Apollo Noire's Story

Kyle and Eve wondered through the city streets aimlessly. They had come here for a small rest and maybe some mercenary jobs, then leave yet again to continue their adventure across the galaxy.
Kyle could be seen, slouching as he walked, his hands stuffed into his formal trouser pockets. The slight breeze blew his undone suit slightly with the blue tie slapping lightly against the white shirt. His grey eye, half closed, scanned over the area. Looking at people and trying to figure them out. It's something easy to do.
Eve, on the other hand, was skipping slightly, her hands behind her back. Her white and blue dress fluttered in the wind as her long blue hair -stretching down to her calves- joined it. She was busy smiling in amasement at all of the shops and strange people they see.
"...So these are humans!?" Eve questioned, her high voice was easy to hear in Kyle's sensitive ears.
"Yeah. Now I see why humans have 1 element unit. They are soo weak." Kyle replied in a monotoned voice, seemingly annoyed or bored.
"It's been a while since we left the Elementum territory. It isn't far from here, why don't we pay a visit?"
"Because the reason we are travelling is because they alienated me and exiled me."
"Well... ever since your Synchronisation incident, I don't blame them. But really, it's silly to kick you out. As someone with such an unnaturally high Element unit, it's understandable that you lost control."
Kyle didn't answer, she was right. But within the few years he had learned to control his Synchronisation, along with figuring out a new way to use his powers without risking death.

After a few moments of wondering around, the two had met the scene of what seemed to be a fight. Three people easily stood out from the crowd, along with a few knocked out or dead humans. This was nothing to concern the two mercenaries, 'Whisper'. And so, they continued.
"Seekers..." Kyle mumbled,
"Hm? The guys searching for a Nexus or something? That sounds like a large sum of money!" Eve replied,
"I'm not interested in that. We haven't even been hired to do that."
"But isn't Nexus some place that give the seeker a massive amount of power?"
"That's a rumour..."
"It could be true! C'mon! Let's find that place! It won't be a waste of your precious time, because we could always sell it!"
"I don't even know where to start..." Kyle sighed with annoyace, finding the two passing close by the other three seekers, directly in earshot.
"Then ask them!"
"I refuse..."

The two continued, ignoring what had happened and searching for a job. Maybe even an information broker about the Nexus.

*Snowe seemed surprised for a moment at her own lack of tact, then bowed slightly*

Snowe: Please forgive my rudeness, I meant no offense. I am Snowe Silverlake, druid of the northern forest. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few very short, but very important questions.

Snowe hesitated for a moment in surprise, but shook the girl's hand. Though Snowe's hand was like ice, her smile was warm and gentle. "I'm relieved to have such a warm reception, Lady Isolate. I was beginning to think I would never find someone to give this to," she said reaching into a small pouch at her side. From the pouch, she pulled out a tome that, while not overly large, should not have fit.

The tome itself was tattered and worn from age. Some of its pages were loose and had obviously been reset a number of times. Snowe frowned a bit as she handed the tome to Delta, "I'm sorry the book is in such poor condition, but honestly, it's a wonder that it even still exists. Within this tome, there is information about the Ten that has been lost for centuries, though it isn't complete..."

Snowe smiled appreciatively and nodded. "I think that's a good idea. It's getting a bit late," she lowered her voice a bit, "I'd like to discuss the contents of that book with you tonight if you don't mind. I'm sure you're weary from travel, but it's that important."

Our heroes arrive at the inn just in time to see a space pirate flying out the the window. Snowe simply sighed and walked past the unconscious man, opened the door, casually stepped aside to allow the other pirates to flee, and gestured for Delta and Apollo to enter.

"Sorry about all the foolishness around here lately. We have had pirates and mercenaries come in from Bekta recently... "hunters" they call themselves. Please, go on in."

When the group enters, they see a group of people surrounding a young man and applauding. It was apparent that he was the one who tossed the pirate out the window. "Hahaha, thanks ma boy! For driving those guys away!" said the innkeeper to the boy. Snowe didn't seem to care at the moment, however, and she headed straight for the counter.

"I'd like to rent a room for three, if you please," she sighed, "and vodka, if you have it."

The barmaid looked a little taken aback at first, and then she obliged. "Right, I forgot you rengeku folks don't age like humans do."

Adrian looked at the three new customers through the crowd. The little girl of the group looked at him in the eyes for a moment and looked away. With his superior strength, he managed to get out of the crowd and it finally died down.

