The Monkey Book

[Gold]

The following posts are journal entries straight from the desk of Son K.

The year 1845 was a long and eventful one for me, while I still can't remember my early life, the daily routine my friends have put me on has helped me remain calm about finding out who I am. It all started at the academy, where a group of teenagers with some very distinctive hair colors approached me for smelling of bananas, I didn't feel offended by the reference at first, so I joined them on their adventures.

They took me to battle some beasts scattered throughout the land which made me think of becoming a beast hunter, but solely for information. A giant rabbit, a dwarf sized golem in a dark murky cavern, a creepy crustacean within the desert, and some small imp I found very cute until it shocked me to my very core. No matter how often I fell? They picked me up, they dusted me off, and they pushed me back into the fight, either leading the way or keeping me upright.

It felt so surreal.

Months passed, I'd enrolled into classes at Starfall Academy, met a new professor who masters in the dark arts of thievery. Cunning as he was, his hair made him stand out, so I figure he must be great at his craft. While I was still new.. I felt compelled to but my head in where It felt I was needed, I tried to stop two people from arguing, and they drew guns on one another! Quickly and efficiently, Professor Leonid talked me down, telling me I was making things worse, while in the same motion? He taught me how to diffuse it, live! The professor earned his stripes, even if he wasn't official yet. I look forward to learning more from him.

As time progressed I started becoming more fond of my friends, noticing their kindness did not stop with helping me, but Lucian, whom I call Silver Bolt introduced me to the Order. From that moment on I wanted to join, I wanted to become a cadet for a city I knew nothing of simply off of the strength of his words and his morals. There are two others I hold to a high regard, Bang Kumo, somewhat my big brother, somewhat my guidance counselor, but that seems kind of one in the same right? He's told me how to do neat tricks with my staff, and even helped me get situated in his dorm room! I don't really like beds, so I've made his lounge chair my bed, it's pretty cozy even if it smells like wine occasionally. One friend I truly don't understand however..? Rufus. There was an incident with him, where he'd appeared wearing a pretty shady outfit and a top hat, he even spoke in a weird accent and robbed me for my lunch money. I'm still working on him, I hope Melody doesn't catch him when he's like that again.. I can help him! I'm sure of it.

I ended up joining the Navy somehow, but it was fine, the sea and open skies felt welcoming to me when Admiral Auxis explained his part and the role he played within the Order. The man was powerful, easily whipping me and sending the torrent of the sea into my chest, he sent me flying! Through the beatdowns, I smiled, I wanted to be like him, I wanted to have the power to protect those around me. He taught me how to swim along with my friends Bao Ming and Yi, although.. I'm sure Yi was using a floaty.. I still need evidence of this. I got a nice shiny fish from beating up a grand worm like fish that attacked the group of us swimming, the scales are pretty hard and jet-black.. so I gave them to Jericho to create something for me!

My days afterward were spent trying to help those in need, whether it was earning coin, collecting ores, or simply giving directions.. It felt good to be able to give an answer when someone was unsure of what to do. My friend group was pretty strong, but there was one other who was a bit off, he's cold and unforgiving, and had a very vicious tongue to match. His words were as sharp as the finest blade any artificer had ever crafted, Mitsuhide the vagabond retainer! He's someone I want to try and help, his heart needs just a bit of love to begin warming up. I can tell, his loyalty to Silver Bolt shows me that.. he's just retaining his feelings. I won't pry and ask him what happened.. I'll just be there to uplift him.

However, I paid dearly, quite quickly for my friendship with him. I do not regret it, as we fought often and called each other names, but I did it to relate and build a bond. One that was tested the day he was cornered and I stuck my tail in where it probably shouldn't have been. Yet? I'll meet the threat with my friends, every time, together. The situation stemmed from Mitsuhide's horrid tongue, he'd wounded someone verbally and a great fight ensued. I ended up fighting against a teen a bit older than me who told me to stand down, to remain out of his 'princes' way. My knees were shaking, but my hands held firm on my staff, the black spirit behind his prince seemed a bit strange. He kept referring to them as the collective. I.. I couldn't take my eyes off of my foe, because he was just that strong. I'd discovered energy magic and it's capabilities that day. I was captured, and sliced vertically on my chest. The following was pretty hazy for me, due to the lack of blood.

