Chapter I: Dawn of the Beginning

    

	Arcus Odyssey: Heroes of Arcus

By Long Nguy


	Kara peered around the corner of the dark hallway of the catacomb, 
lighted only by the torch she was carrying.  Moments before, she and her 
companions were attacked by a group of skeletons.  And in the confusion 
of the battle, she, Jedda, Erin, and Guy were separated.  A cold draft blew 
across the hallway causing Kara's torch to flicker as it begins to die.  Kara 
cursed herself for not having brought more oil.  She tore off a piece of her 
sleeve to fuel for the torch back to life.  
	"Guy?" she whispered, "Where are you?"
	Her foot steps echo throughout the hallway as she reached an 
intersection, Kara could smell a strong odor not too far away.  This 
must be where the dead are kept she thought to her self.  Before she 
realized it, the torch's flame again, began to dim.  
	"Oh great, just great.  What else could go wrong?"


	As on cue a pair of strong hands grabbed Kara from the behind.  
She struggled  with all her might, but to no avail.  Suddenly she heard 
sounds of foot steps and rattling bones off in the distance, it began to 
draw closer.  Kara started to panic and was about to scream when the 
man that who grabbed her covered her mouth
	"Kara stop it," the man said as he soften his grip.
Kara recognized the voice immediately and turned around with a large smile 
on her face.
	"Guy," she said in relief and threw her arms around him.
	"Could you two keep it down," A young red headed women said 
angrily. 
	"Hello Erin," Kara said kindly.
	

	Erin searched her backpack searching for an oil flask, she found  
one bury deep in the backpack and poured it on the torch before it 
completely died out.  Erin threw the torch to Guy, she could only effectively 
use her chain sword with two hands.  Guy on the other hand could use his 
large basterd sword easily with one hand.  
	"Erin, where is Jedda?" Kara questioned worrily.
	"Would you keep your voice down Kara, those skeleton are 
getting too close for comfort."
	Kara knew Erin just didn't want to answer any question about 
Jedda for some reason.  Right now she doesn't have the time to figure out 
why.  Guy went on the other side of the intersection when he heard the 
sounds of the skeleton just around the corner.
	

	"Guess we have to fight them," he whispered across to them.
	They  pressed their backs against the hall's wall and readied their 
weapons.  The rattling became louder and louder until they were just a few 
feet away.  Soon afterward the skeleton stopped and hissed.  They sensed 
the living near them.  Guy jumped across and charged at the skeleton, 
Erin and Kara followed.  With one chop from Guy's sword, he shattered 
one of the skeleton skull into small pieces.  Erin twirl her chain sword though 
the air and launched it into a skeleton chest going into another one behind 
it.  While they were stunned, Kara came in and smashed both of the skeleton 
skulls with her mace.
	"Guy, behind you!" Erin yell!
	

	Guy spun around with a swift kick to the undead's ribs, causing 
them to cavein.  He then smashed the skeleton's head with the hilt of his 
sword.  The group of four skeleton were now destroyed.  Kara sighed in relief.
	"We still have to kill that wizard, and not to mention find Jedda" 
Kara said as she latched to Guy's arm.
	Erin wrapped her chain sword back into a loose circle and 
hooked it back onto the side of her belt.  
	"That fool is more trouble them he's worth," she said to herself 
loud enough for the others to hear her.

	
	Jedda held his side in pain.  Blood streamed down the side of 
his face, soaking his jet black hair.  It was just his luck that he ran into a 
flesh golem.  The monster was as strong as ten men, but was as stupid as 
a worm.  Even though he was able to kill it didn't mean it was any easy.
	"Damnit, where were they when you need them most."  He 
uttered to himself.
	Jedda eyed the area around him, making sure it was safe before 
he sat down next to the golem.   Jedda pulled out a healing herb from his 
pouch and applied it to his wounds.  The herb can magically heal any 
wounds that were too serious.  After a short rest he pulled himself up and 
continue on in search of the wizard that he and his companions were hired 
to stop.  The wizard that been using the dead for his mad experiments.  He 
was hiding out somewhere in the catacombs below the town church.  Also 
the map that the mayor gave him off the catacomb seemed inaccurate, it 
must have been made before the catacombs was expanded years before.  
In frustration, Jedda stuffed the map back in his backpack and went on.


