The Zaion clan. One of the youngest clans across the entire continent of Elenia. Of course, that's in the history books alone. Outside of Pyranous, the Pyrian Kingdom, the clans is hardly know, just as most other clans are unknown to the other parts of the world. They are a noble clan known for it's strict practices, and upbringing. However, even with the most strict structure, there will always be those born into the family that can't stand it.
Scarlet Zaion, the daughter of the heads of the Clan and the sole heir to the leadership position, was one of those people. Multiple attempts to run away over the past few years had landed her in trouble but it was still better then if she had been anyone else. Any other member of the clan would've been beaten for their insolence, but her parents covered it up as if nothing had happened. Not the best way for them to teach proper behavior, but it was if they acted like it never happened, it never did.
After a few years, this had become an occurrence every few months. Scarlet would run away, be gone from 2-9 days and then be found and dragged back. Going without so much as a scolding. However, it wasn't that she was just randomly running away. She had suffered a cruel incident that upsets her quite often when she's home. She just wants to run away and finally be rid of it all.
It was that time again for Scarlet. She was running away once more, hoping this time she'd be able to stay away from her family. Although, little did she know she'd bite off more then she could chew by doing so. She'd left in the dead of night, something she didn't usually do. This bought her quite a few hours before they'd find her. That was 5 days ago.
Scarlet had ventured further out then she ever had before, finding a small cave to take residence in for the night. She had started a fire as always, and cooked up a small animal that found it's way into her camp earlier that day. After all that was taken care of she wandered out of the cave to find the nearest water source. She already had found it, so it wasn't exactly hard to find again.
After collect what water she needed to get her through the next two days, she bathed herself. After all, just because she was living in the woods for now, didn't mean she had to be dirty. This was just until she could get far away enough to visit some towns anyway. She brought a small fortune with her just for the occasion.
This night however, may have started off normal, but it wasn't going to end that easy. A bear, attracted to the lingering smells of the food she had eaten just a few hours ago shad attracted it. Without the small animal though, the only other option on the menu was Scarlet.
Once back at her camp she started to pack everything up for a quick getaway the following morning. That's when she spotted the hungry creature, just ready to dive into his next meal. She nearly screamed, but her voice suddenly went missing. Instead she just grasped the bag she had in her hand, and raced further into the cave. Tossing a few fireballs behind her (pretty much the only Fire spell she knew) to try and throw off the Bear, she kept running. No idea where this cave led to. She'd find out after a few more minutes of running though.
Eventually she came up to it. The dead end of the cave. No way out except the way she just came, and that was guarded by a hungry bear, that's now also pissed off because of the fireworks display. As the beast moved closer, teeth showing and snarling at her, it was ready to strike at any moment. Scarlet's back was up against the wall. The Fireballs barely did a thing to it. She reached down and removed one of the two daggers she had strapped to her inner thighs today. She wasn't going to die without a fight, although part if her hoped that if she kept pushing on the wall behind her, it would somehow find a way to move. As the bear roared, Scarlet almost jumped out of her skin, and just as it rushed at her, she had disappeared.
Scarlet woke up on the floor of some new cave. It was much darker then the last, and she was alone. Completely alone, just her and her bag. A lone voice rung out in her head, one she'd never heard before in her life.
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. In all races, and from every kingdom. You will be put through a trial, and only by passing said trial can you hope to save yourself and this world. Complete your task, but beware. Things may not always be what they seem. Pass and you will join your future comrades, fail and the cave will claim you as it's own forever.
After the voice rang out Scarlet was blinded by a wicked light. As it cleared Scarlet found herself somewhere new. The atmosphere was dense with a magical force. It was a fact that would be clear to any creature, ones who know magic or not. She stood on a beach. Endless sand in one direction, the ocean in the other. The question was where was she exactly? What had she gotten herself into now? That was something she just didn't know, and by the looks of things, she may not want to know.
