Spoiler: READ THIS FIRST! NOTE: I just have random ideas about storylines and like writing short stories / novels about anything at all. This story is mainly based on some NPCs and characters from the Maple World but includes my OWN PERSONAL additional twist to it. Just to be clear! Let me know what you think! Enjoy! CHAPTER ONE : THE LEGO LAND "For the Goblins! I am finally going home!" Poof, The sound of his jump bursts across the air along with his screamed as Cray leaped out of the magical lego ship. With almost a perfect landing, he turned his head back at the ship winking at Regulus and Jess. "He's getting the hang out of it..." The Swordmaster Regulus whispered to himself with a tiny smirk as he landed gracefully on the ground, with his Red Katana still on his hand. It was obvious that Cray just discovered Flash Jump fairly recently and had not mastered it just yet. Jess, noticing Regulus' smirk, smiled as well and raised her Nocturnal Staff high to the sky, waving it as she cheers with along with Cray. "Let's Goooo~!" The three of them, a team together had just spent the last hour talking about how nervous Cray was. It has however been five years since he had saw his mother, with only communicating to her via Feather, his personal Owl Spirit. "Welcome to Ludibrium!" Mel, the lady working on the ticket booth greeted the trio as they walked towards the town. "How have you been? It's been so long! Do you remember me? Cray from the Korean Folk Hana Clan!," responded Cray with his usual burst of energy, leaning his face closer to Mel so that she could have a better look at him. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't recognize you. There has been hundreds of travelers boarding this ship every week, so I won't be able to remember all of you..." With a shy voice, Mel retreated with a little blush as Cray's face was literally just inches away from her. "Ah that's fine! I suppose you won't remember me because I have gotten a little upgrade on my suit!" Flashing his golden Shinobi Bracer and his newly obtained Dark Scorpio top which was gifted from Nuri The Fairy, the Weapon Dealer at Orbis, Cray was seemingly proud of himself. "See ya, Mel! Jess hurry up!" "C...Coming!" With her little sweet voice, she rushed quickly towards them while putting her hand on her Brown Apprentice Hat. "S...Sorry, I was just enjoying the view! It's... It's my first time here and I am so excited!" Jess, sparkles in her eyes stared at the majestic clock tower in a distance, seemingly awaiting for their arrival. Regulus, with his usual deep voice, prompted, "Master Cray, we should write a letter to Lady Myeong to inform of our safety." "Yes! I was just thinking that too!" Heading towards the center of Ludibrium, the voice of chatters among travelers and Ludi citizens filled the toy-like environment with joy. "There's so many people here too! It's... it's just like Orbis!" Jess was more than happy to see the traffic of people but a sense of fear crawls under her skin as she presses her hat down, covering her face. Cray put his hand across Jess' shoulders and said, "Well, there used to be more people here, believe it or not! There are some things that have changed too! Look over there! There wasn't a Weapon Store the last time I was here... Hmm, I guess everyone is getting stronger these days, huh..." Noticing that Regulus was unusually quiet, Cray asked, "What's wrong, Sensei?" He responded, "Something feels weird." Cray asked, "What is it? The slide over here looks certainly fun!" "Not that, Master Cray..." Regulus was breathing heavier, chasing his thoughts in his head. "Mr. Regulus, do... do you need some Potions or Antidotes perhaps? I... I can get some..." Jess was cut off, "No. it's fine Jess. I am fine. Thank you for worrying." "Ahh hello there, Red-hair Boy!" An unfamiliar voice struck Regulus as his eyes wide open. 'Could it be?!' Yes! Regulus turning his head towards the direction of the sound, seeing the old lady he was expecting with her granny voice. "Lady Eurek!" Regulus rushed towards the alchemist and gave her a warm loving hug as swiftly as he could. "Who's that?" Cray put his hands on his lips covering to Jess' left ear. "I... I don't know," Jess was clueless as well. Cray added, "And Regulus... a boy? He's old enough to have grandchildren already." "Lady Eurek, it's been decades since I have met you! Back in Sleepywood! How have you been?" Regulus with a little tremble of excitement in his tone on voice leaves Cray and Jess confused. He was never that excited for anything... not even meeting his own sister. "Hohoho, don't you worry about me, Red-Hair Boy, I have been very well, better than the last time I saw you too!" With a smile on her face, she was right indeed. The Swordsman gave the old lady a closer inspection and noticed that her wrinkles on her face were gone. "You look... younger," Regulus was confused for a moment, "Have you managed to make the spell you wanted?" "Oh no, sadly I have yet to do so. But living in this magical town seems to be helping my progress a lot!" Eurek was very happy to share her love towards Ludibrium. Peaking behind Regulus, Eurek voiced, "I see you have two friends with you!" Just realizing that he had totally forgotten about the two, Regulus quickly introduced, "Ah.. yes! This is Jess from The Cold Mines and Cray from Korean Folk Town." Looking at the two, "Meet Lady Eurek the alchemist." "It's nice to meet you, Lady Eurek!" Cray offering his warm hands for a shake, and the old lady kindly accepts it. "I'm... I'm happy to meet you too!" Jess voiced out but quickly retreated a little as she finishes her sentences. The alchemist responded, "Good to see you both too!" Reminded that Cray needed to write a letter to his mother, Myeong, Eurek took them to the top of the Clockwork Tower to summon his Owl Spirit. "... will leave Ludibrium in two days and see you then! Love you Mom!... by Cray..." Signing off his name as he finishes his letter, he calls for Feather and off he goes. It was getting dark and the trio needed some place to settle in the meantime. Lady Eurek found a place at the corner of the town near the Eos Tower. There, they settled in temporarily after visiting the most of the town with Eurek as the tour guide. Thank the Goblins that she didn't mind. It was certainly a fun day for all of them, especially Cray and Jess. Soon she left them to themselves at the house as she waved goodbye, heading towards the other side of the town. Cray was still annoyed that he didn't manage to explore the part of the town near Helios Tower, so he said, "Let's get some sleep! Tomorrow we still got some exploration to do!" Jess was equally as hyped as she agreed with Cray, "Yes... Yes!" However, Regulus couldn't. "That feeling, has gotten stronger..." He scratches his red hair with his left arm as he clenches his right fist onto his katana as if he was having a nightmare. 'But... Regulus fears nothing. But... but why?' An unfamiliar shivering voice from Cray, "What... is it? What in the Goblins is it, Sensei?"
