Dylan Tornabane

Fight

The wooden stick named Bokken has been battered and bruised being used throughout countless battles. It has sustained most of its damage from one epic battle between itself and a ship spear hybrid weapon. The spear-ship combo weapon scared Bokken’s wielder. But Bokken stood forward prepared for the coming onslaught, slowly encouraging its user.
        Bokken and its owner both charge into battle even though they are outsized by their respective opponents. The whip polearm strikes and Bokken protects his master almost instinctively, now the other side of the behemoth weapon strikes again. Though Bokken can’t move fast enough to protect his friend, thankfully his wielder predicted the attack was coming and dodged. Now Bokken saw its chance to attack. It lunged in intending to deliver a fatal blow. For a millisecond Bokken was sure it had one, but then its target moved out of the way. Bokken was suddenly through to the ground. It lost its connection to its owner and its friend.

Euthanasia

        He came fleeing from the west; he was running away from a girl foaming at the mouth carrying a long kitchen knife. He stumbled and rolled which allowed the crazed the child to gain ground. All he wanted to do was run, but running only caused more pain. Now he was forced to face the girl. He chickened out and attempted to flee, as he did the knife slid across his back. Adrenalin fuelled his body; he bit the girls arm as hard as he could. He walked a few feet then passed out. When he awoke up he saw the same girl however her arm looked out of place it was dislocated. He also saw an older man and his best friend arguing He could sense sorrow and pain from his friend who was holding a gun to him. With tears in his eyes his friend pulled the trigger and everything went black.

Prolouge

It all started with a stone, or so the legend says. In ages past the messa crystal, ginormous and stunningly beautiful. Shed light to the world, it’s many colored light filled the world with flora and brought forth two mighty Gods. Straln stands strong with a perfectly sculpted stature, and wisdom far beyond the comprehension of any mortal. He  brought forth light to Vana’diel. While the well-endowed  Altana bring the world darkness. Together their love forged four sons and four daughters. Promothius their eldest son created humans in the likeness of the gods, while his sister Brella created animals purely form her imagination. Brella convinced Promothius they needed to combine there some of their creations for varieties sake, so they did.
Brel saw these carnivorous bipeds  created by his siblings, using their bear hands to claim their food. Taking pity on them Brel taught them how to create and use tools. Everything was in an age of bliss.
Until a human accidentally killed his neighbor when farming. Seeing the potential of these tools, each species became independent. They began to spread apart and form their own tribes, each worshipping the gods. The tribes were constantly in war, killing and being killed in the name of deities.
In this time of civil unrest most gods banished themselves to another dimension. While a young man well versed in weapon making and sciences developed the gun. Though it was impractical its power was astonishing, and could wipe out almost any foe. This man took control of his tribe and started demolishing others that stood in his way, giving them the option to join or die. This man became the first emperor of Vana’diel
He died only a couple of years after his empire expanded the reach of his world. However a dynasty was born, with each generation comes new scientific discovery and lust for power. The first emperor’s 8th Great Grandson is demanding the power of the god’s. Putting his R&D team to work endlessly. After they finally create a prototype it is first tested on a lonely homeless child.

Chapter I

I walk down the streets of the Seam (tentative name) in Ul’dah just as morning breaks. Weaving in and out of shadows that are being cast  from the buildings in these slums, I anticipate the goods that will be at the vending ward today, certainly something mediocre at best being sold at disgustingly high prices for their intended demographic. As I approach this miniature farmer’s market, I see most vendors are setting up their stands. The rancher/butcher has learned quickly, though, as he already has his goods protected. It appears as though I’m not going to get any meat today, so I meander toward the fruit vendor attempting to look casual. Once I hit the stand I grab as much as possible and sprint as fast as I can. I hear “Mr. Fruit” shout “Damn you Edward! Stop stealing my merchandise!”
Back at my alley which is where I have made my new home I lay down my “earnings” to assess my rations for the day. I scored an apple, orange, and three whole strawberries. Under most circumstances I could make this last a whole day, but I was just so hungry because I didn’t eat at all yesterday. I start with my strawberries, taking my time to savor the flavour of my favourite fruit. As I’m eating I wonder why the old man let me take the fruit. He knows who I am and what I do. He could’ve easily stopped me from taking the food today. I decide not to delve too deeply into his motive.
After finishing the last of my breakfast I throw the apple core carelessly. Instead of the usual sound of a core bouncing off of brick, I hear a slight metallic ring. Quickly I glance toward the sound and see one of the most elite squads the world has to offer charging toward me. I’ve never actually seen one of these squads in person, only in posters, where they look like saviours clad in silver and gold plate armour with their guns held high. But why are they coming for me?

Suddenly cloth covers my nose and mouth. I attempt to scream but to no avail. My body is being lifted by two soldiers my arms and legs are restrained. I can’t even kick the soldier at my feet. I squirm and twist finally breaking free. I get to my legs and begin to hop away, then everything goes black.

Chapter II

I open my eyes, and at first everything is blurred. Eventually my sight returns to normal. Memories of how I got here begin to shuffle in, and the last thing I remember is running away from those soldiers.

