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This is what I came up with.  I think it's actually pretty good so far, but it needs a LOT of work... and I'm barely a chapter into it. ^^;", "writing": "Prologue\n\n\tAs I sit here in my room, I can hear the fireworks exploding in the night sky outside. The cheers of celebration reach my ears, reminding me of what we have accomplished since I first began this journey. However, my mood is more somber, because I know what is to come.\n\n\t Despite the festivity, a close friend of mine (who happens to be a major pessimist,) predicted that there would be military tribunals, civil lawsuits, and trials of all sorts in the near future. I am more of a realist myself, but I agreed with him. There are far too many people out there who have a stake in tearing down what we have done out of greed, jealousy, fear, or arrogance.\n\n\tAfter many days of discussion with my friends and allies, we decided that the most important battle to win is the battle for public opinion. More than anything else, that will determine the course events will take once the euphoria of victory fades, and the governments begin to turn against us. Though I am more than content to never relive the events that lead to this state of affairs ever again, I sit here now to tell my tale.\n\n\tI look up at the Sword of Centuries gleaming in its place of honor in a sword-rack on my dresser, and I am reminded of all the people who were injured and died to bring this peace about. I can only hope that my meager skills in writing can bring honor and do justice to those who laid down their lives so that I could be here today.\n\n\tThe account that follows is the truth as I know it. It is not necessarily unbiased or unexaggerated, but I have done my best to tell things as they happened. I was not there for many events, so for those parts, I had to rely on information I gleaned later, or eyewitness accounts, or interviews with those people who were there to see what occurred. I know this book will anger many people, who will claim they did not say this, or did not do that, but this is my side of the story, not theirs. If I say someone did something, it is because I remember it that way or because I have reliable information that the person did that.\n\n\tThe radio is on somewhere near, and snippets of the news drift in through my window, even over the din of merriment. A newscaster says my name and calls me “the Savior of the Five Realms.” That’s a new one to me. I have gained many names in my journey. Some call me “Starblade.” Others named me, “Crystalbearer.” Still others name me, “The Hero Courier,” “Vanquisher of the Dark Ones,” and more. My personal favorite is “that dumb lucky son-of-a-biyatch who saved the world.” \n\n\tMy name is Kioran, son of Corran. This is my tale.\n\n*****\n\n\tThe city of Solara was a beautiful place, I thought to myself, as I wandered down through the marketplace. The scents of roasting meats, frying vegetables, and baking breads wafted to me from a dozen different directions. Voices calling out their wares mixed with the chatter of bargain-hunters bartering and haggling for the best deals they could get. I felt comfortable here, and for the briefest moment I considered maybe finding a place in the city that I could use on occasion.\n\n\tUnfortunately, the empty money bag on my belt reminded me why I was here in the first place. Unlike the citizens and shoppers, I was not here for food or crafts, but to find someone. I turned a corner and found my way down a crowded street, barely able to weave around the wagons and stalls filled with fresh produce. Ignoring the vendors as they tried to sell me their wares, I concentrated instead on following the trail of my quarry.\n\n\tAs I passed one vendor whose cart was decked out in mirrors of various shapes and sizes, I caught a glimpse of myself. Bright blue-green eyes stared out at me from a face covered in fur, orange with dark blue stripes. A long mane of spiky silver hair cascaded down to my mid-back, granting me a slightly feminine appearance. I had an almost canine muzzle, with a black triangular nose. Foot long triangular ears poked out from my hair. I wore a green tunic, a light black leather belt around my waist. Long black leggings and green leg-cuffs covered the lower half of my body, and a well-worn pair of black boots protected my feet from the rough gravel beneath. A long black cloak draped off my shoulders. Black gloves with the fingers cut off covered the palms of my hands. At my waist, a mid-length sword was strapped. It was nothing special, but enough to serve my purposes.\n\n\tI suddenly realized I was drawing looks from the people around me. Solara is the largest city on the Arana Plateau, a vast frontier expanse between the human nation, Arana, and the Dwarven kingdom of Krunar. Kegawa (known by the other races as “Beastmen,”) like myself are not unknown in these parts, but we are not exactly common either. To draw a little less attention, I pulled the hood of my cloak over my head, obscuring me from view. There is nothing I could do about the big, bushy tail that swished behind me except try to keep it hidden under my cloak the best I could. \n\n\tWith senses far beyond a human’s limited abilities, I followed my target’s path down a winding street, when I found he had ducked into an alleyway. I frowned, pausing in my pursuit for a moment. If my prey had discovered I was after him, this might make things much harder for me. I prided myself on my ability to follow a target unerringly from one place to another on instinct alone, and it did not fail me now as I walked slowly into the alley. I kept my hands high and away from my sword, walking slowly and casually to be as non-threatening as possible. Sure enough, my target was talking with someone at the end of the alley. They looked up at me and glared as I approached.\n\n\t“Hey! You following me?!” my target growled, an older human, burly with scars on his face and arms. His companion must have had some troll blood in him, because he was as wide as I was tall, and pure muscle. Despite that, I was less than threatened. Muscle is overrated.\n\n\t“Yes, I am following you,” I replied in a neutral tone, deciding that honesty was the best policy.\n\n\t“You’d better move along, fuzzball, if you don’t wanna lose some parts…” the troll-man growled. I ignored him, letting the insult slide off me.\n\n\t“Are you Rucar Alvin?” I asked my quarry. He narrowed his eyes, frowning, his hand reaching down to draw a dagger from his belt.\n\n\t“Who’s askin’?” he rumbled. I reached under my cloak as slowly as I could, as I did not want to start a fight with them. Unfortunately for me, the troll must have thought I was reaching for a weapon, because he suddenly threw a fist the size of a ham at me. I let out a yelp of surprise, but caught myself and leaned against the wall. The alley was the last place I wanted to start a fight, with narrow walls hemming me in. My companions did not seem to care, as they approached me.\n\n\tI decided to take care of them one at a time. The troll-man first, because he’d be the easiest. His bulk made him slow and awkward. As he threw another punch at me, I neatly sidestepped out of the way, avoiding the blow by a mere inch. I reached up, grabbed his arm, and pulled, forcing him to hyper-extend it. Then with a sharp, quick palm strike, I hit his elbow. There was a loud snap as his joint dislocated and he fell to the ground, groaning in agony. Stepping over him, delivering an almost casual kick to his face to reduce him to unconsciousness, I approached Rucar. \n\n\tRucar tossed the dagger back and forth between his hands nervously. I opened my hands, palms out in a gesture of peace, trying to show him I did not want to fight. He clearly did not take the hint as he gripped the blade and thrust it at my face. I grabbed his wrist, squeezing with enough pressure to make his bones grind together painfully. He dropped the dagger involuntarily, but did not surrender. Rucar’s knee slammed into my stomach painfully, making me double over. Before he could deliver a coup de grace, I squeezed his wrist again, making him hesitate from the pain. That hesitation gave me the opportunity to stomp on his boot, likely breaking one of his toes. He groaned in pain, but continued to try to fight, throwing another punch at me. Tired of dealing with this, I yanked his arm hard, lifting him off his feet as if he weighed no more than a bag of shori fruit. Shifting my weight, using my shoulder as a lever, I tossed him across the alley to slam into the wall with a solid thud. He fell to the ground, groaning.\n\n\tSighing heavily, not even breathing hard, I reached into my cloak and pulled free a scroll. I kneeled down beside Rucar, looking down at him.\n\n\t“…Now, as I was TRYING to say before you decided to be stupid… I’m a process server, and you are being sued for alimony. These are your court papers, and if you don’t show up on the court date, you will be arrested for contempt,” I growled. He groaned in something other than pain as I shoved the papers against his chest. I walked away, sighing again.\n\n*****\n\n\tMy job as a process server was just the latest of about two-dozen odd jobs I had been doing since I left my home country of Komori. It certainly was the least glamorous. More often than not, when a person found out they were getting a subpoena; they’d either try to run away or try to kill me. That was one of the reasons that I was hired so easily by the Solaran Court. Beastmen like me are gifted with strength and speed far beyond any human. If my target chose to run, they could not outrun me. If they chose to fight… Well, needless to say, they’d regret it.\n\n\tThe Realm of Ceraesia was a massive continent inhabited by the Five Great Races. The Beastmen of Komori were one of them. The others were the Humans of Arana, the Dwarves of Krunar, the Elves of Faerli, and the Argami of… well… Argami. There were a bunch of minor races like the trolls, orcs, merpeople, Celestials, Infernals, and more, but in general their populations are small and isolated.