CHAPTER TWO : THE AURA OF A NEW BOSS? "It's definitely a monster... A very powerful monster..." Regulus bit his lips as those words spewed out. Confused yet in disbelief, Cray responded, "Monster?... Like the one in Orbis? Eliza?..." "No... Much much stronger..." Regulus stood up from his chair as he swung his katana across the air, "A boss-level monster..." Cray with his eyes opened wide tilted his head backwards, "Here in Ludibrium? Don't be silly, Sensei! There's nothing else but lego here! The monsters here are not too dangerous too, even Jess could handle it by her self... right?" Silence occupied the room for a short instance. Regulus then replied with a relief sigh, "It's gone now." Wishing that he was wrong and that feeling was just his misjudgment, the swordsman agreed to take a rest for the night. After all, he was not a mage - the surge in MP field across the town might be wrongly detected. The last time Regulus sensed the power of a strong being was back in Orbis, when they were fighting against Eliza. It was believed that all adventurers with the power level above 120 will develop abilities which will detect danger, in order to protect the rest of the people in the Maple World. The very next morning, the trio headed towards the direction of the Helios Tower. Adventurers from all around the world can be seen even clearer thanks to the glorious morning sunlight. Theives, Warriors, even Pirates! "Help me please!" A boy who was slightly younger than Cray was roaming around with panic written all over his face. Begging from one adventurer to another, the boy eventually reached Cray's leg. "Please adventurer! Help me please!" "What's wrong?" Cray asked, he'd never seen anyone so desperate of help in a while. The boy's face reminded him of himself back then. "My brother... He's missing! Please help me find him!" "What happened?" Cray was very concerned. Regulus stepped forward and question, "Young warrior, was it yesterday?" It was easy to spot a warrior, holding a Maple Glory Sword - that boy was definitely on the same path as Regulus'. "Yes... how'd you know that?" Surprised but yet still begging, "Please save him, master swordsman!" Regulus knew it somehow. There was definitely an intense fight somewhere near Ludibrium yesterday. "I'll help you find -" "There's no need for that," an old but stern voice cut through his little heroic speech. "Your brother is gone." There she was, Lady Eurek with her wooden staff swinging around on her hand, thudding the ground with a faint of disappointment. The saddened boy only felt even more despair as he turned his body towards the alchemist. "Don't you dare say THAT about my BROTHER!" As he swings his sword with a power slash. Ting! The sound of his blade clashes with the red katana, the sparks went away and the boy had a clearer vision. It was Regulus. The crowd stopped and circled them from afar, wondering what was happening. It's not usual seeing Adventurers fighting each other. "I won't allow you to hurt her, young warrior," Regulus finished his words as he pushes the maple glory sword back against the boy. "WHY?" The boy cried further. Eurek, with her tone being as cold as ice murmured, "He's too weak." "WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE'S TOO WEAK?!" Raged. Pushing Regulus all the way aside with all his might, his eyes blinked with fire - motioned towards Eurek for a killing blow. "Stop!" Cray threw two razor sharp steelies just before he took a step forward to stop his actions. He did not intend to hurt that boy, but it took him no choice. Cray was not about to witness a murder. Jess on the other hand was hiding behind Cray holding tightly to her Nocturnal Staff with both her tiny hands. "Magic Guard," Eurek summoned a fairy to bless a protection skill towards her. "I didn't think this was necessary. But just in case," the alchemist uttered. Confused if she was a friend or foe, Cray asked the alchemist, "What do you know about his brother?" "Pa --- Hmm... forget it." She retracted what she was about to say and looked at Regulus, "Red-Hair Boy, you have grown a lot. For this matter, I suggest you not to interfere yourself into it. Or else, this will be the last time we will meet." As she finished her lines, she turned and walked away from the four. "STOP! I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU!" The boy screamed but a red katana was in his way. Regulus was not letting the boy get to Eurek. With a warm pat on his shoulder, Cray comforted him, "Save your breathe, if that old lady won't help you, we will! After all, we are all adventurers, right?" Jess was in agreement and she was ready to help the boy. Regulus however, was speechless after listening to what Eurek said. It bothered him but the four decided to head back to the house they stayed. After the boy's emotions were calmed, he explained the whole story from the start to the three adventurers. It appears that the elder brother was helping a guild yesterday to find some missing soldiers deep below Ludibrium. He promised to be back by sunrise, but he did not. His brother was not one who breaks promise easily so something bad must have happened. "My... name's Darco, from Perion, Victoria Island," the boy finally introduced himself to the three. "Let's go save your brother! I'm sure we can do it!" With positivity blasted upon Darco, he finally had a little hope and smiled, "Yes!"
