The rays of the morning sun pierced through the gap where two drapes had met, covering the window. This ray slowly rose in position as the sun's movement changed in the sky, until the ray had just met Gus's face.
His nose twitched, his eyes twitched. In the next moment, his eyes were thrown open. He readjusted himself in the bed of the best suite the Rose Garden had to offer. It was the fanciest hotel in the whole city of Tarenfall.
When he turned his body, he looked over to see Marin sitting with his back turned at a table in the corner.
"Good morning, Gus," Marin offered without turning around to face him.
"Yeah, hi," Gus said sleepily. "What are you doing over there?"
Marin turned around, putting pressure on the seal of an envelope.
"This is a letter going back to Nocturne, letting everyone there know our status. I bet they're curious as to how we're doing," he explained.
"How do you manage to always wake up before me?" Gus asked.
"I don't sleep much."
Apparently, Gus thought to himself. How long had Marin been awake before him? At least the time it took to create that letter. Maybe an hour or less, he guessed. Regardless, Marin had let him sleep in for sometime. He usually was up at the crack of dawn, but seeing the ray of light through the curtain gap, a couple of hours had passed since morning started.
"What time is it?" Gus asked with slight concern.
"Oh, don't worry about that," Marin snapped back. "We've had a long journey. You needed a good rest. I decided to let you sleep as long as you could."
Gus thanked him, but wasted no time getting out of bed. He was on his feet, and getting his gear on. Marin still had on the same beggar rags he had been sporting for sometime now.
Seeing that Gus was getting his gears turning faster than he thought, Marin knew it was time to get the day going.
"So let's get some breakfast first, nothing fancy. Then I want to stop at the post office and mail this letter out. After that, our mission officially begins. I've been pondering how to go about this for a while now, and I have some decent ideas."
Gus nodded while throwing on his armor, listening closely to Marin's itinerary for the day. He was excited to finally get to recruiting, and was interested in knowing what Marin had cooked up for these ideas. It was going to be a decent learning experience for him. He was quite curious to hear Marin talk to other elementals and hear terminology that would probably go over his head.
Once all his gear was on, Gus went for his sword.
"I don't think we'll need that," Marin said.
Gus turned around to face him.
Marin continued. "We can leave most of our gear here since we're not traveling anymore. I don't plan to wander around the city with my bag on."
Gus thought for a moment. "It is a crime-ridden city. Are you sure I won't need my sword?"
"I'll leave it up to you, if that's something you want to haul around."
Gus decided against taking his claymore. What good would it have done him when Marin could stop any attack coming his way? Seemed kind of pointless now.
Marin pushed his gear under the bed as an extra measure of protection. He was already fairly certain there wouldn't be any prying from the staff, but this was Tarenfall, and he wanted to be at peace knowing he had done all he could do. Gus performed the same, and soon they were out the room.
Walking down the stairway, they took a right into the dining room. Breakfast had already been laid out for sometime now. Marin took a single muffin and entered the bathroom, to continue giving Gus the appearance he needed nourishment.
It had become such a regular thing for Gus, he didn't bat an eye at the fact. He loaded a silver platter with strudels, bagels, sausage links and bacon.
He sat alone at a small round table, covered with a silken tablecloth. Fancy silverware sat around him, as well as cloth napkins and other trinkets Gus knew nothing about. Instead of using any of it, he took a single fork and began eating in a rather plain manner. A staff member walked by every once in a while looking at him in silent disgust.
Gus and Marin were not exactly fitting guests for this type of establishment, that had become apparent to him.
Marin exited the bathroom minutes after he had entered, to see Gus still stuffing his face with the carefully prepared food. He took a seat besides him.
"They don't like food in the bathroom," Marin casually mentioned.
"Yeah?"
"There was a sign in there, informing me of my mistake." Marin grinned, and wished Gus could see his facial expression. Unfortunately, Gus had not much to go off of due to the mask, besides a tone behind a voice enhancer.
"A-are you going to do something about it?" Gus asked, readying himself to get up before finishing his food.
"No, no. I really don't care. But what I can say is that they are quite professional around here."
"They're very professional," Gus breathed in between chomps of food.
Marin sat quietly after that, allowing Gus to eat his fill. Afterwards, he got up, and took his plate.
"Actually, I think you leave it," Marin tried.
"Oh. You know that?"
"I'm pretty sure that's proper etiquette at a fancy establishment such as this."
Gus shrugged and left the platter there. Both of them walked off, and headed for the way out.
"We'll be back later, Robin," Marin told the servant when he saw him at the front entrance.
