As my Viking Sword swiftly came down, ready to slash the Green Mushroom, it tried its last attempt to run, an attempt to escape death. But it was I who was victorious, the Green Mushroom shouting its losing cry and meeting its ending.
I ran forth and collected its remains: a mere 23 Mesos and green cap, something that meant so much to the Green Mushroom when it was alive, but meant so little to me.
This was my daily routine, kill, collect, train, and so forth, I mean, who doesn't want to level? But I suppose... who doesn't want to explore the beautiful world? Not I... but in my current state, leveling and getting that one sword were the most important things for me.
Having a dream, and not being able to accomplish it... that's when you get the feeling of failure.
But every mushroom I kill, I am one step closer.


I lunged forward, my next target already chosen, but just then, in the corner of my eye I saw a vague figure, seemingly just standing. I didn't pay much attention; for all I know it could just be one of those weird kids that just stand around all day. The mushroom, like all others, met its death quickly.


As I was walking over to the drops, I could hear someone advancing towards me or at least near me, I got a better view of what he looked like when he came into view. He had genuine armor and didn't look like the kind to be in a training area like this, but somehow he looked as if he had the intention to take the Mesos and cap, I was quick to yell.
"They're mine!" I quickly hurried over to them, though they were not far, I still went fast.
"Psh," he toned, acting superior, "I have no use for your lame cap, nor your puny Mesos. I'm here to find something of greater worth."
Feeling suspicious, I stared at his deep gray eyes.
"You'll find nothing her-"
As I spoke those words, my curious eyes wondered around and scanned his body, but then... I froze at once. Just peering on the very side of his hip I saw his weapon- firmly in place on the belt. I had not recognized it before. A sword with the potential to hold excellence - a sword that I had ever reason to envy - the Hero's Gladius. The one rare and expensive sword, the one not many obtained. In doubt, I started thinking: could he of all people possess a sword as great as the Hero's Gladius? Someone I supposedly encountered at a mushroom tree?
"I know what I can find!" he snapped, walking away and stepping upon higher platforms. "Anyone with half a brain know these drop Panlids."
"WAIT!" I shouted, quickly running after him, I almost tripped on one of the ledges, but that was not important. I needed to catch up. "Wait!"
He slowly stopped, turned around and looked at me. I almost crashed into him, but suddenly halted just in time.
"You are a nuisance."
"Your sword! Where did you get it? I mean, I know where you got it from but... how?!"
Turning his back and walking off as if he was a king, he ignored me. This angered me, rage building inside of me. As he walked away, I ran fast to try and get ahead of him, hopefully being able to hold out my arms and block him from walking any further. And with precise dedication, I managed it, my arms and legs wide open.


"Get out of my way, you imbecile!"
"I need your sword!" I cried, not moving. He tried pushing me, but I held my arms out high and strong.
He laughed, "So you want my sword? Hah! I went through great trouble, and someone as ignorant as you wants to wield it? Where is common sense these days?"
He tried another attempt to get past, shoving me, but with no success. Without thinking, I suddenly blurted: "I'll do anything!"
Just as those words left my mouth, I realized it was possibly not the smartest thing to say. The words had slipped out of my mouth, and I couldn't take them back, not with the impression I know I'd get. And now, I may just have to pay the price.


Abruptly, his facial expression changed. He looked down to the ground, sadness slowly but surely creeping upon his face.
And very slowly, very nervously, he muttered, "Even going to El Nath?"
I didn't know what to say. I barely knew anything about El Nath, all I knew was that that place was no joke. I felt the urge to take back what I said, but somehow, somewhere, it seemed those words had an emotional impact on him.
"I'll give it to you then, under one condition."
Hearing these words lifted my soul, but also grew fear within me. Was I even prepared to go to El Nath? This was not my impression of 'doing anything', I thought perhaps giving him mesos or something, not traveling to the damned dangerous El Nath. I didn't even know if I wanted to accept this, could I really survive El Nath? Or was I just another idiot attempting the impossible?
"I don't-" I stopped, I really, really was not sure, then, looking at his face, I got the expected expression of a pure 'waste-of-my-time' look.
"I don't ever turn down a challenge," I announced, proudly. Though deep down, I was a scared chicken.
Staring deeply at me, he fished something out of his pocket. It glimmered as he pulled it out. It was a paper, a laminated one to be exact. "Take this," he said, gesturing for me to take the paper.
I looked at it, there were four men all standing, arms folded. The third one had a dark red scar on his head, the rest slightly shorter; he looked superior. Ideas of who he might be were building up in my mind, but I couldn't quite put my finger on who he was. Looking down at his clothes and shoes, I got my answer. He was wearing green snowshoes... one of a kind. I knew then and there who he was, a powerful legend, the shoes he wore confirmed it for me, as only a true hero would have anything to do with those shoes... those snowshoes.
"He... he is a legend..."
"Yes. He is. Look on the left of him, the second man. That is my father.
I had the sense not to show I was surprised, even though deep down I really was. That tall man with the red scar was a legend who protected villagers of Victoria Island and once known to travel beyond Victoria, Ossyria. And for that matter, he obtained the great item: snowshoes.


"Let's cut the chit-chat," he said, "you want my sword? Go to El Nath and find the snow shoes, they have been stolen, perhaps even buried away. No one knows who stole it, or where it is, but that is your task. I don't care what you do or how you do it, just find the snowshoes and find me. That's if you're not coward enough for the job!"
Get snowshoes...? I can't do that, I thought. That's beyond my limitations. I had only ever heard of snowshoes and didn't even know a thing about El Nath! The great treasure which was passed down from generation to generation and one day mysteriously, they had vanished and it was said someone had secretly taken them.
Still having not answered, he said: "I knew it, you're can't get them, what was I thinking? A moron like you can't get even pass through a mushroom tree, let alone El Nath."
Suddenly, I felt degraded and quickly shouted: "I accept! I will go to El Nath!"
His facial expression stayed the same, obviously he could care less if I accepted the offer or not, since he knew I probably wouldn't be able to get them. "Very well," he said, walking past me, obviously heading for the portal to leave, and as he passed me, he whispered in my ear, ''You are indeed a fool..."
Walking off and leaving me alone in the mushroom map, it was then my brain got a wake up call and realised exactly what I had agreed to.


Standing tall in the mushroom tree, I was quite unsure of what to do, where to go and a sense of insecurity was piling up in me, did I really have a chance of getting that Hero's Gladius? I shook my head, no. This is not how a great journey that tests your strengths begins, it beings with pride and dignity. These words echoed into my mind, and gave me the inspiration to make my first move. Head to Ellinia station. Checking my pockets for a return town scroll, I found a pile, pulled one out and returned the rest into my pocket. Chanting the words that would activate its magic, I felt its wizardry escape from the sealed scroll.

'Upon tonight's midnight breeze,
I ask you now and I ask you please,
release the powers from which you hold,
set them free and let your sorcery unfold.'

In a blink of an eye, a green tornado-like magic swirled around me, gushing phenomenally. And before I could realize this was normal, I was instantly transported to the greenness of Ellinia. I sighed. A sigh of relief.
I headed upwards, climbing up ropes and jumping hastily upon platforms. Passing the potion shop, I checked in my backpack if I was well equipped with energy-filled snacks, fortunately, I was.


Nearing the portal that lead to Ellinia Station, I looked around, Ellinia was indeed beautiful. Running to the portal, I quickly entered, only to find a not-so-full station. I was expecting it to be full... you know? Of explorers and such? Well... I guess no one else is as foolish as me. However, I wasn't all that wrong, I saw three people waiting for the ship to arrive - none of them I'd call 'great'. Two were male and one was a female, no one was interacting, it felt like time had stopped completely... a berth with no activity.


