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Casus stepped out of the bakery and hurried down the street, cloaked in darkness. He had managed to get in and out of the shop without anyone noticing he had taken a few pieces of unleavened bread, or so he thought. As he started to disappear into the night the baker's assistant ran out and called for the guards. "Thief! Right there, thief!"

"Crap," muttered the nubile thief. He had only taken the bread to be able to get by another couple days, he hadn't expected the guards to come after him like they just did, rising up from their relaxed positions and charging down the road at Casus with drawn halberds.

Casus ran, the worn leather soles providing little protection against the hard cobblestone. He turned into an alleyway but it was a dead end. The trio of guards backed him against the wall, taunting him with the punishment for stealing, how orphans always get the worst punishments for their crimes. His chances of escape seemed to vanish until the ground seemed to open up and swallowed him whole. The guards were left in a dumbfounded state, wondering what just happened as the ground returned to normal.

The tunnel Casus was now sliding down twisted and turned at random points. A root jutting through almost took his head off, but he managed to duck just in time. After what seemed like forever the seventeen year old was spat out of the earthy slide into a cave. For a moment Casus sat there, dazed and with a hurting rump from his hard landing. When he had collected his wits he looked about and was frightened to see a tall woman with stark white wings standing before him. Her face had soft expressions and bright blue eyes looked down on him.

With Casus still on the ground and at a loss for words, he looked to his left and right as two other holes spat out another youth each, and then closed up behind them. What in the world was going on?

"No, no! Come back here, boy! Come back! Heel! Heel!" Nychta's screaming did nothing to stop the pup from making a beeline from the tub of soapy water to the forest. She hiked her skirt nearly over her knees in order to chase after the dog, hurriedly wiping some splashed suds off her cheek with her fist.

The day had been going so well, too.

Nychta's employer (a commoner man by the name of Diggons) had given her the job to wash his hunting dog's pups, and she had gotten to the last pup before it decided to run down the street and into the woods. She daren't face Master Diggons after losing one of his prized pups, so she knew that she had to do whatever it took to get the dog back.

She continued shouting, trying to get the dog to return, but to no avail. As the puppy grew farther and farther away, Nytcha lost her focus on her steps, and was suddenly tripped by a root sticking out of the soft earth. Her foot caught and she went tumbling forward. She braced herself for impact with the ground, but instead found herself falling for a few moments before tumbling downwards. As the earth shut above her, the tunnel she had fallen into became dark. She rolled forward and downward for the longest time in utter darkness, all the while trying not to injure herself and stop moving so recklessly. Her mind could barely process the situation, and any progress she made on assessing where she was came to a halt when she was suddenly dropped onto the floor on her stomach.

Nychta felt her head spin for a few moments before she managed to push herself up. The first thing she realized was that she was in a room full of light...not harsh, outside light, but rather a soft angelic glow. She didn't even notice the two other young people in the cavern beside her; she was much too enthralled with the beautiful deity (surely, the woman must have been a goddess!) standing before her. Nychta was too awestruck too look away or say anything. All she could do was stare at the angelic figure.

Markal was walking back to the orphanage after a day of working at the mill to buy food for himself and the others. Almost everyone else was already home, leaving only a few stragglers on the streets.

Just as he was passing in front of an alley he heard a muffled scream. No one else was close enough on the nearly deserted road to have heard it. He turned down the alley to see a man had shoved a girl against the wall. She was trying to push him off her but he just laughed. Markal shoved him off of her, catching him off guard.

"Now that's hardly any way to treat a lady." The girl ran off, leaving just Markal amd the now very angry man. I should've run when the girl did. It was too late for that now though. The man punched him hard enough in the stomach to make Markal double up. Then he threw him against the wall. I'm gonna be beaten to a pulp and die here. Markal braced himself for the impact of the wall, but it never came. Instead he kept falling and falling down a hole.

