Britannia Lives On
------------------

Part I - A New Beginning

It never ceases to amaze me everytime I look at the picture of AoA lining up on the
bridge... and wonder how a guild of evil could overwhelm the people's good nature. Back 
in the days when we were under the rule of Cyric of LG, we were all fighting for justice.
It worked, to a point, but the opposition had grown too powerful, and we had started
too late. Although we had our victories, the one who was to become the leader among us
decided that he, too, had decided to instead gain power over justice, due to the greed
of the young ones who start out good; but Grasshopper didn't abandon the newbies 
completely. He just wanted to know who was with him, and who wasn't.

Killing a thief when you're a good guy turns you red - that doesn't mean it's an evil 
deed. It just means that you killed someone. In the same way, being blue doesn't
mean you're a good guy. It just means you don't kill people who look like good guys.
Thieves are blue, doesn't mean they're always good. The reasoning behind it is clouded
until you actually got to know that person, and find out what happened. It's the only way
to find out why anyone does what they do.

The world was dominated by the reds. Murderers. Wars were frequent, and the ones who
aimed for the virtues were looked past or ignored. Thankfully, they weren't forgotten.
It was a blessing I counted on to be who I was. As a mage, I seek power. I try as hard 
as I can to not use my power against people I believe to be innocent. TnT had gone
into another direction. Since the world was erased, he had lost most of his desire for
adventure, and found a new adventure in herding his animals. TnT had gone from tamer to
hermit, and loved being able to have his own sort of communication with nature itself.
In a way, he had found his own magic, commanding real animals at will. He didn't kill
anyone... he had not the skills nor the desire. Somehow I knew he hadn't given up his
fight for the virtues. For he himself had mastered the one I probably lacked.

Neo had joined Grasshopper, and now lived under the name of Cyrus. Like Grasshopper,
Cyrus also seeked power. He became a member of Chaos so that he wouldn't have to
tolerate the annoyances of thieves and ungratefuls. I must say I didn't think either
of them were doing the wrong thing. It's true I became a little disappointed that they
had turned to Chaos, but I knew from the early stages that fate would lead our lives
to very different places. 

One of us wasn't sure where to turn. He knew his blacksmithing days were over, and
although minkus felt the same way Grasshopper and Cyrus did, his feelings against the
reds were equally as strong. He remembered the day we were massacred at Mt Kendall by
Inffy the murderer, and I don't think he liked the picture of him being the murderer
killing the blacksmiths in the mine. He also didn't want the group to split up, despite
what fate had in store for us.

My name is Quenton. I'm now a proficient mage, although not quite as good a mage as I
was before. My instincts were right when I decided to stay on this world. My other
skills have now grown rapidly and, apart from my magery, I am even more skilled than
I've ever been before. Both in mind, and in body.


Like TnT, I've been trying to lighten up on my magery, and concentrate on the much
simpler things that seem so complex to everyone else. We both knew that knowledge is
power. Chaos is not necessarily evil. Order is not necessarily good. I know there's
an in-between. A balance between the two. It's this balance I feel will change the
world as we know it.

I fear I won't be around to see it happen, as long as I know it has begun to happen.
I don't like to fight the reds, and I don't like to see the blues die. I know they both
have their reasons, and I respect that. There's very few people I've met whom I thought
were truly evil, and I found that when they had few skills in their arsenal, that even
I was wrong about them - and I knew good existed in them, too. It was just that pride
had overcome them - a problem that, with the virtues, would never have arisen.

The life of a newbie was not as hard as I remember. I trained for three days, before 
going back to the main roads of Britain - the training centres were always full. Keldon
had now become better known as Cherry, and it was strange seeing her next to me training
herself up like the rest of us endlessly, hoping to get an edge on everyone else.

Actually, the story between Cherry and Keldon is difficult to describe. Keldon went
almost insane, not able to handle the people's ignorance for what he was trying to
accomplish. Keldon left, and Cherry appeared. He was so mad that he even attacked
me on Britain's west bridge when we were all under attack. He was angry, I hold no
grudges. I trust Cherry as I trusted Keldon, and vice versa. 

At Britain bank, the newbie dungeon had just opened. It was chaotic at first, but soon
it calmed down and witches were hiding up the back. I took myself and two other mages
to fight them. We knew that our spellbooks must be filled if we were to be called
mages at all. Soon, the entire town was racing for spellbooks. I saw my opportunity, and
became a minor scribe. Exhausted and overwhelmed, I made scrolls for more than half 
the town, for the cheapest prices I could. Nobody deserved to lose their skills, and I
did what I could to try make it easy on everyone.

It was a while before I joined a guild or started seeing any wars begin, but I knew it
was inevitable. I recreated ToV, but I allowed more freedom for the people who joined.
I'm not sure I had much success running FoV (Followers of Virtue), but I knew that as 
long as one member remained in the guild, the hope for the revival of the virtues was
not lost. And that's what was important.