	"I think I  hear someone coming from behind the door, get rid 
of the torch," Guy said as he stopped and placed his head to the door.
	Erin and Kara strain to listen for any foot steps.  Before long 
they could hear someone coming down the hall.  Erin and Kara went on 
opposites of the door and Guy stood in front of it.  The knob of the 
door turn and opened.  A dark figure was standing there, sword in hand.  
Guy was about to attack the dark figure, but he was knocked out of balance 
by the man's lightning speed sword slash.  

	Lucky he was able to block the attack with his steel wristband.  
Seeing Guy fall to his feet Erin charge in with a kick to the man mid section, 
causing him to stumble.  Kara came to Erin aid and grabbed an arm.  Guy  
got back to his feet and punched the man hard in the man's stomach causing 
him to yell in pain.  
	"Jedda!" they all said simultaneously.
Erin picked up the torch and held it next to Jedda's face.  Kara went to 
his side and began a healing spell on Jedda.  
	"Sorry Jedda we didn't know it was you," Kara smiled.

	
	After sometime of wandering the companions where able to 
find the wizard's chamber.  When they entered the room, a dead body 
was on a examining table.  It probably used by the wizard for experiments 
Guy thought.  Jedda scanned the books on the walls while Guy examined 
the body on the table.  It was of a young girl just recently dead.  He was 
about to lift the sheets covering her body when her eye opened.  Her hand 
grabbed Guy's throat.  
	"Guy!" Kara shouted.
	Erin tried to pull the girl's arm off while Kara pried the fingers, 
but they were locked tight.  Guy's face was changing colors from red to 
purple.  Jedda was about to go help them when he saw a pair of red eyes 
in a dark corner.  Erin used her bladed side of her chain sword and hacked 
off the dead girl's arm.  Instantly the grip release, Guy gasp for air.
	"Who's there!" Jedda shouted.
	

	A evil empty laughter echoed though out the room.  Then 
emerged the wizard.  His body looked liked a long dead corpse 
with bright red eyes.  Jedda raised his long sword readied to strike.  
Guy, Erin and Kara went to Jedda's side weapons drawn.
	"So you mortals dare enter my chambers, are you all willing to 
pay with your lives?" it hissed.
	"You weaklings cannot defeat me."
	With those words he attacked.

	
	The wizard released a blast of fire at Erin but Jedda was
able to push her out of the way before she was hit.  Guy leaped into the 
air with his sword over his head as he was ready to strike, he was 
knocked back 10 feet by a invisible shield protecting the wizard.  
	"He got a shield of some sort protecting him," Guy shook his 
head to clear his mind.  "Kara try to break the spell."


	Kara worked to break the spell to shattered the shield.  Once 
the shield was shatter Jedda was able to break through the wizard barrage 
of attacks and wound the him in the shoulder.   He roared in pain and cast 
raise dead spell.  The body on the table sat up and two other zombies 
appeared in the doorway.
	"Zombies!" Guy shouted.
	"Don't bother with the zombies, kill the wizard.  He'll just raise 
more of them if we don't stop him."  Jedda said as he waited for a 
opening to attack.
	"Now!"
	

	But he was too late, the Wizard blasted him with a bolt of 
lightning.  Jedda dropped to his knees in pain.  Guy and Kara was 
having enough trouble with the three zombies when two more entered. 
Kara casted a turn undead spell and was able to stop one of them. 
	"Erin we can't hold them off much longer!"  Kara shouted.
	Erin nodded, she twirled her chain sword in the air and launched 
it into the wizard's stomach, but it laughed and pulled it out.  He sent a 
electrical charge down the chain sword that shock Erin causing her to scream.  
Jedda pulled himself up, seeing this was his last chance he lunged forward 
and thrust the monster in the chest.  Jedda pushed his sword in a upward 
motion that nearly sliced the wizard's body in half, he chopped the wizard's 
head off with a final slash.