After buying a ticket to board the ship (not too costly) I walked forth to the waiting area for the ship. It felt awkward just standing still, nothing to do. I took my backpack off and placed it onto the wooden deck, I might as well take some time to prepare. First thing's first: the map. I needed to know exactly where I was going. Slowly, I picked up the delicate scroll and opened it, pushing both rolled up ends to the side. The map was old, but still had the priceless information. Let's see, I know for a fact that the guy said something about it being hidden away in El Nath, and El Nath is in... let's see where that is. My eyes popped out, I was shocked! El Nath was so far! It was under Orbis, a very long route. Getting to Orbis, simple, the ship, what about getting to El Nath? The answer was in front of me, the long tower from which I heard many rumors about, especially those missing after entering.


"The ship has arrived! Please come aboard!" a voice called out. I looked around, and very clearly, the ship had arrived, and the others were heading for it, ready to hop on. They each showed the ticket, and I was next.
Showing it clearly to the guide, she smiled and indicated for me to go through. Walking in and choosing a spot, my mind started wandering into Utopia; falling into a heavy daydream. Just imaging wielding that sword made me smile, how delightful it would be to hold it in my hands... how nic-
Suddenly, I snapped into reality, a horrible thought entering my mind.
What if I don't return? What if I won't even make it to El Nath? Am I risking my life...? Depressing thoughts kept making their way into my mind.
Abandoning my degrading thoughts, I looked up, someone was staring at me, and that was one thing you'd never do, not to me, and right now, I was not looking for trouble.


It was the girl from before, waiting for the ship.
As I stared back she quickly turned away, looking the opposite direction.
And then, out of nowhere, the girl suddenly cried out: "Are you heading to El Nath?"
"Yes," I replied, raising an eyebrow at this weird girl.
"Will you take me with you? I have something you need!" I stared hard at the girl, wondering if she was high or something. She was just some stranger, why could she possibly want to come with me?
"Sorry..." I said, then suddenly realising something, "What do you have that I need?"
She reached for her backpack and took out about three or four tower scrolls.
"I was lead here, to Ellinia station, then deserted. But, given something that means a lot. Tower scrolls."
"They're not so rare." I quickly fished into my bag for my pair, only to realize the scrolls she was holding in her hand were not the kind I was thinking about, nor the ones I had in my bag, and perhaps I hadn't even thought about about how to get them. What a giant mistake. Tower scrolls never really occurred to me.
"Take me with you... I will give you these scrolls. I know they mean a lot because barely any are on the market."
Take this girl with me? I had planned this journey solo. But what she said was true, getting those scrolls would be a first-class miracle.
"Fine. But please do not slow me down."
A slow and uncomfortable silence fell through the air.
"Leave me be while I overlook my map again, see my destination..." I was careful with my words, purposely leaving out her being with me.


Dear Diary,

It is finally happening to me, though not the way I planned. I am at last going to be able to prove to myself that I am no weak girl who can be pushed around, I can finally prove, even if it's only to myself, that I am a strong girl, even if it means risking my life in the power El Nath. Being seduced by the past events has brought my confidence level so low, it has weakened me dearly. I want to fight back now though. I do not want to stay quiet anymore. I had intended to go to El Nath with Koan, but unfortunately, he deserted me, but he did give me the tower scrolls - scrolls I knew that meant a lot. Fate decided Koan and I wouldn't go together, but I'm not done, I'm going to keep on going.

Lisa


Once again, I placed my backpack down and took out the wrinkled map. I searched for Orbis and tried tracking down El Nath, and in the middle, would be the tower. Looking closely at the map, it stated nothing about monsters there. Although, it did state the requirements for easy-using of the tower. Easy-using? I read what the map had to say about this... 'easy-using'.


'To use this tower easily and with no delay, you must obtain one Tower Scroll. Two for arrival and departure. Using these scrolls will enable you to pass through the tower's twenty floors and appear at the other end of the tower.'


Thankfully this girl had tower scrolls. But I still knew nothing about her. Why did she want to come with me?
"Now at Orbis. Please exit using the front door," a voice echoed.
Ah, the waiting and curiosity game was over now, now it was action time.
"Let's go... uh." I didn't know her name, not sure of what to address her as. "Do you mind telling me your name?"
"Lisa," she replied. "How about you?"
"Will-"
"Come on! Board off the ship!" a voiced yelled, not so friendly anymore.
I ran forward with Lisa behind, hopefully making it out without being yelled at for my slowness. And quite thankfully, I did make it. With no lectures. Stepping out of the ship, it looked so... bright. Clouds up high, a very bright atmosphere, it... it was Orbis.
"It's beautiful," I heard Lisa exclaim. "My first time here. So beautiful."
"Alright, let's go."
I walked out of the station, making my way hastily over to the portal. And once I entered, I saw the real Orbis. Like the station, it was very bright, but now we were at Orbis, not the station, but the centre of where it all happened. White clouds up above, chairs balanced out with pink wings, magical moments everywhere I looked around. Orbis was truly amazing... a total change from the dullness of Victoria Island. It was just like the rumors I once heard of, a place of divinity.


Checking for Lisa, I found her behind me, spellbound. Just like myself, she was enjoying the nature of Orbis. But I couldn't stand here all day. "Lisa!" I snapped, trying to get her attention.
"Yes, what wha?"
"Okay, good. Now, this is both our first time here, as you know, so first off, let's head to Orbis Tower."
"That's if we can find it," she added, giggling, and then suddenly smiled at me.
I was touched, even though I knew her potential to be awkward. I stood there not knowing what to say or do, before finally remarking: "You're such a random girl, one minute crying out and now giggling about."
We were still at the top platform, and looking down, we saw a shop and some others walking around, along with some other Orbis assistance and helpers. Looking in front of me, I saw what looked to be like teleporters; I was not new to them, they would transport you to somewhere in the same map. Useful for large maps. "Let's head to that teleporter," I instructed, pointing towards one straight ahead of us. I didn't really wait for Lisa's reply, I just hurried off.
"Wait, Will!" I heard her cry, running fast. I was waiting for her at the teleporter, but I guess I was a little rapid.
"It's William," I corrected.
Once she was close, I decided to give her a sharp warning, not an aggressive one though.
"Lisa, I'm here to do one thing and just one thing. So don't hold me back and just follow my lead," with that I entered the teleporter and pressed the button, activating its magic, which instantly teleported us down, now at the bottom platform of Orbis.
Now at the centre of Orbis, there weren't many people. Only a few... perhaps this wasn't the safest place to be, and not many risked coming to Orbis.
I walked up to someone who was sitting down in a Relaxer. Walking over, I asked him, "Hey, do you think you might know where Orbis Tower is?"
In response, he gasped at me for a few seconds, before pointing right.
"Thanks."
"And go left after that," he added.
Nodding, I headed right and sure enough, there was a portal. I looked over my shoulder, just to check for Lisa. She was still here, following me like a silent child.
I entered the portal with Lisa behind me, then, I was in another room, one with a beautiful gray statue on the left. There were two portals, and I took the nearest to the left; like the guy from before said.
I walked toward the portal, not knowing what to expect. I entered, my heart was beating fast. Who knew what dangers lay ahead...


Dear Diary,

I am finally going to El Nath. I don't know many who have been to El Nath and it just shows how much bravery is needed to go there. William is leading me, and I hope, I really hope that I will find the strength that I have been seeking.

Lisa


Lisa walked beside me, and when I looked down, I saw some monsters, they looked small and circle-ish, but looks can always be deceiving. Right ahead of us was a Orbis Magic Rock, something I had heard about from some others back at Victoria. It was said to transport you when given tower scrolls. We stared up at Orbis Magic Rock, a giant rock floating high.