Part II - Chaos vs Order

I tried at first to reunite ToV, but I knew this was an impossible task. ToV never
really prospered, and there was little interest in it. FoV would have even less
interest, as I knew people just wanted to fight for Chaos or fight for Order. This
wasn't my motive, and it never was. I knew that if I became a follower of Order, I would
just be making myself an enemy to my friends. Many people became reds, and thus all
were considered chaotic. I knew this wasn't the case, or the reds would've killed me,
too. Sometimes I think most of them are right when they say they are not evil, just
misunderstood. It describes Chaos perfectly.

They always have three distinct qualities. Order always acts on Ethicality, Discipline
and Logic. Chaos always acts on Tolerance, Enthusiasm and Emotion. It's not uncommon
to see Chaos using Order's qualities, or vice versa. It's this wavering that consistently
reminds me that we are only at war because we misunderstand each other, and not because
we hate each other. People get mad at a mistake or action. People don't like people who
get mad. People develop grudges. People go to war, and hate each other. 

Sometimes it's selfishness. They take the goods because they can. It boils down to
petty theft. Other times it's justice. They take the goods because they've been treated
unfairly by that particular person. If the two parties never work it out, this cycle
just repeats itself.

I was tailoring at Serpent's Hold with Cherry. It was going to be the new way to bring
in our money to raise our magery. A new guild had turned up, it was one of the first
Chaos guilds to appear. LordDraco belonged to CR, a hated guild at the time. I was 
puzzled at why I was spared whenever I saw them in Delucia, when I went to get my 
reagents. For that reason, I didn't dislike CR. They were just as good or evil as anyone
else I knew. I was tailoring with Cherry one day, and caught by surprise. LordDraco
attacked me with extreme prejudice, but left Cherry alive. I asked why, and I was told
he was a friend. I reasoned that he didn't even know me, but he didn't seem to care. 
He came twice more, and I didn't try hard to fight back - I wasn't looking for a fight.

However, he wouldn't listen to reason and I couldn't continue my task. I told others
about the dilemma, and they were willing to help me. Soon LordDraco discovered me again
in Serpent's Hold, this time with his friend, Matsu. Matsu's skills seemed far lower than
either mine or Draco's, and all he tried to do was paralyse me while Draco actively
fought. I constantly casted magic reflect, as Draco's primary weapon was lightning.
Draco eventually trapped me in Serpent's Hold mage shop, but instead of finishing me off,
he left to get some supplies, and left Matsu to guard me. I didn't want to kill Matsu either,
as that would just worsen my already horrible terms with Draco. I tried to leave the
mage shop, and as I went out the door, Matsu again tried to paralyse me. Unfortunately for
him, I still had a magic reflect up, and it gave me plenty of time to flee and call for
help. Soon, Hook, Emilee and Eric came to my aid, and now it was a 4 against 1. Draco
fought well, and was able to hold off the four of us. As I ran out of mana, about six 
or seven more joined the fight, and Draco knew he didn't stand a chance. He recalled
away as fast as he could. I couldn't help but smile. 

Later, Matsu was found and killed by one of the others. He dropped a key, and we all went
to loot his house. Being house looted is not one of the better aspects of war when
you're on the receiving end, but Draco needed to know the consequences of killing
people he didn't even know. In the end it was justice. I talked to Draco later, and
he understood my views. We've been friends since that occurred.

You often see evil ones taunting their victims saying "I'm not evil. Just misunderstood."
In a way, I can see their viewpoint. For an evil person to sway a good one, all they
have to do is make them see what they're doing from the same point of view. Likewise,
for a good person to sway an evil one, they must do the same. I must tread carefully.
I feel like a man who has just found out his destiny. I must the make the virtues known
and understood.

And I'm going to die before I see my work complete.


Part III - The Journey

Before I begin, I'd like to warn readers that this section may be difficult to understand.
Either bear with me, or skip past this part.

It'd been a long time since I had stopped mining in Mt Kendall. And I wasn't sure how
much longer my body would let me live in a mortal world such as Britannia. Thinking
through all of this, I was uncertain what was next. I had mastered many skills... all 
the ones I wanted, except my primary skill. Magery. In order to better understand my
skill in magic, I left the towns and the people I'd known for so long. This was no
easy task. Many did not want me to go, nor did I want to leave them. But I felt compelled
to do it. It was the next part of my life, and not going would not be a decision any
good mage would make. I bid my farewells, and left.

About a week or so later, I heard word that someone else called Bob had appeared in 
Britannia. Some people thought that I was him, and he was me. I don't know much of 
what that was all about, but I was sure he wasn't mimicking me, and I understood he
was only around to help people. We were on the same side, and I had no qualms with him.