	
	The head rolled to the ground and glow in the it's eye began to dim.
The zombies that Guy and Kara were battling collapse to the ground.  Guy 
wiped sweat from his forehead then went over to the wizard's head and kicked 
it into a sac he place behind it.  Erin was still on her hands and knees catching 
her breath when Jedda offered to help her up.  
	"Are you ok Erin?" 
	"I'm fine thank you very much," she said coldly pushing herself 
off the ground.
	

	For the next couple of minutes Kara healed her friends and they 
started back through the catacombs for the exit to the surface.  After what 
seemed like hours of wandering they made it to the top, fresh air filled their 
lungs replacing the moldy dusty air they breathed in the catacombs.  Jedda 
could hear the prays of the priests in the church above the catacombs.  He 
wondered how could a holy place like a church hold such evil below it.
	"C'mon its time to collect our money from the mayor," Erin announced.
	"Whats your hurry Erin, we just fought a big battle and besides I'm 
tired." Guy laughed.
	Kara giggled while Jedda walked with his hands behind his head.
	"Look I just don't want the mayor to suddenly forget that he hired us to 
kill the wizard," she said angrily.
	"Ok, ok," Guy said defending himself.  "Lets goto the mayor's home."


	"WHAT!" Erin yelled. "You said five hundred gold pieces."
	"Well..." the mayor said hesitantly.  "You see we are a poor town 
we greatly appreciate what you have done for us, but three hundred gold pieces 
is all we have.  We cannot afforded to give you anymore."
	Erin became furious, she took the sac that contained the wizard's 
head and dumped it onto the mayor's lap.  The man's face became pale 
as a ghost.  Guy knocked the head off before the mayor lost his 
stomach.
	"You promised us five hundred gold piece and I expect to get it," 
Erin yelled into the mayor's ear.
	"They're a poor town, we can't expect them to pay if they don't 
have the money," Jedda said as he was looking out the window.
	"Jedda is right Erin, it would be wrong for us to demand so much if 
they need what little they have," Kara said.
	"Fine but I'm taking my one hundred and twenty five gold pieces," 
Erin said as she turned to leave.
	Guy just shrugged and snatched the bag of gold from the mayor's 
shaky hand.  


	The companions were sitting at a table in the Wild Boar inn 
awaiting their meal.  The bar wasn't very busy on this night, but  there 
was still a hearty amount of people.  A bard in the center of the room was 
singing about The Legend of Leaty, the battle between the evil sorceress 
Castomira and a Princess called Leaty.  

	Lost in thoughts Jedda remembered when he was only ten, his 
mother was slain by ogres that attacked his town.  His mother has hidden 
him in his home so by luck he was spared by the murderous onslaught 
of the ogres.  Jedda never knew his father and his mother never spoke of 
him, from what he remembered what the townsmen said he was a knight 
of the Holy Army of Arcus.  Before Jedda could go through more of his 
painful past a argument broke out in the inn.  Two ugly large men were 
brawling with each other causing a lot of racket and knocking over tables.  
Then five town guards burst through the doors and pointed their weapons 
at the two men.
	"Throw them in jail," the captain of the guards told his men.
	Two guards grabbed each man and hauled them to jail.


	A barmaid set down a large plate of food at Jedda's table.
	"Nothing like a leg of mutton and a mug of ale to brighten your 
day," Guy said cheerfully as he took a large bite out of the leg and washed 
it down with a mug of ale.
	"So, where to next," Kara asked.
	"Since we made less then expected on this mission I think we 
should goto the town of Waterloo, I heard they been having problems with 
some pirates," Erin suggested.  "Or we could go to the kingdom Langriss, 
I heard they need a couple of mercenaries to help in their war."
	"I don't want to work for any armies," Jedda replied. 
	"Then where should we go Jedda?" Kara asked.
	"I think we should go with Erin's first suggestion."
	"To Waterloo," Guy burst out while holding a half eaten mutton in the 
air.
	Everyone at the table bursted out in laughed.


	They rented rooms for the night.  Throughout  the night they 
could hear people celebrating their freedom from the evil wizard.  Other 
then that Jedda and his companions had a peaceful rest.
.  