A lot happened, I was dragged back to Asphodel after the fighting had stopped. I met the Queen there, she seemed to be very powerful, the others there crowded around her as she spoke with me and my captor. After explaining who and what she was? She bit me! I felt my eyes roll inside of my skull, and I've felt this burning sensation on my neck since then. She released me after telling me more about herself, but I was in no state to recall most of the conversation. For now I'm a bit scared to even write down her name here.. who knows what she's learned in her centuries of life..? I hope she can't see this.. you're a nice woman! 

Under supervision of a man named Timothy, I was guided out of the lands where monsters and vampires played, I returned to Osrona this time, a bit scared to head toward the schools direction. I was treated and scolded all at once, even arguing with two strangers who told me I should be thankful that a man offered to pay a mere 1,000 coins to not save, but purchase my life. It felt demeaning, I'd rather have died than to have allowed that. Perhaps I overreacted.. but it just did not sit right with me.. besides.. aren't scrolls and potions worth more?! What am I... a sack of rocks with a hint of banana fragrance?!

More happened, lots more.. but Bang is here now and.. he's with his girlfriend or.. one of them rather... can't let him expose my journal to anyone! 

- Son K.

[Gold]

Rummaging through his things to find his journal he'd almost forgotten to add in some sticky notes for the final entry of the year! The young teen checked the door this time, locking it and placing a chair firmly beneath the handle to ensure Bang didn't burst in unannounced! 




Plastered to first page was a picture of Son K and his friends.

          The last year 1846 was pretty hectic for me, I spent most of my time resting, and when I could move about I was training! I do want to keep writing in here however, so I can reflect and think about the hard times and the fun times. So I'll keep it up!

First things first.. the manaball tournament. It came a bit after everything I want to get off of my chest but, man.. our outfits were so cool just to get packed out so quickly! My team spent their time training while I wasted mines trying to get us something cool to wear and remember.. however that blasted captain Auxis.. curse him he wiped us out! It was fun to watch though, I expected no less from him. Others say he's a menace for partaking in a Childs game but, it was for the masses to partake right? Besides, with the winnings it seems like he wanted to be a bit younger, maybe his childhood pales in comparison to the teens he busted up. Haha, afterwards my friends took me out for a banana Sunday because I felt bad for holding them back. It was a good day.

Now uhh, I ended up doing something a bit earlier in the year that nearly cost me my life but it was a great experience that I hope to never go through again. It's not something you really do twice anyway. To start it off? I snuck onboard a Vanir vessel! I had no clue as to what they were doing, but I wanted to see how other seafarers operated and what their day to day life consisted of out at sea. I was a little sea sick hiding in the barrel, so when we hit land I took some time to throw up and then seek the group out. They were all pretty tough looking, so I kept my distance as they entered the great fortress, while I found my way in through some vents. 

They were instantly targeted, called out to be the enemy and swarms of enemies swooped down on them from every angle. I tried to get out of the vents but it was made of some metals I'd never heard of so it was pretty hard to just bash my way out amidst the fighting. The group of Vanir's however? Didn't really need me. It wasn't until a stray bone javelin pierced the vents with ease that I forgot I was in the air and plummeted to the ground before the fairly scary group of men. I didn't know any of them, aside from one I'd seen before at school.. he was strong. Just like any other bone and poison user I'd seen really! They are to be avoided. With little time to react to my appearance, they didn't really question where I came from because of the next enemy to approach.

A woman in a tank emerged and the enemy forces disappeared as only she remained. At first I thought we could simply talk to her and get past her by offering something nice. However, the Lapine man leading the group said no way, he seemed pissed. Like he held a grudge with whomever her commander was, he was clear that he wanted her blood. I made the mistake of wanting to spare her when I was left to deal the final blow, I thought I knocked her out.. but.. she woke up after I turned my back and shot me dead center in my back. It pierced my lung and I was certain I was gonna die, but that man I'd seen at school helped me out while I tried my best to keep my blood out of my own lungs.