Lisa handed me the scrolls with blank eyes, waiting for me to get everything done. It was all so weird and confusing on how the scrolls transported you, I had never had any experience with anything like this before. What do I do with the tower scrolls? Where do I put it?
Just as these thoughts were floating around my head, a bandit entered the tower and was standing beside us at the top. I didn't pay much attention to him, I couldn't anyway, not with the time frame I wanted to accomplish my goal in. I could tell he was a bandit by the dagger he was carrying.
"Ey. Look here."
I turned around and faced him, now seeing the details on his face, a small mouth and chin. I stared at him blankly. I could tell his eyes held experience, experience of a bandit.
"First time here? Want some help transporting?"
How useful, someone to clear up the tower scroll mess? He could really save us some time.
Lisa stepped back a little, keeping a small distance from us both.
"I guess. I want this girl and I transported to the first floor."
"All will be done. Stand close to the rock and give me the tower scrolls. I will activate it for ya."
Without much thought, I handed him the tower scrolls.
"Cool, close your eyes and get ready."
I told Lisa to do so, and soon enough we both had our eyes closed and were prepared for the first floor. Was it really this easy to get the sword?! Would my fortune make this an easy task? I waited a few seconds, but didn't feel anything. I waited for another few seconds, and then, too much time was going by, why were we not be transported?
I opened my eyes, only to find the bandit had disappeared. With our tower scrolls.
"DAMN IT!" I yelled. How could I let this happen?! Our tower scrolls! Lisa's scrolls! Oh they meant so much at this stage! I sighed, well, there's one bandit with the hottest item on the market!
"Lisa, open your eyes. He's gone."
Lisa opened her eyes and suddenly her cute and laughing expression disappeared and formed into anger.
"What?! You lost those scrolls? Do you know how much those meant to me? Do you know how much I could have sold them for?"
I stared at the ground, fortune my ass, everything was going wrong! And Lisa, even though I had known her for so little, was now raging at me.
"Forget it, William! You don't know what responsibility is, and I guess you never will."
With that, Lisa stormed out of the tower entrance, leaving me feeling very upset and lonely. Lisa, the girl who was arrogant at first but had a cute smile, Lisa the one I did not care a lot for had now given me dull emotions.



Dear Diary,

Fate has not disposed of its grudge, that boy William disappointed me all too much, he lost my tower scrolls, the very tower scrolls Koan placed in my hands. I felt something graceful about him, I knew he had labeled me as a nuisance though. I had told him off, which was something I never really did, and then I walked out, perhaps on the only chance I had at my dream. I wonder around in Orbis now, gazing at the beautiful scenery, my mind is angry but my heart is far away, thinking about things... thinking about someone...

Lisa


As I stood there looking at the ground, I felt stupidity and anger dwell inside me. A girl and her friend passed by, she took out two tower scrolls out of her pocket jeans and handed one to her friend. I saw them both open up the scroll and read very mysterious words that I never heard before, and just like that, they disappeared. Into the first floor. I cursed out loud, it was that simple yet I couldn't even do it?! What an amateur I am! It looks like I had only one way left, and it was that I went through all twenty floors, on my own...


Climbing down the ladder that swung low below my feet, I pushed my body low and started to climb down. A Senitel, one of the very smaller monsters, came close and gave me a small ram, this gave me a wake up call about my clumsiness. I sped down through the platforms, jumping down, climbing down, making swift jumps and dodging professionally, I got through seven floors easily, however I felt my stamina going low and the cuts and bruises from the few encounters affecting me, and my legs on the other hand were trembling from the speed and rate I was going at. By now I had a good impression on the structure of each floor level. Each floor started off with a small platform at the top, and on the left of that platform was a portal. Hanging onto the top platform was either a rope or ladder. And from there were some more platforms, also having ladders or ropes attached, it was basically just jumping down or climbing, but it was also the monsters in the way that made it hard, seeing as dodging was not effortless. At the bottom of each floor was just a plain platform, with no monsters on it, and the portal to the next floor was always on the left. The interior of this tower was completely basic! Each floor basically looked the same! The sides of the tower often let chill breezes in. It wasn't a big tower, but it wasn't small.


Now having gone thirteen floors, I sat down at the top of the platform on the seventh floor and took my back pack off, I set it down and fished inside for a snack to helpfully help my body straighten out its act. I sat and minutes went by, the fast pumping of my heart slowed down but I still felt uneasy. I pulled a small portion of my pants up to see what was giving out pain on my leg, only to see a red scar. Though these monsters seemed harmless, they weren't completely weak. A slight smile covered my face, thankful that I could actually dodge and run.


Slowly, I got up and breathed in, then out. It was go time. I jumped down from the platform, ignoring the ladder, and got an intense ground shock to my ankles, ouch. But I kept going, I saw one of the red large Senitels heading for my way, so I upped my game and ran fast down, reached the ladder and came to the last platform, then slowly but surely, I walked to the portal. At the sixth floor, I made success by getting to the middle platform unharmed, however my luck soon changed. As I was about to climb down a rope, a Senitel came rushing at me and pushed me fiercely against the tower's wall. I felt a loud thud as I crashed down, and heard a small crack from my head as it hit against the tower's wall. What a vicious push. I felt my head with a hand and felt something squishy, something liquid like, something called blood. And now my vision wasn't so perfect either, things became blurry, fuzzy, weird, but still I managed to make out the Senitel coming back for more. Even though I couldn't see well, my head was bleeding, my back was aching and my legs trembling, I tried to rise to my feet and get out of harm’s way, this time I didn't try to dodge, I took out my sword, and tried to slash through the Senitel. But it didn't work, it merely kept on going straight at me without any hesitation, however I gained a small chance to gain a little speed and then I ran. I didn't know where I was running, but I ran, perhaps I might even run into the Senitel, but thank goodness, when the time came my body managed to jump up over the Senitel and slowly make my way to the next floor, where I sat down immediately.


I felt nauseous and absolutely drained of energy. My head was spinning continuously and my legs were shaking to no stop. I looked through my back pack in hopes of something to help me, perhaps a rapid medicine or antibiotic, but to my surprise, only energy-boosting snacks were there. What a disappointment. I knew I would face hard monsters, but I guess I never put enough thought into what I may need. I lay my ahead on the side wall and took three deep breaths, there was a chill in the air, and it felt lovely, if only the same could be said about my health. I took out a small blue cloth from my bag and sprayed it with some water from my bottle, then I slowly dabbed it on my head. The cloth was caked with blood, and it was a horrible sight for me. Even though my cloth was filled completely with blood, I dabbed it a little on the scar on my leg. I didn't have any cream to help shoo the pain away, I didn't have anything to help sooth my head's blood loss or my legs trembling pain. It was all too much. I sat there, perhaps an hour passed but I rested. I felt a very strong pain in my head, something exceptionally worse than any possible headache, and my legs, no matter how hard I tried, would not stop trembling.


I sipped some water, ate everything that could possibly help me in my current health, and prepared to finish this journey. When I stood, my body swayed this way and that and my vision was still horrid, my legs felt barely like my own, I could barely walk! But still, I was almost through half of the tower, where would I go for help? I slowly walked towards the nearest ladder and climbed down, I managed to get to the next ladder easily because of the free way with no Senitels, and then managed to get to the lowest platform, limping my way to the portal. I could still make out a Senitel when I saw one, but my vision was becoming an increasing worry, all I could see were blurry colors.


When I made it to the next floor, I was glad to see a decrease in ladders, however instead I had to use my jumping abilities, and right now, my legs just couldn't cope. But still I tried. Reaching down the next platform, I made a small jump down, and boy did it hurt, I felt a knife stab into my leg and ache madly. I kept going, but I found it so hard to walk, my legs just couldn't be controlled. Almost to the bottom of the floor, a Senitel cornered me, I took out a small weapon from my back pack and threw it at the Senitel, I knew I couldn't run, I knew I didn't have the ability to dodge flawlessly, I threw whatever I could, I threw every weapon I had except for my precious Viking, I threw anything hard, but the Senitel absorbed it like it a sponge. It came closer to me, and now my worries really did start to rise, I fished in my pocket for anything, anything to throw! I threw what little left of food I had left, even my orange snack, which to my amazement, hit the Senitel and burst acid into its eyes, this slowed down its pace and I took every inch of my energy left to walk and jump over it. It was not an easy process, because as I jumped over it, my foot slipped and I crashed knee-first onto the solid floor. And like any child who had fallen at a soccer practice, my knees had those white-redish marks. I forced myself up and limped to the portal, putting every last bit of my energy to its limit.



