As the sun crawled out from above the mountians, a determined group of four traveled across the open sands toward their Adieo. Ryin and Kyra rode on Ryin's sandworm, while Chaos ran alongside. As they neared their goal, something in Ryin's heart told her that she would remember this day for many years to come.
Once they reached town, Ryin released her beast, but bade him to stay close for he might be needed soon. Then, with the perciseness of a surgeon operating on a person, the three remaining members wind their way through the crowds toward their goal: the Hunter's guild. As they neared the guild, they could see the look of hate in everyone's eyes as they worked. "Excuse me," Kyra asked a passerbye. "Why is everyone upset?" The man gave her a look of bewilderment, then answered slowly "If you do not know, I will not tell you. It is better that young girls should live in innocence than fear." Then, without another word, he was gone.
"What was that about?" she asked Ryin as they continued walking toward the guild. "Beats me," Kyra answered. "Mabye he lost his daughter in an accident or something. I don't know. Let's just get to the guild." "Yes," Chaos interjected. "We should hurry. I'm reading large amounts of negativity from these people, and it seems to be aimed at one focused point I as of yet cannot sense." "Then let us go then," Ryin stated as they left the crowds and entered the guild.
Inside the guild, attitudes were just as low. As they strode up to the desk, they saw that all the hunters wore a black arm band. When questioned, all their fellow hunters would say is, "Go see the front desk." At the desk, the usualy cheerful secretary had been replaced with a new face. "Just what's happened here?!?" Ryin began as they approached the desk. "Well," said the teary-eyed female. "She was murdered last night." "MURDERED?!?" they all exclaimed in unision. "Yes," continued the stranger. "Her body was discovered on the outskirts of town last night; brutally raped and beaten."
"Who would do such a thing?" Kyra wondered to herself. "Well," she said aloud, "We've got a Priority One mission waiting for us, plus we need the money for our last job." "Oh!" the new desk clerk exclaimed as she ran to the back, then returned with a bag and an envelope. "I'm very sorry, hunters Kyra and Ryin. Here is your money, and in the envelope you'll find all the information you'll need, including your contact person." "Well, thank you." They both said as they left the guild. Quickly, they went to the main market, and went directly over to the Tool counter.
The store keepers were all nervous, as if worried about something. "What's wrong?" Ryin asked as Kyra picked up Chaos and started to pet him. "W-w-welcome to t-t-the tool store. How can w-w-we help y-y-you?" the first petite girl called to them. "Well," Ryin said as she strode up to the counter. "I need five escapipes, ten telepipes, six vials of trimate, and four dimates." "Yes ma'am." they called, then practically thrust the goods at them. "Now see here," Kyra yelled madly. "Just what seems to be the problem?" "Well," the girls all three started, "We're all woried that we'll be next to die. I mean, Sandra was our friend." "That was her name, Sandra?" Ryin interjected. "Y-yes." one of them answered. "We all graduated from the same class at the university, and one by one all of the girls haver met the same fate. Now can you see why we're upset?" "Hmm." Ryin thought. "This might be useful to know." "Well, thanks for the information, and we'll be seeing you."
After that mishap, the group decided to go somewhere safe, so they used a telepipe to travel to Krup, then walked down towards the Machine Center where the traveling machines were kept. "On the way, Kyra got impatient and opened the envelope. "Oh no!" She cried as soon as she started to look at the papers. "We're to be bait for this Bastard! They want us to try to lure the murderer out of hiding, then catch him! Who do they think they are?!?" "The guild," Chaos replied as he stretched across the sand. "In their opinion, they are the law and we are their property. Get used to it." Suddenly, a huge structure rose from the ground and opened its doors. "Ah, finally." Ryin started as she strode inside. "Hey, Kyra? Which one should we use?" As they enter, their conversation is lost to the roaring of the base as it retreats back into the sand.
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The church was abondoned, and that's how he liked it. As he strode over towards the alter, he could feel the negative energy flowing into him; empowering him with its pure, untapped hatred. "My child" a voice called out to him. "The time has come for you to claim another soul for me. I can feel this one's potential for good, and it is like a thorn in my side. Tell me, do you like children?" "Yes, master." the sinister man called out. "What is the name of the female I am to claim for you, and where can I find my next 'meal'?" "In the Town of Tonoe," began the voice. "The child goes by the name Pana. But be warned, for even though she is freshly seventeen, her brother proctects her feiercly. He'll be a problem, because he fought with the protectors. But do not worry, for I'm sending you a gift that will enable you to defeat them both easily." And with those words, the curtians surrounding the alter parted to reveal a swirling black whole. From which, an elegently dressed Parnesian female emerged. "I am Thorn," the lady replied as she unsheathed her double-axes. "And I think it's time we paid my home town a visit." And with that, both her and the mistery man join in evil laughter.
Note: Well, issue three is here! For those of you who have subscribed, I thank you. Now, if you like this, tell your friends so they can join in on the fun. Because next issue, I'm going to reveal some of Ryin's past, plus we'll meet some old friends as well. See you in a week. Oh, and I'm also going to start a new "What If..." section starting next week, so tell your friends about that, too. It will be very similar to the Marvel's "What If...", but oriented on the PS games and Fanfics. Also, I'm making a new Fanfic area on the web for any kind of fan fiction. I'll keep everyone posted on the results of this. Untill next time, Power to all PS fanfic Otakus!---U. S. Otaku