The Rostical Users - Sceldrant's Comet

by Michael Rogers

  Ashton: "I will leave you to it then."

  Alicia: "Th-Thank you."

  Ashton: (I have a feeling this is going to be another long day.) *He left the room and walked back into his own.*

  Lance: "Aha, did ya see it jump?" *He stared at Ashton and stuck out his tongue.*

  Ashton: "Come on, Lance, let's get ready, and-" *He paused, as he wiped sleep under his eyes.*

  Lance: "And?"

  Ashton: "Try to be a little nicer to her."

  Lance: "Pshht, why?"

  Ashton: "She knows where to go, we don't."

  Lance: "Fine." *He moaned like a child and rolled his eyes.*

  Ashton: *He noticed Lance waiting for him to get ready.* "So, should we wait for Alicia then?"

  Lance: "Wateva." *He left the room and started to make his way outside the Inn.*

  Ashton: *He collected all their belongings and followed Lance outside.* "So, how are you feeling, Lance?"

  Lance: "Feeling? Just wanna go home, gah." *He stopped near the plaza looking uncomfortable.* (Home..)

  Ashton: *He folded his arms and patiently waited.* "Me too."

  Lance: *He jumped up and down and started to walk in circles.* "..."

  Ashton: (A little side of me was hoping I'd wake up-) *He closed his eyes and sighed in thought.*

  Lance: "So wat are we actually doin' that will help us find a way home?"

  Ashton: *He opened his eyes and looked at Lance.* "When the elder said that Surpreon was the biggest city, I figured that, if we needed information or answers, that's where we should start to look."

  Alicia: *She opened the Inn door and noticed Ashton and Lance waiting.* "I-I'm sorry to keep you waiting." *She skipped up to the party and pulled out a map, unrolling it.*

  Ashton: (She brought a map, excellent-)

  Alicia: "So our next stop will be-" *She ran her finger along the map and nodded her head.* "The Library, but we'll need to go through The Igloo Forest-"

  Lance: "Wat if we run into any of them Scoldrants?"

  Ashton: (He's right, I've been worrying about that too.)

  Alicia: "Cliff." *She whispered to herself and tilted her head down to the ground.* "I-I suppose, we'll just have to flee."

  Ashton: (We'd have no choice but to make a run for it.)

  Lance: "So, we're gonna run like little girls? Pssht."

  Ashton: "There's no other option."

  Lance: "I know." *He folded his arms and looked away.*

  Ashton: *He glanced at Alicia, covering up his concern.* "What's so special about this library?"

  Alicia: "It's a place where everything is stored." *She spoke with amazement, as she rolled the map back up.*

  Ashton: "Everything is stored? What gets stored?"

  Alicia: "All information, like discoveries, history, and even how to use Rostical."

  Lance: (Yes! We can find our way home.) *He rubbed his hands together with excitement.*

  Ashton: "Excellent, shall we get going then?"

  *Lance and Alicia nodded their heads in response and the party walked towards Igloo Forest.*

  Alicia: "Th-The Igloo Forest is just beyond AriAri's exit."

  Villager: *She watched the party leave the village, causing her to run slightly faster.* (I nearly missed them-)

  Lance: *He turned around and noticed the villager.* "The same chick that offered them rooms."

  Ashton: "Hello."

  Villager: *She tried to catch her breath, causing Lance to sigh with impatience.* "I just wanted to say thank you again for yesterday."

  Ashton: "Like I said before, it's fine-"

  Villager: "If it weren't for you all, many of my villagers may have passed away, so please." *She straightened her arms and presented a ball shaped object, wrapped in sheets.* "Please accept this as a token of our appreciation."

  Lance: "Th-Thanks?" *He paused and looked confused.*

  Villager: *She noticed Ashton and Alicia shaking their heads, as if they couldn't accept the gift.* "If you don't accept this, it would be a sign of great disrespect."

