In the continent to the south was the land that was... a mix. A place where magic was of the mundane, a tool of everyday life, but you still had those that dedicated themselves to the craft and made a name for themselves. They were considered the breakaways upon originally founding this land.

  A breakaway of Elves, Dwarves Demi-humans, and just Humans. Though they sought innovation while magic still ran strong in their blood, and so did it in their children and their children's children. They kept passing on the gift of magic and new ideals as they built on their own strength but wove magic into their society they built. But the main form of mages making a name for themselves was joining up with one of the many guilds scatteredd across the land. The main guilds being affiliated with the kingdom and church established when the first settlers arrived. The guilds meant to serve as an example of establishment and commerce between those in need of goods or resources and those willing to sell their services and skills to acquire what was needed.

  A give and take, and to create good relations between those who were in charge and those who served, and with no real army so to speak these branch guilds were their own army. But that didn't mean the kingdom wasn't without any protection as they did have a Holy Knight Corp that functioned as the main guard to keeping the guilds in check and not from causing needless bloodshed over petty squabbles. Just as well to prevent another guild war from errupting and engulfing the land in endless war again. The other aspect of the guilds is mapping out the dungeons, vast underground labyrinthine caverns, filled with aura crystals. Though just as well the dungeons are home to the Demons and other long forgotten species and ancient spawn.

  The church also was a faith based practice that worshiped the four gods and was their own set of beliefs they founded on when they landed on this land. Though they do not preach in the streets or bash their book over the heads of others, those that still held strong to their beliefs and values weren't above asserting them when challenged. But in all this a splinter group broke off of the church, worshipping the God of Darkness twisting his philosophy and teachings in their own image as well forming their own Dark Guild primarily taking to bounty hunting, pirarcy, and assassinations. All forms of contract work that the Kingdom, Guild and Church outlawed....

  But amongst the many rumors that swirled around that still got the most attention we're two in particular. The Dragonborn and the Demon Prince. The Dragonborn's being born to a full dragon and human, these children were born with an incredibly powerful magical affinity. But every dark guild had been hunting for so long for their own nefarious plans and purposes mostly seeking them out for their immense power, some say it was the very founder of the dark guilds who desired the Dragonborn but nothing was ever proven so. Others hunted them purely for sport and to collect them as 'trophies'.

  Their was also another being of great power, the son of the Demon King. This boy was a wreckloose who spent his time making friends in all wrong and unpopular hangouts. A number of mountain tribes that were raiders and bandits, stealing from the rich nobles who were in league with a dark guild, he did his fair share of killing but he always knew what he was doing and why. He was always wanted for some reason or another to do with an attack on a dark guild. The only thing he ever left behind was everything practically frozen solid with ice while hellfire burnt the bodies of those who souls could not be saved.

  It was written that those that return by water are purified and can soar high in the sky for they return to the very atmosphere created by the goddess of the sky and return to the earth when it rains, the earth made by the goddess of earth, with the sun made by the goddess of light, with the moon being made by the God of Darkness himself and provided an end to the day and a way to control the tides. But it was also written when those that die by fire their soul must be purified before their aura is returned to the world. But few truly believed in the gods still or their very existence...

  Years later...

  A prisoner who'd been sitting in his cell for the last 10 years had finally served his time. He earned his pardon and a reduced for his information on his employer of the dark guild he'd been affiliated with. Regardless he betrayed his guild so he was a traitor by all rights, but none the less it was dark guild. So the unspoken codes and rules between guilds fell into a grey area. What remained of his right arm had all but healed. His left eye that had been clawed out was also healed. But they were his marks of shame now. They marked him as traitor.

  As he sat there silently in his cell contemplating what had led to this point in his life. What would his clan's think? What would his parents think? His parents who gave everything to unite their clans, everything they sacrificed to give him a life of his own, a life he was now waisting away in prison. But that's when his cell door opened up and the princess of the nation he'd come to know, came inside his cell. His only friend he'd had in he last 10 years.

  "Good news mister Rin Sayer. Good behavior along with the information you've provided has reduced your sentence. It was going to be a twenty five to life sentencing, but you have paid your debt." She explained and exited the cell "Unless you would rather stay here of course?" She asked as he sighed and rose to his feet and left the cell

  A couple minutes later after a shower and a fresh change of clothes as well as a cloak and his sword he'd come to this land with. The princess holding it out for him.

  "When you came to this land you were an enemy, now I induct you as a full citizen. And I return the weapon of your people. I hope you find peace and find something to live for." She explained as he looked at the weapon and accepted it once more twirling it and sliding it in between his belt along the back of waist he looked to her once more as she had a small sack of coins "Just to get you by. Till you find something a little more grounded." She added

  At this he chuckled softly and accepted as well as he knew she wouldn't take no for an answer looping it onto his hip.