Some of the other adults were pissed, telling me I was stupid for sparing her, and.. they were right. I learned quickly that this wasn't some little voyage, that'd I'd gotten myself into something a bit more serious, I was amidst a small platoon of Vanir's out for revenge, paid in full with blood. Without hesitation they ended the woman in my stead and continued on. I didn't want to drain their medic of his energy, so I tried to make up for it in return by trying my hardest which.. foolishly lead me to be blown up..

Twice.

My mana circuits were fried and then recharged once more abruptly with an insane amount of mana. I tried controlling more earth than normal, growing to a pretty decent size, covered in bits of metal, earth, and blood. I was like some walking colossus! I charged into the head honcho's mech and held him there. It was like.. a mud monster fighting against humanity! I wish I could've watched that from another perspective, because not even a couple seconds after grappling with that beautiful cannon totting mech..? The Lapine blew it up and sent me flying!

I'd never smelled fried bananas before, and I will say... they aren't too bad. The rest of the trip was a blur, I woke up outside Osrona underneath a bush covered in leaves with a lax essence beside me. Those guys did me a favor, not killing me, but they also taught me a lesson.. you can't spare nor save everyone. It could cost you your life.

I thought about it for some time, and I felt as If I needed to become more durable. A force to be reckoned with, someone who could oppose threats with his body and magical affinities combined. I want to become an iron giant.. a great METAL MONKEY! This way? I can meet any threat and buy my friends time.. with the help of Arista and Rufus I began my training to master metal magic so that I'd never see my own blood spilled again. I'll become unbreakable!

Anyway.. I've got some training to catch up on now that I'm healed up.. that vampire bite is gone too. Maybe once I train a bit more, I'll swing by the east again to see what those vampires are doing with all the blood they were collecting. Till next time.

- Son K.

[Gold]

A very tired and dirty Son K finds his way back to the academy grounds after being deep within the silverwall mines for a year and a half. His fingers were larger, more rugged, he found some difficulty holding onto his pencil for a little bit, and then? Bits of metal break away revealing his slender little monkey digits. 

"Ah, almost forgot about that.. I feel a few pounds lighter from that alone.."

He says as more metal bits drops onto the floor clanging and skipping across Bang's clean dorm room. With a minor inspection of the room before he cracked opened his journal, he could tell someone had been in here.. who was it?

The Iron Ape

I planned to stay in hiding, practicing my abilities a bit with my recent mastery of metal.. changing my aptitude for something a bit more resilience through hard work and dedication. Now that I'm more durable, I've got to fill the role of the great ape. I want to be on the front lines for those dear to me. My own desires fall in line with their own when my role is simply a protector, even if that means eventually protecting them from themselves.

The plan was to stay within the caverns deep beneath the mines for two years.. 1847 and part of 1848 I spent researching minerals within the caverns. Their durability, their uses.. I wanted to master my control over the earth and it's minerals and metals. My thoughts were simply put after doing a bit of research, thinking about what I could do with each ore that was available to myself during my time away. So I made notes mentally of what I wanted to save from my findings.

Copper is highly conductive but too soft to prevent a vampire bite, Iron is in abundance, but fairly weak as well. With a little mojo I can turn it into steel, it helps with ensuring I'm not rusted in my metal form but the weight is still an issue. Adamantite works to match the durability, and most people often overlook it I see. The only advantage I could think up was it's weight, I could make myself into some sort of battering ram or cannon ball into the enemies quarters coated in that stuff. I couldn't really think up any other uses for it. Blue mercury is great for enhancing my speed in metal form, lightening my frame but allowing me to quickly adapt to most situations with some armor to coat minor blows, paired with a bit of steel and I've got a pretty solid unit to move around in. Orichalium however, is too soft.. it does wonders with melding more ores to my frame, it helped me grow quicker when I utilized its magic enhancing capabilities when I went to collect from the earth from one place I remained in while the ores I could easily locate came to me adding to my work in progress. Mithril.. it's nice, pretty to look at, and it's very hard as well. I'd say it's something I'd clad myself in if I were a knight, but it is too hard to get a hold of because of the constant miners collecting it. Tyrium..? That stuff is pretty radical, I enjoy thinking up uses for it, like crafting makeshift mana collars or spikes to shoot at enemies to slow their mana circuits or restrain them after the fact. My favorite thing? Nyeshk, it's durable, heavy, and delivers nasty blows when I add it to my staff and swing it down quickly.. the weight and my own strength? It could easily shatter mountains!