Then, I heard a sound. A sound similar to a voice, screaming with determination, but then, just like that, it faded away. I decided I was crazy and was starting to hear things. I felt like crying, rolling up into a ball and crying. My backpack was slanting, just a useless piece of material with nothing in it. No snacks, no weapons, nothing. I am going to die here, I am going to have failed at my life's goal. I am a failure. Where are the miracles that occur in every movie? Here I am sitting in a damned tower with no belongings, except for a weak sword, no friends, and only a perishing dream. And who knew what worse monsters lay ahead.


I meekly rose to my feet, trembling still, I walked ever so slowly to the edge of this platform, slowly bent down as if I was sitting down, then dropped my legs to the bottom. No Senitels on this platform. I kept limping, or at least trying to walk, reached the nearest rope and slid down, rope burn. Then, I saw it, the monster that would end it all. A Senitel to the very far corner, still having not spotted me, however the only rope was next to it. I didn't care if it saw me, I could barely see anything anyway, I could barely think, I could barely stop my legs from shivering, who cared what added injury this Senitel would give me. And as I walked closer to it, it spotted me, I threw the very last thing that meant anything to me, I threw my Viking sword, and no surprises, it dodged. And there I was, standing absolutely still, barely seeing anything straight, waiting for death to find me. And a few metres before the Senitel had gotten to me, I heard a voice come out of no where.
"Stop!"
I could not see who or what it was, as I wasn't at the top platform, but it didn't matter. The Senitel was almost here, I thought. Good bye.
And then two things happened right before my eyes: a blurry figure jumped from the above rope right in front of me. And before I could really see what was going on, I saw the Senitel shatter into a million pieces...
I felt a hand grab hold of my arm and take me towards the nearest rope. All I could see was a blob of yellow hair and a blurry face. Once I was taken to the bottom floor, after being somehow protected throughout the floor's platforms, I instantly collapsed on the platform, my knees scraping the ground.
"Are you alright?" asked a voice. It sounded... familiar, it sounded feminine. I couldn't see who it was, but I felt I knew them... her.
"Who ar-"
My sentence finished by a painful stroke in my leg, I was really, really injured. I tried to look up, see what was going on, what was happening, but my head didn't allow me this privilege.
"Answer, me..."
And then, at that very moment, I felt my body fall on an angle toward the ground, and the surroundings gradually becoming dark, and then, I faded out.


I looked up, I was in a beautiful green garden. The flowers were bright, the trees cast shadows onto the green grass, there was a chill breeze, it was paradise. Stepping forth to the fountain that lay ahead of me, my foot stepped on something hard. I looked down, it was... it was the Hero's Gladius, at my footstep. I bent to pick it up, when just before my hand reached it, it disappeared. I looked everywhere, I shouted, calling for it, "Where did it go?!" No response. I searched behind the bushes, the flowers, everything I could. The sword, my dream, was gone.
And out of no where Lisa appeared directly in front of me, standing on the bright grass.

And then, like some sort of magic, I disappeared from the garden and starting getting enveloped by darkness, only to wake up in the hands of a girl. A girl I now think I knew.


Having opened my eyes, I looked around, and now, being so close, I saw the girl up close, she was Lisa. This dream had helped me to recognize her, even though my vision couldn't. I looked around, I didn’t know what floor it was because I wasn’t keeping count, but I realised I was at the top platform, meaning I was in the next floor.
“Lisa…” I trailed off once the pain started coming back, it was all just too much to handle.
“Do not ask, and do not speak, just know, I came for you, risking my own life. Being the cleric I am, I examined your body and you have some very bad blood loss from your head, a trembling condition your leg, along with a nasty scar, and other bruises and cuts everywhere. I need to heal you, or at least try to. My healing skills are not the best, but you need all the help you can get.”
This was weird for me, Lisa was here… in the tower? How? I looked up at Lisa and she smiled, a tingling feeling arose in me, then she gestured for me to stand up and lean against the wall. Knowing my condition, she should have helped me up, but she didn’t.


I was still trembling madly, but I managed to lean on the wall. Then, she slowly started getting out a first aid kit, along with a small scroll. She opened the scroll and wiped her hand on the words imprinted on the scroll. And then I saw something spectacular, two green lights formed one in each hand, they sparkled and twisted, they were circle-like energy hinted with green lights that looked… odd, but perhaps this was because of my lack of knowledge about clerics.
“Hold still,” she said, coming closer to me. Gently, she put one hand on my head, on the hurt area, and I could feel as if something magical was sinking in. She didn’t message or anything, just laid one hand on it. I felt some pain loosen, and it felt nice. The pain was not completely gone, but the majority of it was. Then, with her other hand, she instructed for me to pull my pant leg up a little, she took hold of my left leg and did the same with the green magic-like circle, she laid her hand on my leg and slowly the light started vanishing. And to my surprise, my leg trembling was gone. Completely gone. I did not feel one hundred percent better, but I was not shaking and I knew part of my head was recovering too. But I still had the bruises and cuts.
“Lisa… thank you. I want to apologise for my stupidity before. I really am sorry. But what I’d like to know is how you got here.”
“Questions will be answered, William, in due time," Lisa said in an uneasy voice.

Then I saw her kneel down, pick up some accessories from the first aid kit and start bandaging and sorting out my cuts. The scar on my leg was also dealt with too, but the pain didn’t seem to vanish like I thought it would...
“Here, take this.”
Lisa handed me a sandwich to eat, which I almost ate in one bite. Then she offered me her water bottle, which I hesitantly accepted. Was it clean? Had she drank from it? But I drank it down so fast, a quarter of the water splashed all over my face.
Then with a few more arrangements, she told me to rest a little and I did as I was told. I decided to take the moment to clear up things.
“Lisa, sit next to me, we can rest together.”
I had no intention of that coming out cheesy but it just so turned out to be. When she was next to me, it felt awkward having her so close.
“Thank you for helping me, but I want to know how you got here.”
I saw a tear form in her eye, and then Lisa turned away after slowly muttering, “Don’t worry, it’s nothing…”
There was an awkward silence for a few seconds.
“Please tell me.”
Lisa turned around to look at me, and all at once it felt as if her heart were spilling out.
“I saw two powerful warriors, they came up to me, asking me to do a dirty job in exchange for anything I wanted… and I thought about you, and I thought how I had ditched you, and how evil I was. I thought about what you were doing, were you managing…?
“So I asked the warriors to give me some tower scrolls, I knew they would have some, they were so… powerful, William. And they did have some, but only three of them. I told them that wasn’t enough, but that was all they could do. So I went to the tower, I looked everywhere for you and you weren’t there. So I thought you had entered the tower alone. So I told the warriors, “It’s no use, I don’t need them if I can’t find him.” And then I realised something, I could be a brave girl, even more brave than just going to El Nath. So I asked them to take me half way to the tower, and they did, they guarded me and shielded me, but I only asked for half so I could prove to myself I did have worthy potential, I would do half alone, and perhaps the rest half alone, if I didn’t find you. And then, William, I did find you, at the fifth floor…"
My mind was racing, so much information at once! What was the dirty job? I was so eager to know, but I knew it would be rude to ask.
“And what about you? Wobbling like a ghost in the middle of a platform with no sword, nothing?”
“I am not strong. I got injured and hurt so much, I even lost part of my vision. I gave up, threw everything I could.”
This journey had brought so many surprises for us, I never ever imagined myself being rescued by Lisa… not in my wildest dreams.
And then I realised something.
“Lisa, you have tower scrolls?!”
“Yes, three.”
“Brilliant, we can find what I’m after for and use the tower scrolls to go back home…”
“I don’t know what your goal is, but I’m here by your side.”
And then, without even realising it, I wrapped my arms around Lisa and hugged her. She felt warm and hugged me back, I could see something tender within her, and I liked it. I resisted the temptation of going any further and drew my arms back. And then, like she could read my mind, she leaned her head on my shoulder and we both sat there, resting like a tired couple.


