I awoke bright and early this morning, much before my usual time and before anybody in their right minds would be awake. I hauled my pack onto my shoulders, clipped my sword to my belt, and descended to the kitchen. There I saw Jenna, the cook for the elder. She pressed her finger to her lips when she saw me, indicating I should be silent, then motioned for me to a seat at the table. I reluctantly did as she bid, and she set a plate of food, some fruit, a cup of coffee, and a wrapped package before me.
     “Eat up,” she said, taking a seat across from me. She propped her chin upon her folded hands and looked at me as I ate, smiling the entire time. When I asked why she looked at me like that she said, “You’re the spitting image of your parents.”
     “You knew them?” I asked.
     “They were good friends of the elder. That’s why he took you in when the accident befell them.”
     She reached into the pocket of her apron and drew forth a silver bracelet and a piece of blue cloth with intricate gold weaving. “They would want you to have these,” she said, sliding them across the table. I picked them up and noticed the cloth was a headband and the bracelet was more of a bracer than anything else.
     “Thank you,” I said, tying the headband on and slipping the bracer onto my left wrist. She smiled and continued to do so as I finished my breakfast. I gave her a hug and kissed her on the forehead before I left.
     As I left I turned back and saw her wipe a tear from her eye. She saw my glance and nodded. I guess she knew what I wanted to tell the elder. I exited the village as the sun was breaking over the horizon, bathing me in the day’s first rays of light.
     As I hiked on the sun continued to rise, the temperature going from warm and mild to hot and balmy. By noontime I reached the edge of the forest and the beginning of the plains. I opened the package that Jenna gave me and found some break and cheese, among other things. I broke the bread apart, saving some for later, and cut off some of the cheese, and sat to enjoy my noonday repast with the gourd of juice I thought to pack. As I ate I ran the past day’s events through my mind.
     ‘So I am to be a Mana Knight, a protector not only of the people, but of the world. This is my destiny. I have a sword and armor and a mission now.’
     As I was lost in thought several Doom Blossoms advanced toward my position. I didn’t notice them until they were too close to avoid. I went for my sword, only to find that path blocked. I threw the remainder of my bread at the blossoms, which they devoured before turning back to me. As I prepared to say my last words a girl leapt from the trees and attacked the flowers with bare hand and brass knuckles. The flowers exploded into showers of petals as she moved, leaving nothing in her wake. Once the flowers were destroyed she looked at me, smiled, and hopped back into the trees. From what I saw of her she was gorgeous.
     This is a description of her: long blonde hair that went a little way past her shoulders, a small pink top to allow for maximum mobility (it had green and gold trim), flowing pink pants with the same trim, pink shoes (notice the trend) and golden bracers. Man, was she STRONG!
     Once I recovered my composure and had sufficiently rested I resumed my journey. After many hours of traveling I reached the beach and the shrine of Undine. I rested on the steps for a moment, taking in the sunset as it reflected off of the ocean before me. As I sat there a woman with long, flowing blonde hair and dressed in flowing white robes with blue and white trim approached me, sneaking up behind me in a stealthful manner.
     “Excuse me traveler,” she said, startling me to the extent that I jumped from my seat and brandished my sword. She looked at the sword and said, “So you are the Mana Knight. Please, come with me.”
     I picked up my pack and followed her into the shrine. We passed through a couple of exquisitely decorated hallways, over a bridge, and up some stairs into a room with an alter which was surrounded by flowing water. In the center stood a single nut of immense size.
     “That is a Mana Seed,” she said, “I am Lucca, the protector of this seed and this shrine. The seals on the eight seeds are weakening and your sword can strengthen them.”
     I followed her directions and mounted the alter, my sword in hand. I held the sword to the seed and both began to glow. A blinding flash of light followed, and when I regained my sight the sword seemed... stronger. I descended from the alter and collapsed to my knees before Lucca, who held a glass of water to my lips. I drank long draughts, feeling much refreshed.
     “Thank you Mana Knight,” she said, “You have gained the power of the first seed and your sword has strengthened. Tomorrow you shall undergo the quest for the water elemental, Undine.”
     She handed me a scroll with a seal in blue wax. Imprinted in the seal was a water drop. She then guided me into a room off of the main alter room. In it was a bed, a mirror, a wash table, and a set of grooming items. Next to this room was a similar room, except more elaborately decorated. This one I took to be Lucca’s. At the end of the hall was a kitchen and a small dining nook.
     “Rest well Mana Knight,” she said as I entered the room that was to be mine, “tomorrow you will have a busy day.”
     As I prepared for bed she brought a try with a glass of milk and a couple of pieces of fruit and bread. This was to be my before bed snack. I thanked her and set to work on the food as I entered the day’s events into my log. Tomorrow I will crack the seal on the scroll and embark on my quest to find Undine. For now I sleep.