Scared, I jump off the chair I am sitting on, but am pulled back toward it. Confused, I look down to see I’m chained by my wrists and ankles. Panic overtakes me as I kick and scream, trying to escape, but I can do little more than stand. I sit back down, pissed that I’m chained and can’t do anything, sitting there surrounded by my anger. The room appears to be plain with stone walls, and I’m the only thing inside them, trapped like a caged bird.

Then I hear the door open and a young soldier stands there. He isn’t wearing any plate armour so he’s either low-ranked or just not concerned enough to wear it. “You hungry?” the soldier asks me from the door. My throat is sore from screaming earlier so I simply nod. As the soldier leaves the room I notice his blond hair is pulled back into a pony-tail that falls to his neck. The soldier wheels in a cart with a plate containing a small amount of food, but still more than I have ever eaten at once.

The man puts a glass of clear water to my lips, and I drink from it. “Can you talk now?” he asks. “Yes,” I begin, but he interrupts me. “Then if you stay calm I’ll unchain you so you can eat.” “What is your name?” I suddenly ask without thinking. “Kain,” he replies. “I hear yours is Edward.” “Yeah, but I like Ed.” I mumble. “Well then Ed, how ‘bout I give you an hour to eat and dress, there’s clothes over there for you. You have an important day today.”

Before I can ask anything, the man is gone. I start to eat, and notice this food is better than anything I have ever stolen from the market. The food is gone within five minutes. I look around to find the clothes Kain was talking about. They are sitting nice and folded in front of a giant mirror. It’s been a while since I have seen what I look like. I approach the mirror cautiously looking at my appearance, my dark blond hair and my blue-green eyes are the same as always. However the last time I looked in a mirror I wasn’t so dirty.

Noting my filthy look, I begin to search for a shower. After searching for three minutes in the giant room I finally find it. I strip down, throwing my old ragged clothes on the ground. Stepping into the shower, I look at all these buttons with no idea what to do. I hit the biggest button and water starts flying down on me from the ceiling, though it’s too cold for me so I turn the temperature up. I look down and see the dirt washing off me, spreading through the floor into many drains.

I step out of the shower, chilly, entering the now cold room to find my grimy clothes gone and a large warm towel replacing them. After the towel encompases my nudity I feel warm but still vulnerable. I quickly get to the clothes that have been laid out for me and dress. These clothes feel comfortable but different than the ones I am used to. The mirror is right in front of me and now I can see what my face actually looks like. Though I have some scrapes and bruises, I look like any other twelve year-old.

Moments later, the man from before walks in and tells me to follow him. He takes me down all kinds of halls each with many doors and windows. Through the windows I see a lot of people my age. “What is going on? Why are there so many kids here?” I question. Kain simply replies, “I am not sure myself, but I’m taking you to someone who does know.” I follow him quietly the rest of the way.

Finally we arrive at a pair of giant silver doors. They are so beautifully decorated, it probably took 10 years just to make them. The doors are opened from the inside by people who look small by comparison. I walk past them, entering the largest room I have ever seen. It’s at least 4 times the size of the last one and about the size of a house. The room is huge, just looking makes me feel minuscule, then I look into the center and he is there. Why would he be here?

Chapter III

It was only the second time in my entire life that I’ve seen him in person. He essentially campaigns for his father, the king. The only other time I saw him, was 4 years ago during a speech he was giving, one he had probably given many times before. The prince, with long silver hair and bright green eyes told us that help would be on it’s way, help only the monarchy could provide. Too bad it never came.

The man sitting in the middle of the room, clearly notices my confusion at his presence. He stands up and begins to walk toward me the broadsword and revolver at his waist dangling. The prince begins “Without a doubt you are wondering why you have been summoned here. So let me enlighten you, my people are looking for someone special.” During his short pause I interrupt “What do you mean by special, and why have I been chosen?” after I ask the question aloud I hope I wasn’t being too presumptuous. Without a hint of annoyance he answers “We chose you along with many others based on certain criteria, that we obtained from schools.” I wondered what the criteria could be but I figured it would be best not to inquire further.

He continued on “After we find the best candidate we will attempt to give them powers beyond science.” Confused I stated “What more is there then science. Magick, the power of the gods. Only very few shrine priest have ever had that ability!” “I’m ecstatic to see you have grasped logic but,” he leaned in close and whispers “the gods do exist, they are our playthings.” Scared of the power this man may possess, I sit quietly and wait for him to resume.

“In order to find the best candidate we are have a test and a tournament prepared to find the most fit intellectually and physically. The test will be taken by the 128 children we have chosen, it is a test of math, science, language, battle strategy, and critical thinking. The top 64 scores will move onto the tournament, with seedings based on the test scores, ties will be decided by who finished first. The tournament will be one on one battle simulating different situation the winner may face in the future, the victor will be the one who inhibits or forced their opponent to quit. Any questions?”

“When will these happen?” I inquire.

He informs me the test will be in three weeks and the tournament will be three weeks after that, and anything I need to assist me will be supplied. The prince leaves and I am walked to yet another large room, albeit not as big as the first. I spy a simple looking bed in the corner of the room, so I go to sleep on one for the first time in my life.