Dear Diary,

I followed my heart. I found William trembling like a small weak kitten. He was hurt, he was injured, just looking at him I could feel just how much pain he had taken. I took him out of harm's way and pulled him to a safe corner. I feared my healing skills would not be enough to help him. I examined him and realised he had very serious injuries. I applied some skills which I was taught, they helped him, even if only a little. After I had healed him, we talked, and I told him most of the story of how I found him, not the full thing though. I did not tell him that once again I had lost my dignity to a pole. I did not tell him it was nothing new for me. My quest in order to regain my strength from my past has only reminded me of the horrid times. But I know this will be the very last time I am treated as a toy, because love makes you do things, things you don't necessarily want to do. I cannot erase my past memories, but I know that soon, new divine memories will take their place.

Lisa


After an unknown while, I titled my head up to find Lisa was still resting on my shoulder. I didn't know how long we were here, but it seemed that perhaps a few hours had gone by. I shook Lisa by the shoulders gently, waking her up. Once she had, I told her we had to get going.
"No, you're still...unwell."
"We can't sit here forever, I have a goal, but... I'm starting to worry how we are going to get by the rest of the floors. I am too sick and I have no sword and... Lisa, you may not be any better..."
I saw a sharp look returned at me by Lisa, clearly offended.
"I am well though. I think I will be able to dodge and perhaps teleport us a few platforms, though that is not very useful. I don't know really, I haven't tried teleporting in a while."
I tried to stand up, and surprisingly, I made it with only a tiny bit of effort, though I had been healed, I still had some aches in my body. Lisa arose next to me. We had five more floors to go, and I couldn't stop myself cursing at how stupid I was to have thrown my sword away.


I started moving towards the end of the platform, and slowly placed my legs on the ladder below, I took slow steps and landed on the platform. Lisa did the same, and we managed to walk normally to the next ladder without having to dodge or attack any Senitels. On the next platform, there was a crowd of Senitels - not good news. I didn't know whether to stay or go, and having Lisa follow me was not the smartest because I didn't know what the best choice was. Anyhow, I climbed down the rope and landed on this platform easily, Lisa doing the same behind me. The Senitels turned around and spotted us, coming straight at us. "What to do?! Attack?" I yelled. Attack with what? I didn't even have a weapon! I thought about running and dodging them, but then suddenly, so quickly I barely knew it happened, I felt a hand grab hold of my shoulder and push me to the floor, and then abruptly a blue spark of magic flashed and Lisa and I were at the bottom platform, still hands and legs on the floor.
"Wow," I said, that was amazing, her teleportion was that strong to teleport a few platforms down?
Lisa just looked at me and smirked. I bet she was surprised too though.
Next floor, we managed to dodge and run past a few Senitels, though it wasn't like I had a perfectly unharmed body, I often limped temporarily from the pain of my body all over - but it was a lot less pain then before. As we almost entered the fourth floor, Lisa called out to me, and I turned around.
"We are amazing."
I smiled then turned around, still walking to the portal.


Now at the fourth floor, I saw a change in the monsters. Instead of giant blue or read Senitels, they were white Leatties, they looked very cute, but I knew they were much stronger than Senitels. I also knew they were not as fast Senitels, which was an advantage. Lisa giggled and cried, "How cute!"
"Maybe. But they could harm us... a lot."
Before moving to any ladder or rope, or jumping down to the platform, I looked to Lisa and asked, "What should we do?"
I knew it was a question she was meant to be asking, but I had to have some faith in her.
"Are you well enough to jump over any? Or might that cause you more leg pain?"
"I think I can."
"Good, because these Leatties aren't very fast."
And she was right, jumping over and dodging these Leatties was very easy, but I knew I was pushing to my limits because my leg still trembled a little from time to time. We walked slowly to the portal which would lead to the third floor, after which I asked Lisa to check on my leg.
"It's fine. It needs a lot of rest though. This isn't very good for you."
Lisa's eyes met mine and I could see she did care about me. I turned away and walked to the portal, thinking: what a miracle God has sent me.


We were at the top of the third floor, when I asked Lisa, "Will your teleport work again?"
"I don't know, let's try. Kneel on the ground."
I did as I was told, and I couldn't see what was happening next to me, but I just waited, holding Lisa's hand. After about a minute, Lisa stood up and shook her head. "It's no use. And if you're wondering, teleportion will only work when your main limbs are touching the area you are teleporting from."
Damn. I guess this meant we had to go through this floor our self then.
As we jumped down and made it to the platform below us, I felt a small ground shock to my ankles, but I kept going. I saw a Leatty ahead of us, and Lisa walked straight in front of it, only to throw something at it and jump over it. Nice, Lisa, though I couldn't quite understand why she didn't just jump over it instantly like the last floor. We managed to get by the next platform easily too, since there were no monsters there. However, on the platform just before the portal, we were running swiftly past a Leatty when it decided it had only one target and it wouldn't get confused and give us time to run by. The Leatty rammed straight into Lisa, throwing her way back onto the ground, a loud crash echoing in the tower. I ran straight over to her, my heart pounding. Was she alright? The Leatty was still coming in for a second blow, when I lifted Lisa up and took her to the bottom platform, luckily making a dodge from that smart Leatty.


"Lisa, are you alright?" I asked while tapping her on her shoulder. She opened her eyes gently and looked around.
"You were hit."
Without further ado, Lisa pulled got up and pulled out the same scroll from before and did the same steps, and once again, the green energy lights of magic appeared and she lay her hand over her thigh, gently over the skirt, whereas the magic was swiftly pulled in and disappeared.
"That's better," Lisa exclaimed, looking over her body for any other bruises. "That Leatty... what a powerful ram, sure I didn't die, but I crashed to the ground madly and lost consciousness, even just temporarily."
I know, I thought, I was there. We sat down and rested at the bottom platform, we were so close to getting out. I started wondering about where the treasure may be. And the worries started flourishing. Was all this torture for nothing?
"Lisa do you know anything about the... stolen snowshoes incident?"
"No," she muttered, "I don't."
I felt about eighty percent recovered, and we walked a mere few metres into the portal and were transported into the second floor. Just two more floors, I thought. Peering at the platform below us, I realised there were now brown Leatties. Oh dear.
"Lisa. Will you try your teleportion one last time? We really need to get through these last floors."
Lisa nodded, and we did the drill. Lisa did what she had to do, and I closed my eyes and waited. I wanted to open my eyes and be at the bottom. But I knew it wasn't that easy. I opened my eyes, and we were still there, at the very top of the third floor, having just failed a teleportion attempt.
I sighed, then peered around and looked at Lisa. "Do you have any weapons?"
"Only a level 8 wand, it can't perform anything magical, so you can use it but it will barely do anything."
I nodded and Lisa threw open her backpack and gave me the puny, weak wand. I gestured for Lisa to come closer, and I whispered in her ear. She nodded, and then, we ran. We jumped off the first platform and ran full speed through the passing few platforms, we put our full energy and jumped and dodged anything that came in our way. However, we were temporarily cornered by a Leatty, from which I aggressively threw Lisa's wand and hit it smack on it's forehead. Then we continued our brilliance and made it to the bottom, puffing madly. I now had a stitch and my heart was beating a million times an hour. But for reassurance, I very slowly walked to the portal, just to have the feeling that we were now so close out of this tower. Lisa followed me, and she too was very worn out.