\n\n\tThe story goes that in the time before time, there were six Gods. I hesitate to use the word “god” to describe them, because it implies that we worship them or revere them in some way, but there’s no other word that fits. Anyway, each of them represented one of the elements, Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Light, and Shadow. Together, they created Ceraesia and the world around it. They then created the many animals and plants to live in the world. From there, they created the laws of magic to allow them to manipulate the world at will. With the leftover materials from building the world, they decided to populate it.\n\n\tFirst, the god of Light brought forth the Beastmen. We were designed to be perfect to fit in with nature. He granted us immense physical powers: speed, strength, and grace. In addition, he gave us a powerful gift, the gift of “nature.” We could command the plants and animals of the world to do our bidding. We fashion all our tools simply by talking to nature. We do not farm, because we can simply tell plants to grow fruit or animals to produce whatever we need. We live in homes literally grown out of the trees themselves. If we are forced to, we can make the plants and animals of the world defend us. However, in exchange for our physical gifts, we were not gifted with magic. While our race has spellcasters like all others, the power of magic is much rarer amongst the Beastmen.\n\n\tNot to be outdone, the Gods of Water and Wind worked together to create the Elves. Together, they made a race whose grace ALMOST outstrips that of the Beastmen. A common misconception is that Elves are immortal, but the truth is that they are simply very long-lived. They live for over a thousand years. Because they live so long, they have learned to enjoy life and everything it brings, making their race the most artistic of the five races. The cliché of the emotionless, all-knowing Elves are nothing but a myth. Every one I’ve met is whimsical and joyful, full of emotion. The Elves were given the gift of “Magic.” While all races have people who can wield the power of magic, all Elves are infused with magic at a core level. It practically seeps from their pores. Whereas most races only have some percentage of the population gifted with magic, ALL Elves are born with it.\n\n\tFrom there, it was only a matter of time before the God of Earth created the Dwarven race. The God of Earth was very frugal in his use of materials and so the Dwarves are diminutive in comparison to the other races, but in exchange, he gave them the gift of “Steel.” Dwarven bones, muscles, and tissue contain very high levels of minerals, making them VERY hard to injure. In addition, they have a natural instinct for working with metal, easily able to create alloys and metals with simple tools that would normally require magic to make. Every race uses Dwarven steel, because it is simply the best there is.\n\n\tThe God of Shadow created his race, the Argami next. A secretive race, they don’t associate much with the other four races… and frankly, we’re not that upset about that. They were given the gift of “Darkness,” an innate power to conceal themselves, others, or objects from detection, even in plain sight. They are also a psionic race, gifted with telekinetic and telepathic abilities. I didn’t know much else about them because they kept so separate from the other races.\n\n\tFinally, the god of Fire had his turn. By the time he came around, there was not much material left to create his race, but he made do, and brought forth the Humans. Humans are not gifted with magic, physical powers, or psychic powers… But they were given one of the greatest gifts of all to make up for it. In order to be able to compete with the other races, the God of Fire gave the Humans the gift of “Spark.” They would have ingenuity that no other race could compare to, mastery of sciences so powerful that to the other races it would seem like advanced magic. In essence, they were given the gift of technology. I hadn’t been to the Human nation yet, but I heard there were wonders there which were hard to describe: chariots that drove on their own power with no horses, buildings that scraped the sky, even giant metal birds that people could ride in from place to place. \n\n\tFor millennia, the five races lived in peace and in balance with one another. While they may not have gotten along as “bestest buddies foreverest,” they at least had peaceful diplomatic relations. As such, it was not a big deal for a Beastman like myself to be wandering around a city of humans and dwarves.\n\n*****\n\n\tI collected my payment from the agency, and bid my adieus. While my time in Solara had been pleasant, it was time to move on. You see, while I did odd jobs like acting as a process server or running errands for people to make ends meet, my real career was a courier. I had a natural talent at getting things from one place to another with ease and expediency, whether those things were documents, objects, or people. I had come to Solara by simple chance, delivering a message from what I jokingly called my “home city” of Syrial. I may have owned a home there, but I could count the nights I have spent there in the past year on one hand. I spent most of my time on the road or in various cities around the realm.\n\n\tAs I left the building, I heard someone calling my name. I frowned and turned around. Other than the people at the agency, there was no one in Solara who knew me… or at least I thought that was the case. I turned and frowned.\n\n\t“Mr. Kioran Corranson?” the voice asked, low and husky. Its owner was an old human male who wore fine clothing, his long grey hair tied back off his face. He leaned on a cane, but it was clear that it was for appearances, a symbol of status rather than for any physical need.\n\n\t“Can I help you?” I asked the man, frowning.\n\n\t“I’ve heard word that you are the best courier in the land,” the man said. I raised an eyebrow.\n\n\t“I don’t make that claim myself, but I’m flattered that someone out there thinks that,” I said, deflecting the compliment. I stood there silently, waiting for the man to explain himself. Part of being a good courier is knowing not to ask unnecessary questions. If he had taken the effort to seek me out, he had a good reason for it.\n\n\t“I have need of your services, lad. You see, I have a very valuable item that I wish to be appraised. Unfortunately, I am not able to accompany it myself, and I wish for someone… trustworthy… to deliver it for me,” the man explained. I kept my expression and tone neutral as I replied.\n\n\t“Sir, I am sure you have great need of a courier, but at the moment I am not for hire. I am headed to the Western Lands and the Elven Kingdom, and I depart as soon as we finish speaking,” I said. It was the truth in and of itself. I did intend to leave as soon as I was done talking with this man. I also was not for hire, at least not to this man. Something about his bearing rubbed me the wrong way. I could feel my fur bristling just from being in his presence. I shook my head, trying to ignore the vibes I was getting.\n\n\t“…I am willing to pay a substantial amount for this. Likely upwards of ten times your going rate,” the man replied bluntly, as if I would be swayed by money…\n\n*****\n\n\t…Okay, to be fair, ten times my going rate is enough to keep me well-fed and very comfortable for years. I mean, the amount I had in my pocket from the process server job was enough for some meager supplies, barely enough to get me to my next destination alive, and that job paid about a third of my normal courier’s rate. It wasn’t as if I was desperate for money, or interested in what the item the man wanted to transport so badly… You believe me… right?\n\n\tAnyway, I found myself in the man’s drawing room in a lavish mansion. It turned out he was Duke Berinsford, one of the Lords of Solara, the rulers of the city. I was seated in a sofa so comfortable it must have been made out of the essence of air itself. Tapestries covered the walls, and a coffee table sat before me. I resisted the temptation to put my feet up on it. Normally, needling authority figures is a favorite pastime of mine, but as a professional, I wasn’t about to annoy a potential client. My tail flicked in irritation as I waited patiently for the Duke to return from a back room where he had gone to retrieve the object in question. A minute later, the door opened and he came in, holding a long parcel, about four feet long, wrapped in brown paper tied with string.\n\n\t“Before we discuss business, my lord, I should tell you that I do not transport illegal items. I am a reputable courier, and I have no intention of sullying my good name, even at the behest of someone as important as you. I have no issue with taking an item without knowing its nature, but if it is illegal, forbidden, or something of the like, I ask that you seek the services of someone else,” I informed him. Normally, the rules of etiquette state that I should have waited for the Duke to speak first, but after making me wait for twenty minutes with nothing to do, my patience was wearing thin. Besides, as a Beastman, I was not technically his subject and I could show fewer manners without consequence.\n\n\t“And I would not ask you to, Mr. Corranson. I assure you, this item is completely legal. I would appreciate a measure of discretion, however,” the Duke replied, not seeming to care about my breach of etiquette.\n\n\t“Of course. If you don’t wish for me to know what is in the package, I understand. However, if during the course of my duties I find that the item is… disreputable…” I hesitated for effect, “I would be required to turn it in to the nearest authorities and would have to give them your name.”\n\n\t“As I would hope any responsible and law-abiding citizen would do. However, I assure you, the item is both legal to own and purchased fairly. It is not stolen or unlawful. It is an artifact from the Precursor Dynasty, and it is quite possibly more valuable than this house and everything in it put together,” the Duke said. I was surprised he would tell me that, but I kept my cool and raised an eyebrow.\n\n\t“And where would I be taking such a valuable item?” I asked, frowning. The Duke smiled.\n\n\t“Not far out of your way, I’m sure. It is one reason I sought you out. It is going to the same place you were headed before I found you. This artifact needs to go to a colleague at the Sorcery Institute in the capital city of Faerli, Raesia,” he said with a smile, his dark eyes glittering. Again, I felt that something was off about this man and this job, but I ignored it. The money was too good and since Raesia was where I was planning to go anyway, I could not give up this opportunity.