING THEM OFF!" Wealthow cried.

"Ill kill anyone who stands in my way, Priestess." Nerva replied.

Their eyes locked. Priests always had the ability to see inside a persons soul. Wealthow saw that Nervas soul was one who lost to despair, who wanted to get back to all those who abused him before. He was ready to prove his innocence no matter what the cost.

Wealthow yelled in pain as Nerva picked her up by the hair and sat her straight before him. Now she could see properly, but she still couldnt escape. Her eyes darted downward to Nervas Arc Wand. She swallowed nervously.

"WEALTHOW!"

Both Nerva and Wealthow looked around. Altair and Theodoric were already emerging from the western gate. Frowning, Nerva pointed his wand at them.

"ICE WALL!"

A huge wall of thick and solid ice covered the exit. Wealthow could hear Altair and Theodorics screams. Nerva gave a hollow laugh and returned his eyes to the road.

"You give me no other choice but to fight you!" said Wealthow.

Wealthow readied her hands and started to claw Nervas face with it. The Wizard gave a strangled yell before completely losing control of the harness. Wealthow clawed deeper. Nervas screams got louder. Then his hands caught her small wrists and squeezed them.

"OW!" Wealthow cried in pain.

But she wasnt giving up. She slammed her body into Nervas, and this destroyed their balance. In a whirl of air and a thud of pain, they were both rolling on the grassy soil. Theodorics Peco-peco still ran in fright.

"Cursed woman!" Nerva hissed through gritted teeth as he trapped Wealthow underneath him.

"Get off me!" Wealthow struggled underneath Nervas body. "Get off me in the name of God!"

"Shut up!" Nerva shrieked as he raised his Arc Wand, careful to trap Wealthow between his legs. "Shut up or else I shall use Stone Curse on you!"

Novices, Thieves, Mages, Swordsmen and Acolytes were fleeing hysterically from all sides. Even the Porings and Fabres were running away from Wealthow and Nerva.

"Let me go! Get off me! I released you! Get off me!" Wealthow shouted as she struggled to no avail. "Have pity on me, Nerva!"

"I will have no pity for anyone!" Nerva shouted back. "They never showed me pity! Why should I pity you when youre just like them! Shut up, I said! Quit your crying, you horrible little slut!"

To Wealthows horror, the familiar red pentagram appeared beneath her and Nerva. The orb embedded into the Wizards Arc Wand was gleaming. He was preparing to use Stone Curse and turn her into a stone statue.

Wealthow shut her eyes.

"STONE!"

"WEALTHOW!"

There was a great thud and a grunt of pain. Wealthow opened her eyes just in time to see Nerva collapse onto her, unconscious. The Priestess, confused, blinked in the glare. She felt the pentagram vanish. Then a familiar face loomed into view.

"Are you okay, Wealthow?" Theodoric asked at once.

"Imfinethank youoh, thank you!" Wealthow sobbed.

Altair moved and pulled Nerva off her. Theodoric bent and helped her sit up. She was still trembling with fright.

"Bugger, Wealthow, it was lucky I hit his head with my hammer!" said Altair. "Or else what couldve happened?"

"Did he hurt you?" Theodoric asked.

Wealthow shook her head and looked at Nerva. He was scary, all right. And he had the strenght of a true madman. Was that the effect of despair and isolation in the tower?

"I need to Heal him." She said. "Ill Heal him. Bring him here."

Theodoric and Altair looked at her in disbelief.

"Wealthow, what are you?!? Hes taken you hostage and tried to curse you and still you want to Heal him? Are you crazy?" Altair gasped. "What on earth?!?"

She stood up and bent over him. She placed her hands on his face and whispered, "Heal"

The dried blood vanished. Even the color and vigor returned to Nervas face. Somehow, the Healing seemed to return even his health. He stirred feebly and opened his eyes. Theodoric quickly had his lances sharp tip on the Wizards neck. Nerva looked up at him with the utmost loathing.

"One wrong move, Nervy, and I swear Ill Pierce your face." Theodoric said coolly.