I didn't have any luck with those special metals, but maybe I could find uses for them if I ever got ahold of them.. before I went into the caves I gave Captain Auxis my only bit of arcanium. I don't know nothing bout it either, but maybe when I find him I could see what it's like on my frame. 

I tried battling against the inhabitants of the mines, using what I could to deter them and incapacitate them. I didn't actually try to slay any, I only wanted to see just how well it'd hold up! Against the magpawn I rose copper spikes to areas infront of me in their line of sight, it was a makeshift lightning rod, taking in their bolts and redirecting them into the earth below. For the crellus, steel and adamantite held up nicely against their poisonous waves, the steel held firm with the first few tries, the adamantite not so much. I couldn't really think of much at first against the babline and their lightning fast whips, but the blue mercury around my legs? It helped with dodging most of them, I paired that with my already nimble body to be able to dodge them at point blank! It was a lot harder at first with other metals but blue mercury did it's job.  The only other beast I tried my hand at was the kaor down below, nyeshk could parry most blows, but I realized I needed all of the nyeshk and adamantite in the area to make my arms bigger, my chest bigger, until I became a great metal ape ready to battle! The process was pretty slow though.. the nyeshk is pretty heavy. The orichalium sped the process up bringing the jet black metals to my aide quickly. The kaor was pretty tough, so I let it whack me a few times, the nyeshk held up against that giant blade time and time again until fissures finally formed infested with occult. That's when I had to stop, breaking my shell away and finishing it off in my blue steel unit.

It's been a pretty slow but knowledgeable time down there, but now I'm back.. I've got to find Rufus and Mitsuhide.. I'm sure those two will let me know if I'm lacking anywhere! I wonder if Bang is still around campus anyway.. I heard he got a house with his wife recently.. is a year and some change long enough for him to have started a family? I think so.. I should get him a stroller!

- Son K.

Closing his journal and putting it away, the young primate gathers the metals he left behind and added them to his form as he walked out of the shared dorm room in search of practice now.

[Gold]

Cracking open his journal he tries to finish up the remainder of the year 1848, the boy could smell various flowers and cologne having been present in the room. Perhaps a date had just finished? He couldn't really tell. 

"Alright.. I need to make this one quick.. just so I don't feel like I'm messing up my order.. 1849 has begun.. so now I can close out last year with all I'd learned before it's explosive end."

He grabs a seat this time, the boy holds onto his staff with both hands and begins writing with his tail. The font was a bit crude, but it was legible at the very least.

Year of the Monkey

This will be a short blurb.. well a little more than that, these past few months have moved fairly quick. There is a lot I didn't know was going on. First things first, I never knew I had to file paperwork to be apart of the Navy! Hopefully that doesn't stop my advancements.. I need to rise in rank so I can lead my own fleet haha! No.. seriously though. I've heard a lot brewing from a little Lapine friend of mine.. his names pretty funny he's a pretty aggressive little fellow. We chatted a little bit about a meeting that'd gone on, where the Captain was apparently met with some teenage spirit by a group who felt they should focus their efforts elsewhere.

Going off of my Lapine friends words.. it sounded like they wanted peace with the Docro's who apparently are apart of Achyon. I've quite literally lived under a rock, and I could tell my lack of knowledge was a bit concerning to most in the room.. I went to the wedding for crying outloud.  How could I be so oblivious to that fact? Not to mention..

She was there.. the Queen.

As long as she'd lived on these lands.. I'd never thought she'd wed a couple. It was strange really, I was in a trance, the ceremony flew for me. I couldn't focus with her there, and her lacky.. that guy with the conglomerate..? Chorus..? Hmm I forget.. but he has a mass group of spirits or something like that.. a hivemind hovering so close behind him. He gives me the chills, I can sense that he will strike again soon. I can't allow my friends to fall victim to whatever eternal torture he'd bring upon their souls.

The red haired man.. the father of the three boys, err, men? Cutthroats more like it, to become the Don. I couldn't shake it, but it seemed pretty clear that he hated nobles. Saying they obtained all they had through lying, killing, stealing, cheating, it was too late for me to run away at that point. I couldn't bring attention to myself, but then again, who'd care about some chimp fleeing the birthing grounds of the new Don? The brothers all had their own convictions leading them to want to become the Don, they bathed in each others blood to decide the title. The sword that was claimed in the end..? Looked far too huge to really be called one.