He landed on his back on the floor. The hole he'd fallen from closed as if it had never been. He turned to see an angelic woman, complete with pure white wings. "Oh. I must've died then. Death was a lot less painless than I thought it would be." At least she was an angel and not a devil, dragging him down to the depths of hell.

The woman looked down at the three and smiled in warm greeting. "Hello children," she said in a soft voice, "My name is Ashaa, I am leader of the Valkyries. No, you are not dead," Ashaa said looking down at Markal, "I have brought you here because the world is in great need of your help." She motioned to all three of them, "all of you. Rise from the ground now, children, and I will tell you of the grave situation that has befallen our world..." The Valkyrie, Ashaa, waited for a moment for everyone to stand up before continuing.

"There is a great war in the near future, that of good versus evil. My shield-maidens and I have been preparing for this for years, but there is one thing we need in order to prevail against those who dwell in the dark. We need need the six gems of legend that were scattered in your land after being stolen from ours. I give you this quest: find all six of the legendary gems and collect them. When you gather the sixth one I will bring you all back the way I have just done.

But be warned! Although in the same world, this land I will send you to has been lost to all others. It is different, more dangerous, but holds all six gems. This is a perilous journey I send you on, but I know that you all can do it. I see it in your hearts. I also see confusion and fear in hearts among you, and I am sorry that I must bestow upon you three this quest that cannot be refused, for the balance of light and dark can only be trusted in your hands." Ashaa grew quiet and watched the three youths she brought into her earthen chamber.

"Now come forth," she commanded them, her tone mightier than before, "and be ready to receive what gifts I will give you and then be on your way, children."

---

Casus stood when he was told, unsure what a Valkyrie was and what she wanted with a street rat like him. Her voice soothed him though, and his uneasiness was momentarily put to rest. This only lasted until she mentioned the dangers of the journey. His fears rose as she spoke of the pressure and how dire the situation was. He had no clue what to think, let alone do. Who could take all this in as quickly as the Valkyrie was forcing them to!? He looked at the other's to see if they would move first.

Nychta was terribly confused once the Valkyrie began to speak of the quest she was forcing upon them. She felt her stomach sink with fear. She was merely a servant, for a commoner, no less! How could she be chosen for such a task? To place upon her weak shoulders the balance of good and evil?

However, when the woman said to come, Nychta felt an urge deep within her chest. The girl slowly rose to her feet, trembling a bit from her long fall and suddenly being thrust into a dire situation to save the world. She could not speak, and she could only move a little by little, though her steps grew more solid as she approached the beautiful woman.

When she drew near to Ashaa, she knelt her head. She wanted to speak out, to tell the Valkyrie that she was unworthy of such a task. But her mind could not formulate the words, and she stood in awful silence for a few moments, before looking back at the two other youths with her in the cave. Two boys, each seemingly 'scrappy' in their own respects... well, she supposed she looked no more noble than they, with her meager clothing and the bits of dirt and twigs in her hair and smeared on her skin. After studying the two boys for just a moment, Nychta got the courage to look up at the Ashaa, her green eyes full of fear and insecurity in her right to be standing before the woman.

"You have fear child. That is okay, you will understand everything sooner or later. For you, Nychta, the power or magic. "Ashaa's hands swept upwards and a purple mist shot up from the floor around the girl she called by name. It floated around her for a second before slowly turning blue and seeming to be sucked into the girl. "You have magic in you now, as do all who have the same gift you now possess."

Markal stood when the woman told them to. He was pretty relieved that he wasn't dead, but the situation was definitely strange. He'd never even heard of a Valkyrie. The whole world depended on them? That seemed a heavy weight to bear for a fifteen year old. He glanced at the other two and realized it wouldn't be his burden alone though.

He was afraid of what would happen in this dangerous land she would send them to. Seeing the girl walk forward and accept her gift brought him courage though. He looked at the other boy. "Well, we can't let her do this alone right?" He walked forward and knelt next to the woman, his head bowed. His heart was racing but he wouldn't back away.