  Ashton: "If it will cause disrespect, then we have no choice." *He smiled with gratitude.*

  Villager: "If you all would excuse me, there are people that I must attend to." *She placed the object in Lance's hands and started to walk backwards.*

  Alicia: "Th-Thank you very much." *She watched the villager walk into the village out of her sight.*

  Lance: *He unravelled the sheets, revealing a yellow transparent orb.* "Aye?"

  Villager: *She closed the Inn door behind her and sighed with relief.* (A lady with long black hair gave me that orb, saying to give it to people in strange garments-)

  Lance: *He moved the orb up and down and stared through it like a child.* (I get that same strange feeling I got from the crystal-)

  Ashton: "It fits perfectly in your hand."

  Lance: "Yea." *He mumbled to himself, as he continued to inspect the orb.*

  Alicia: "I think it may be one of those Rostical items."

  Lance: "You mean like what that old fart used?"

  Ashton: "Old fart?"

  Lance: "That swirlin' fire thing?"

  Ashton: (Oh, Millard.)

  Alicia: "Indeed, but you would need-"

  Lance: *He interrupted her, by just a raise of his hand.* "You may be quiet now."

  Alicia: "..."

  *Lance rudely walked into The Igloo Forest, causing the party to closely follow.*

  Ashton: *He looked up with fascination.* "So why do they call this The Igloo Forest?"

  Alicia: "For a silly reason." *She paused, as she walked in line with Ashton.* "Because the further you enter the forest, the less sunlight shines through."

  Ashton: "Giving the illusion you're inside an igloo?"

  Alicia: "Y-Yep, that's exactly right."

  Lance: "Ha, how lame." *He rolled his eyes, as he continued to play with the orb.*

  Ashton: "These trees look familiar though." *He walked to the side of the trail and inspected the vegetation.*

  Alicia: "Yes, that's because this is the same forest where we first met."

  Ashton: "Same forest? But how?"

  Alicia: "The trees strand around Hollow Plains and AriAri village."

  Ashton: "That's a big forest."

  Alicia: *She shook her head, as she continued to walk through the forest.* "It goes all the way down to the Great Coast and finishes off where Maserio starts."

  Ashton: "Maserio?"

  Alicia: "It's the name for the hottest and most driest area on the continent."

  Ashton: (So it's like a desert.)

  Lance: "Ah so much has happened in three days, information overload." *He waved his arms up and down child-like, as he growled like an animal.*

  Alicia: "Tee hee, if you're complaining about information, wait until you get to The Library."

  Lance: "Shh, your voice is annoyin', it's so high."

  Alicia: "Y-You're annoying, grottom bottom-"

  *The sounds of a screaming man could be heard, deep within the forest.*

  Alicia: "W-Who-?" *She looked down the poorly lit trail and started to bite her bottom lip.*

  Lance: "Oh how convenient, who are we goin' to save now?" *He rolled his eyes and looked at Ashton.*

  Ashton: "Haha, it's like you can read my mind."

  Alicia: "Y-You want to go d-d-deeper?" *Her voice started to tremble.*

  Lance: "He has to, captain Ashton to the rescue." *He sighed and wrapped up the orb, placing it in his torn up pocket.*

  *Several thumps rumbled the ground under the party's feet, followed by another scream.*

  Alicia: "I-It was the same man-"

  Ashton: "Quick, it came from here." *He pointed into the direction of the sounds, before running over roots and jumping through bushes.*

  Alicia: (His eagerness, he looks like a crazed Scoldrant-) *Lance ran past her, causing her to run after them.*

  Ashton: (We have to help whoever needs it!-) *He raised his arm, hitting a branch away from hi
s face.*

  Alicia: (We're running West to the ocean, strong Scoldrants reside around there.) "Asht-" *She tried to yell in front and stopped, knowing Ashton and Lance wouldn't be able to hear her.*

  Lance: *He ran past Ashton and stopped in front of a clearing.* "Phew-" *He took a deep breath, as Ashton and Alicia caught up to him.*

  Ashton: "You're still as fast as ever-" *He stopped in mid-sentence to catch his breath.*

  Lance: "I hear a beach." *He tilted his head on a side, as he tried to hear it better.*

  Ashton: "The yell came from around here."