The new Don, I'd seen him in the school before. He seemed pretty nice, but he doesn't like kids. Going as far as to beat us up quickly so that he could have his turn in the arena. I wonder what that families path will be like with him at the helm. What is it with these guys.. coming to the academy to spar with us, is it for presence? To find potential new blood? Maybe boredom? I can't really put my finger on it. Maybe they wish they could go back to school, my graduation dates coming up pretty soon in the next year or two, I can't imagine leaving my friends behind.. So I guess I can understand wanting to hang around after all's said and done.

I can't fathom my friends being involved with them, especially after learning about a Drug they produced that's apparently as addictive as vampire blood... perhaps those two settlements unifying would be a blood bash, drugs and barbarians who indulge in both the substance and the blood.. would they ever calm down? I could only foresee tragedy of highway robberies for no more than sport.

When the fighting starts, and it will, I hope my friends remember you can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved. Especially under the effects of whatever their vice is. I only hope.. that people are at peace when the time comes. For now I have to continue doing my best to protect those dear to me, and strive to find an alternative so simply killing people. I've been shot once before for my insolence and arrogance to the threat the enemy poses even when on deaths door. I can't make that mistake again..

Though.. Brother Bang did make a very good point, he said the threat of the vampires was more than just Osrona's worry, it should be for all of those who are mortal. Or something like that.. I can't recall correctly. Perhaps the Docro's would lose business if the vampires found a way to monopolize their blood? Freeze it and sell it to those who favor such things. That sounds a bit silly, but what else would cause a divide between the heinous groups? I can't imagine the solution. I probably never will.

I can't save everyone.. I can only prolong the inevitable until they themselves choose to change. Hopefully what I'm doing is morally right.. I have to keep that to myself incase someone finds my journal in here.

- Son K.

[Gold]

Son graduates from Starfall Academy pretty soon, in preparation of this? He begins carrying his journal around on his person. Tucked away  deep within his coat. As he strides around Osrona, he could feel nothing but despair. The loss of the Captains Pride and Joy, the Airship, had weighed heavily on the young sailor.

"Alright.. rations and freshwater fully restocked for this ship.. guess I'll help with the next one after a quick break." He says with a sigh hopping on top one of the barrels to write for a few minutes.

Resolve

I've been so busy with everything lately I forgot to sit down and write about this.. my birthday passed. I'm an adult now, but it didn't really feel like such a thing. 1849 started off pretty rough for me, I messed up first by telling the Lightbearer Auxis that the Osrona as a whole was out of order, but quickly he made me think about what I'd said. I hadn't really had my foot in anything aside from smaller things, mere acts of kindness, defending others, but never really carrying out the duties I should have been.

That made me think about what I was doing, why I was doing it. My friends were apart of some incident, going to war with words against the Lightbearer, our Admiral. They disagreed with his war efforts and I hear he was near his limits, things got hectic or so they say. It ended up poorly, I hear some rumors here and there but I wont pay them any mind until it's brought to my attention.

I've been holding off writing about this, but that war was crippling. It dealt a blow I could not quite recover from, I guess it's okay right? It's still fresh, we've lost something grand and even began to divide internally. Things are not so great, but everyone is still holding one another up. I'd never thought I'd see the captain fall in battle.  I've seen great people fall to the enemy, and everywhere I looked, with my birds eye view from above on the ship? I couldn't see any of my friends. My brothers in arms? The navy, the second dawn, allies from the north and south, I could see them here in unison, standing together on the front lines.. but as I stood on the deck of the airship I could not spot a singular friend I grew up with. I don't have any memory of my life before ending up at starfall aside from the fisherman who pushed me in that direction, but.. somehow I feel like I was abandoned by my friends before just like I felt at that brutal war effort..

The defeat was crushing, I was blasted into the distance as the ship was sliced in two by some crackling bolt of lightning.