I set up camp at a cave at a place I dare not write here, for it is only known to a 
select few who delve in the fabrics of the ether. In my studies and meditation, I 
came to understand that magic is not simply waving your arms and speaking incantations.
It is a complete structure. It's not even a simple structure. Not even one structure.

Think of it in terms of the virtues. If one person shows compassion to another, that
other person is likely to show compassion back, or even to other people. In a sense,
you have influenced their mind and their feelings. You've done it so well, that this
person is almost being controlled (do not mistake my words as being malicious deeds,
I am working with the virtues with good intentions), thus it works so well that you
change the way someone else thinks. Think about that for a second. How can showing an
act of compassion be classed as magical mind control? In a sense, it isn't. It is
simple illusion. 

Illusion is the creation of something that is not really there. In this case, the
illusion that is being 'cast' is the virtue of Compassion. Be warned, this does not 
mean that the compassion is not real, only the magic between it. An act of compassion
begets another act of compassion. I cannot say more, for only a wise man can truly
understand this, and even I myself cannot fully explain it.

It is the same with all eight virtues. Every act of virtue is essentially an act of
magic. It's not even complicated magic, it's so simple that even non-mages can use it.
Of course, it is often not necessary to understand magic to use it. 
Perhaps this is where the magic that empowers the shrines comes from. The power to 
recreate life. I think that because I understood a link between magic and virtue when 
I was mining so long ago, is the very reason I became a mage in the first place.

This link also exists with more than just the virtues. Chaos and Order. Balance. Using
these can also be acts of very simple magic. Truth, Love and Courage. Love is often
referred to by those who have it as 'magic'. And that is probably the best proof I have.


Part IV - Gaining Allies

My travels took me to the Lycaeum, I forced myself to learn as much as I could. Looking
through books from authors around Britannia, I turned and saw the Book of Truth. I went
to read it, but instead a blueish light sparked in front of me, and I saw a woman with
blue skin, white hair and her face shone with immaculate beauty. 

"Who are you?" I asked, unsure if she could even speak my language.
"I am Siryn, Goddess of the Seas. I've come to help you further your training." she replied,
in a voice that almost made my spine chill, but with a sense of longing and compassion.
It was evident that she was a peaceful character, and I tried to learn as much as I could.

"What do you do? Why do you approach me?"
She smiled. "I am a clairvoyant. I have seen the future, Quenton. I know your thoughts."
She giggled playfully, as if this was a game, and she played an important role. I
smiled back, I felt like I was playing this scene as if it would change my future. Still,
I was curious that a Goddess had reason to approach me. 

"What do you see? What is my future?" Her smile disappeared into a worried frown. She looked
down, and looked me directly in my eyes. She didn't like what she had to say, but she 
knew she had to say it.
"You have become a fine mage. Perhaps one of the wisest in the lands. But you know as well
as I do that the balance in the lands is not stable."

I had often thought about this. She was right. The wars in the lands were evidence enough
that far too many people misunderstand why they fight in the first place. 
Siryn smiled again. Her words silenced my thoughts.

"Soon you must return to those that you left, for you yourself will be put on trial before
the people." She spoke slowly, and carefully, making sure I understood her every word. 
"Your journey is far from over, Quenton. You are the only one who understands the virtues 
properly in all Britannia."

At this point, against my will, I felt a hint of pride at that fact, and Siryn shook her
head.

"You know your weakest virtue, don't you? It's the one virtue, when lacked..."
I finished her sentence, "...distorts the other seven. I know. I've been working to 
improve it my entire life... I'm always mindful of it -"

She cut me off, speaking quickly. "Seek to be mindful of it more often, Quenton, or the people
you care about will pay the price for your pride." For the first time, she stared at me
with a look that had me almost petrified. I dropped my smile, and became more serious.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked her.

She smiled, probably at the fact I wanted to learn more. "What do you seek, Quenton?"

I hesitated, making sure not to give her the wrong answer. "I seek the truth."

She grinned at me. "And so shall you find it!" She turned around, clapped her hands over
the Book of Truth, and disappeared. I walked up to the Book of Truth, and the page was
open to a picture of a large bird, with the body of a woman. It was a harpy, and below it
was a ritual that allowed a strong mage to tame a harpy, even on its own will. I wasn't
sure why, but something told me that I had to enlist the help of a harpy to succeed. I
raced to the Covetous mountains.

I armed my kryss and shield, and readied my reagents. My time in here would be quick if 
I could help it. In order to tame a harpy, I would have to understand its ways. Strengths,
weaknesses, likes, dislikes, tactics, agility, endurance, and even movement. 

I raced in, past as many harpies as I could, paralysing any obstacles on my way. Often
the best fighting tactics don't involve fighting at all. 