  Alicia: "Look." *She pointed to a cave which led underground.*

  Ashton: "A cave-" *He crept closer to the cave with curiosity.*

  Lance: "No way we're goin' in there."

  Alicia: *She unravelled the map and held it close to her face, squinting her eyes.* "I think this is called Concern's Gate."

  Lance: "Wat a stupid name-"

  *A scream echoed from inside the cave, causing the party to stare at the entrance in shock.*

  Ashton: "I don't really want to go in myself, but I think someone needs our help." *He looked at Alicia and Lance with concern.*

  Lance: "We should just ignore the cave and-"

  *Four loud clashes echoed from the cave, causing the party to shuffle closer together.*

  Ashton: "Okay so the plan is-"

  Lance: "Run?"

  Alicia: *She awkwardly breathed, as she prepared herself for the unexpected.* (I don't want to go in there.)

  Ashton: "If we see a Scoldrant or a warrior, we'll run as fast as we can."

  Lance: "Or we can just throw Alicia at them?"

  Alicia: "H-Hey!"

  Ashton: "Let's go." *He took a deep breath of bravery and walked into the cave, causing Lance and Alicia to closely follow.*

  Lance: "Things I do for you, Ash." *He grunted and stayed close to Ashton and Alicia.*

  Ashton: (It's much cooler in here, compared to outside.)

  *The cave was damp and had an eerie green glow, caused by a stream of water on the left side.*

  Alicia: "It looks like the cave gets wider further down." *She stared in front and noticed water dripping from the top.*

  Lance: *He looked up and watched water dance on the ceiling.* (This cave is like from a game-)

  *The party heard footsteps, which caused them to stop.*

  Alicia: (I'm scared. I can hear footsteps in front of us.)

  Lance: (Why am I effin' doin' this?! Damn you Ashton-)

  *Scratching sounds screeched just in front of the party, causing Lance and Alicia to squeal like girls.*

  Ashton: "Sorry-" *He turned around and watched Lance and Alicia hug in fear.* "Sorry that was me." *He lifted up his belt and pointed to the wall beside him.* "It scratched on the rocks."

  Lance: "Oh? I knew that pssht." *He looked down and noticed Alicia in his arms.* "Gah, get it off."

  Alicia: "Eww."

  Lance: *He stepped back and looked away, filled with embarrassment.* "Eww yourself."

  Alicia: *Her face was red and she bit her bottom lip.* (What a loser-)

  *More scratching sounds screeched in front of the party.*

  Lance: "Aha, very funny."

  Ashton: "Th-That's not me."

  ?????: "You guys should leave."

  Alicia: "Eek." *She gasped and covered her mouth, taking a step back.*

  Lance: "Who the-?" *He stared at a man covered in dirt, stagger towards the party.*

  ?????: "I thought I heard someone."

  Ashton: "Hello?" *He nervously stared at the numerous cuts on the man's face.*

  ?????: "I want to forewarn you all, that there is a very powerful Guardian around here." *He spoke in a deep tone, as he glanced at each party member.*

  Alicia: (Guardian?)

  Lance: "So, why are you here then?"

  ?????: "My friend got frightened by something and ended up running in here."

  Ashton: "Excuse my rudeness, my name is Ashton, that's Alicia and-"

  Lance: "Lance."

  ?????: "My name is Holland."

  Ashton: "Would you like some help finding your friend?"

  Holland: "I wouldn't recommend going any further into this cave."

  Ashton: "Why is that?"

  Holland: "It ends up becoming a maze further down."