  "Thanks kid. I'll see you around. Promise." He said softly as she now looked down now but he tapped her forehead with two fingers and gave her a rare smile "Try to stay out of trouble." He joked as she was cheery again and at this he walked off to find his place in this country...

  A few weeks later...

  Rin had spent the whole time walking around getting lost a couple times, going in circles a time or two. Camping and hunting and refusing the aid of passing carriages but buying some food off them until he'd run out of money. But he could go without food. His parents taught him well on how to survive off the land and jail taught him how to go hungry. Finally he'd reached a little town that was alive with color and life as it was so bright and beautiful, it hurt his eye a little. Everyone was chipping in or helping out somewhere, the smell of the salt in the air told him he was near the ocean and he could hear a thousand voices as he walked through the brick paved streets coming to the docks men and women working on ships. The smells and sights were all a lot to take in as he wasn't looking running into someone.

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  "Sorry, I wasn't looking." He said not quite registering her face

  "It's alright. You must new around here. I can tell by your aura." The feminine voice said as he finally got a good look at her and now fully saw that her eyes were covered by large thick dark sunglasses but he could just see the hint of scars on her cheeks poking out from under them

  "I apologize. I wasn't thinking." He said sincerely as she laughed and waved it off

  "It's alright, I get it all the time. But hey, I don't hide it. I like being treated like a normal person who gets their chops busted too. Think of a good blind joke don't hold back." She explained to him smiling gently as he looked back at her and chuckled softly

  "I can't think of any of any of any right now, but I'll see what I can think up." He joked as she almost fell for it and gave a small giggle

  "Terrible, but clever. Mostly terrible. Cmon I'll take you back to my guild." She said going to grab his arm but only ended up grabbing his empty sleeve "Oh... shit... well... now I'm the one who feels foolish." The girl said looking down smiling some still and blushing but feeling horrible

  "Think nothing of it. Like you said, I wanna be treated normal and get my chops busted." He explained as her face meeting his again and she smirked now as they both understood one another better with just this simple interaction

  "Lilith Ayumu." The girl said offering him a hand now "But just call me Lili." She added

  "I have a more long complicated name but I go by Rin Sayer." He replied offering taking her hand with his left and shaking it

  At this she led him back to her guild explaining that her guild was Juno Tower. Juno Tower was known for their massive dome telescope they used to the study the moon, the stars and cosmos beyond. Their dungeon nothing too extreme, but many still found it challenging and on occasion there was one overzealous adventurer dying in the dungeon. In each guild hall was a slab of black marble for the names of fallen to be etched, a tradition started by a great Priestess who walked these lands and settled many conflicts.

  Gradually the groups became smaller as more dungeons were discovered and a new branch guild was established. The elves, dwarves and Demi-humans blending in with humans or some even established their own guilds. Guilds eventually turned into towns, but not every town had a guild, some towns were just quiet little tucked away places with not much going on.

  Meanwhile the grand arena in the capital served as the main guild headquarters, a means of competition to encourage good relations between the guilds and celebrate their cultures of what each unique dungeon had brought them. Rare gems, fine crafting materials, custom forged weapons, the finest clothes made from the finest materials, handcrafted jewelry, the best foods. A time of merrymaking and leaving your problems in the arena.

  Every year the kingdom held a grand tournament with almost every manner of challenge but the highlight every year was the tournament of mages that did battle putting their skills to the ultimate test against one another. Since inter-branch guild conflict was forbidden.

  The branch guilds ensured towns had a place of trade and so that criminal organizations didn't take a rise and was a place for young up and coming kids to join so they could sharpen and hone their craft or skills, it also created commerce and good relations with a town on top of it all as their kids were the ones joining up.

  "So how long has this branch been around?" Rin asked as she finished

  "Hmmm not long as other divisions and branches. Only about four centuries or so. But it's done wonders for the townspeople and it's economy. And this generation I'm lumped in with has one of the most potential yet." Lili added "But... about ten years back some punk from a dark guild tried to attack one of the outlying villages. Not many remember it, as they say he didn't get far. Some rumors from out of towers spread that claimed they saw a dragon that day. But hey people talk when they want a good story to pass around." She added shrugging as he didn't look impressed at all

  "Huh... sounds like a jackass to me." Rin said non chalantly eyeing her out of the corner of his eye as they walked on "Well maybe I could offer my services as a Freelancer? I'm sure your guild could use another idiot who's bringing in some items and taking care of things without a lot of questions being asked." He added not being serious