"Very good, sir," he responded after he grabbed the handle for them, opening the door.
Gus and Marin were back outside. It was a clear day, the sun shone brightly on them. Rich folk in fancy clothing admired some flowers in a perfectly grown garden. Two women could be seen gossiping as they walked, covering their mouths with lacy-gloved hands. In another corner, a gentleman in a top hat left his house to get into a carriage.
Gus stared at it all, and realized this was not a standard of living that he would appreciate to be a part of. Marin was unfazed, he had lived the higher life for some stretch of time, especially when he was in Arkana studying to be a wizard.
"Let's get this letter mailed out," Marin started. "Then the fun will begin."
They stepped down the stairs off the porch, and passed the iron painted gate enclosing the inn. Stepping into the main street, Marin's eyes wandered, trying to guess where he could find the post office. Gus knew exactly what Marin was doing. They wouldn't get far trying to figure it out on their own.
"Pardon me, ma'am," Gus said to one of the gossiping girls who had gotten too close to the two of them. She looked frightened at his approach.
"We're looking for the post office. Could you tell us where it is?" He continued.
Gus saw she was greatly disturbed from his abrupt questioning, and he began to think she may just scream and run off from him, possibly even getting a guard's attention.
She stared at him for a bit, the frightened look shifted to something more of intrigue.
She thought Gus was handsome. And in such warrior attire she had never seen in her life, due to being trapped in the Heights, found him just as interesting as scary.
"Um... uh... The post office is at the end of that road," she pointed, explaining it in a meek voice.
"Thanks, lady. I like your.... Uh," Gus looked her over, trying to find something to compliment her on. "Your gloves."
She gasped.
"Alright, Gus, let's be off then," Marin quickly said, wasting no time.
Gus had no choice but to leave with his wizard King immediately. As they walked off, Gus turned around, and saw the posh, young lady was frozen, star-struck.
"Hey Marin," Gus said as they both walked at a business-speed pace. "I think that girl liked me."
"Probably," Marin responded. "I doubt any of the young people here have seen anything rough like you, ever. You probably came across as a feral, untamed wolf. I don't know."
"A wolf, huh? I like that. Maybe I'll hunt some girls here," Gus teased while smiling.
"I doubt that would go over well. We're two steps from being thrown out of this district as it is," Marin explained.
"I was only joking," Gus stated back.
The road they walked on emptied out into a larger main one in the district. It contained businesses and restaurants, and to Gus's surprise, not a single shopkeeper harassing pedestrians. It was a perfect dream of what a trading district should be like, Gus thought.
Down the road a bit, was the post office. They walked over to it, feeling the eyes of the well-off residents who visited these businesses every day. Marin had debated returning to his royal clothing to take the eyes off of him to an extent, but knew that they would be out of the Heights soon. He reminded himself they only stayed here to base their belongings, nothing else.
They didn't even need to enter the building. Marin spotted an out-going mail slot mounted to the wall. The slot dropped any papers put into it safely inside the post office. Marin opened the flap and peered inside to confirm. He didn't stare long, anxious that guards might be watching him.
He leaned his head back up, and slipped the letter inside. He sighed.
"I hope they get that," Marin grumbled.
"Oh c'mon, Marin. This is Taren Heights. Any worker here is bound to do their job as well as possible. I'm sure your letter will go out just fine."
Marin nodded.
"Alright. Let's get out of this place now. I don't much like the eyes I can feel on me from everyone. Let's return to the trading district near the center of the city," he instructed.
They kept walking. Marin felt as if any stopping and staring would be a suspicious activity from the guards. They moved down the main street, hoping it would get them to some city gates and into a different part of Tarenfall.
On the way there, Gus tried making small talk. He reiterated his excitement for this quest, and thanked Marin again for gifting him with the experience. Marin played it off, stating it was no big deal, but Gus responded otherwise. This was a journey he could've barely pulled off on his own, and was happy to have done it with his King. Marin eventually gave in, and ended the conversation with 'you're welcome.'
Indeed, at nearing the end of the road, both of them spotted a familiar large, stone brick wall that separated taller buildings from the smaller ones in the district they were in. It was an exit from the Heights.
Marin was relieved when crossing over. No longer did he have to feel like some lowly peasant. He was now on the same playing level as most of the people living around him now.
"Man, you can really notice the difference," Gus stated, staring at the run-down buildings that now were around them. "What a huge contrast. Are all the city tax dollars going to just that spot behind us? What the heck."
Marin tried putting it all out of mind. They continued traveling, making their way towards the front district of the city. On the way there, Marin heard roofs creaking around him.