  Lance: "If it comes to helpin' people, Ashton won't take no for an answer." *He sighed and shook his head.*

  Holland: "We must hurry then. I last heard her over here." *He stopped and stared at six caves.*

  Ashton: *He stared at the caves.* (They look like catacombs.)

  Holland: "I just heard her, let's go in this one." *He walked into the largest tunnel.*

  Lance: "Huh? I didn't hear anythin'?"

  Alicia: "M-Me neither."

  Holland: (I heard her easily.)

  *The party walked down the tunnel and growls could be heard.*

  Alicia: "G-Growls?" *She whispered in fear.*

  *Loud thuds echoed down the cave, causing rocks to fall from the ceiling.*

  Holland: "Quick I heard her!" *He sprinted towards the noises, ignoring the party which struggled to keep up with him.*

  Lance: "He's as fast as a friggin' animal-" *He slipped on the slimy moss and hit the ground.* "Argh."

  Ashton: *He turned around and looked worried.* "Lance, are you-?"

  Lance: "Go!"

  Ashton: "G-Got it!" *He faced in front and started to run after Holland.*

  Lance: "Shit nuggets, that hurt-" *He rubbed the back of his head and stood up, brushing small stones off his clothing.*

  Alicia: *She caught up to Lance and stopped.* "Are you hurt?"

  Lance: "Pssht, as if! Didn't feel a thing." *He stretched and continued to run down the tunnel.*

  Ashton: *He found himself in a large sandy, dry clearing.* "Holland?"

  Holland: *He glanced around the clearing and watched flames flicker in torches on the walls.* (Where are you?)

  *Lance and Alicia ran into the clearing behind Ashton.*

  Ashton: (This place looks different than the rest of the cave or tunnels.) *He turned around and noticed four other tunnels.* (So all the tunnels besides one, ended up here?)

  Alicia: *She noticed a large stone door with several different hieroglyphs engraved on it.* "Wow."

  Lance: "Wat are them markings?" *He pointed at the door with curiosity.*

  Alicia: "It's a glyph."

  Ashton: "A glyph?"

  Alicia: "For Rostical?" *She looked at Ashton, as if he should already know that.*

  Alicia: *She looked back to the door and took several steps towards it.* (I've never seen this type of glyph before, yet I feel like I know it?)

  Lance: (I get a strange feeling in here.)

  *The yellow orb started to glow in Lance's pocket, unnoticed by the party.*

  Holland: (It's gotten really quiet-)

  *An explosion of rocks suddenly blasted from the wall, as a huge metallic Scoldrant stamped out of it.*

  Holland: *He noticed a black dog-like Scoldrant jump away from the metallic Scoldrant.* "Everyone, be careful!"

  Ashton: *He looked up and stared at the metallic Scoldrant in disbelief.* "Good flaming grief!"

  Lance: "Shit nuggets!"

  Alicia: "Th-Those Scoldrant energy levels are very high-" (It's so strong, I'm getting light headed.) *Her knees started to buckle and she bit her bottom lip with fear.* (Is that a Guardian?)

  Scoldrant: *Its eyes glowed an eerie yellow colour, causing it to act violent.* "Geroar!"

  Holland: (What's wrong with this Scoldrant-!?) "Everyone let's run, now!"

  Ashton: "What about your friend?"

  Holland: "She's safe, let's go!"

  Lance: "Ya don't have to ask me twice, come on shit nugget seven thousand-" *He grunted to Alicia before running back down the tunnel.*

  Alicia: "Y-Yep." *She nodded her head and quickly followed Lance.*

  Ashton: "But your friend-"

  Scoldrant: *It
roared again and punched the wall, causing rocks to fall from the ceiling.* "Geroarh!"

  Holland: "Quick let's go." *He pushed Ashton towards the tunnel.*

  Scoldrant: *The ground shook with every step it took.* "Gerr-?" *It noticed Ashton and Holland running into the tunnel, causing it to trample towards them.*

  *The black dog-like Scoldrant chased after the party.*