	Morning came and Jedda decided to rearm himself while Erin, 
Guy and Kara bought supplies at the merchant store.  He thought of 
buying another shield but decided to buy another sword to increase his 
attack advanced, and a new chest plate to replace the damage one.  
	"Lets see a long sword and a chest plate, that will be about three 
gold coins."  The blacksmith said.
	Jedda went through his gold pouch and fished out the coins.  He 
untied the leather straps holding his old beaten-up chest plate and replaced 
it with the new one.  
	"How much can I get for my old chest plate?" Jedda asked.
	"Looks like it'll need some work but I'll give you twenty silver 
coins for it," the blacksmith said as he scratch his chin.  "And I see you 
need a scabbard too, I'll give it to you for five silver coins."
	Jedda agreed and the blacksmith handed him fifteen silver 
coins and the scabbard in exchange for the beaten up breastplate and three 
gold piece.  
	Erin poked her head through the door, "Would you hurry up 
Jedda we're ready to leave."
	"I'm finished," Jedda said coldly and headed out the blacksmith 
shop.


	Guy and Kara tied their supplies to the horses and made sure 
they were tightly secured.  
	"Hey Erin hurry up," Kara yelled.  We got to get going if we'll 
make it to Waterloo before sundown.  Or maybe you prefer 
sleeping under the cold moon light tonight." 
	"Don't tell me, say it to Jedda." Erin replied.
	Guy helped Kara get on her horse then on his horse.  After Jedda 
and Erin saddled up they headed to Waterloo. 

	 It was an unusually cold day for fall and it started to become 
dark before they were able to get to Waterloo so they made camp for the 
night.  Kara started the camp fire and cooked their meal while Erin and Guy
 search for water.  Jedda practice his sword skill as he usually does every 
night. 


	 When Jedda was fifteen he was alone and starving, a sword master 
from another land in the east found the staving boy.  He took Jedda to his 
home in the wilderness and taught him how to use a sword until he died.  
From that day on Jedda practiced with all his might, knowing he'll be the 
greatest swordsman one day. 
	"Jedda, Jedda!  JEDDA!!!  Would you stop day dreaming and 
get your meal," 
	Kara knocked on Jedda's head as if it was wood.  "I been 
calling you for a while now."
	"Oh sorry I didn't hear you," Jedda scratch his head.


	Erin and Guy returned with the water buckets.  Jedda poured 
one of the bucket on his head and then felt a strong slap in the back 
of his head.  He turned around and saw Erin as mad as a bull.
	"What the hell you think your doing?"  She yelled in his face.  
"If you wanted to waste all that water on you why didn't you go get 
the water yourself."
	Jedda dazed the slap on the head, "What the hell you hit me 
for?  There still two buckets left."
	"Clam down Erin, we have enough water already," Guy said 
trying to calm Erin down."
	"Damn what a hot head," Jedda said to himself as he walked 
off to the pond with his meal.
	"Grrrrrrrrrrr!"  Erin growled readying to throw a punch to the 
back of Jedda's head, but Kara stopped her before she did.
	"Stop it Erin," Kara said firmly to Erin.
	"Fine," Erin said as she sat down next to the fire and poured 
herself a bowl of stew.
	
	
	"Cheer up Erin why are you such a grouch all the time," Kara 
sat down next to Erin and handed her a loaf of bread.
	Then Guy sat down and stared eating.  
	"What you got against Jedda anyway," Guy asked with his 
mouth full.
	"He's an idiot," Erin replied
	"He is?  He seems smart enough to me, maybe your jealous of 
his fighting skills," Guy laughed.
	"I am not!"  Erin said to defend herself.
	She remembered the time she met Jedda not too long ago. 
she, Guy and Kara was in the City of Namcha known for it's 
blacksmiths and weapons.  She had wandered away from Guy and 
Kara, looking at the magnificently crafted weapons she felt that her gold 
pouch has been lifted.  She turned around to see a one handed thief 
with an eye patch.  Before the thief was able to run she had already 
started beating the living day out of him.  After beating the thief into a  
pulp, Jedda stepped out of the crowed and insisted that the thief had 
learned his lesson and there was no reason to kill him.  Then Erin turned 
on Jedda thinking he was one of the thief's friend, but he was a highly 
skilled fighter and she wasn't able to defeat him.  Guy had witnessed all 
of it and asked Jedda to join them.  With the dismay of Erin, Jedda 
joined.