After that I woke up at home, a few non magi sailors dragged me back. I wasn't even apart of the fight and I'd gotten my rear handed to me.. Next time? It won't be like that. I've been training with Hasilium and Ael Gelmont, speaking with Radiant Melody a little more often.. I've even tried to get more involved spiritually taking the time to speak with Sasha about the faith and cosmos. The captain seemed out of it the first few months, but he was probably just sad about the ship. I wonder if he cried sometime that night.

Everything's for the better now, I've got to get stronger and make up for the bodies we've lost and the resources too.. I just need to focus on serving, and talking to more people so I can actually learn about what everyone needs, what they would like to see, how I can help them in anyway really.

Next few years are going to be long and brutal, hopefully I rise in ranks and make things here more welcoming and safer for the newer generation.

Closing the journal the young primate hops off the barrel and heads toward the second ship. He grabs some medkits and hops aboard to head to the clinic to store them away.

"Today's gonna be a good day." He says descending beneath the deck.

[Gold]

Having finally found time to sit back and write, the young primate figured it was no problem that he'd been a little late. His responsibilities were growing slowly and he found himself with less time to actually reflect on what was going on. Things seemed to be moving fairly quickly, after all war was on the horizon.

"Hope everyone's alright.." He says sighing before cracking open the journal and jotting down his thoughts.

Raging Currents

This last year was a rapid succession of things.. I took an oath to the navy when I first enlisted and I can't break that. My friends know a bit of my morals, I don't lie, I can't take money I haven't earned, I'll dive into the abyss if my friends are in danger. Simple things that I can somewhat recall my clan had instilled in me. Although my memory is hazy, these things have held firm, the same stands for my Oath with the navy.. so long as Captain Auxis leads, if he does not order it I cannot help my friends in their new endeavor.

Knowing that I simply kept up with my own tasks, as I'd been pretty busy. Learning to cook minor meals, I'm vegan but the mast majority of the crew is not. So I learned to cook jerky and fish, I don't mind the smells, but I'd rather not take part. I get all of my nutrients from the vegetation this land has to offer, I wonder what seaweed tastes like. I've also began learning how to moor the ships on my own, it helps with my forearm strength, it's pretty dastardly to do on my own but my metal magic helps me reel them in. I can repair minor holes and my magic is perfect to repairing anything critical and ensuring it'll hold until we reach a place where we can refit and repair such things. Now all I've got to do is learn to become a medic and I should be pretty valuable to the crew.

I grew a bit lonesome, even surrounded by that entire fleet I couldn't quite see my friends. I was diving head first into work to forget about it but, after hearing there was some meeting going on I went to go and check on them in the desert. It was refreshing to leave the walls. Going out for a stroll I'd seen plenty of monsters engaging others. It'd come to an end quickly but, It was the first time I'd seen any out since Rufus had gone in and ripped their home to bits. They'd suffered many losses, perhaps they are building their strength quietly inside in order to resurface. I wonder what the future holds for them. Hopefully they set their sights on Asphodel, I would rather avoid needless confrontation with our newer recruits against those beasts until they are battle ready.

After quite the journey I arrived where the Vanir stay and to my surprise all of my friends were there. Engaged in serious conversation of the war and where they stood, others laughing cheerfully while they let those more suited to lead take charge. I was overwhelmed seeing Bao Ming, she's almost ready to open up her shop. Hopefully they get some stalls for her to sell her creations. Among the crowd I'd noticed Vekel, a man whose healed many so I've seen, he's even healed me quite the number of times. Proves to me how weak I still am if that's the most reoccurring reason for me to see him. He was training quite a bit, working up a sweat with Rufus and Bang, the three seemed nigh unbeatable. In order to converse just a bit through combat instead of words, we sparred just a bit.

Vekel's strong.. very strong. I have a harder time with him than I do with anyone, I can see why masses flock to challenge him. There was one particular crowd that struck me deep to my core. Grand super powers, title bearers of the west and east. Triple AAA.. The furious three I'd call them.. Araceli the Queen of Asphodel, Alexei the red headed demon of the docro family, and Ambrose..the nightmare of the underdark. I can't stand his presence, It's more so that eerie collective mass of spirits..? ghouls? whatever that thing is that floats behind him so closely.. something in my blood tells me I need to put him down. But I know very well that I can't.. after all he defeated my captain oh so easily. It was hard to watch, my blood boiled thinking about the ship going up in flames that day, leaving us in shambles, but not down forever. There were others there, but I didn't know them. The most I knew was that I could be in danger, until I realized they were here for Vekel.