I almost ran past the small corridor that leads to the ankh, but I heard a faint humming
that seemed to be coming from its direction. I walked toward it, investigating; trying to
distinguish the source of the noise. Suddenly, it stopped.

The next thing I knew, I was brushed forward and a harpy behind me started attacking.
Instinctively, I spun around and went to strike it with my kryss. I missed, and it knocked
me back again. 

Something was wrong. I didn't feel like I was fighting another harpy. My combat swings
and blocks had become hampered. All of a sudden, a strange feeling came over me, I dropped
the kryss and shield, much to the harpy's bewilderment. She just looked at me, puzzled,
almost ready to attack again. 

I felt magic coursing through my hands. It was almost as if I had no control over my body,
and yet I had complete control. Behind me was the ankh, and now it had begun to glow. 
I looked at the harpy, and we were now eye-to-eye. I raised my hand in front of me, as if
it was some food that I was about to feed the harpy with. As if it felt beckoned, it came
up to my hand like a magnet, and touched it. 

I screamed. I felt a pain through my entire body. I knew what was happening. The effect
was similar to a bless spell, only far more intense. The result would be permanent.
I don't remember what happened next. I fell unconscious.

I woke up outside Covetous. A woman in a robe was sitting over me, bandaging my wounds.
A boy in dirty clothes was behind her, watching me. 
The healer spoke up. "How you feelin'?"

"I'm fine.. what happened?" I asked a little defensively, but trying to hide it.
"You were almost dead, Quenton."
"I'm not afraid to die," I replied quickly. She gave me a coy look. She probably hears that
kind of thing all the time.

"Jimmy here was on his way to the mines." she gestured to the boy behind her. He looked
curious, but a little shy, and a little scared. A quick evaluation led me to believe
he was a newbie miner in a dungeon of monsters.

"Jimmy, why were you inside Covetous?" I asked him, a little concerned. His shyness showed
even in his words.
"I was trying to get to new mines, built up top! I bin there lots of times.." He hesitated
"I saw you in trouble.. your harpy helped me!"

The healer broke in. "Your new friend saved Jimmy's life. In return it seems that she wanted
Jimmy's help to save yours."

I looked from the healer, to Jimmy, back to the healer. "What new friend?" I asked them.
The healer pointed behind me. "Your harpy friend."

"Ki ki ki"

I slowly turned around. By the entrance of the dungeon stood a harpy. The same one at the ankh.
She stared at me, and I stared at her. 

I remembered everything now. The harpy's name was Taleria. As Jimmy was helping me in the 
dungeon, Taleria was defending us with what could only be magical strength and intellect. 
I had tamed Taleria with magic. 

I didn't know why the Book of Truth had directed me to find Taleria as a new friend and an ally. 
I can understand Taleria's feelings easily, and she seems to understand everything i ask her
to do. I have a rough understand of animals, but I don't know a lot about harpies. They are
half bird, half human, and every harpy is born female. What I do know is that I am able
to enhance communication with Taleria when I am mindful of my feelings and emotions.

I have strong feelings that destiny may be playing a part in this.


Part V - Further Investigation

Before they left, I got up and asked Jimmy what was happening at the top of Covetous mountains.
He explained that the miners in Minoc were expanding to the top of Covetous, in search of
some rare ores. I was concerned that miners are not safe in the dungeon, but he was on his way
to mark a rune at the mine, so that no deaths would occur. I told him I would go with him as
an escort. He smiled and handed me my kryss.

At the top, I took a look at the mine, which was somewhat crowded inside, but had a large
workspace outside, ideal for blacksmithing. Jimmy assured me that they would be able to defend
themselves if monsters occasionally leaked out of the dungeon. I wasn't really convinced,
but they looked smart enough to leave if the monsters did begin to overrun the camp. I wished
them well, and promised to return and visit. 

With nothing left to do, I went back to my camp to train my skills. The only thing left on my
mind was why Siryn appear to me when I went to read the Book of Truth? It's not everyday
a goddess approaches and speaks about the virtues for no obvious reason. 

I turned to Taleria. She was playing with Banana, probably trying to confuse her. Watching
your pets play is what I find to be one of the joys of the world. Everytime I feel joy, I 
feel like something else in the day will come to smite it.

I'm not sure how long this joy will last. My quest for the virtues will not end. I've made
it my mission to show Britannia their good ways. I don't know how to do it, but I know it's 
still within them. Misunderstandings will be a thing of the past. Maybe some people won't
learn. I don't know. I don't think I can fix the world. I'm only one man. I just hope I can
make a difference. At least I know Britannia will live on. If nothing else, it helps that I
will never forget that. Regardless of what I do, this quest is forever.

I watched Taleria for a long time. I hope I can prove Siryn right.