	Jedda sat on a large rock on the edge of the pond, a large full 
moon was shinning overhead.  He finished his bowl of stew and place 
aside before he unsheathed his two swords and began practicing in the 
air.  Guy came up from behind and attacked Jedda, but Jedda just side
 stepped the attack.
	"Hmph, I see your getting better Jedda."  Guy said 
	"Your not bad yourself Guy," Jedda smirked.
	"Want to get some practice with a real man?" Guy asked.
	Jedda smiled and raised his two sword and charged.  After an 
hour or so of practicing both of the men were drenched in sweat.  Tiredly 
they sat on the large rock.  
	"You know Jedda you shouldn't let Erin get to you.  She nice
 when she wants to be, which isn't usually.  But it's somewhere hidden 
below all that steel personality is a vulnerable young women."
	"Get to me?  Not a chance.  And nice?  You must be kidding 
Guy, all I seen was a hot headed lady with no compassion."  Jedda replied.
	"Then Jedda you don't know Erin.  Well lets get some rest, we 
have to head to Waterloo in the morning,"  Guy said as he went over to 
the pond.  They washed them self off before heading back to the camp site.
	When Jedda and Guy got back to camp, Erin and Kara were 
already asleep.  Guy laid next to Kara and Jedda sat against a tree and closed
his eyes.  Over the moon light the companions fell asleep.
	

	Before the sun risen over the town of Waterloo, a execution was 
taking place.
	"Please I'm innocent," a bound women cried out as a man in a 
executioner hood placed a rope around her neck.
	"Her soul is lost to Castomira, now she will pay for her sins," the priest 
said to the mob.
	"Hang her!" the crowd chanted and then started to throw rocks 
at the women.
	A rock struck the women in her fore head, blood streamed down 
her face.  The priest gave the order to proceed with the hanging and the 
executioner pushed the women off the ladder.  She struggled for a few 
seconds before her body dangled lifelessly back and forth.
	"Let this be a lesson to all that practice the black art," the priest 
shouted. 


	The fat mayor handed a man draped in black clothes a bag of money.  
	"Here you go all two hundred silver pieces, thank you sir for ridding 
our town of these sinners," the mayor said happily.  "I'm sorry but I did not 
get your name."
	"I am Drake Sharen, Witch hunter," the man said with a cold tone 
in his voice.  "And don't worry it was my pleasure helping out people in 
need," Drake said with a evil looking grin.
	"Once we exterminate all the witches from our town our children 
will return back to normal," the mayor placed his chubby hand onto Drake's 
shoulder.  "How many witches did we discover so far?"
		"We?  If you meant me it would be seventeen and I'm 
sure more infest your town," Drake answered. 


	The sun rose over the hill in the distance into the pinkish sky.  
Guy yawned as he stood  up to stretch.  What a beautiful morning he thought 
to himself, dawn was always his favor time of the day.  He started to wake Erin 
and Kara, then he notice Jedda practicing in the distance.
	"He's at it again at this rate he'll be an expert swordsman in no time," 
Guy said it to the ladies.
	Erin turned her back to Guy, "Who cares!  Just hurry up I'm tired of 
waiting around, especially not for him." 
	"Hey C'mon Jedda we almost ready to leave," Kara called out.
	Jedda sheathed his sword then hopped onto his horse and they 
headed to Waterloo.


	The road to Waterloo was unusually deserted today.  Jedda looked 
around, not a single person in site.  This was very strange because the road 
is usually busy with people entering and leaving town.  Something must 
be wrong at Waterloo Jedda thought to himself.   He was sure Erin and the 
others were thinking of the same thing.  
	"Where the hell is everyone," Erin said breaking the silence.
	"There could be a problem at town," Kara said worrily.
	"Pirates?" Guy asked.
	"No, if it was pirates everyone would be leaving town," Jedda said.
	"Maybe they already left," Guy said as he was trying to get a 
better look at the town.  "Doesn't look like there's any ships at the dock."
	"There's only one way to find out!" Erin kicked her house and sped 
off to Waterloo while the rest followed.

End of chapter I