"I'd say you're right, Gus. It sounds like the tops of these buildings won't last long. It might collapse at anytime."
"Sounds? What are you hearing?" Gus asked in confusion to the statement.
"Seems my sense of hearing is more developed than yours," Marin admitted. "I can hear the creaking of the roofs."
That shocked Gus. He hadn't heard anything of the sort. How was King Marin – who reportedly was an old man – have hearing better than his young ears? It didn't make much sense, but Gus reminded himself that Marin had heard the ambush in Tresdor far before Gus ever had, so he fully believed his King was telling the truth.
As they kept walking, Marin continued hearing the creaking of the roofs around him. He wondered how any of the residents lived with such noises. They'd hear it clearly, seeing as they lived under them. What a windy day it must be, to hear the roofs creaking like that.
It wasn't a windy day.
Marin froze. When he did, the sounds of the flexing tiles on top of the buildings stopped as well.
He eyed the buildings, especially near the top. It took Gus a second to react to Marin's sudden abrupt halt.
"What's going on, Marin?"
"...Nothing. Let's keep going."
During the trip to the front, Marin listened to thugs arguing in alleyways as he passed by. He was sure not to give them any looks. A few tattered men sitting on the ground leaned up against the rotting buildings doing not much. Every once in a while, they passed a guard, who didn't look to be in a good mood, possibly due to being stationed in such a run-down section of the city.
Gus talked a bit more, getting Marin to think about other things. He started giving Gus a rundown on his plan, and explained the way he would find himself in the right areas where elementals would be lurking. They eventually reached the trade district.
The outskirts of it, anyway. They had just passed the wall that divided the zone.
Against the wall was a shop – a small one, but it advertised on the front that it sold battle equipment. At the bottom, it stated it carried elemental wares as well.
"Marin. I want to check out the shop," Gus declared.
"No time."
"C'mon! I've been in this city this whole time and haven't had the chance to look at anything here. Spare me a few minutes?"
"Gus, I know you see the sign says elemental and you're curious. I can guarantee you, anything in there being branded as elemental usage is a hoax."
"Would you be willing to humor me? We've been strictly business this entire time, and I'd love just a moment to look around," Gus pleaded.
Marin sighed. Gus so far had been willing to do anything Marin wanted, and had been happily moving at the fast pace he set for this entire journey so far. Gus also declined any opportunity to learn an element at Neo in the future, in favor of serving his King. If exploring this shop would satisfy Gus in anyway, it was best for him to do so, and get the wondering out of his system.
It seemed Marin had to adjust his plan – not something he was ever fond of doing, but he really appreciated all the effort Gus had given so far, and was willing to return the favor if it meant so much to him. If he could still save time, though, he most certainly would.
"...Alright. Listen to me closely. I'm going to continue on towards the city square. I have a few dealings I will be making there. Stay here and look around. Buy something if you want to. I'll be back to pick you up when I'm done. So stay put."
"Oh jeez, Marin. If you have dealings to make, I should be there with you," Gus rationalized.
"No, actually I'm realizing that I need to do this myself. If I have any chance of persuading some people, I need to learn how to talk and handle things on my own."
Gus suddenly felt bad for asking to see the shop. It was obvious Marin was having anxiety being away from the castle, and everything so far had been done at such a quick pace because he wanted this quest to be over with. He felt selfish for wanting to stop him now, especially since he was now planning on trying to handle things on his own.
"...Nevermind, Marin. Let's keep moving."
"Hold open your hand," Marin said back.
Gus was confused, but he raised his arm and held his hand open. Marin dumped several silver coins of various sizes in his hand, stamped in 20s and 50s.
"I'm telling you now to stay. Look around. Buy something. Take your time. Please, I'll be fine. Don't forget who I am. What's the worst that could happen to me?"
Marin could then see that Gus was having an internal argument with himself. After a few seconds though, he finally nodded.
"Alright. It's a deal. I'll stay here. Maybe talk with the shopkeeper too, and pick his brain. I'll have a good time," he stated.
Marin nodded back. With that, he walked off, leaving Gus behind him. He was now headed to his destination alone.
Gus watched Marin turn a corner. Once he was out of sight, Gus turned around and looked at the shop in front of him. He felt the silver coins between his fingers, then dropped them into his pocket. Time to check out the shop.
A bell clanged as the old shop door opened. Gus walked inside, and gandered at the tightly packed merchandise in the small building. Armor stands were lined against one wall, and every weapon imaginable lined the other.