Nychta was a bit surprised as the fogs drifted around her for a moment, then entered into her. Magic? She suddenly felt it course through her, like cold liquid in her veins. She body tingled for a few moments, then returned to normal. Somehow, though, she could feel the magic inside of her. Nychta looked at her hands, then up at the Valkyrie.

"...thank you, Ashaa," she said quickly, before backing up a few steps to allow the others to receive their gifts. When one boy spoke, she glanced at him, and smiled weakly. Yes, she wasn't alone on this perilous journey. She had others to help bear the weight. That was enough comfort for her for now.

"Markal," said the Valkyrie, also calling him by name, "your heart is strong already. I gift to you the abilities of the greatest warriors. You will have to learn how to better yourself, as will you child," she said and looked to Nychta when she mentioned her, as Ashaa spoke her shield-maidens stepped into sight and brought pieces of armor, putting them on Markal. "You will have a balance of strength, agility, and endurance that will help you protect this group from the dangers they will face." She raised her arms and three colors of mist shot up, green, yellow, and red, swirled around him, and seemed to be sucked into him just like it had with Nychta.

Ashaa then turned to face Casus. "You are the last one, come and I will give you the gift that will aid you on your quest."

Casus shakily walked forth, he was visually trembling with fright and nervousness. He walked up before her and bowed his head with closed eyes. He tried to calm his breathing but had no effect. Ashaa looked down at him. "You have doubts, fears, and confusion plaguing you. You do not see like the others. Because of this, I gift to you vision. It will be you who guides the others on this quest. You will know the paths to follow, the information sought, and have answers to your questions." Ashaa raised her hands again, and a white mist came up, circled him with inaudible whispers and what seemed like small, faint, ghostly images. The mist collapsed in on Casus and left him standing there, ready to pass out from what was going on. "T-thank y-you," he managed to stutter before retreating back with the others.

Ashaa nodded and gave another warm smile to the three orphans. "And so we now have the trio that will complete this quest. Nychta the sorceress, Markal the guardian, and Casus the seer. My shield maidens have set the room beside me for your use. There you will have a selection of equipment to take with you." She motioned to a large iron door to the right that opened up as she looked at it, two valkyries walking out of the room. "Also in there is a rift stone, it will open a portal that will take you all to that land when you are ready."

The shield maidens joined her, all three standing under a large verticle shaft. "I leave you now to prepare for the battle that will save, or destroy us all. May the light guide you." She spoke her final words and then spread her wings, her two shield maidens following suit, and rose up, flying up and out of sight through the tunnel. The three were left alone with access to the two rooms. Casus half sat, half fell against a wall and tried to control himself as a wave of panic shot over him.

Nychta watched Ashaa ascend out of sight, and trembled slightly. So it was truly happening... She turned to face the two boys... what were their names? Markal and Casus? She looked to the one that had been given the gift of sight... the Seer, Ashaa had called him. She quietly came and knelt down in front of him, studying his face with a bit of worry.

"Are... Are you alright?" she asked in a gentle voice. The boy seemed pale... and why shouldn't he be? Nychta bit her lip nervously, not sure how to help the seer, Casus.

Casus looked up at the girl, "I feel sick," he said and looked back at the floor, waiting to wake up in the streets, a jail cell, anywhere. He wanted out of this nightmare. Although Ashaa had said she granted him vision, he hadn't noticed anything different. He almost threw up. So much to take in in so little time. The winged woman expected them to accept it all that fast? He fought to be calm and stood back up, his hand on the wall.

Markal watched in wonder as the lights surrounded him and the shield-maidens dressed him in armor. He stepped back respectfully with a qiet thank you and watched the last boy receive his gift. He gulped as he listened to Ashaa. Who puts the lives of everyone in the hands of three teenagers?

He walked over to the other boy, Casus. Who was the girl? Oh yeah, her name was Nychta. "He'll be alright, he needs time to adjust. This whole thing is a lot to take in." Markal was half-expecting to wake up back in that alley himself.