\n\n\t“It’s a little out of my way, frankly,” I lied, “but I’m willing to take it… Provided I’m compensated.”\n\n\t“Of course. As I said, this is very important, so I am willing to pay a substantial amount,” he said, smiling. For the next several minutes, we discussed my prices and methods of payment. I insisted on at least partial payment in advance as my instincts kept telling me not to trust the man. In the end, I would take the package to Faerli, a weeklong trip on foot, and I would make enough money to keep me very comfortable for a very long time, provided that I did not give myself over to complete debauchery.\n\n\t“Do you need this delivered by a particular date?” I asked, flicking my tail, hoping to get out and on the road… and out of this mansion and away from this unsettling man. \n\n\t“I would like it delivered with haste, but there is no deadline,” the Duke replied, “My only condition is that you do not open the package or allow harm to it.”\n\n\t“I am a courier, sir. I don’t open other people’s mail, I just deliver it,” I replied, struggling to keep the irritation out of my voice. The way he talked to me was as if I was some errand boy who was feeble of mind. \n\n*****\n\n\tThe road to the Elven Kingdom from Solara was long and rugged. It would take even a horse upwards of two to three weeks to go across the wilderness. However, I easily traversed vast distances with loping strides, eating up miles with the speed gifted to my people. As a Beastman, I could run at speeds far beyond anything a horse could manage. I could easily traverse rough terrain by hopping and jumping with speed and agility.\n\n*****\n\n\tI promised you earlier that I would try to tell the absolute truth, the best I can. While I wish I could claim that I charged forward and slain each and every one of the bandits, I did not. The fact is that I would have described myself as depressingly average for a Beastman. I was not the strongest of my people, nor the fastest, nor the most skilled, nor even the most powerful with our control of nature. I know I could easily take on upwards of six or seven of your average street thugs without even breaking a sweat. However, there was no chance I could take on seven hardened bandits who robbed and killed for a living. I was no fighter, and my sword was mostly for use against monsters and creatures in my journeys.\n\n\tI knew all these facts and so I made the only decision that I could. I ran. I ran my fuzzy little buttocks off. My feet pounded the ground hard enough to leave inch-deep imprints in the soil as I sprinted as fast as I could. I did not go far. I suddenly felt a force tangle my feet like an invisible rope, and I tumbled to the ground. I rolled and skidded painfully for several dozen yards until I finally came to rest.\n\n\tI looked up to see a faint glow around one of the bandits’ hands and I realized that he must have cast a spell upon me. Unfortunately, I possessed no magic of my own to defend myself with. I drew my sword, determined to go down fighting. The same bandit laughed and gestured at me and with a loud crack, my sword shattered in my grip.\n\n\tI was defenseless and unable to run. At that moment, I knew I was going to die. But out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a faint glimmer. The brown paper package had torn open when I fell, and now revealed a shining hilt within. It was gold and ornate, studded with fine gems of red and blue. The crossguard was sculpted to look like gossamer angel wings. I frantically scrabbled towards the package. Even if the weapon within was an ancient artifact from millennia ago, it was my only hope of survival. I desperately reached out and wrapped my hand around the grip.\n\n\tWhat happened next, I have never been able to remember clearly. As my fingers closed around the grip of the hilt, my vision went black. I did not lose consciousness, but the world around me vanished. There was a bright flash, and images began to flash before me in a jumbled mix. I struggle hard now to find words in any language that can describe the visions that were lain out before me.\n\n\tI saw great cities fallen to ruin with millions of corpses lying in the streets. Blood flowed down the gutters like rain water. What few people were left were diseased and dying.\n\n\tI saw two great armies facing each other on a wasteland. Men, elves, dwarves, Argami, and Beastmen made up one. The other I did not recognize. As I watched, the two armies charged, attacking each other with a fury borne from hell itself. Weapons of every shape and size slashed, cut, swung, crushed, blasted, shot, threw, and exploded against each other. As the armies clashed, a flash of light filled the sky, blinding in its intensity. A fireball incinerated thousands of troops on both sides, and a strange towering cloud rose up in its wake.\n\n\tI saw\n\n\tI saw\n\n\tJust as abruptly as the world had vanished into a void, it returned. I stood now, to my immense shock, before seven corpses. They had once been the bandits, but now were slashed to pieces. Blood stained the ground and soaked deep into the dirt. It was all over my clothes, in my fur and hair. \n\n\tOnce again, I promised to tell the truth. I wish I could claim I handled this well. I did not. I had never killed anyone before. I had fought to defend packages and people I was escorting from place to place. I had no qualms about injuring and even maiming, but out of chance or luck I had never killed anyone. \n\n\tMy vision went hazy at the edges and my stomach lurched. Unable to stop myself, I immediately ran to the bushes nearby and shuddered as I vomited. Several minutes later, I managed to stop dry heaving and walked out to survey what I had done. \n\n*****\n\n\tI sheathed the crystal sword and did my best to rewrap it in brown paper and string. I would not lie about what had happened when it came time to deliver the sword. I was a professional and part of that was accepting when you made mistakes. Even big ones like using a priceless ancient artifact to slay a bunch of bandits. I secured the package on my pack and prepared to set off once more.\n\n\tBefore I left, I had one last thing I needed to do. I could not use the crystal sword again, and since my own sword was shattered into a million pieces, I had to create a new weapon. I sighed and reached into a pouch on my belt and pulled out a tiny oblong brown seed. I walked several dozen yards away to get away from the blood-tainted ground and found a nice shaded area. Dropping to my knees, I gently dug a hole about two inches deep and dropped the seed inside. I took my canteen and opened it, pouring about a fourth of the water onto the buried seed. I closed my eyes in concentration. I had not done this in a long time, so my skills were rather rusty. I calmed my mind and body by taking deep cleansing breaths.\n\n\tSlowly, I could sense the sparks of life around me. First the animals appeared as bright white flames. Then the smaller animals and insects as sparks of light. Finally, the plants appeared as a warm glow. Though my eyes were closed and my world was shrouded in darkness, I could sense the life energies of every living thing around me as a galaxy of light. This was part of my race’s power over nature. With intense concentration, we could sense the life around us. I narrowed my attention, pushing away everything until my concentration was entirely focused upon the tiny spark in front of me, the seed that rested in the ground below.\n\n\t“Little seed, full of life, listen to my voice. I am thy brother, thy cousin. I have granted thee a home here in fertile soil and temperate weather. I have given thee water and shelter. I ask thy favor. I am far from my homeland and far from my destination and I need thy aid,” I murmured in my native tongue. In reality, I could have said this in the common tongue, or even remained silent, but speaking aloud made the process easier. I repeated the words three times before I sensed the little spark of light growing in intensity. A small smile grew on my muzzle as I realized it was going to work. I began to murmur a series of instructions to the seed, telling it exactly how I wanted it to grow.\n\n\tSeveral minutes later, I opened my eyes to see what I had wrought. Before me, a four-foot tall wooden spire had grown. Broad green leaves sprouted along its length. I gripped the spike at the base and twisted, and with a loud snap, it broke free. Pulling a small utility knife from my belt, I cut the leaves and twigs from the sides and nodded in satisfaction.\n\n\tWhat I had created was known in my homeland as a “Bokkai.” It was a traditional wooden blade grown out of the ground. It was about four feet long from pommel to tip, with a straight blade, no cross guard, and an angled handle. Master Bokkai makers could even create engravings and decorations on the weapon just through their power of nature alone. Mine was plain and utilitarian, but it would serve its purpose. Despite being made of wood, Bokkai could be grown to be as sharp as steel blades by compressing the wood to its limit as it grew, but mine was as blunt as a stick. After killing those bandits, I couldn’t bear the thought of killing anyone else. With this, I could defend myself and even break bones if I had to, but it would be exceedingly difficult to kill.\n\n\tI set off at a quick run that I could easily sustain for hours. As I ran, I began to think about what had happened and tried to work it out. The first explanation that came to mind was that I had gone into a berserker rage. Berserkers are people in my race whom enter into a slavering mindless anger, attacking both friends and foes with unstoppable power. A shiver of fear ran down my spine at that, as it was common practice to mercy-kill berserkers to save themselves from their own conditions. But as I thought about it, I realized it did not make sense. I had never shown any signs of having rages of any kind. In fact, they do not come much more mild-tempered than me. I’m easy to annoy, but very hard to anger. If I was a berserker, I would have shown signs of it as a child.