Silence filled the area. Not only was it eerie already, but how could a beach surrounded by the rushing waves, produce no sound at all? What was this place? Where was she? Scarlet just didn't know, and had no means of figuring it out. She started walking down the beach but the view never changed. This beach, and the ocean seemed endless. Maybe if she swam out far enough she could find an exit? No she'd rather just die on the beach. The water scared her terribly. She didn't know how to get out of here sure, but swimming definitely wasn't an option. She wasn't a strong swimmer anyway, so logically it just made sense.
She began walking for God knows how long it really was. It felt like hours on end, just walking the beach to no avail. There wasn't even a scenery change. That's when finally she heard it. A small crying voice began to echo out throughout the area. At this point any sound was a welcomed sound, although Scarlet had wondered where the voice was coming from.
After a few moments of looking around with the voice getting louder, she spotted the culprit. Out in the water there was a small object, resembling the top of a bassinet. Inside of it was a crying baby. She both wondered how the baby had gotten there and why, but the sound of the water cutting apart ended those thoughts rather quickly. She hadn't heard a sound from the water yet, but now all of a sudden she could somewhat. It wasn't the regular water flowing sounds though, this was more like something traveling through it. Sure enough, there was a boat not too far off. The problem was, it was on a collision course with the baby.
The thought of trying to save herself by getting the boat's attention never even crossed her mind. Instinctively she dove into the water, letting her fears take a back seat to everything. She swam her heart out to get to the baby before the boat did, and after a few moments she was narrowly successful. If she hesitated for one more moment, the baby would have been crushed, likely along with her as well. She carefully swam with the baby back to shore with her heart beating so fast she could have sworn all of Elenia heard it.
Back on shore now, she removed the baby from the bassinet and held him in her arms. Swimming with him wasn't an option, walking seemed to be the only way. She stared walking down the shore again with the baby in her arms, hoping to see another boat. Sure it wasn't the best plan, but it was better then sitting there ready to die. They walked and walked, all the while the baby stayed silent just staring at her and smiling every so often. Scar would smile back trying to be comforting, but she was getting nervous. She didn't want to die in a place like this and she didn't want to let this baby just die too.
Sounds of water rushing filled the area. Scar's head instantly turned to the ocean just to see the water receding. Was it a Godsend? Would the two of them be saved? A moment later she'd see it was pretty much the opposite. Sure the water began to recede but it was only because of the tidal wave off in the distance. The Tidal wave moving in fast. Scarlet turned around, ready to run up the beach in hopes of escaping, but as she did was met with utter horror.
The beach, the very ground itself was falling away. It left her on nothing but the endless strip of land she was walking. A giant tidal wave coming from one side, a seemingly bottomless pit on the other. She didn't know what to do so she would just have to stand up for herself and take this head on. "Don't worry, I'll get us through this." She said facing the tidal wave and digging her feet into the sand. She looked down at the baby once more with one last smile. "You know, your the nicest guy I ever met."
As the wave neared the baby began to glow a white light. Once it disappeared she was still in the same situation, only the baby had turned into the bag she was carrying. "What the...." That was all she said before the wave crashed over her and knocked her back into the hole. Falling.... Almost endlessly falling... That's what it seemed like as the darkness covered her.
Once all hope seemed to be lost she found herself falling to the ground in some new cavern. She fell back first slamming into the cave floor, her bag landing next to her. She slowly opened her eyes, as she heard voices. Other people? Did she somehow make it out of these Godforsaken caves? No, she didn't. Although now she seemed trapped somewhere new with some other people. She reached over and picked up her bag, noticing she wasn't wet from the water at all. It was quite odd, but she didn't have time to wonder about it. She needed to know if the baby was still around. She didn't want to accept it as an illusion, not that the thought it could be even crossed her mind.
She struggled to her feet, her back now hurting from the landing. She walked towards the others, not caring who they were. The seemed to be in the same situation and that's all that mattered. "Did any of you see a baby around here? He was with me not too long ago... At least I don't think it was too long ago.... I must've dropped him..." She said solemnly, realize if the baby dies, it's her fault. She would have failed him, even though in reality he never existed.