"What do you want me with me, then?" Nerva shot back. "Why did you wake me up? Sleep was even better than to be returned to this damned world. If you want me to tell you the story, then Im sorry. I dont feel like talking with arrogant Knights."

"Indolent, are you?" Altair spoke in an injured voice. "We came here to release you and thats all the thanks we get? Youre a complete bugger."

Nerva blinked. "Release me? You lie."

By now Wealthow regained her self. She stood up. "Yes, to release you. King Tristriam gave you full pardon in exchange for your teaming up with us, the party of Firnheild. He wants you to guide us through the northern lands and investigate the mysterious events occurring in the mountains."

"Im not joining any party." Nerva answered. "Youll all die if you insist."

"Bugger, Nervy, because we dont believe you killed your partymates." Altair wagged a finger. "We believe your innocence."

A slight pause occurred before Nerva threw back his head in a mocking laughter.

"Me?" he said, jabbing a gloved finger into his chest. "You want me? Well thats the best lie I heard in seven years!"

Theodoric rolled his eyes impatiently. Why were Wizards so annoyingly stubborn?

Nerva looked at the three of them, expecting the usual sardonic smile that people flashed on him ever since he was declared criminal. But today he wasnt greeted by anything of the sort. Theodoric, Wealthow and Altair were simply looking down on him and waiting for his answer. Their serious expression was unnerving him. He had completely forgotten how it was to be truly believed by people. It stung him like a needle. He couldnt stand their sincere eyes.

"Dont look at me like that!" Nerva yelled.

"We want you to be part of Firnheild and guide us to whatever that thing is." Wealthow told him. "All we want from you is your honesty and cooperation. Is that hard for you?"

"Yeah, and if ever we prove that something is out there, we can even clear your name." Theodoric added. "Dont you want that?"

Nervas hands clenched into fists. These three did not know what they were talking about. They didnt know anything of the Shadowbut then it was better if they didnt know anything, because merely knowing that it exists was enough to drive anyone insane, like what it nearly did to him.

"You people are so ignorant." He said. "You dont know what is out there and what it can do."

"Thats why were being sent to investigate it." said Altair. "The King is becoming concerned for the northern lands. He asked for your release in order to join us in this quest."

"What if I dont want to, huh?" Nerva smiled triumphantly. "Im never joining anything!"

Theodoric, Wealthow and Altair looked at each other.

"If you refuse, then you shall be put to death by the guillotine." Wealthow answered in a hushed voice.

"Guillotine?" Nerva repeated the word. "Guillotine?"

"The Council of Elders here in Geffen have long since wanted your head." Altair spoke. "Most of them hated you even before the Byalan Incident. Afraid, we think, that you might steal all their students to yourself. When you were sentenced to lifetime imprisonment, all of them were less than pleased. Theyve been struggling for seven years to alter the decision of the jury."

"Yeah, and they dont want a twenty-eight year old like you having the enormous slice of their so-called Cake of Power." Theodoric put in his cents. "Selfish lot, arent they?"

"Definitely a lot ofyou dont mind dont you, Nervy?" Altair smirked. "toasted Hodes. Yeah, a lot of toasted Hodes."

"But if youre with us," Wealthow stepped forward tentatively. "Youre under the Kings protection as well. Justice will still be on your side. Geffens citizens might be the most powerful in Midgard, but theyre still incapable of disobeying a direct order from Prontera."

Theodoric and Altair nodded in perfect unison.

"And what will happen to me afterward?" Nerva demanded. "If we fail?"

Even Wealthow couldnt answer. Altair bit his lower lip.

"Be optimistic, Nerva!" Theodoric said. "Knights have always been that way!"

"I, unlike you, am a Wizard, so shut the hell up." Nerva snapped.

"Nerva, please." Wealthow pleaded. "All I want from you is loyalty and cooperation. Be part of us. Be part of Firnheild."