Words were exchanged, Ambrose threatened that I shouldn't partake in the war, that I was just some runt running around with no loyalties. I didn't have to explain to him, but I did anyway, just so he'd shut his trap. An oath, once you take it, you cannot break it you must see it through. I wouldn't be showing up at the war unless ordered, after we'd squashed that? He bickered back and forth about summoning Vekel, while I asked Alexei if it would be better to just send a letter of this challenge they wanted with Vekel. After some time they decided to write to him, and I hand delivered it. I didn't need to read what was on there, it wasn't intended for me. I simply delivered it to Vekel who then mentioned.. a challenge to the death.. after that I knew exactly what was on that paper without even taking a glimpse.

The rest is blurry, I got out of there after handing the paper back over and went on home to Osrona to get back to my duties. While I was there I asked the captain if there was anything for me to do. In turn he told me that I was going to be promoted soon.. that was a shocker. I didn't see that coming for me nor did I ever see myself rising in ranks so soon, hopefully I keep it up, but the task he had given me?

It was to find a crew of my own to lead.. so.. I guess I have to get a bit more involved and see who has the heart to serve in this line of duty. Hopefully I can find more allies to build eternal bonds with in the journey called life as we sail the seas. I only wish that the captain had told me more about the meeting that the higher ups had, I'd seen that some Knights were preparing for war, but not us. Auxis was pretty blunt about his lack of desire to help any Vanir, although they are my friends he is my captain. So I can't help them even if I wanted.. hopefully those Knights can aide against the dual front the Vampires and the Mob have coming for them. It almost sounds like something from a fairy tale, Knights, Vikings, Tribesmen, Dragons.. fighting against technologically advanced soldiers, cruel and wicked drug dealing cut throats, and immortal vampires..

It'll be a story for the ages, I'm certain of it.

Things are picking up quickly.. and when that war breaks out I wonder how the tides will turn for either side in the end.

- Son K.

Closing his journal he tucks it back inside of his coat. He'd had more to write about, but he simply couldn't get the war off of his mind. He needed to be ready, he thought, he needed his own crew. He had heard about the knights going to aide the Vanir, but he wasn't ordered to do so. For the time being, he'd have to be on standby and watch from afar, building his own crew for the future that awaited them.

Trotting off outside of the walls he goes to collect more lumber for the ships.

Next issue, the Son K fleet?!

[Gold]

Walking towards his new post at the bridge the newly promoted Knight and Sailor Son K pulls out his journal as he stands the watch, he begins to jot down a few things, and then continues to write about what'd happened so far this year.

"Honestly.. I can't even keep up with most things going on.. it's fine though. I'll just stand here and keep people away."

He says as he writes, his gaze looking up ever so often as figures walk by or as smells wrap around his nose alerting him to potential foot travelers.

Man the Bridge

Unsure of what to call it, but my years feel more like minutes. I blink and new things come into my sights faster than I can react most times. I've ventured too and fro trying to find people to join my crew but I've had no luck.. that's fine however. I can just aide however I can in the meantime, there is no rush after all.

A loyal and trust worthy crew should take time to build anyway. I trust that there will be the time for it so long as I keep at it and give others an example to follow. 

The war my friends partook in and the knights of osrona without any insignia's to declare their origins stood together while I remained back in Osrona, I couldn't quite sit around.. so I made my way somewhere nearby but not close enough to really involve myself. The telescope from the ship helped out with that, I could see the sands erupting into violent plumes, smoke and lightning coating the desert lightning it up as if there was some performance there. In the end my friends emerged victorious after a very critical turning point.. most who were captured were broken free, others not so lucky.

I haven't seen Mitsuhide since that day either.. I wanted to ask if he would join my crew, but I know its not in his character to leave Lucian's side. I figure he's just gone somewhere to think, or get stronger.. I'm unsure. He left without saying much. I keep my eyes peeled and my ears open while I'm on the bridge, someone should say something about him eventually I guess.

