New World

DRIP

DRIP

I could hear water. It wasn't like the water at Reinhaldt's observatory, it was more like a faulty pipe, or dripping rain from a ceiling. I had regained my hearing, but still couldn't feel anything for a while.

After an unknown amount of time, I was able to open my eyes once more. I awoke to a strange sight.

In front of me was a girl, she looked about the same age as me. Her face was really close to mine, I could feel her breath as she was looking at me in a confused manner. Was she the one who knocked me out? Eventually, she moved away from me. I got a good look at her.

Standing in front of me was a girl, she had a very unique look to her. She had long ashen hair that swept across the left side of her face and fell to the bottom of her back. Staring at me was a single, golden eye. It had an unearthly shine to it. I couldn't see her left eye behind a black leather patch that covered it. It made me curious.

Adorning her body was a short skirted, black lolita dress. She wore a pair of tall hunting boots, and had a brown cloak on. Along her belt buckle was an inscription. The initials 'A.A.' engraved in a fine style onto the silver buckle.

After staring at me for a while, she reached for my arm and started to feel across it. The girl started nodding as she pressed her hands to my arms.

"Yes…" she mumbled to herself, "…Should be able…maybe…"

"Excuse me?" I asked hesitatingly, "What are you doing, if I might ask?"

The girl suddenly shot backward in surprise. I seemed to have spooked her. Eventually, she covered up her surprise with a cocky expression.

"Hmph." she sighed, "So you were awake? That's good."

"Can you tell me why I'm here?" I asked the girl. She moved quickly and placed her hand on my mouth.

"I'm asking the questions here, commoner." she told me, "Now who are you? You don't seem like an ordinary townsman." She took her hand off and allowed me to speak.

I felt hesitant about answering her. I could feel some kind of darkness inside of her, something entirely unnatural and honestly, somewhat unnerving. It sent something of a chill down my spine.

"Don't you think it's polite to give your own name first?" I asked. The girl looked annoyed.

"Why should I give my name to a commoner like you?" she questioned. Her continued nicknaming of 'commoner' was starting to get annoying.

"Common courtesy." I replied, "It's natural to give your own name before asking for another's."

She clicked her tongue. "Listen well, because I'll only say this once." she said, "I am Azraea Astil Alaric von Sherpstal von Steunvik, second-born daughter of the Baron of Sherpstal, and fourth in line for the throne of Steunvik. Now tell me who you are."

Wow. That is a long name, and a royal? She acts nothing like any royal that I've seen. She doesn't even act all that noble, more like someone who's been spoiled rotten.

"I'm so sorry, Lady Alaric." I responded, trying to hide the sarcasm in my voice. "My name is Keita Kuro. It's a pleasure."

"Were you mocking me just then?" Azraea asked somewhat harshly, "Do you have no respect for the chain of command?"

"Not especially." I replied, "Where I come from, people are a lot more…equal. In fact, I don't even understand your chain of command properly."

I've got to do my best to hide my past. No-one would believe that I'm from another world, they'd probably just think that I've gone crazy or something.

"So you're a foreigner?" Azraea questioned, "Judging by your looks, I would say that you hail from one of the eastern countries, correct?"

"Uh…" I stuttered, "Yes…I'm from the east."

Well, it wasn't entirely a lie. I'm just not from the east of this world. Azraea backed off a little bit.

"Well…" she began, "I assume that since you're new here, you don't belong to any sort of guild. Is that right?"

"No…" I answered, "I don't belong to a guild. What does that have to do with me being here?"

"You seem different to other people." Azraea told me, "From the way you look to your overall healthiness. Simply put, I want you to join me. If we form a party, we can adventure together and increase our strength. Though, we'll have to sign up at the adventurer's guild first."

So this really is like a RPG, this world even has a guild for adventurers. Well, I shouldn't be so hasty as to turn down her invitation. As of now, I have no way of guiding myself in this world. Having someone to explain how everything works would be good. On the other hand, I have no idea what Azraea's motives are. Does she have some sort of plan for me, or does she simply want someone to join her? Either way, she seems to know what she's doing.

"Fine." I replied, "I'll join your party. My services are yours for the moment. But keep in mind that I'm a total rookie, I have no idea what I'm doing."

Azraea showed the shortest bit of surprise, but it faded quickly as she looked at me.

"That's alright." Azraea responded, showing a very brief smile. "I've never gone on an adventure before either. But a good question, do you have anything to protect yourself with?"

"No." I said, "I can wield a sword, but I don't have said sword."

To this, Azraea sighed. "It's fine…" she replied, "I'll just have to get you one. Now let's go."

As I got up, Azraea walked toward the door.

THUD

She smacked her head on the door as she opened it, making her stagger back for a brief minute. Azraea then found her bearings, opened the door, and walked out. Whilst holding in a small chuckle, I followed. This might actually be fun. I've always wanted to try living in a fantasy world.

When I was outside, I could see more of what was around me. I could see where all of the sound was coming from. I was in a marketplace that bustled with people. All of them looked similar. Blond hair and blue eyes were the most prevalent here. This made me wonder, how was Azraea different? She had a very unusual look compared to all of the others. Thinking about this only increased my curiosity. What kind of person was Azraea?

"Now come on." Azraea called out to me, "Let's get you some gear."

I followed her through the market, making sure to stay close. There were literal herds of people here, enough to drown a man. I felt Azraea come to a sudden stop in front of one of the stalls.

Before me was an old wooden stall. Inside it were buckets full of different weapons and the best ones were displayed on the walls. Manning it was an elderly man, who wore a fine tunic and had a grey beard that came down to his stomach. He looked the part of a special item merchant in a game. The man had a hearty smile as he looked at us.

"Welcome." he called, "What can I get for you? An axe? Maybe a greatsword? Please, tell me what you need."

My eye instantly caught on to something. I saw an object behind the buckets. It was shiny with hints of red, that was all I could see.

"Pick what you want." Azraea told me, "I can pay for it. Just make sure you can use it."

"Can I take a look at that one?" I asked the merchant, pointing at the object behind the buckets, "That one there, with the red."

The merchant turned around and searched behind the buckets. He eventually pulled out the object and brought it before me. It was a long, shining blade. A nodachi, with a blood red hilt and finely engraved handle. There was an inscription on the blade, in fine writing. It read 'Mother's Fang' in neat handwriting. I liked the look of this weapon, it practically screamed out 'unique item'. But there was something else that drew me to the blade, I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"I'll take that one." I said, "How much does it cost?"

"You have a good eye, mister." the merchant replied, "For a blade of this quality, I would price it at seven-hundred gold pieces."

"Is there any chance at a discount?" Azraea asked, "I'd be willing to pay six-hundred for it."

"I don't know…" the merchant responded, "Let's make a deal at say…six fifty?"

"Deal." Azraea said.

She took out a silken bag with a knot tied round it. After opening it, she took out six shiny platinum coins, and then laid out fifty gold coins. In any game that I know of, she'd be a very rich woman. But maybe that works differently here? The merchant took the coins and counted them, before handing the sword to Azraea. She then handed the sword to me.

"Look after that." she told me, "That was expensive and I'm not buying you another if you break it."

"Got it." I replied. Now that the nodachi was in my hand, I realised why I was drawn to it.

There was something…coming from the blade. A cackle in my head. It had been there ever since I took the sword into my hand. After a minute, it silenced. Then I heard a cry.