\n\n\tThe second explanation was that I entered an atavistic state and slaughtered the bandits. Some Beastmen can train to enter a trance in which they can enter a feral state, unleashing animalistic fury upon their enemies. They bring a bad name to our race, as we have worked very hard to prove that we are just as civilized as the other races. Unfortunately, that did not make sense either, as I had not trained to be an Atavist and the last time I checked, atavists did not have hallucinations when using their abilities. Besides, I would have used my claws to kill them, not a sword.\n\n\tEven a simple adrenaline rush did not explain how I, an admittedly less-than-impressive courier, could take on seven hardened murderers and kill them while remaining completely unharmed. It just did not make sense. I tightened my grip on my bokkai and ran harder, deciding to focus on my pounding feet and the road ahead, rather than thoughts of blood and death.\n\n*****\n\n\tLuckily for me, it seemed that the universe decided that I had been through enough trauma, and the rest of my journey passed without incident. I soon saw the white spires of the Elven border city of Eloera rise above the horizon. Picking up my pace, I made it to the gates of the city within an hour. I passed through without incident after showing my credentials, and left the city soon after, passing into the Elven kingdom of Faerli. \n\n\tThe Elves made their home, as children of Water and Wind, on completely flat grassland that sloped gently right into the ocean. Their cities, grand constructions of marble, gold, steel, and magical and alchemical materials, rose from the grasslands and the waters. I had been to Faerli once before and had actually tried to buy a residence there. Sadly, home prices were insane, far beyond anything I could have afforded if I had saved every gold piece I earned for the rest of my life. \n\n\tOne notable thing about Elven cities is that the buildings are traditionally hundreds of feet tall. Even the small homes can be dozens of stories (hence the price). The reason for this is that the buildings have to overlook the city walls which are usually upwards of fifty feet tall. Back in ancient times, the Beastmen and the Elves had… issues. It never escalated into open, unbridled warfare, thank Auraelia, but it came close. There were many skirmishes and battles between our races, and so to protect themselves, the Elves began to construct tall walls around their cities. Considering Beastmen tend to have a thirty-foot vertical leap on average, they had to build the walls higher than we could jump. After our races made peace, the walls proved too sturdy to demolish without damaging the city within, and they improvised by building up rather than out. \n\n\tOn a side-note, the Beastmen and the Elves now have the closest ties of any of the races due to the friendship and understanding borne from the conflict. Elves got their appreciation of nature from us...\n\n\tMy travels continued for several days. I had forgotten how sprawling Faerli was and there were few landmarks to guide me on my path. I ran out of supplies about two days before I arrived at Raesia, the Elven Capital. Luckily for me, a Beastman is never left hungry as long as nature hears his call. I called upon the plants and animals themselves to feed me. Admittedly, it’s not very sportsmanlike to call a rabbit into a clearing through Ecomancy, then clubbing, cooking, and eating it… but hunger and starvation was my other option.\n\n\tFinally, the grand city of Raesia rose before me. It was a large city, taking up a good half of the horizon as I approached. Its walls were taller than most other cities, almost seventy feet high, and its buildings towered above me, spires of marble, jade, glass, and gold. Elves have lifespans measured in millennia and it allowed them to master anything they put their minds to. Architecture was no exception, as the buildings were amazing to look at. The city was a literal work of art, no two buildings even remotely alike. It would have been breathtaking if I had not already been panting for air, a stitch in my side as I jogged towards the nearest gate. \n\n\tAn Elf greeted me at the gate. I don’t know how much you know about Elves, but let me fill you in. They tend to be the size of the other races, around 5-7 feet tall. Because of the magic that infuses their very genetic code, they have very beautiful features. \n\n\t“Name and business here in the city,” the Elf grumbled in a bored voice.\n\n\t“Kioran, son of Corran. I’m here to rape your women and pillage your homes… Or pillage your women and rape your homes, whichever comes first,” I said, keeping a perfectly straight face.\n\n\t“REAL business here?” the Elf said, not even bothering to look up from his clipboard at me. I sighed and pursed my lips. No one appreciates a smart-ass anymore.\n\n\t“I’m a courier. I’m delivering a package to the Sorcery Institute. Afterword, I might stick around the city for a few weeks until I can find a new job,” I said honestly.\n\n\t“Thank you. Do you know where you are going?” the Elf asked me dryly, finally looking up from his paperwork. \n\n\t“Yes, I do,” I said. This was a straight-faced lie, and one I’d grown used to telling. Rule number one of being a courier is to always look like you know where you’re going, even if you don’t have a clue. No one will hire a lost courier. I figured I’d wander the city streets, and eventually I’d find a clue to my destination. Considering I was delivering to one of the biggest organizations in the city, it wouldn’t be hard at all. Not like trying to deliver to a home address with no idea where it is.\n\n*****\n\n\t“My lord! Is this what I think it is?!” the Professor exclaimed. I waited, if only for him to finish examining the sword so I could ask him for a signature and confirmation of delivery. The elf smiled and reached down to pick up the blade. As soon as his fingertips brushed the gilded hilt, there was a spark of electricity and he yelped in pain. He drew his hand back as quickly as he could, flicking his wrist to stop the stinging in his fingers. I blinked in confusion, but remained silent and wondered what just happened.\n\n\t“Ouch! Must have been a nasty static charge on it from the paper,” the Professor muttered. He tried to pick it up again. Again, white sparks flew and he shouted in pain, backing away from the sword. He muttered a series of curses of the likes I had never heard an Elf mutter.\n\n\t“…Sir?” I asked. He looked up.\n\n\t“My boy, did you by chance touch the blade at all?” he asked me, sucking on his fingers to try to dull the pain. I winced at the question and answered honestly.\n\n\t“…Yes, sir,” I murmured. I proceeded to tell the story of the bandits attacking me, and how I found myself drenched in blood with the blade in my hand. I made sure to leave out the parts about the visions I saw. Eldrin listened intently and nodded slowly.\t\n\n\t“You said your name was Kioran, right?” he asked me. I nodded.\n\n\t“I go by Kio, sir, yes,” I replied. Instead of scolding me for opening the package like I expected, the Elf suddenly broke into a grin.\n\n\t“It is a GREAT honor to meet you, Kio… And let me tell you why. You seem to be the chosen wielder of the Sword of Centuries,” Eldrin said, smiling. I blinked uncomprehendingly, cocking one of my ears to the side to convey confusion. Eldrin smirked and continued.\n\n\t“This sword you were asked to deliver is called the Sword of Centuries. I have seen this blade once before, several centuries ago. It was wielded by a friend of mine, in fact. An Elf by the name of Aeren. He was one of the mightiest warriors our people have ever produced,” Eldrin explained.\n\n\t“…And what does this have to do with me?” I asked.\n\n\t“I’m getting to that, boy. Be patient. This blade was forged by the Five Races almost a dozen millennia ago as a symbol of peace amongst our races. The Argami provided the crystal for the blade. To this day, no one is entirely sure what this substance is, but it is stronger than the strongest steel… The Dwarves provided the hilt, fashioned with the finest materials they could find. The Humans cut the blade from the crystal, using their technology to hone it to an edge sharper than any blade known at the time. The Elves fashioned the blade itself, attaching the crystal to the hilt, and imbuing it with the most powerful enchantments they could muster…” Eldrin said.\n\n\t“And the Beastmen?” I asked, frowning.\n\n\t“The Kegawa at the time were not gifted with craftwork that would have contributed to the blade’s creation. So instead, the first wielder of the blade was chosen from the Kegawa race, a young man named Rao, I believe,” Eldrin said, impressing me by using the proper name for my species. I frowned and cocked my head curiously.\n\n\t“I don’t recognize the name,” I said with a frown.\n\n\t“You wouldn’t. He was more famous amongst my people than amongst the Beastmen. He was the man who took down the Troll horde that was ravaging our lands back then. Using the blade’s power, he single-handedly defeated over two-thousand troops,” explained Eldrin.\n\n\t“…It’s that strong?” I asked, skeptically. My memory flashed back to the slashed corpses of the bandits, but I shoved the image aside to pay attention to the Elf.\n\n\t“Actually, much stronger. I’d wager it is one of the most dangerous and powerful enchanted weapons ever created,” he said seriously, “Which is why you are in a bit of a pickle, my boy.”\n\n\t“…Care to explain that remark?”\n\n\t“Certainly, after a bit more history. It’s important that you understand what this sword is, since it seems to have chosen you. You see, after Rao wielded the blade, travelling the world, righting wrongs... The Sword of Centuries was lost. With his death, the weapon vanished from records for almost 2,000 years, before resurfacing amongst the humans. The blade CHOOSES its wielder, searching for only those with the potential to be great heroes. It can lie dormant for millennia before resurfacing once it finds its next chosen wielder. As far as I know, there have been at least thirty wielders in the past twelve-thousand years.”\n\n\t“…Only thirty?” I asked, “That number seems a little… small for twelve millennia.”\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Prologue