Nerva breathed heavily and transferred his eyes onto Theodorics lance, whose blade was still making a dent into his neck. He had no choice left. He didnt want to repeat the same story to Firnheild, but he didnt want to be shut up anymore. He had only one path left.

Must he?

His lips tightened. "Very well. I see I have no choice."

Wealthow clapped her hands to her mouth. Theodoric finally removed his lance and helped Nerva stand up. Altair was bouncing eagerly on his heels, looking from one face to the next.

"All right, Nervy!" said Altair. "Wait until Signy and Sibyl hears of this!"

"Welcome to the party, pal." Theodoric smiled.

"Let me give you a gift." Wealthow smiled happily. "Angelus!!"

The sound of the golden bell reverberated, filling the four of them with renewed defense rate. Nerva suddenly felt power creep into his veins anew. Who was the last one to bless him with an Angelus? It was a Priest named Isidore, and that Angelus was given at his dying breath

"Live, Nerva, you must live!"

"Get out of here, Nerva!"

"Protect him! He must live!"

"Nerva, go! JUST GO!"

"Nervaliveyou must live"



"Are you okay?"

Nerva gave a start and found himself looking into Wealthows worried purple eyes. He took a few steps away from her and shook his head. Why did this woman always stared like that like he had some dirt on his nose?

"So where do we go next, Wealthow?" Altair asked, setting his hammer on the ground.

"We cant leave yet." Theodoric spoke, nodding toward the gate, where twelve Wizards were already pouring out of, Arc Wands at the ready. Some of the younger Wizards stopped dead and stared with horror at Nerva.

"Lady Wealthow!" said the High Elder. "Are youare you all right?"

"Were okay." Wealthow said at once. "Were finedont!"

One foolish Wizard, who was probably newly inaugurated just days ago, aimed and performed a Cold Bolt toward Nerva. Nerva was fast and casted a Safety Wall, and in the blink of an eye his gloved hand was tightened around the foolhardy childs neck.

"Nerva, dont!"

"Good lord! Let him go you criminal!"

Nerva dropped the spluttering fool on the ground and retreated with a swish of his cloak. He stared at the Wizards with utmost loathing.

"Were leaving Geffen now." Wealthow explained. "We still have to meet with Signy and Sibyl in Izlude. Nerva alThor is going with us. We shall leave now."

"Youre taking him out into the world? When he has killed all twenty different people, all of whom were your predecessors at being the very best in your Job Class?" a female Wizard piped up. "Are you crazy? Hell kill you all!"

"You say that." Altair spoke. "If youre in his place."

The girl shut up. Altair swung his hammer and set it on his shoulder.

"Come on, peeps." He said. "Weve got what we came for. Lets leavethe unpleasant air hanging about this place makes me wanna hammer up some ass."

The sixteen-year-old Blacksmith turned on his heels and marched away followed closely by the Knight. Wealthow placed a hand on Nervas shoulder, and they too, followed suit. The High Elder looked on after, his face white.

"Youre going to regret this, Lady Wealthow." He hissed. "I swear you will, even if I will have to do that again."



Altair Thorne was the friendly type of kid. He always loved making people laugh, especially new members of Firnheild. He went into Midgard Academy for training when he was 8, and graduated with highest marks on Trade and Economics when he was 13, making the Merchant Guild of Alberta go after him with thousands of pleading letters and worthwhile offers.

Altair spent his Novicehood doing all he can, and when he became Merchant at the age of 14 he had seen the whole of Midgard, traveling by foot, cart, boat, and occasionally, Peco-peco. A year later he earned the right to become a Blacksmith, the youngest in Albertas history. It was even said that Altair could rival Geffens Nerva alThor, but of course, Novices opting to be Merchants had much shorter training period in Midgard Academy because their Skills werent complex like that of Mages.

It had been three hours after Firnheild left Geffen, and they were already heading trekking in the southeastern direction to go to Prontera, and finallyto Izlude. On the way they met Odin, Signys falcon. Odin had a message tied to his leg, telling them that Signy and Sibyl already met and were waiting for them. Wealthow made a hasty reply note and sent Odin back to his owner.