The owner walked up to him and motioned him to open his palm. "Here boy! You can have a room for a night! its my way of thanks!" He said as he placed a room key on his palm. Adrian happily shook the owner's hands. "Thank you very much! I was just looking for a place to stay! and without money I would have slept on the road!" He said almost in the verge of tears. He was startled by the loud shouting of the little girl he saw a while ago. He was surprised to hear that she was of the same age as him!

He walked over to the group. "Hello! I'm sorry for the trouble a bit while ago, I hope it didn't bothered any of you." He apologized as he cheerfully smiled at them.

"I regret to say that you and your sister have come at a rather bad time, as is probably apparent by the recent shenanigans," Snowe emitted, smiling grimly. She tilted her head inquisitively. "By the lack of resemblance, I assume your sworn siblings, and not blood relatives. Ahh, but that isn't really my business, now is it?"

The conversation was interrupted by a human boy, no older than seventeen years of age. He apologized for the earlier trouble, smiling cheerfully. Snowe wasn't quite sure why, but such cheerfulness grated on her nerves at the moment. "I'm not too bothered by it," she sighed, "unfortunately, I'm accustomed to far worse discord than that." She seemed to catch herself at something and shook her head. "It really isn't your fault, anyway, boy. These people are from Bekta, and have absolutely no regard for rules."

"Oh, and speaking of discord..." she started looking over at the lavender haired girl, "Delta, could I see the book I gave to you earlier? It's important, but not secret... at least, it shouldn't be."

"To read it, of course, my dear," replied Snowe matter of factly as she stroked the book's cover, "this here is a one-of-kind volume written by Lady Memory herself. Gather round, children, and I shall teach you of things long since erased in your histories."

Snowe opened the book, flipping slowly through the pages as she explained its contents aloud. The handwritten text was faded and torn in many places.

"        Father Time (Chronos): The first of the Ten and of the dragons, Chronos, is the Keeper of Time. Though he has the power to manipulate time, his duty is to keep it flowing at a steady pace and prevent paradoxes. He has very little direct role in the worlds.

·        Mother Space (Maria): Maria is the second-born of the Ten and is the Keeper of the Universe as well as the first vilgenus. Her duty is to create and destroy worlds throughout space and help control the Balance of the Scales.

·        Discord (Loki): First of the tricksters and Keeper of Chaos, Loki presides over the Negatives of the Universe. He is known for creating mischief and instigating trouble in the worlds. Despite this, he is not evil.

·        Solace (Onari): Onari presides over the Positives of the Universe and is the first of the sil. Rather than take matters into her own hands, she often inspires goodness and bravery throughout the worlds. She and Loki have been rivals from the beginning of time, but harbor no hatred for each other.

·        Brother Darkness (Ta'kal): Keeper of the Night, Ta'kal is the first of the makora. He aids Father Time by bringing night to the Worlds, and Mother Space by extinguishing dying stars.

·        Sister Light (Akari): She is the Keeper of the Day and the first of the elves. She assists father time by bringing day to the Worlds, and Mother Space by giving light to the stars.

·        Reaper (Orbis): The first of the Angels and the Keeper of the Veil. Though Life and Death are often viewed as separate entities, they are one in the same. He is often seen in the form of one-winged twin angels- one in black and the other in white.

·        Emotion (Raimei): Raimei is the first human and taught all races of happiness, sorrow, and anger. She tends to play a higher direct role in the Worlds than many of the other Ten.

·        Lady Fate (Helena): Helena is the Keeper of Red Strings and the first fayde. She weaves the threads of fate into a web that spans throughout the universe and is easily angered when they are tampered with. Because of this, she is often at odds with Emotion and Lady Memory.

...But the pages regarding Lady Memory are mysteriously absent. All that is left is a note scrawled on the back cover. It is written in Reith, the tongue of my people. It simply says... 'We never claimed to be gods...."

"W-Woah!" Adrian was gotten by surprise by the sudden appearance and disappearance of the maid-ish person, but it immediately changed to a look of awe, acting like a country bumpkin he is. Technology is still quite uncommon for him. "So cool! How did you do that little girl?! Is it that bracelet?! Is she inside there? Are there other things you have in there? Where did you got that? can I touch it?" Adrian asked her in succession as he points his finger on the bracelet and is urged to push a button. Already forgetting the fact that she doesn't like being called little or short, and she being of the same age as him. He was not quite as interested in the book as much as he is interested on the bracelet.

