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Ruin Explorers	By : yukisan Category: +M to R > Ruin Explorers (Hiky? Tanken Famu to ?r?) > Ruin Explorers (Hiky? Tanken Famu to ?r?) Views: 1023 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Ruin Explorers or the characters nor make any profit from this.

Chapter List
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Ruin Explorers

Chapter One: The Beginning of an Adventure
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ihrie glanced at their newest 'companion' again. The man wall over two feet taller than her with jet black hair and the bluest sea eyes she had ever seen. Sure he was handsome, and a charmer, but there was still something about him that just didn't sit well with her. His armor was pitch black with gold imbedded in the metal and it held intricate patterns of which she had not seen before, yet she felt like they were familiar. It bothered her.
'Why does he insist on traveling with me and Fam?' she thought for the thousandth time since he had joined them over a month ago. It was clear that she was annoyed.
The trio walked out of the tavern into a busy city street, heading to the station where their horses waited. Lunch time was over and the populous had to finish their daily duties before nightfall. The weather was nice with light breezes that cooled the skin giving relief to those unlucky enough to be outside all day.
“Stop that thief!”
The woman's frantic cry caught Ihrie's attention as she was abruptly knocked to the ground. “Damn it,” she cursed at the man before green eyes locked with Ihrie's blue. Realization hit the woman as one word escaped her lips, “Tomo.”
“Ihrie?” Fam yelled out to her. Although worried that her companion was injured and in a 'difficult' position, the spirit sorcerer was more worried about the thief's immediate future.
The woman was jarred by her friend. “Get the hell off me,” she shouted as she kicked him off of her. The memories that had surfaced faded quickly and could only be replaced with a mild confusion. The man stumbled back when she assaulted him, catching himself before turning to disappear into the crowd.
“Are you alright, Ihrie?” Shigeo asked as he helped her to her feet. The man was very chivalrous.
She quickly jerked her arm away, not enjoying the tingling feeling and butterflies. “Yes,” she hissed at him before stalking off toward their destination. “Let's just get the horses and get back to the ship.” Her voice carried to the duo, not bothering a glance behind her to see if they were following.
Shigeo had to stifle a laugh as he followed Fam. 'Ihrie is quite temperamental,' he thought to himself as he nodded to the 'thief' who had dashed into an alleyway. He was looking forward to the time he would be spending with them.
It had been a week. And Ihrie didn't hate ships, she just didn't like them, especially on long voyages. There was nothing to do, at least nothing a ruin explorer could do. She sat on the deck, bathing in the sun and relaxing. She had shed her armor the first day. It wouldn't do her any good off land.
Her mind wondered to her companions. Fam was wondering around with Shigeo. She seemed to like him but she still felt uneasy. However, Fam would like anyone that would be her friend. So there could still be something about him. He had this strange 'habit' of always being there when she turned around. Always.
“Ihrie?” a male voice spoke.
She opened her eyes to see Shigeo. How did she know? “Yes?” she said sarcastically. 'See,' she told herself.
“I talked to the captain and he said that we should be on the main isle in a few hours,” he replied, ignoring her sarcasm.
“Good, I can go back to work,” she sighed. Their adventure was one that she and Fam would never forget. Never. But things were over for their little group and she could do nothing about it. Ihrie didn't even know why she was thinking about it.
“Ihrie, can I ask you a question?” Shigeo's voice drifted through her thoughts.
“Was that your question?” she replied with a slight bite in her voice. 'Didn't he know when to leave a girl alone?' she thought, glancing his way to see him lean against the rail beside her.
He laughed lightly. “No. Why were you looking for the Ultimate Power?”
She looked at him and blinked in confusion. “What are you talking about?” she asked, trying to sound like she didn't know what he was talking about.
“Don't play dumb with me, Ihrie,” he replied, waiting on her to answer.
She sighed. “It's none of your business,” she said, sounding indifferent. “Stay out of it.”
“There are rumors about a curse. Are they true?” he probed.