At the end were leather sets in bright colors. The dyed leather skins hanging on the opposite wall to the door intrigued him more than anything else. He had never seen gear like that. It was similar to what he wore, but contained no chain mail at all, and were bright in gorgeous coloring.
It was elemental armor, but Gus knew not about it. When he reached the end of the store, an old skinny man in glasses came around a doorway to greet him.
"What can I help you with, sonny?" He asked.
Gus pointed to the armor sets behind the shop worker. "What are those?"
"That's elemental armor," he said casually.
"Elemental what?"
Meanwhile, Marin was continuing his transit to the city square. It had been another twenty minutes, but fortunately he was almost there. His anxiety caused him to get distracted with his thoughts, not noticing rhythmic movements that had been following him in the distance for some time now.
Eventually he picked up on it again. As he walked he heard the roofs creaking. A subtle, gentle sound of shifting weight. It was noises that not many people could pick up on. Marin looked to the tops of the buildings again but saw no one. He had half a mind to believe some sneaks were following him at this point. The sounds had not ever stopped unless he quit moving, but there was no one to be seen. Marin understood that he was an outsider in the city, so any suspicion of him would be justified.
He had no fear for himself. Any encounter between hostile people would result in them being frozen. There weren't too many individuals out there capable of going toe-to-toe with him, he knew. He shrugged it off and continued walking. If they wanted to spy on him, he did not have much problem with it.
Step after step though, the feeling of being shadowed started to rest uneasily with him. Who was so interested in this common-looking beggar? Was it the mask? He had seen several other people in the crowds of the city with their faces partially or completely covered as well, so it was not the most uncommon apparel.
Marin finally devised a plan. He waited until he was walking down a road with little to no people. When that was finally accomplished, he turned off into an alleyway, alone, in the dark.
As he stopped and stared at the brick walls tightly around him, the creaking he had been hearing also came to a halt. There was no way he wasn't being stalked.
A moment or two passed. Finally, two blurs arrived on either side of him.
Marin moved his arms out at their revealing. He assumed an attack position. Then he saw who they were. It was two rogues in black leathers with the very familiar red bandannas covering their nose and mouth.
"You guys again," Marin stated in a dreaded voice, realizing these were the exact same people who had ambushed him way back in Tresdor. He would not have believed these rogues had somehow tracked him down to this city and found him if they were not standing right in front of him.
"That's right, King Sullivan Marin. We know who you are," one of the rogues said in a nasally voice.
Marin clutched his fists. He did not wait for them to attack or say another word. With his will, ice gripped the two of them tighter than a mother clutching her newborn for dear life.
"You have some nerve toying with me again," the wizard said in an annoyed tone.
Both the rogues struggled to break free of the ice, as if they somehow forgot that they were previously unable to do so. Seeing it was up to their torso with their arms locked in ice below, they could only move about like worms struggling to get free from a bird's beak.
"I let you all off fairly easy all things considered," Marin told them. "So why have you followed me once again?"
The other rogue gasped, straining in the ice. "You think you can... treat us the way you did... and get away with it?" He said between labored breaths.
"I think the four of you still don't realize who you tried messing with," Marin said back. "Speaking of the four of you, where's the other two. Where's that leader of yours?"
The rogue didn't answer. Instead he started chuckling. He laughed more, and broke into a hardy roar.
"I told you, we're getting our revenge!" He finally belted out. "I'd be worrying more about your biggest fan you left behind at that shop! What a terrible mistake you made, leaving him there!"
Marin gasped. "No... Gus!"
The rogue started laughing harder.
Marin shook with anger. He opened his hands, curled his fingers in a particular fashion, and in an instant, a wave of blue skin discoloration traveled up their bodies.
He had frozen them to death. All their blood, every vein, every organ, every bone, frozen. The two rogues were now more similar to popsicles than human. One rogue was mid laugh with his mouth open under his bandanna, which now glittered from the ice in the ray of sunlight that seeped into the alley.
I have to hurry. I'm coming Gus!
Marin shot out of the alley and in the reverse direction he had traveled, bolts of ice shooting from behind his feet as he skated on a frozen path he created as he moved.
"So you're telling me this sword makes elementals stronger," Gus reiterated to the shopkeeper.
"Oh yes," the old man reassured. "You see, this blade is infused with mythril. It's a highly conductive metal for the elemental abilities. Allows you to channel your power through the weapon."
Gus held the sword by the hilt in his hand. He moved his wrist around as he felt the weapon's weight. Then he recalled how Marin told him anything being branded as elemental was a hoax.