Snowe shrugged and handed the book back to Delta. "Aren't you curious about the implications of the note?" she asked, placing her knuckle on her lips, "I propose we travel to each of the temples. I believe there's something that every other Seeker missed... There is a passage within the tome that speaks of fragments of a 'key'. It suggests that each temple has one."

Snowe put her hands behind her head and leaned back a bit in her chair. "Of course, each of you may do what you will with this information. However, I cannot promise we won't end up on opposite ends of each other's blades, should we choose to part ways," Snowe paused and looked to Asha and Ayara, "Ah, forgive me, I am merely assuming you are Seekers. If not, you need not worry yourselves."

"Eeek! Sorry!" Adrian immediately pulled his hand back after her comment. Then he pondered for a moment. "Eh? Nano? Particle? Micro? Eh? What?" He thought, looking quite puzzled. Not having the slightest idea, he just shrugged it away with a content sigh. Relieved that he stopped thinking about it. After remembering the fact that he made the girl angry he started a silly attempt to explain himself. "O-oh yeah. You know, it's not all that bad being short. It is kinda cute and all, you know? And that's what make you unique! Your height suits you! Being tall isn't all that better actually, if you're as tall as your friend there, you might hit a door frame and all..." He explained, starting to have a bit of cold sweats, his face turned stiff.

There were too many dimwits around for Asha's comfort. The human hadn't spoken a whole lot, and as per usual it was her sister who made the attempt to start a conversation with one of the less... obnoxious patrons, to which Asha only nodded briefly when her name was mentioned before resuming her silent drinking.

The surgeon only looked up from her glass and took actual interest in the conversation when a peculiar looking tome was handed to the Rengeku. It looked old, very old. The kind of old that you wouldn't even find in the darkest corners of a library. Shifting a little to face the Rengeku, Asha pitched in to listen as some of the pages were read aloud.

Likewise, Ayara listened carefully to the passage being read from the tome. Much of it she and Asha had already been taught, but the missing pages regarding Lady Memory were quite... intriguing, to say the least. We never claimed to be gods? It sounded so ominous.

Sadly, many of the others present didn't have the sense to pay attention, and would rather disregard the importance of such an old tome. One of them was gooing over a shiny technological bauble, and another did not seem to fully comprehend what the note could mean.

"You would be better off not taking the gods so lightly." Ayara warned the lavender-haired girl. "Many's the mortal that has done just that, only for it to result in their undoing."

"What my sister means is that some of us are actually interested in this sort of thing." Asha growled. "So if you brats could bugger off and practice your idiocy elsewhere, that'd be great. Otherwise, shut your gums and listen. You might learn a thing or two." She shot the three young ones an angry glare, before turning back to the conversation at hand.

The Nilarian nodded in wholehearted agreement before directing her attention back to the Rengeku. "Seekers, you say? Well, we aren't, but you certainly have our interest. I assume it would make sense to begin our investigations at Lady Memory's temple, yes? We can begin travel at first light tomorrow morning."

“Since we’re on Verelden already, I think we should stop by the Temple of Emotions first. It would be more efficient that way.,” Snowe began, “But each temple deserves an equal amount of attention. We won’t be able to just waltz out with the key fragments, there will be some sort of test for each of them.”

Snowe looked around at the group, gazing into each pair of eyes as if searching them for something. “Now, I must warn each of you that this journey is not for the faint of heart. Some of the places we will have to go to are VERY dangerous. I urge you to think it over tonight.”

A black-haired human man interrupted before Snowe could say anything else, “Are you going to be going to all of these temples? If so I would like to accompany you if permitted. I have...something around that area which I would like to take care of.”

Snowe’s eyes went wide as the man approached and rose colored heat bloomed on her cheeks. She cleared her throat in a poor attempt to regain her composure. “Y-yes. We will be going to all of the temples,” she replied shakily.

The man nodded his head and then began “That’s just what I was hoping to hear, my name is Zyperious. I mainly work as an engineer of sorts, and I have some things around a few of the temples I would like to take care of. Seeing how you are already heading that way I figure no better way to get there than help others along the way.”

Snowe folded her arms, “Well, then, Zyperious... I’m sure that as long as you can make yourself useful while you are with us that the others would not mind having you around.” She looked to Delta and Apollo, then at the Nilarian and her sister, as if for approval.