\tAs I sit here in my room, I can hear the fireworks exploding in the night sky outside.  The cheers of celebration reach my ears, reminding me of what we have accomplished since I first began this journey.  However, my mood is more somber, because I know what is to come.

\t Despite the festivity, a close friend of mine (who happens to be a major pessimist,) predicted that there would be military tribunals, civil lawsuits, and trials of all sorts in the near future.  I am more of a realist myself, but I agreed with him.  There are far too many people out there who have a stake in tearing down what we have done out of greed, jealousy, fear, or arrogance.

\tAfter many days of discussion with my friends and allies, we decided that the most important battle to win is the battle for public opinion.  More than anything else, that will determine the course events will take once the euphoria of victory fades, and the governments begin to turn against us.  Though I am more than content to never relive the events that lead to this state of affairs ever again, I sit here now to tell my tale.

\tI look up at the Sword of Centuries gleaming in its place of honor in a sword-rack on my dresser, and I am reminded of all the people who were injured and died to bring this peace about.  I can only hope that my meager skills in writing can bring honor and do justice to those who laid down their lives so that I could be here today.

\tThe account that follows is the truth as I know it.  It is not necessarily unbiased or unexaggerated, but I have done my best to tell things as they happened.  I was not there for many events, so for those parts, I had to rely on information I gleaned later, or eyewitness accounts, or interviews with those people who were there to see what occurred.  I know this book will anger many people, who will claim they did not say this, or did not do that, but this is my side of the story, not theirs.  If I say someone did something, it is because I remember it that way or because I have reliable information that the person did that.

\tThe radio is on somewhere near, and snippets of the news drift in through my window, even over the din of merriment.  A newscaster says my name and calls me “the Savior of the Five Realms.”  That’s a new one to me.  I have gained many names in my journey.  Some call me “Starblade.”  Others named me, “Crystalbearer.”  Still others name me, “The Hero Courier,” “Vanquisher of the Dark Ones,” and more.  My personal favorite is “that dumb lucky son-of-a-biyatch who saved the world.”

\tMy name is Kioran, son of Corran.  This is my tale.

*****

\tThe city of Solara was a beautiful place, I thought to myself, as I wandered down through the marketplace.  The scents of roasting meats, frying vegetables, and baking breads wafted to me from a dozen different directions.  Voices calling out their wares mixed with the chatter of bargain-hunters bartering and haggling for the best deals they could get.  I felt comfortable here, and for the briefest moment I considered maybe finding a place in the city that I could use on occasion.

\tUnfortunately, the empty money bag on my belt reminded me why I was here in the first place.  Unlike the citizens and shoppers, I was not here for food or crafts, but to find someone. I turned a corner and found my way down a crowded street, barely able to weave around the wagons and stalls filled with fresh produce.  Ignoring the vendors as they tried to sell me their wares, I concentrated instead on following the trail of my quarry.

\tAs I passed one vendor whose cart was decked out in mirrors of various shapes and sizes, I caught a glimpse of myself.  Bright blue-green eyes stared out at me from a face covered in fur, orange with dark blue stripes.  A long mane of spiky silver hair cascaded down to my mid-back, granting me a slightly feminine appearance.  I had an almost canine muzzle, with a black triangular nose.  Foot long triangular ears poked out from my hair.  I wore a green tunic, a light black leather belt around my waist.  Long black leggings and green leg-cuffs covered the lower half of my body, and a well-worn pair of black boots protected my feet from the rough gravel beneath.  A long black cloak draped off my shoulders.  Black gloves with the fingers cut off covered the palms of my hands.  At my waist, a mid-length sword was strapped.  It was nothing special, but enough to serve my purposes.

\tI suddenly realized I was drawing looks from the people around me.  Solara is the largest city on the Arana Plateau, a vast frontier expanse between the human nation, Arana, and the Dwarven kingdom of Krunar.  Kegawa (known by the other races as “Beastmen,”) like myself are not unknown in these parts, but we are not exactly common either.  To draw a little less attention, I pulled the hood of my cloak over my head, obscuring me from view.  There is nothing I could do about the big, bushy tail that swished behind me except try to keep it hidden under my cloak the best I could.  

\tWith senses far beyond a human’s limited abilities, I followed my target’s path down a winding street, when I found he had ducked into an alleyway.  I frowned, pausing in my pursuit for a moment.  If my prey had discovered I was after him, this might make things much harder for me.  I prided myself on my ability to follow a target unerringly from one place to another on instinct alone, and it did not fail me now as I walked slowly into the alley.  I kept my hands high and away from my sword, walking slowly and casually to be as non-threatening as possible.  Sure enough, my target was talking with someone at the end of the alley.  They looked up at me and glared as I approached.

\t“Hey!  You following me?!” my target growled, an older human, burly with scars on his face and arms.  His companion must have had some troll blood in him, because he was as wide as I was tall, and pure muscle.  Despite that, I was less than threatened.  Muscle is overrated.

\t“Yes, I am following you,” I replied in a neutral tone, deciding that honesty was the best policy.

\t“You’d better move along, fuzzball, if you don’t wanna lose some parts…” the troll-man growled.  I ignored him, letting the insult slide off me.

\t“Are you Rucar Alvin?” I asked my quarry.  He narrowed his eyes, frowning, his hand reaching down to draw a dagger from his belt.

\t“Who’s askin’?” he rumbled.  I reached under my cloak as slowly as I could, as I did not want to start a fight with them.  Unfortunately for me, the troll must have thought I was reaching for a weapon, because he suddenly threw a fist the size of a ham at me.  I let out a yelp of surprise, but caught myself and leaned against the wall.  The alley was the last place I wanted to start a fight, with narrow walls hemming me in.  My companions did not seem to care, as they approached me.

\tI decided to take care of them one at a time.  The troll-man first, because he’d be the easiest.  His bulk made him slow and awkward.  As he threw another punch at me, I neatly sidestepped out of the way, avoiding the blow by a mere inch.  I reached up, grabbed his arm, and pulled, forcing him to hyper-extend it.  Then with a sharp, quick palm strike, I hit his elbow.  There was a loud snap as his joint dislocated and he fell to the ground, groaning in agony.  Stepping over him, delivering an almost casual kick to his face to reduce him to unconsciousness, I approached Rucar.  

\tRucar tossed the dagger back and forth between his hands nervously.  I opened my hands, palms out in a gesture of peace, trying to show him I did not want to fight.  He clearly did not take the hint as he gripped the blade and thrust it at my face.  I grabbed his wrist, squeezing with enough pressure to make his bones grind together painfully.  He dropped the dagger involuntarily, but did not surrender.  Rucar’s knee slammed into my stomach painfully, making me double over.  Before he could deliver a coup de grace, I squeezed his wrist again, making him hesitate from the pain.  That hesitation gave me the opportunity to stomp on his boot, likely breaking one of his toes.  He groaned in pain, but continued to try to fight, throwing another punch at me.  Tired of dealing with this, I yanked his arm hard, lifting him off his feet as if he weighed no more than a bag of shori fruit.  Shifting my weight, using my shoulder as a lever, I tossed him across the alley to slam into the wall with a solid thud.  He fell to the ground, groaning.

\tSighing heavily, not even breathing hard, I reached into my cloak and pulled free a scroll.  I kneeled down beside Rucar, looking down at him.

\t“…Now, as I was TRYING to say before you decided to be stupid…  I’m a process server, and you are being sued for alimony.  These are your court papers, and if you don’t show up on the court date, you will be arrested for contempt,” I growled.   He groaned in something other than pain as I shoved the papers against his chest.  I walked away, sighing again.

*****

\tMy job as a process server was just the latest of about two-dozen odd jobs I had been doing since I left my home country of Komori.  It certainly was the least glamorous.  More often than not, when a person found out they were getting a subpoena; they’d either try to run away or try to kill me.  That was one of the reasons that I was hired so easily by the Solaran Court.  Beastmen like me are gifted with strength and speed far beyond any human.  If my target chose to run, they could not outrun me.  If they chose to fight…  Well, needless to say, they’d regret it.

\tThe Realm of Ceraesia was a massive continent inhabited by the Five Great Races.  The Beastmen of Komori were one of them.  The others were the Humans of Arana, the Dwarves of Krunar, the Elves of Faerli, and the Argami of… well… Argami.  There were a bunch of minor races like the trolls, orcs, merpeople, Celestials, Infernals, and more, but in general their populations are small and isolated.