"Why would you need a weapon if you can use an element?" Gus asked.
"Oh, many elementals compliment their skills with a physical weapon. Cover all your grounds, I suppose. Are you an elemental?"
Gus's mouth stretched in disappointment. "Not yet. But maybe one day."
"That sword is a good place to start. You look like a swordsman yourself," the shopkeeper tried, doing his best to sell his wares to the young lad.
"Yeah, I am. I have a claymore. It's just not with me right now."
"Well, that sword you're holding would compliment you nicely if you pick up an element."
Gus studied the weapon, and noticed ancient lettering engraved into the bottom of the blade. The sword itself had an almost mirror-like finish.
"How much?" Gus asked.
"Twenty gold."
Gus winced. That was far more money than what Marin had given him. He hadn't even been traveling with a single gold piece himself this whole time.
"It's a beautiful sword," Gus admitted, giving the blade back. "But its just not my time to own it," he said with solemn. If only he had more money.
"Mind if I look around a bit more?" He asked.
The shopkeeper gestured with his hand. "Let me know if you have any other questions."
Gus had half his heart into that katana he had gripped, and almost wondered if he should ask Marin for a front on his paycheck for the next few weeks to get it. Was it worth the money? Gus wondered in his mind if the sword actually assisted in pulling off elemental skills.
Perhaps he could buy it, and hold onto it until he became an elemental one day. More over, what was stopping him from using it like a normal sword until that day approached. If anything, he could get used to using it until then.
Gus knew he had time to kill, so he spent more time than he would have browsing the rest of the store's wares. He admired the detailed crests of shields hanging on the walls. He picked up a few sharp shurikens in a container. He studied the spikes on a flail chained to a handle.
Eventually though, he had seen everything he wanted to. Gus walked back outside, the bell on the door ringing above, signaling his exit.
He looked at his surroundings, and studied the buildings. He continued to debate within himself if he should get that cool sword.
How long would King Marin be gone for? Gus leaned up against the wall of the shop. He was sure it shouldn't be more than two hours. That would still give him plenty of time to make up his mind. It was a peaceful day. He still couldn't believe he had traveled so far south. Down into the city Tarenfall. What a journey it had been so far.
Gus's eyes narrowed. He stood straight up, halting his lean on the wall behind him. Walking up to him was a woman in a red bandanna, brown hair tied tightly to the back of her head. Accompanying her was a similar dressed man with far more muscle mass than her. They wore black leather gear.
Gus knew exactly who these two were.
"Hey!" Gus yelled as he stood defensively.
"Hey handsome," she greeted. From behind her back, she flashed a dagger.
Gus knew this was very bad. Very bad indeed. He stepped to the left in full plan to break into a running sprint, but the larger man besides her moved in a flash, almost teleporting to the direction Gus planned on bolting it in. He grabbed him in place.
Gus grunted and yelled, but the grips on both of his arms were similar to metal cuffs. Whatever workouts this rogue had been doing, Gus wanted to know.
"Aw, now why would you plan on taking off?" She coaxed as she stepped closer to him.
"You know damn well why!" Gus responded in a thunderous tone.
She let out a cutesy laugh. "You wouldn't be the first man to run out on me."
Gus struggled more, yanking his arms as hard as he could. They wouldn't budge. He kicked his feet out, allowing his full body weight to be suspended by his locked arms. The rogue still didn't move at all, no signs that Gus would be free anytime soon.
"Oh, I wanted to show you this," she stated, pulling out a golden cross with a chain hanging from the top. "Do you know who this belongs to?"
Gus became mortified. His eyes stretched open, mouth gaped. "That's... Marin's..." He whispered to himself in realization.
"THAT'S HIS NECKLACE!" Gus yelled out, flailing his whole body more. "We should've killed you the moment we had the chance!!" He added.
She chuckled. "You definitely should've. But your King is weak. Why serve such a weak leader? What's the point in following someone who doesn't see a job through?"
Gus swore at her, calling her names not suitable for distinguished conversation. "You would never know." He finished with.
"Maybe not, but a price must be paid for what happened to us." She pulled out her dagger, which Gus noticed was coated in a suspicious liquid.
"Let me guess, I'm that price?" He asked.
"Indeed you are."
Suddenly, Gus heard the cracking of ice. Both the rogues heard it too. She turned her head to the left, down the road where Marin had originally traveled.
"Look's like Marin's finally here," she stated. "But a bit too late, I'm afraid."
As Marin caught sight of her standing in front of Gus, she smiled, and drove the dagger into Gus's stomach.