“Rumors?! What the hell are you talking about?” she seethed, giving him a hard look. Hopefully, she sounded like she didn't know anything about the Ultimate Power, and what he was talking about.
“Nothing,” he replied watching her as she stood.
“No, that was something. I want to know what you're talking about. What rumors?” she questioned him.
He looked nervous before he replied. “That whenever you use magic, you turn into a mouse.” She looked stunned and Shigeo felt he had gotten the truth out of her.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Fam finished the soup that was cooking on the stove. Since the voyage back, she had been the one to cook, and it was a role she had missed. But the time she shared with Rasha was something she would always cherish. She blinked the tears back as her eyes slowly focused from her memories.
It had been more than a certain death trap but they had all made it out alive.
Fam shook her head and glanced around for her 'tester'. 'Where did Shigeo disappear to?' she thought as she pulled the big pot off the burner. The woman picked up a cloth to use as a towel and whipped her hands, discarding it and her apron as she ascended the stairs in search of her companions.
The woman found them on the deck and stilled. She had always known that Ihrie didn't have many friends, or at least, there was no one she spoke of. And Fam assumed that she preferred to keep people at a distance because of her curse. But she had never seen Ihrie look and be so active with another person before. Even thought she looked like she wanted to kill Shigeo.
Fam had always had someone to talk to. There were always spirits or animals around her and she never felt lonely. Being a Wiccan, she had a special ability but there was a place deep in her heart that hurt for Ihrie and what she had to endure. The woman always seemed so alone, even when she was beside her.
She took a deep breath before calling out to them. “Hey, Ihrie, Shigeo!” she waved, getting their attention. “The food's ready!”
“Great,” Ihrie replied and started walking away from the man beside her.
“Hey, hold on, I have another question,” he spoke, stopping her with a light touch on her arm. “What happened to the magical items? Why didn't this Ultimate Power work?”
“That's two questions,” she cut back. Ihrie wasn't liking where this conversation was going. “And you're assuming that I have a curse and know what the Ultimate Power is.”
“I'm not stupid,” he told her, holding her eyes. “Answer the first question.”
“The Sword of Sargus was given to Lyle, the new King of Reon. I don't know what happened with the Mirror of Truth or the statue. Why are you so interested? Why do you want to know?” she asked, squinting her eyes at him.
“Just curiosity,” he said and smiled at her. “Come on, we had better go eat before the others get to it.”
The man walked past her and she stared at his back as he retreated. “You're right,” she said and followed him.
They ate with Fam and Shigeo chatting lightly while Ihrie kept to short comments when questions were directed at her. Within a few hours, the ship was docking and she was free, happy to be on land where she wouldn't be trapt in close quarters with Shigeo. The trio, along with half the crew, spilled out onto the dock.
The port was busying with the coming and going of the different vessels and people in the bay. The shouts and calls of the men loading and unloading the ships with supplies for the next voyage, or cargo that was being shipped across the sea. The color and languages were varied and it was something that gave Ihrie comfort. This had been her world for the last six years.
The trio left the hectic docks to walk down the main market street of Minar, one of the major port cities on the main continent. Ihrie searched out the nearest stable and blacksmith. They had two choices of transportation, walk or ride. She ordered her companions to stay outside until she returned then entered the building.
Ihrie called out and was greeted by a burly man. She inquired about three good horses when she saw his eyes dart behind her. She turned to see Shigeo just inside before finishing the deal. The two exchanged money and she moved toward the door. “Afraid I can't even buy horses?” she asked as she walked past him.
He turned and followed her. “How much do I owe you for the horse?” he asked.
“You can buy food and lodging when we get to the next town,” she replied as she rounded the fence and met the blacksmith.
The group visited a few other shops. One for some supplies for Fam, which she insisted on doing alone while Ihrie and Shigeo went to buy food, and another which Shigeo wished to visit. Ihrie wanted to wait outside the fabric store, uncomfortable about why he needed the cloth. Within the hour, the trio was riding out of Minar and into the surrounding and dense forest.