\tThe story goes that in the time before time, there were six Gods.  I hesitate to use the word “god” to describe them, because it implies that we worship them or revere them in some way, but there’s no other word that fits.  Anyway, each of them represented one of the elements, Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Light, and Shadow.  Together, they created Ceraesia and the world around it.  They then created the many animals and plants to live in the world.  From there, they created the laws of magic to allow them to manipulate the world at will.  With the leftover materials from building the world, they decided to populate it.

\tFirst, the god of Light brought forth the Beastmen.  We were designed to be perfect to fit in with nature.  He granted us immense physical powers: speed, strength, and grace.  In addition, he gave us a powerful gift, the gift of “nature.”  We could command the plants and animals of the world to do our bidding.  We fashion all our tools simply by talking to nature.  We do not farm, because we can simply tell plants to grow fruit or animals to produce whatever we need.  We live in homes literally grown out of the trees themselves.  If we are forced to, we can make the plants and animals of the world defend us.  However, in exchange for our physical gifts, we were not gifted with magic.  While our race has spellcasters like all others, the power of magic is much rarer amongst the Beastmen.

\tNot to be outdone, the Gods of Water and Wind worked together to create the Elves.  Together, they made a race whose grace ALMOST outstrips that of the Beastmen.  A common misconception is that Elves are immortal, but the truth is that they are simply very long-lived.  They live for over a thousand years.  Because they live so long, they have learned to enjoy life and everything it brings, making their race the most artistic of the five races.  The cliché of the emotionless, all-knowing Elves are nothing but a myth.  Every one I’ve met is whimsical and joyful, full of emotion.  The Elves were given the gift of “Magic.”  While all races have people who can wield the power of magic, all Elves are infused with magic at a core level.  It practically seeps from their pores.  Whereas most races only have some percentage of the population gifted with magic, ALL Elves are born with it.

\tFrom there, it was only a matter of time before the God of Earth created the Dwarven race. The God of Earth was very frugal in his use of materials and so the Dwarves are diminutive in comparison to the other races, but in exchange, he gave them the gift of “Steel.”  Dwarven bones, muscles, and tissue contain very high levels of minerals, making them VERY hard to injure.  In addition, they have a natural instinct for working with metal, easily able to create alloys and metals with simple tools that would normally require magic to make.  Every race uses Dwarven steel, because it is simply the best there is.

\tThe God of Shadow created his race, the Argami next.  A secretive race, they don’t associate much with the other four races… and frankly, we’re not that upset about that.  They were given the gift of “Darkness,” an innate power to conceal themselves, others, or objects from detection, even in plain sight.  They are also a psionic race, gifted with telekinetic and telepathic abilities.  I didn’t know much else about them because they kept so separate from the other races.

\tFinally, the god of Fire had his turn.  By the time he came around, there was not much material left to create his race, but he made do, and brought forth the Humans.  Humans are not gifted with magic, physical powers, or psychic powers…  But they were given one of the greatest gifts of all to make up for it.  In order to be able to compete with the other races, the God of Fire gave the Humans the gift of “Spark.”  They would have ingenuity that no other race could compare to, mastery of sciences so powerful that to the other races it would seem like advanced magic.  In essence, they were given the gift of technology.  I hadn’t been to the Human nation yet, but I heard there were wonders there which were hard to describe: chariots that drove on their own power with no horses, buildings that scraped the sky, even giant metal birds that people could ride in from place to place.  

\tFor millennia, the five races lived in peace and in balance with one another.  While they may not have gotten along as “bestest buddies foreverest,” they at least had peaceful diplomatic relations.  As such, it was not a big deal for a Beastman like myself to be wandering around a city of humans and dwarves.

*****

\tI collected my payment from the agency, and bid my adieus.  While my time in Solara had been pleasant, it was time to move on.  You see, while I did odd jobs like acting as a process server or running errands for people to make ends meet, my real career was a courier.  I had a natural talent at getting things from one place to another with ease and expediency, whether those things were documents, objects, or people.  I had come to Solara by simple chance, delivering a message from what I jokingly called my “home city” of Syrial.  I may have owned a home there, but I could count the nights I have spent there in the past year on one hand.  I spent most of my time on the road or in various cities around the realm.

\tAs I left the building, I heard someone calling my name.  I frowned and turned around.  Other than the people at the agency, there was no one in Solara who knew me… or at least I thought that was the case.  I turned and frowned.

\t“Mr. Kioran Corranson?” the voice asked, low and husky.  Its owner was an old human male who wore fine clothing, his long grey hair tied back off his face.  He leaned on a cane, but it was clear that it was for appearances, a symbol of status rather than for any physical need.

\t“Can I help you?” I asked the man, frowning.

\t“I’ve heard word that you are the best courier in the land,” the man said.  I raised an eyebrow.

\t“I don’t make that claim myself, but I’m flattered that someone out there thinks that,” I said, deflecting the compliment.  I stood there silently, waiting for the man to explain himself.  Part of being a good courier is knowing not to ask unnecessary questions.  If he had taken the effort to seek me out, he had a good reason for it.

\t“I have need of your services, lad.  You see, I have a very valuable item that I wish to be appraised.  Unfortunately, I am not able to accompany it myself, and I wish for someone… trustworthy… to deliver it for me,” the man explained.  I kept my expression and tone neutral as I replied.

\t“Sir, I am sure you have great need of a courier, but at the moment I am not for hire.  I am headed to the Western Lands and the Elven Kingdom, and I depart as soon as we finish speaking,” I said.  It was the truth in and of itself.  I did intend to leave as soon as I was done talking with this man.  I also was not for hire, at least not to this man.  Something about his bearing rubbed me the wrong way.  I could feel my fur bristling just from being in his presence.  I shook my head, trying to ignore the vibes I was getting.

\t“…I am willing to pay a substantial amount for this.  Likely upwards of ten times your going rate,” the man replied bluntly, as if I would be swayed by money…

*****

\t…Okay, to be fair, ten times my going rate is enough to keep me well-fed and very comfortable for years.  I mean, the amount I had in my pocket from the process server job was enough for some meager supplies, barely enough to get me to my next destination alive, and that job paid about a third of my normal courier’s rate.  It wasn’t as if I was desperate for money, or interested in what the item the man wanted to transport so badly…  You believe me… right?

\tAnyway, I found myself in the man’s drawing room in a lavish mansion.  It turned out he was Duke Berinsford, one of the Lords of Solara, the rulers of the city.  I was seated in a sofa so comfortable it must have been made out of the essence of air itself.  Tapestries covered the walls, and a coffee table sat before me.  I resisted the temptation to put my feet up on it.  Normally, needling authority figures is a favorite pastime of mine, but as a professional, I wasn’t about to annoy a potential client.  My tail flicked in irritation as I waited patiently for the Duke to return from a back room where he had gone to retrieve the object in question.  A minute later, the door opened and he came in, holding a long parcel, about four feet long, wrapped in brown paper tied with string.

\t“Before we discuss business, my lord, I should tell you that I do not transport illegal items.  I am a reputable courier, and I have no intention of sullying my good name, even at the behest of someone as important as you.  I have no issue with taking an item without knowing its nature, but if it is illegal, forbidden, or something of the like, I ask that you seek the services of someone else,” I informed him.  Normally, the rules of etiquette state that I should have waited for the Duke to speak first, but after making me wait for twenty minutes with nothing to do, my patience was wearing thin.  Besides, as a Beastman, I was not technically his subject and I could show fewer manners without consequence.

\t“And I would not ask you to, Mr. Corranson.  I assure you, this item is completely legal.  I would appreciate a measure of discretion, however,” the Duke replied, not seeming to care about my breach of etiquette.

\t“Of course.  If you don’t wish for me to know what is in the package, I understand.  However, if during the course of my duties I find that the item is… disreputable…” I hesitated for effect, “I would be required to turn it in to the nearest authorities and would have to give them your name.”

\t“As I would hope any responsible and law-abiding citizen would do.  However, I assure you, the item is both legal to own and purchased fairly. It is not stolen or unlawful.  It is an artifact from the Precursor Dynasty, and it is quite possibly more valuable than this house and everything in it put together,” the Duke said.  I was surprised he would tell me that, but I kept my cool and raised an eyebrow.

\t“And where would I be taking such a valuable item?” I asked, frowning.  The Duke smiled.

\t“Not far out of your way, I’m sure.  It is one reason I sought you out.  It is going to the same place you were headed before I found you.  This artifact needs to go to a colleague at the Sorcery Institute in the capital city of Faerli, Raesia,” he said with a smile, his dark eyes glittering.  Again, I felt that something was off about this man and this job, but I ignored it.  The money was too good and since Raesia was where I was planning to go anyway, I could not give up this opportunity.

\t“It’s a little out of my way, frankly,” I lied, “but I’m willing to take it…  Provided I’m compensated.”