I collapsed onto the first floor's top platform and kept on taking deep breaths. After about ten minutes, I got Lisa's attention and we slowly knelt over the edge of the top platform, peering down, we saw brown Leatties along with Jr Pepes. Not a nice sight. Jr Pepes were very fast monsters.
"Let's go," I said, as if I'd just lost all my energy.
"Yeah."
We started creeping slowly on the platform, trying to get to the nearest rope unharmed. And we managed it, we climbed down and our feet touched the ground, then we headed for the next rope, which was quite far. A Jr Pepe turned its head, just in time to spot us. It came rushing quickly over to us, and I tried to ran past it, do anything, but it was just too fast, in my attempt to run past and dodge, the Jr Pepe managed to strike me from the back. That strong push threw me knees first onto the ground and I cried out with pain. I looked at my knees, scratched and all bloody. The Jr Pepe was still coming for me when I heard Lisa yell "No!" I saw her figure running toward me, just behind the Pepe, and I saw tears slide down her face. The Jr Pepe was very close, and I knew there were no miracles this time. But then, on my left, Lisa was there, having seemingly teleported. And I saw her tears splash on the floor, and then, just before the Jr Pepe delivered its blow, Lisa cried, "Oh magic please help me and William out." as Lisa said this a magical tear slid from her face, and then, she grabbed my arm.


Dear Diary,

I almost lost William, but my heart wouldn't allow it, I felt this great urge of willingness to help him, and a miracle happened. A beautiful miracle. We are at El Nath now, and I never expected that I would actually go a fair way into the El Nath towers. Never. I feel strong now, I feel as if I have reached the ribbon in a long marathon. And this marathon was one that didn't have many at the finish line.

Lisa


It was magical. I looked around, snowy fields below our feet, snow falling gently, a chill breeze swooshing past. We were at the very centre of El Nath, out of the El Nath towers. I didn't understand what happened, "Lisa, what happened? How come we're out of El Nath towers?"
"I put my heart and my soul and my tears into that teleportion, and this is the very first time it's ever happened, I managed to teleport us one or two maps, I am so excited and overwhelmed! And just happy I didn't lose you."
So we teleported out of the El Nath towers because of her true will? Wow, but most of all, wow, El Nath! Nothing like I imagined, beautiful on every level! There was absolutely no one around, just Lisa and I. And I wasn't surprised, that tower was an absolute nightmare.
"Lisa, I'm looking for the stolen snowshoes... this is why I came here. I don't know where to look or where to start."
"I see, William, this was a dare or something? All this time wasted for something silly?"
"No!" I cried, "No, Lisa, not a dare, an exchange for my dream!"
Lisa looked away from me, and we walked around El Nath in silence. We walked around the centre, no one was anywhere to be seen, complete silence, and now I felt a little sad... and hopeless. I walked around to the market area, I went into the equipment department, and finally I saw a face. A lady was at the counter, looking completely bored. "Welcome. What can I do for you?" she asked, her eyes gleaming at the sight of people actually in the store.
"Hi, I'm looking for a sword. Do you possible have the Viking Sword?" I asked, walking toward the counter. The woman stood up and came across.
"Yes, we do," the woman said. She looked around on some shelves and came back holding a sword I recognized. I looked at the prize tag. Expensive!!
I turned around and whispered to Lisa. "Um... do you have some mesos I can borrow?"
Lisa glared at me unwillingly, then she got out her purse and handed me a wad of cash. It was a lot of mesos, but it seemed enough.
I returned to the counter and counted out the price then handed it to the lady. She smiled, took the cash and set it in the cash register carefully. "Enjoy," she said, handing the sword to me. I smiled back and claimed it. It felt new and un-used. Lisa and I exited the store and faced the cold yet beatiful El Nath. Now that we were here, I didn't know where to go.
"Where do you think we should start?" I asked Lisa.
She looked at the ground for a few moments then smiled, "Maybe we should start by looking in every room, every store."
It was a smart idea and I couldn't complain.
"Let's go then."
We walked forward from the department store, passed a potion shop and continued our stroll. We looked left, right, up, down, everywhere for a portal or a door. We looked through every portal in the market area, nothing useful, just empty rooms or stores or free market. We exited the market area, at the centre of El Nath now. We walked and saw a girl up ahead sitting lonely in a bench. I decided to ask this girl if she knew anything, perhaps she knew something.
"Hello," I said, halting in front of her, Lisa did the same, "do you happen to know anything about the stolen snow shoes?"
The girl's eyes open and focused on me, she raised an eyebrow before finally saying, "No sorry..."
"Thanks," I replied, and just before I walked off, she continued.
"Wait. I don't know what snow shoes you are talking about, but there is some evil group or something, I don't know much about it. I've heard it's up above where I'm sitting. You'll have to climb a few ropes."
Peering up, I saw a portal at the very top, ledges and ropes below it.
"Thanks, that will help, I think."
An evil group? Sounded like she she had been left out in the snow for too long. But there was a portal above, and it was worth a try.


"Let's go, Lisa, to that portal," I announced.
"Right behind you."
Walking away from the lady, I came to the first ladder and climbed up, I reached a small smooth path which had several benches. Who would sit out here? Remembering the girl below, I had my answer. Next came about three ropes, each one a little higher than the other. I gripped the first and climbed up slowly. Ropes and rope burn gave me bad memories now. I realised I had regained some strength, which was definitely a good thing. I was now on the last rope, climbing delicately with Lisa closely behind me. When we reached the top, I saw a beautiful swing, the dust clearly indicated that no one was in the mood, or not many people were crazy enough to come to El Nath. I peered down and saw that we were quite far from the ground. I waited for Lisa and after a few seconds she was standing tall next to me, rubbing her hands on her skirt. Without a word said, we both walked to the portal and entered, not knowing what to expect.


After we entered, I looked around and it was quite a dark place, not as bright as the other rooms we had seen. I could sense a presence somewhere below. I walked forward, "Anyone here?" I called. No reply. Even though it was quite dark, I made out a ladder close to my feet, I decided to carefully climb down the ladder taking every precaution. Lisa followed me and when I reached the bottom, I called again "Anyone here?"
Just as I had said that a dark figure sprang out of nowhere and clawed at my shoulders. Lisa screamed. I couldn't see who it was but something felt very odd about them, something inhuman. I jumped back and made some distance, but it came forth again, it had my clawed both my shoulders and I could sense sharp stings. I reached for my sword and swung it at its head. It dodged and made an attempt to bite my arm. "Ah!" I yelled, the bite reaching its goal and the pain swarming it. I crawled to a side, quickly rising then preparing my sword. As it came forward at unnatural speed, I ran forward too and pierced my sword solemnly into its chest. It shrieked and fell to the ground, I came closer and kicked hard with my foot, and peering down, I saw it was a monster... something green... Perhaps an allien? But then I realised it was a goblin.
"Do you know anything about the stolen snow shoes?" I roared, now beside it but with a distance. "Speak or I will stab my sword into your heart!"
"Be careful!" Lisa screamed.
I waited a few seconds, but got no reply. I readied my sword for a finishing blow and crept slowly to the goblin.
"Wait," it murmured, "I..."
I stopped, waited, then continued coming forward.
"I don't ... I," groaned the goblin.
"Stop wasting my time."
I still came forward and when I was close enough for a fatal blow, I finally heard something useful.
"I don't know much about your... your snowshoes. But I, I know that this is a sacred hideout that I guard. It's for a group of criminals that often come and go secretly. I think I..."
"What?" I demanded, "What do you think?!"
"Don't kill me..." the goblin mumbled, "I think... I think maybe one of the members of the group could be... could be the wanted thief. I have told you secret information. Don't kill me..."
I stared down at the hideious goblin, made a face of disgust, then looked in Lisa's direction.
"Lisa. I want you to stay here and watch the goblin. Make sure he doesn't escape or do anything fishy. I'm going in."