Nychta nodded slightly. She straightened and pushed some hair behind her ear, then looked towards the iron door.

"Well... I suppose we should probably see what Ashaa left us for our journey," she said softly, then quickly added, "that is, if you're ready, Casus." She was suddenly curious about what lay beyond that doorway for her. She was a sorceress now, so what tools could she have been given? A staff? A magical orb? She shook her head slightly and turned back to the boys.

That made him wonder what was in there too. Maybe a sword am armor? Or maybe a bow and arrow? "Yeah you're right." Markal held out an armored hand to Casus. The armor was pretty heavy and it'd take a bit before he'd get completely used to. "I'll help you if you find it hard to walk."

Casus swallowed and shook his head. "I'm alright," he said and pushed himself off the wall. "I guess we have to go in don't we?" He gave a frightened glance at the doors. He would follow them, going in second or last, but certainly not first.

Once inside the group would find tables along three sides of the room, all loaded with equipment, the walls adorned with hooks holding items and weapons. On the right side was a four foot tall stone that jutted out of the ground. It's color matched the rest of the cavern walls. The difference was the white markings near the top. There was a simple double lined rectangle with space in the middle of it to hold something of the same shape.

On the tables were the following:

Hanging on the walls were:

Upon following the group in Casus would breathe a 'wow' and stand, speechless, in the room as he looked all the supplies and equipment.

Nychta would lead the group, as she was very curious as to what the room contained. When they entered, she had a similar reaction to Casus. She gazed around in awe, slowly walking forward, her hand running along a table.

"This is amazing..." she whispered, looking around in disbelief. There were so many useful supplies... but if they had to carry it all themselves, it looked as if they wouldn't be able to carry everything they would need. She glanced back at the boys, wondering if they were thinking the same thing.

The abundance of items was enough to snap Casus out of his panic and into awe. After admiring the collection, he walked over and crouched down by the clothes and boots under the table. He realized just how filthy he was in comparison to these clean clothes and became a bit embarassed. He picked a clean and fitting pair of clothing and boots and put them on top of a rucksack on the table.

"Why do you think there are so many things?" He asked as he inspected one of the brooches. Information and images flooded through his mind as soon has he picked it up. He took a quick step back as the wave of knowledge washed over him on the item. "Woah..." He shook his head and looked at the group. "Did anyone else see that?"

"Just in case?" Nychta suggested, now spotted the clothing beneath the table as well. She quickly looked over at him, blinking. "See what?" She took a new set of clothes and chose out the smallest pair of boots so they would fit, and copied his actions of putting them on a rucksack. She reached over and picked up one of the strange brooches, inspecting it for a moment before looking at Casus expectantly.

Just in case we die and they have to find the next three, he thought as his mood returned. "Did you see the pictures? I-" He realized what it was. "It's the gift she game me," he stated. "I picked up the brooch and there was just this... flood of knowledge. I-it was weird." He looked back at the brooch and then to the girl. "I think we need these. They are a special thing to have in that land, and I think they're enchanted with minor wards for defense, luck, and illness." He cautiously walked over and grabbed a green cloak and put it on, then the brooch. The Symbol flashed bright blue then faded to normal, proof of it's enchantment. "I wonder if there is anything else that will be special here," he wondered aloud.

"Wow..." Nychta was amazed at his gift; she would have left the brooches, as they seemed useless. She smiled a bit. "That's amazing." So Casus didn't have to do anything to use his gift? She felt her stomach sink. She knew nothing about magic! She had never met a sorcerer in her life, and now she was one. How was she supposed to learn how to use her magic? She shook her head and went back to searching through things.

"Now, my question is... How are we supposed to carry all of this?" she wondered aloud, fingering the lanterns for a moment, looking back at the boys. "They didn't provide us with horses or any pack animals to carry our supplies. We couldn't possibly take everything we need..."