As they trotted into the thicket, Fam began her inquisition. “Where are we going, Ihrie?” she asked as she pushed her horse beside the woman's, which left Shigeo behind them.
“I heard of a set of ruins from an old castle a couple of days ride from here. There's suppose to be a great treasure buried.”
“Maybe there will be spirits,” Fam spoke as her eyes became hazy and dreamy.
Ihrie sighed. 'When were there not spirits?' she thought before Shigeo spoke.
“What's the catch?” he asked, gaining her attention.
“What do you mean?” she quipped, annoyed.
“Why hasn't anyone else tried to get it?”
“I'm sure they have. There's always a story,” she replied. “I think there's a curse. No one's ever returned so if there's anything there, there's a good chance it's still hidden.” She turned her words to her friend. “And we're suppose to ruin explorers, Fam, not spirit guides.”
“Why not let her have her fun?” he asked, intervening again.
“You don't know what Fam's fun has gotten us into,” she spoke from experience. The last time was a crusade to save a prince and his kingdom.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lyle glanced around the finished thrown room. Big was the word that came to mind. “It's very impressive, Maik. Send my regards to the workmen and make sure they are invited to the celebration,” he ordered, patting the master of his guard on the shoulder. “I'll return prosperity to our kingdom.”
“This is a good start, Your Highness,” he replied, handing a few papers off the one of the carriers.
The neighboring kingdoms, or what little was left of them, had pooled under Lyle to help rebuild the great Reon Kingdom it was once known for. Within the first few weeks, the leaders had organized and met with him in order to gain protection. The bloodlines were too weak in comparison to Lyle's and they had decided to live under Reon's rule. It was a smart decision and guaranteed their longevity. With them came food, supplies and men that labored and enlisted in the army.
Lyle finished the tour and began delegating parts of the estate and grounds to people. By the time he was done, Maik walked to the large crowd just outside the gates and began barking out orders. After a few minutes, people began spilling into the large inner courtyard to set up. Lyle had vowed to set his father's great kingdom back on its rightful thrown as the most one in all of the land. As he looked around, he felt that he had taken the first step in accomplishing that.
A week had passed since the market opened. The day's sun was setting by the time Lyle managed to finally sit down, exhausted from the day's activities. It was harder than he imagined, being king and proxy to the people. Defeating Rugudorull was the easy part. His thoughts drifted over the people he'd met, and how they had forever changed him and his life. Meria flashed into his mind and he was reminded of how much he loved her.
The wind drifted over him, rustling his hair. Ihrie popped into his thoughts. A smile crossed his features but disappeared just as quickly. How would he succeed in running a struggling kingdom by himself?
“Your Highness,” a voice broke the silence. He turned to see Maik with papers in his hand. “I've just received word from the southern region. They're being attacked by a group of bandits who have a magic user. They're asking for help and supplies.”
“Send Rais with a dozen men and Miguel and Rasha. Tell him I want a full report as soon as possible. I don't want a group of bandits to pillage half the country,” he spoke as the man nodded. 'What else could possibly go wrong?'
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A week later, somewhere in the outskirts of a village three hundred miles south of Reon, Miguel was having a rather hard time with his blonde counterpart. “I can't believe you, Rasha. How irresponsible are you going to get?”
“Why are you so upset? I'm not hurt,” she retorted as she continued checking the bandit's pockets.
“What would have happened if you had gotten hurt, or overwhelmed?”
“Don't make a scene, Miguel. The sooner we get done, the quicker we can get back to Reon,” she said as she stood and dusted her hands off.
“Is that all you can think about?” he asked as Rais and a few of the soldiers came up behind him.
“Finished already?” he asked, surprised at how quick the two worked.
“They weren't that hard,” Rasha answered, ignoring Miguel as she mounted her horse.
“Good to hear,” he said, looking at Miguel before continuing, “well, we need to meet the others in the village. Let's hurry before the sun sets.”
Miguel followed Rasha's led as they fell in line with the soldiers. He noticed it too. They seemed too easy to be a real threat and that worried him.
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Ruin Explorers