If the goblin hadn't mentioned a sacred hideout, I would have never guessed that at the bottom of this dark room were a few camouflaged looking door slides, portraying perfect japanese culture. Once I had pulled the slides to a side and entered, I didn't see what I had expected to see: a perfectly dark room. Instead it was just a normal well lit room, however you couldn't see this from the outside. I entered the room and promptly hid behind a counter. The doors I came in from led to the back of a room. The whole room was full of mats laid down on the floor, however at the near end (which was where I was hiding) there were a few cabinets and a counter. This was definitely not a kitchen. Perhaps where they stored their next evil plans. If it was not for the counter, I would have been totally exposed. As I hid behind the counter, I took a few glimpses north, the content of the room. Ahead of the room I saw a small hall leading into another room, but in the middle of the room I saw three fairly old men sitting on a mat, meditating with their eyes closed. They looked powerful and experienced. I was pretty surprised they had not sensed or heard me when I came in, but I did take some precautions on being quiet. Each of these men wore a single dark robe, each covered with a different coloured dragon. The goblin seemed right. An evil group. Now I needed to know just one thing: did any of them have any information about the snowshoes? I waited silently, thinking and thinking. Taking another glimpse, I realised each man had a very long, very rare and expensive-looking sword placed beside them. Then, I realised how serious things were getting. These men were serious ninjas. Suddenly, one of the men stood up. My heart started beating frantically. Was he coming for me? Then, I saw the man sit down again. And then the next man stood up and sat down just like before. Then, as the third man with the green dragon robe stood up, I noticed something. Out of all of these men, he was wearing green shoes. And then, poking my head out just a little more to get a good look before he sat down again, my eyes opened completely. This man with the green dragon robe was wearing the snowshoes. The green, stolen, most rare and expensive snowshoes. I had my target. So this really was a group of serious on-the-wanted list criminals. Now that I knew my target, I started worrying about how I would get the shoes, I could by no means take on all three. Probably not even one! If this guy had managed to defeat a Victoria legend and live, then what chance did I have?


Dear Diary,

It seems we both came to El Nath in order to achieve our individual goal. I have reached the end of my marathon with a smile, but it seems William is still running, running for his finish line. We have found some weird hide out, and William claims he is seeking the stolen snow shoes. He went in alone and told me to stay watch on this... creature. I stare at it and it stares at me, and I can sense its fear. But while I am here in the awkward silence with this creature, William is in the hide out. He has been gone for a while, and I am starting to get concerned. Very concerned.

Lisa


I decided that I needed a distraction, but this room barely had anything it, just a few mats, a counter and cabinets. Totally the worst place to plot an ambush. But I decided what I would do.
I banged my palm against the bottom of the wooden counter. It mad a very clear thud that echoed into the room. I hid as best as I could behind the counter, hoping... wishing...
Then I heard some foot steps coming towards me, my heart almost exploded into a million pieces from fear. I couldn't see what was going on, but I could hear someone was walking directly towards the counter.

"Yuuto, I don't think the sound came from there. I think it could be someone trying to come underground into the front. No one could have come in from there, we have been here the whole time, and we've got that tool guarding outside."
"Someone trying from underground? Again? The same pest that tried a few days ago? He wasn't quiet enough then, just like last time."
"Yes, we can finish him once and for all, come."
Then I heard the footsteps leave my direction and head north, along with another pair of feet heading the same way up. I sighed with relief.
I didn't know which two men had gone to the front, but I hoped that the one still meditating was the guy with the green robe. I delicately turned my head towards the edge of the counter and took an ever so slightly glance. This was fortune. The guy sitting on a blue mat with his eyes closed and meditating perfectly was wearing a dark robe. With a green dragon.


I decided that I had to take a really big risk. Hiding here would get me no where. It was time for action. With one very sudden swift movement I jumped out from behind the counter and landed a distance away from the man. The elderly man opened his eyes instantly and in a flash he had gripped his long sharp sword. Before I had any time to come forth and make an attack, he ran forth with amazing speed and prepared his sword for what seemed like a life-threatening approach. He stabbed his long, and from what I could see, gold plated sword straight into my side. I fell back and cried with pain. The sword was incredibly powerful. I clutched my side hard and tried my best to not feel the pain. But it was just too great. I tried to get up, and as I did, I heard him call, "Kinasai!"
I did not understand what he said, but with a lot of effort, I got up. I jumped a few times back to give some distance. The man kept coming forward, I brought my sword out and tried to swing it toward his neck. The man made an effortless dodge and cut his sword through my shoulder. I could feel its sharp blade in my skin and it felt very very painful. I did not go down this time, I took in the pain and kept trying to attack with my sword, but I missed time after time. And I kept getting hit, time after time. After so many endured hits, I could feel my body covered in so much blood and full of so much pain and torture. I was now cornered and the man readied his sword for the final blow, but he didn't bring it down, he just held it there in place and waited. And just as I started having a little hope, I heard two other men walk into the room and come straight towards us. These guys liked to share the fun.


Dear Diary,

What is taking William so long? My worry increases by every second. Is he in danger? Is he hurt? I don't know, but I am going to answer these questions. Right now. I'm coming, William. Please be alright.

Lisa


As the pain kept pouring in, I started getting slightly dizzy, not as dizzy as I was in the towers though. I heard footsteps coming. I tried thinking of my life, my memories, my goals and my dreams. Then the two men came. They stood tall in front of me, wielding an extraordinary sword each. One of the men had a small scar on his lip. Now three men stood before me, all having their swords prepared to finish me off. They were team players when it came to deaths I guess. I waited for the onslaught, and a few seconds prior to my demise, I heard a heavenly voice.
"No! Don't touch him! No!!"
I knew it could only be one person. The two men left the corner and headed straight for Lisa. I tried to get up and stop them, despite my dreadful state. The first guy, with the green dragon robe, punched me in the ribs and slammed me against the wall. Then I knew that it was all over for me and for Lisa. I took a small glance over to Lisa, just to remember what she looked like, when I realised she was over at the back of the room, her hands clasped together in holiness, and her eyes closed. Her mouth was moving and it looked like she was saying something sacred. And then the most overwhelming thing that I had ever seen before happened. A large female spirit arose from above Lisa's figure, the spirit's hands also clasped and eyes closed. It was very faded and could barely be seen, but it was there, even if I was basically beat to a pulp, it was there. I knew it was. But then my attention changed, as I realised the final blow was going to come this time. For sure. His astounding sword came cutting through the air, but just as this dangerous sword that would end my life landed on me, I saw a large white ray come from nowhere and pierce through the man's heart. He yelled in what seemed like Japanese, then fell to the ground. I waited, absolutely terrified. His chest was no longer moving up and down. Then I turned to Lisa's direction, and just like the first man, the other two men were lying dead on the floor.
"William! Come! We have to go!" Lisa shouted.
I was stunned and shocked. "Ah!" I cried, as a new wave of pain came splashing through as I tried to get up. Just before Lisa raced over to me, I walked towards the dead man and took the snow shoes, I placed them carefully into my bag, feeling shame and pride at the same time. Lisa put my hand around her neck and quickly helped escort me out of the spine-chilling room. Once we were out, Lisa still helped me to walk, and I saw the goblin from before, crouched into a corner and shivering.


Once we had climbed up the ladder and were at the top of the awful dark place, I collapsed onto the floor.
"Lisa... my body is aching, and... and what happened?"
"Shh, be quiet," Lisa ordered.
I did as I was told.
It took about an hour until Lisa had finished trying to heal every cut, scratch, scar, bruise and stab from my body. She also used a lot of bandages, I was using heaps of her supplies. Lisa's healing did help, but I still felt so much unusual and powerful pain through my body. Everywhere ached and I started worrying that I might die from too much blood loss. Just how powerful were those three men? But how did they die? I was more than certain it had something to do with the spirit Lisa had summoned. But right now, I just wanted to get out of here.
"We have to go. Out of here!"
Lisa seemed frightened, and I wouldn't blame her. She found me in an almost-dead position. Three men cornering me with their swords pointed at me. On top of the all the attacks I had taken before.


Dear Diary,

How can the human race be full of so much hate? I was basically a few seconds away from witnessing William's death. I saw about three men all crowded in one corner, and I knew exactly who was crouching in that corner. My heart beat furiously and I was so scared. And then, I thought of something. What about asking on the holy spirit? She rarely ever came, maybe once in a life time. But I prayed and begged in my mind and poured every bit of my heart into the ritual. Hoping... wishing... And then, she came, she responded to my ritual and she whispered in my mind, "Love and will are the two most powerful things. A handful of people have that carved within their soul." And then she let out three beams of light and each one stabbed the man's heart, and they fell to the floor. I had never wanted something as bad as I did then. I had never felt the two most powerful things, love and will, as strong as then. I guess that's something that only happens once in a life time, to that handful of people.