"Hey. You have a minute?" Altair smiled broadly as he doubled back and walked beside Nerva.

Nerva flashed his yellow eyes onto Altair but didnt answer.

"Whatre your specialty" Altair asked. "Skills, you know"

"I specialize in everything except Earth." Nerva replied. "Quagmire and Heavens Drive are far too expensive. Stone Curse is already draining my purse."

"Bugger." Altair whistled. "What aspecterr, I mean, point are you weak in?"

Nerva looked at him. Altair flashed a kids sincere smile. "I do not remember any. But I have low Defense and Attack Skill obviously."

"Oh yeah, I remember." Altair said suddenly. He reached for his bag and took out a neat set of headphones and CD player. "Since Wealthow gave you Angelus, Ill give you these. Take em, theyre for you."

Altair thrust the phones and player into Nervas arms. He also threw in a free CDRagnarok Original Soundtrack. Nerva raised an eyebrow.

"I have no need of this." he said.

"Nah," said Altair, waving a hand. "Its Firnheilds tradition to give gifts to new members."

At this, Theodoric stopped walking and faced the two. "Ah, now you remind me."

Altair shrugged.

"You can get us some decent food, Theodoric." Wealthow smiled. "We havent eaten yet."

Theodoric looked around. He could see anything interesting except for Horns, Thief Bugs, Cocos, and Savage Babes. He readied his lance.

A deer some ten feet away stirred in the bushes. Theodoric took aim.

"Spear Boomerang!"

The lance whizzed through the air like a dart. The deer fell dead on the spot. Wealthow and Theodoric went to get the deer, leaving Altair and Nerva free to continue their chat.

"Sowhere did you come from?" Altair asked. "And whore your parents? Tell me, therere no secrets here in Firnheild!"

Nervas lips tightened. Altair reminded him of his previous partymate, a female Knight named Matilda. She was the very same personalways loved to smile and asked personal questions as if they were so easy to answer.

"I come from the House of Thor." Nerva answered. "My family is a line of Swordsmen and Knights, holding a considerable amount of political power in Izlude."

"Swordsmen and Knights?" Altair repeated. "But youre ayoure a Wizard!"

"Exactly." Nerva said casually. "I never wanted to be a Swordsman. I was very bookish and have been long inspired by magic. So I broke tradition. My loving parents disowned me. I went to Midgard Academy with no support whatsoever. I reared myself and fulfilled my lifelong dream."

"Bugger, Nervy!" said Altair. "Thats so cool!"

Nerva couldnt think of any answer to this so he kept quiet.

"So your parents must be Sir Tiberius and Lady Cornelia then. Am I right?" Altair went on.

Nerva nodded.

"You got any brothers or sisters?"

"Three of them, all younger than me." Nerva replied. "Theyre Lochinvar, Alexander and Claudius."

"They all became Swordsmen?" Altair inquired.

Nerva gave a derisive snort and frowned deeply. "Lochinvar and Claudius were too soft and believed our parents. They became Swordsmen. Lochinvar died in a tournament held in Al de Baran. Claudius got lost in Byalan Islands and was never found again. Alexander became an Acolyte. He suffered the same fate as mine, but I heard he was doing well; the last I heard of him was that hes a part of a missionary party in Glast Heim."

Altair was about to speak again when Wealthow and Theodoric returned with their lunch. Nerva used a Fireball to grill the fresh meat. They ate in silence.

Nerva stared at the food on his paper plate. As a Wizard he was partly trained in Divination. There was a special branch of Divination that enabled Seers to see the future in food. Summoning that ability, Nerva tried to decipher whatever the food on his plate might show him.

And then he saw something



He stood up so suddenly that all his food spilled. Wealthow, Theodoric and Altair looked up at him in surprise.

"Whats the matter?" Wealthow asked at once.

"You okay?" Theodoric asked.

Nerva shifted his gaze onto Wealthow. He felt fear for her. Fear for what the future had in store for this priestess.

"No, Imnot hungry."