Lately I've been patrolling a lot more on my own, surveying the lands when I can, and taking little naps inbetween rotations... however recently someone complained that the Knights weren't doing their jobs, a flux of mutants and monsters had been spotted around the bridge. After hearing that I set up post near there...

It was as if someone had left a magnet that attracted these creatures to the bridge, not even five minutes into my watch a skeleton approached me telling me to make him leave.. it was pretty awkward. I explained to him that he should just turn around and steer clear of this area. He denied me of course.. We fought and then I left metal bits inside of his skeleton leaving him stuck making a heart with his hands and sending him on his way.. It was kind of funny really, giving a skeleton a heart. Haha, oh man.. I hope he doesn't return. He blinded me over and over again, but I could smell that rotted, earthly smell of his fairly easily.. my senses are getting better when I'm blinded.

I stayed there for a few more hours, and started to notice individuals I'd never seen before. I wasn't really sure on who to stop, and who not to stop. Certain individuals like the news reporters and mail delivery type often frequent each settlement so I figure they have some sort of immunity. Then there were some who seemed odd, and at times I felt like wraiths had skimped past me as a cool breeze often made me shudder.

Yet when I looked around no one was there.


More time passed, hours at that, and then a horde of mutants approached the bridge. Aurelia struck fear into one of them I felt, but then he asked to speak with her later.. he was strange.. asking her to fight but then leaving. I'm unsure.. about that one. There was another, one that matched Odin's tongue in vile word slinging.. the two blondes were a match made in warriors heaven I'd say.. it was a splendid display of animosity and angst against once another.. simply disgusted at each others existence.


Then there was the spider girl.. I'd seen her before.. yet she was in better spirits even when surrounded by those higher ups of the dark world that existed in the west and in the depths of the jungles to the east. She was a bit upset, saying I should want to destroy her for being a mutant.. while I don't know much of Osrona's past with the Shadowmire, or anything about my own.. I didn't see the reason in attacking her if I could just ask her not to cross the bridge or attack anyone around it. She was resilient, trying to provoke me to swing.. Much like Mitsuhide in a way, so I could relate to what I presumed she was going through..

Most people find happiness in working out, stress eating, painting, going for long runs, or sitting on the beach in the morning.. and then you have those who find joy in violence. Those are the ones that are hurting most or have no regard for life. It's always one or the other. I couldn't quite tell which she was, only that she grew frustrated with me not taking the bait, so I invited her to attack me if that's what she wanted. There was no merit in simply attacking the young mutant.. I recall being shot for my arrogance once before, but that was because I did not finish the job, now? My eyes never leave a potential threats form. 

We fought, and she was powerful really I'd never fought a mutant before so this was new to me. The blindness? It wasn't, I knew generally that most were preparing something big when they blinded me, so I use their smell to rush in and thwart those plans. Yet, that wasn't the case with her. Those claws, I'd never seen anything so vile like it before. The pain and speed at which they raked my body was ungodly.. something demonic. I can still feel my chest seething with pain. I had to respect her power, so I gave her my all. Striking relentlessly as I would any other, cladding my body in metal to try and soften the blow if I were grazed while dancing around the battle field. 

Poisonous bogs suffocated me for a bit, but my sights had already been set on her. I erupted the earth beneath her feet and coated my staff in nyeshk alloys, I hit her so hard across her head I was certain she would be content with this defeat. I tried to pay her some respect, bowing after we'd fought fairly, giving it our all..


Yet that just angered her more.. I hope she's not too upset with the Osronan's for my actions.. perhaps I need an ethics class.


- Son K

Closing his journal he begins to chatter with some foot travelers about the whereabouts of a mine. He notices an Achyon style hat but after some explaining he learns they bought the hat. Hopefully they weren't lying, maybe he was too gullible.

"I wonder what adventure awaits me today.." he says walking back and forth on the bridge.

[Gold]

Uncertainty

"There is a lot on my mind as I lay here, bloodied, dirtied, injured by the very demons of the night. Vampires by name, but demon seems so fitting to call such creatures. I'll always be proud of Mitsuhide. He's a friend I can depend on, so in my final moment's I was glad to have given him a friendly smile to look at in the crowd of fangs."

- Son K

With little to no time to spare, the short excerpt is clawed crudely, stained with blood onto the back cover of the book. The cell door opens slowly and the book is left behind...