\t“Of course.  As I said, this is very important, so I am willing to pay a substantial amount,” he said, smiling.  For the next several minutes, we discussed my prices and methods of payment.  I insisted on at least partial payment in advance as my instincts kept telling me not to trust the man.  In the end, I would take the package to Faerli, a weeklong trip on foot, and I would make enough money to keep me very comfortable for a very long time, provided that I did not give myself over to complete debauchery.

\t“Do you need this delivered by a particular date?”  I asked, flicking my tail, hoping to get out and on the road… and out of this mansion and away from this unsettling man.  

\t“I would like it delivered with haste, but there is no deadline,” the Duke replied, “My only condition is that you do not open the package or allow harm to it.”

\t“I am a courier, sir.  I don’t open other people’s mail, I just deliver it,” I replied, struggling to keep the irritation out of my voice.  The way he talked to me was as if I was some errand boy who was feeble of mind.  

*****

\tThe road to the Elven Kingdom from Solara was long and rugged.  It would take even a horse upwards of two to three weeks to go across the wilderness.  However, I easily traversed vast distances with loping strides, eating up miles with the speed gifted to my people.  As a Beastman, I could run at speeds far beyond anything a horse could manage.  I could easily traverse rough terrain by hopping and jumping with speed and agility.

*****

\tI promised you earlier that I would try to tell the absolute truth, the best I can.  While I wish I could claim that I charged forward and slain each and every one of the bandits, I did not.  The fact is that I would have described myself as depressingly average for a Beastman.  I was not the strongest of my people, nor the fastest, nor the most skilled, nor even the most powerful with our control of nature.  I know I could easily take on upwards of six or seven of your average street thugs without even breaking a sweat.  However, there was no chance I could take on seven hardened bandits who robbed and killed for a living. I was no fighter, and my sword was mostly for use against monsters and creatures in my journeys.

\tI knew all these facts and so I made the only decision that I could.  I ran.  I ran my fuzzy little buttocks off.  My feet pounded the ground hard enough to leave inch-deep imprints in the soil as I sprinted as fast as I could.  I did not go far.  I suddenly felt a force tangle my feet like an invisible rope, and I tumbled to the ground.  I rolled and skidded painfully for several dozen yards until I finally came to rest.

\tI looked up to see a faint glow around one of the bandits’ hands and I realized that he must have cast a spell upon me.  Unfortunately, I possessed no magic of my own to defend myself with.  I drew my sword, determined to go down fighting.  The same bandit laughed and gestured at me and with a loud crack, my sword shattered in my grip.

\tI was defenseless and unable to run.  At that moment, I knew I was going to die.  But out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a faint glimmer.  The brown paper package had torn open when I fell, and now revealed a shining hilt within.  It was gold and ornate, studded with fine gems of red and blue.  The crossguard was sculpted to look like gossamer angel wings.  I frantically scrabbled towards the package.  Even if the weapon within was an ancient artifact from millennia ago, it was my only hope of survival.  I desperately reached out and wrapped my hand around the grip.

\tWhat happened next, I have never been able to remember clearly.  As my fingers closed around the grip of the hilt, my vision went black.  I did not lose consciousness, but the world around me vanished.  There was a bright flash, and images began to flash before me in a jumbled mix.  I struggle hard now to find words in any language that can describe the visions that were lain out before me.

\tI saw great cities fallen to ruin with millions of corpses lying in the streets.  Blood flowed down the gutters like rain water.  What few people were left were diseased and dying.

\tI saw two great armies facing each other on a wasteland.  Men, elves, dwarves, Argami, and Beastmen made up one.  The other I did not recognize.  As I watched, the two armies charged, attacking each other with a fury borne from hell itself.  Weapons of every shape and size slashed, cut, swung, crushed, blasted, shot, threw, and exploded against each other.  As the armies clashed, a flash of light filled the sky, blinding in its intensity.  A fireball incinerated thousands of troops on both sides, and a strange towering cloud rose up in its wake.

\tI saw

\tI saw

\tJust as abruptly as the world had vanished into a void, it returned.  I stood now, to my immense shock, before seven corpses.  They had once been the bandits, but now were slashed to pieces.  Blood stained the ground and soaked deep into the dirt.  It was all over my clothes, in my fur and hair.

\tOnce again, I promised to tell the truth.  I wish I could claim I handled this well.  I did not.  I had never killed anyone before.  I had fought to defend packages and people I was escorting from place to place.  I had no qualms about injuring and even maiming, but out of chance or luck I had never killed anyone.

\tMy vision went hazy at the edges and my stomach lurched.  Unable to stop myself, I immediately ran to the bushes nearby and shuddered as I vomited.  Several minutes later, I managed to stop dry heaving and walked out to survey what I had done.  

*****

\tI sheathed the crystal sword and did my best to rewrap it in brown paper and string.  I would not lie about what had happened when it came time to deliver the sword.  I was a professional and part of that was accepting when you made mistakes.  Even big ones like using a priceless ancient artifact to slay a bunch of bandits. I secured the package on my pack and prepared to set off once more.

\tBefore I left, I had one last thing I needed to do.  I could not use the crystal sword again, and since my own sword was shattered into a million pieces, I had to create a new weapon.  I sighed and reached into a pouch on my belt and pulled out a tiny oblong brown seed.  I walked several dozen yards away to get away from the blood-tainted ground and found a nice shaded area.  Dropping to my knees, I gently dug a hole about two inches deep and dropped the seed inside.  I took my canteen and opened it, pouring about a fourth of the water onto the buried seed.  I closed my eyes in concentration.  I had not done this in a long time, so my skills were rather rusty.  I calmed my mind and body by taking deep cleansing breaths.

\tSlowly, I could sense the sparks of life around me.  First the animals appeared as bright white flames.  Then the smaller animals and insects as sparks of light.  Finally, the plants appeared as a warm glow.  Though my eyes were closed and my world was shrouded in darkness, I could sense the life energies of every living thing around me as a galaxy of light.  This was part of my race’s power over nature.  With intense concentration, we could sense the life around us.  I narrowed my attention, pushing away everything until my concentration was entirely focused upon the tiny spark in front of me, the seed that rested in the ground below.

\t“Little seed, full of life, listen to my voice.  I am thy brother, thy cousin.  I have granted thee a home here in fertile soil and temperate weather.  I have given thee water and shelter. I ask thy favor.  I am far from my homeland and far from my destination and I need thy aid,” I murmured in my native tongue.  In reality, I could have said this in the common tongue, or even remained silent, but speaking aloud made the process easier. I repeated the words three times before I sensed the little spark of light growing in intensity.  A small smile grew on my muzzle as I realized it was going to work.  I began to murmur a series of instructions to the seed, telling it exactly how I wanted it to grow.

\tSeveral minutes later, I opened my eyes to see what I had wrought.  Before me, a four-foot tall wooden spire had grown. Broad green leaves sprouted along its length.  I gripped the spike at the base and twisted, and with a loud snap, it broke free.  Pulling a small utility knife from my belt, I cut the leaves and twigs from the sides and nodded in satisfaction.

\tWhat I had created was known in my homeland as a “Bokkai.”  It was a traditional wooden blade grown out of the ground.  It was about four feet long from pommel to tip, with a straight blade, no cross guard, and an angled handle.  Master Bokkai makers could even create engravings and decorations on the weapon just through their power of nature alone.  Mine was plain and utilitarian, but it would serve its purpose.  Despite being made of wood, Bokkai could be grown to be as sharp as steel blades by compressing the wood to its limit as it grew, but mine was as blunt as a stick.  After killing those bandits, I couldn’t bear the thought of killing anyone else.  With this, I could defend myself and even break bones if I had to, but it would be exceedingly difficult to kill.

\tI set off at a quick run that I could easily sustain for hours.  As I ran, I began to think about what had happened and tried to work it out.  The first explanation that came to mind was that I had gone into a berserker rage.  Berserkers are people in my race whom enter into a slavering mindless anger, attacking both friends and foes with unstoppable power.  A shiver of fear ran down my spine at that, as it was common practice to mercy-kill berserkers to save themselves from their own conditions.  But as I thought about it, I realized it did not make sense.  I had never shown any signs of having rages of any kind.  In fact, they do not come much more mild-tempered than me.  I’m easy to annoy, but very hard to anger.  If I was a berserker, I would have shown signs of it as a child.

\tThe second explanation was that I entered an atavistic state and slaughtered the bandits.  Some Beastmen can train to enter a trance in which they can enter a feral state, unleashing animalistic fury upon their enemies.  They bring a bad name to our race, as we have worked very hard to prove that we are just as civilized as the other races.  Unfortunately, that did not make sense either, as I had not trained to be an Atavist and the last time I checked, atavists did not have hallucinations when using their abilities.  Besides, I would have used my claws to kill them, not a sword.