Lisa


Lisa helped me out of the room and out of the market area. I was limping and still aching all over. It was such a miracle to be alive. We made it silently to the entrance of the El Nath tower, we both had questions we were asking ourselves. We still made dodges and jumps to avoid some monsters as we climbed up and made our way platform after platform, but thankfully we didn't encounter many.

We were now a platform and a few ropes away from the top of the tower, when we realised a Jr Pepe stood staring at us. And these were fast monsters. I panicked, we were still standing around unsure of what to do. I looked at Lisa, and she seemed totally freaked out. Then, she swung a hand into her backpack and got out a weird looking helmet, then she threw it at the Jr Pepe as it was approaching us. This brought us only a few seconds to run, but that was all we needed. As we made to the ladder, I managed to hastily reach for it with my last remaining strength. We climbed up, but I felt stiff all over. At the top of the floor, we stared at a blue rock moving slowly up and down, the Orbis Magic Rock. And this time, I knew what to do. Lisa took the scrolls out of her backpack and handed me one.
"Do you know how to use it?" I asked.
"Yes," the warriors taught me. Then she nodded at me, and we opened up the scrolls, reading the enigmatic text:

Dear Ossyria and all its friends,
I plead you to please comprehend.
I ask for your help and for your will,
to use your wisdom and your skill,
to transport me to your beginning.


And then, we were transported. I can't really explain it, no lights no wind, nothing, just a blink of an eye we were in the 20th floor. We both steadily walked to the portal, leading us to the area of the beautiful statue. We climbed up the rope, passed the statue by (Lisa merely brushing it with her hand) and entered the portal above our heads. We kept a steady pace through out the whole way, also remembering I had to limp every now and then. Once we were in the very middle of Orbis, where we had been before, we passed the guy sitting on the relaxer, and the potion shop. Then we climbed up to the nearest teleporter, entered and pressed the button. And it only took us two teleports before we were at the top right platform. We walked to the portal on the right, breathing heavily and glanced down once or twice at Orbis below us. We went through the usual boring sequence of buying a ticket and patiently waiting for the ship to arrive (which was a different process than seeing it arrive at Ellinia for some reason).


"What an adventure." Lisa smiled and turned to look at me.
"Yeah," I agreed.
"You know, I forgot to ask you: why do you need those shoes? You almost died out there."
"Well, it's a long story."
"I have time," she replied. And then I knew I wouldn't be able to make it without telling her.
"It starts off with me having an absolute dream of owning the Hero's Gladius, a rare and powerful sword," I gulped, feeling pressured by Lisa's unconvinced glare, "and, somehow I met someone that owned it, what sheer luck, and he told me to... to get the snowshoes which were stolen from his family for generations. He told me it was somewhere in El Nath, I just hadn't ever expected it to be a criminal clan hidden in secrecy."
Then I thought about explaining the Victoria legend more briefly, when I remembered I still had that photograph.
"Here," I said, pulling out the photo and handing it to her, "that man with the scar, is a Victoria legend, I don't know if you know about him though. The men standing next to him are obviously related to him, and these snowshoes, that are in my backpack, were said to be handed down from each generation, but were once stolen and hidden somewhere in El Nath. This is why were stolen - because they belong to the Victoria legend, a very powerful and successful warrior and have an incredible power. The shoes were said to give extreme speed to the person using it. And I had witnessed that."
"Right," Lisa said, as if a crazy person was talking to her, "Is this a mythology? I've never heard of any of these men."
I sighed, "No, just trust me."
When we heard some scraping noises and the usher calling "Ship is here!"
We advanced up and revealing our tickets. We slowly walked into the ship, ducking just before going into the door. We found a small area inside, it was a little chilly to be outside, and sat quietly.
"Lisa," I said quietly, "what happened. I mean.. those rays..."
"Ah," she replied, "let's just say I called upon a very consecrated spirit. And amazingly, she answered my call because I truly had the two most powerful things deep within my heart."
I stared at her, I didn't really get what she was saying.
"And what are the two most powerful things?" I asked.
"Love and will."
I blushed.
"So you called upon a spirit that uhh... never comes out... and she answered your call because you possessed honest love and will? Seems like you have a lot of that, Lisa."
"It's complicated. I'm going to rest now."
"Same, I guess."

I woke up and the ship was still going, soaring past in the clouds. Lisa was asleep, and seemed I had been asleep too. The ship suddenly halted and I knew it was time for us to leave the ship. I woke her up and Lisa sleepily stood up. We headed for the exit, and stepped out into the station deck, a beautiful Ellinian breeze brushing in our faces. "Lisa, can you wait here for me? Only for about an hour while I finish this trade."
Lisa nodded, and I walked out into the Ellinia town centre.


Dear Diary,

I am back at Ellinia. I have gained so much on this adventure. I have achieved a goal that I know means so much to me and my well-being. I know those dark memories still lurk at the back of my mind, but I can now proudly say that I am a strong woman. I have also gained a friend on this journey, perhaps even more than a friend, perhaps a soul mate. I wont tell it to his face though, but I know that his attitude towards me has changed. He cares for me, and I do the same. I have accomplished my goal, and so has William, but I know we both have found something unexpected on our journey. Each other.

Lisa


I remembered I had seen the guy at the mushroom tree. Would I go back there to find him? I decided the very first thing I would do was go stock up on potions - I had failed miserably in the tower because I wasn't well equipped. I made my way steadily down to the potion shop, and entered. There, I saw a face I recognized. As well as a sword I recognized.
"Well well." He turned and faced me and I knew I had scored the jackpot! It was the guy from before, still equipped with his sword, and his superior grin. "I'm here to fill up on potions so I can go to El Nath and get the damn snowshoes that you couldn't get."
"No need," I said, smiling a smile I always wanted to smile - a smile of pure success and pride. I took my backpack off and laid it on the floor, slowly and gracefully pulling out two green snowshoes. His eyes opened in shock and he stammered for words, his high-class attitude slowly draining out.
"What?! You got them?" he yelled in astonishment.
"Yes. I did, risking my life with it." I showed a cut or two, just for emphasis.
I had a fearful thought he might try to run up and grab them, so I pulled them tightly to my chest.
"Hah... I guess I did underestimate you," and slowly, he came forward to me, holding the sword vertically in one hand, and the other gesturing to receive something. When he was close enough, I held my snowshoes out, and gripped the sword quickly, taking it from him, while he did the same to the shoes. I felt great joy and satisfaction, having finally be able to wield one of the greatest swords ever created. Being able to swing it with honor, and walk around with it displaying pure strength. Today, I was a true success. Staring ahead, I saw him still spellbound at seeing the snowshoes, and I could see he had many questions, but it didn't matter anymore on where I found it, who stole it or why, we both got what we wanted. Just as I headed to exit, he slowly murmured, "Now I can finally continue my family's legend's acknowledgment and pass it down to the next generation."
I smiled and continued for the door.


I exited the store, wielding an amazing sword, showing clear dignity and smiling the happiest smile. It was a small walk to where I had left Lisa, and I found her just sitting down and she stood as I came forth. Her eyes glistening and she ran forward to hug me. "That was it? That's the sword?"
"Yes."
"Amazing! It looks so... great, even though I know nothing about it."
"Lisa. I know the snowshoes concept seemed totally bogus to you, but it's a long story. But it's over now, and the deed has been done." I know now that materialism isn't the only thing that makes you happy. How do I know this? Because my goal had encountered a girl. A very special girl. Then I leaned forward and gave Lisa a peck on the check. She smiled and put her arm through mine, and we walked away from Ellinia station's entrance, with me whispering: "I'm hungry. Teleport us to somewhere delicious."