  "Not many inns are open. And all the dorms are taken for the guild, places aren't cheap either... but I got my own little place.... If you want you can crash on my couch for a bit while you make some coin? I'm sure the master will more than take you in as a full member." Lili offered him

  "Me and being officially attached to a guild have... not really worked out in the past. But I'll take your offer of a couch." Rin said accepting some of her offer as they arrived at the guild hall he could feel so much magical aura all kinds of different variants

  Once inside it was a busy kind of place, almost all the booths were filled as were the tables only a couple places to sit still open. The place alive with regulars talking over drinks or having some kind of contest, music was being played by a small band. The old man whipped around getting a good look at Rin now, Lili laughing some but Rin was unflinching.

  "Mind if I had a word with you old man?" Rin finally asked

  "Not with that kind of attitude boy." The master said seriously but clearly teasing

  "I'm sure you'll oblige me." Rin said not moving at all

  The master sighed motioned for him to follow him upstairs into his office. Everyone's eyes on them both and leaning to see this new comer. Once inside his office the master put his palm to the floor as water flowed and covered the walls and floor.

  "Water barrier, a simple spell. But at a high enough level you can block out even the best of unwanted listeners." The master said taking a seat "Speak, boy." He added sounding almost like a father, for a moment Rin felt like his own father was speaking to him

  With this he showed his arm and eye. "Bet you can guess. I'm marked for a reason. But I used to be a dark guild assassin... then I just recently got out of prison, thanks to spilling all my secrets." He explained as that said enough about him

  "So you can never truly join because of these facts. But why are you really here? Answer carefully. Or I will not give you a chance to even draw your sword." The master said firmly

  Rin gave it seriously thought. "I have nothing... because of my sins and crimes. I can't return to my clans until I restore my own honor and find my own forgiveness. But that's if I want to return... right now, I just want to find some peace in my soul... maybe earn her forgiveness... and warn her of the coming conflict. Only the King and his daughter knows. But my old master has never stopped working, I was just a messenger ten years ago, a taste of what he could cook up. Imagine what he has now." He explained laying out his predicament and his intentions the master absorbing this

  "Very well... I'll instate you officially as a Freelancer and Mercenary. But you cannot stay here, find the Snowtop mountains, to west where a small village is nestled at its base. Keep an eye on them, too many people have snooping around there lately." The master explained in turn his eyes piercing Rin

  He was clear with his rules and intentions. Rin understood perfectly. The master considered the guild his family and was only doing what he saw fit in his own eyes. Rin himself was the outsider so the master had no reason to trust him, but there was something else to guarding the mountains.

  "It's a deal then." Rin said bowing some "You have my word... I'll keep the mountains safe..." he added as the spell dissipated

  "I pray that you will. Now let us return, before those brats get too out of hand." The master sighed dispelling the water barrier and they returned back down to the first floor....

  As the merrymaking and drinking continued, loud banter carried on. The sense of excitement in the air, aura of all kinds flowing, mingling and clashing. It was all so much. The entrance to the dungeon seemed foreboding and ominous, secrets of its own uncounted and unknown even still after a thousand years of exploration.

  Rin knew he could never truly belong here, perhaps in another lifetime he would have fit in here. But not now. He now quietly slipped out as the party celebrating nothing in particular carried on.

  "And you thought, I'll just slip away unnoticed." A familiar voice spoke up now making Rin freeze in place "Surely rumors will persist of why you came here. But we'll eventually move on. Am I right?" She now added the sound of her footsteps getting closer

  He now smiled a little in defeat. Turning slowly to face Lili now. Now approaching her as he looked down at her.

  "I think you and I were meant to meet. I can feel it. But destiny pulls me elsewhere." He said softly now as well

  "Don't give me that. I'm blind, not a fool." She said sternly "You're going because the master asked you." She added more agitated

  He could understand her frustration. But it wasn't his place to argue.

  "I feel I could have known you in another lifetime... but you know as well as I the dangers of looking too far ahead. A good hunter must see all they can, but not become complacent." He said now only making her cock her head to the side in retort

  "Don't go..." Lili whispered now moving closer to him now

  "I must..." Rin said gently as he placed a hand on her shoulder now "Find something to live for, do not allow your gifts to wither. And for you, I will do the very same." He added now

  She looked in his direction once more truly shocked by this. But knew his mind was made up.

  "May Juno grant you safe passage on your journey, or grant you a swift death." Lili recited now knowing there was nothing more she could say

  "Take care of yourself too." He said as well parting ways and heading west now...