\tEven a simple adrenaline rush did not explain how I, an admittedly less-than-impressive courier, could take on seven hardened murderers and kill them while remaining completely unharmed.  It just did not make sense.   I tightened my grip on my bokkai and ran harder, deciding to focus on my pounding feet and the road ahead, rather than thoughts of blood and death.

*****

\tLuckily for me, it seemed that the universe decided that I had been through enough trauma, and the rest of my journey passed without incident.  I soon saw the white spires of the Elven border city of Eloera rise above the horizon.  Picking up my pace, I made it to the gates of the city within an hour. I passed through without incident after showing my credentials, and left the city soon after, passing into the Elven kingdom of Faerli.

\tThe Elves made their home, as children of Water and Wind, on completely flat grassland that sloped gently right into the ocean.  Their cities, grand constructions of marble, gold, steel, and magical and alchemical materials, rose from the grasslands and the waters.  I had been to Faerli once before and had actually tried to buy a residence there.  Sadly, home prices were insane, far beyond anything I could have afforded if I had saved every gold piece I earned for the rest of my life.

\tOne notable thing about Elven cities is that the buildings are traditionally hundreds of feet tall.  Even the small homes can be dozens of stories (hence the price).  The reason for this is that the buildings have to overlook the city walls which are usually upwards of fifty feet tall.  Back in ancient times, the Beastmen and the Elves had… issues.  It never escalated into open, unbridled warfare, thank Auraelia, but it came close.  There were many skirmishes and battles between our races, and so to protect themselves, the Elves began to construct tall walls around their cities.  Considering Beastmen tend to have a thirty-foot vertical leap on average, they had to build the walls higher than we could jump.  After our races made peace, the walls proved too sturdy to demolish without damaging the city within, and they improvised by building up rather than out.

\tOn a side-note, the Beastmen and the Elves now have the closest ties of any of the races due to the friendship and understanding borne from the conflict.  Elves got their appreciation of nature from us...

\tMy travels continued for several days.  I had forgotten how sprawling Faerli was and there were few landmarks to guide me on my path.  I ran out of supplies about two days before I arrived at Raesia, the Elven Capital.  Luckily for me, a Beastman is never left hungry as long as nature hears his call.  I called upon the plants and animals themselves to feed me.  Admittedly, it’s not very sportsmanlike to call a rabbit into a clearing through Ecomancy, then clubbing, cooking, and eating it… but hunger and starvation was my other option.

\tFinally, the grand city of Raesia rose before me.  It was a large city, taking up a good half of the horizon as I approached.  Its walls were taller than most other cities, almost seventy feet high, and its buildings towered above me, spires of marble, jade, glass, and gold. Elves have lifespans measured in millennia and it allowed them to master anything they put their minds to.  Architecture was no exception, as the buildings were amazing to look at.  The city was a literal work of art, no two buildings even remotely alike.  It would have been breathtaking if I had not already been panting for air, a stitch in my side as I jogged towards the nearest gate.

\tAn Elf greeted me at the gate.  I don’t know how much you know about Elves, but let me fill you in.  They tend to be the size of the other races, around 5-7 feet tall.  Because of the magic that infuses their very genetic code, they have very beautiful features.  

\t“Name and business here in the city,” the Elf grumbled in a bored voice.

\t“Kioran, son of Corran.  I’m here to rape your women and pillage your homes…  Or pillage your women and rape your homes, whichever comes first,” I said, keeping a perfectly straight face.

\t“REAL business here?” the Elf said, not even bothering to look up from his clipboard at me.  I sighed and pursed my lips.  No one appreciates a smart-ass anymore.

\t“I’m a courier.  I’m delivering a package to the Sorcery Institute.  Afterword, I might stick around the city for a few weeks until I can find a new job,” I said honestly.

\t“Thank you.  Do you know where you are going?” the Elf asked me dryly, finally looking up from his paperwork.

\t“Yes, I do,” I said.  This was a straight-faced lie, and one I’d grown used to telling.  Rule number one of being a courier is to always look like you know where you’re going, even if you don’t have a clue.  No one will hire a lost courier.  I figured I’d wander the city streets, and eventually I’d find a clue to my destination.  Considering I was delivering to one of the biggest organizations in the city, it wouldn’t be hard at all.  Not like trying to deliver to a home address with no idea where it is.

*****

\t“My lord!  Is this what I think it is?!” the Professor exclaimed.  I waited, if only for him to finish examining the sword so I could ask him for a signature and confirmation of delivery.  The elf smiled and reached down to pick up the blade.  As soon as his fingertips brushed the gilded hilt, there was a spark of electricity and he yelped in pain.  He drew his hand back as quickly as he could, flicking his wrist to stop the stinging in his fingers.  I blinked in confusion, but remained silent and wondered what just happened.

\t“Ouch!  Must have been a nasty static charge on it from the paper,” the Professor muttered.  He tried to pick it up again.  Again, white sparks flew and he shouted in pain, backing away from the sword.  He muttered a series of curses of the likes I had never heard an Elf mutter.

\t“…Sir?” I asked.  He looked up.

\t“My boy, did you by chance touch the blade at all?” he asked me, sucking on his fingers to try to dull the pain.  I winced at the question and answered honestly.

\t“…Yes, sir,” I murmured.  I proceeded to tell the story of the bandits attacking me, and how I found myself drenched in blood with the blade in my hand.  I made sure to leave out the parts about the visions I saw.  Eldrin listened intently and nodded slowly.\t

\t“You said your name was Kioran, right?” he asked me.  I nodded.

\t“I go by Kio, sir, yes,” I replied.  Instead of scolding me for opening the package like I expected, the Elf suddenly broke into a grin.

\t“It is a GREAT honor to meet you, Kio…  And let me tell you why.  You seem to be the chosen wielder of the Sword of Centuries,” Eldrin said, smiling.  I blinked uncomprehendingly, cocking one of my ears to the side to convey confusion.  Eldrin smirked and continued.

\t“This sword you were asked to deliver is called the Sword of Centuries.  I have seen this blade once before, several centuries ago.  It was wielded by a friend of mine, in fact.  An Elf by the name of Aeren. He was one of the mightiest warriors our people have ever produced,” Eldrin explained.

\t“…And what does this have to do with me?” I asked.

\t“I’m getting to that, boy.  Be patient.  This blade was forged by the Five Races almost a dozen millennia ago as a symbol of peace amongst our races.  The Argami provided the crystal for the blade.  To this day, no one is entirely sure what this substance is, but it is stronger than the strongest steel…  The Dwarves provided the hilt, fashioned with the finest materials they could find.  The Humans cut the blade from the crystal, using their technology to hone it to an edge sharper than any blade known at the time.  The Elves fashioned the blade itself, attaching the crystal to the hilt, and imbuing it with the most powerful enchantments they could muster…” Eldrin said.

\t“And the Beastmen?” I asked, frowning.

\t“The Kegawa at the time were not gifted with craftwork that would have contributed to the blade’s creation.  So instead, the first wielder of the blade was chosen from the Kegawa race, a young man named Rao, I believe,” Eldrin said, impressing me by using the proper name for my species.  I frowned and cocked my head curiously.

\t“I don’t recognize the name,” I said with a frown.

\t“You wouldn’t.  He was more famous amongst my people than amongst the Beastmen.  He was the man who took down the Troll horde that was ravaging our lands back then.  Using the blade’s power, he single-handedly defeated over two-thousand troops,” explained Eldrin.

\t“…It’s that strong?” I asked, skeptically.  My memory flashed back to the slashed corpses of the bandits, but I shoved the image aside to pay attention to the Elf.

\t“Actually, much stronger.  I’d wager it is one of the most dangerous and powerful enchanted weapons ever created,” he said seriously, “Which is why you are in a bit of a pickle, my boy.”

\t“…Care to explain that remark?”

\t“Certainly, after a bit more history.  It’s important that you understand what this sword is, since it seems to have chosen you.  You see, after Rao wielded the blade, travelling the world, righting wrongs...  The Sword of Centuries was lost.  With his death, the weapon vanished from records for almost 2,000 years, before resurfacing amongst the humans.  The blade CHOOSES its wielder, searching for only those with the potential to be great heroes.  It can lie dormant for millennia before resurfacing once it finds its next chosen wielder.  As far as I know, there have been at least thirty wielders in the past twelve-thousand years.”

\t“…Only thirty?” I asked, “That number seems a little… small for twelve millennia.”

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