Atlantica

This is from a game I've been dabbling in for the last few weeks called Atlantica Online. Its an MMORPG, small compared to others out there but a nice package for what it offers as a free-to-play game. 

 The story came from a dream I had about the game. Enjoy.

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In the end there was nine. We were a small band of soldiers that had discovered our talents by way of coincidence. It was by chance that I had met the other eight and when we had traversed the world we forced humanity's hand to recognize us as the best.

I still remember the dream, even though countless years had passed. The three beautiful women, each representing a different part of divinity. I remember their beauty almost as intensely as I remember their wings.

Leonidas, the legendary Spartan, decided he belonged in the Colosseum. No one could argue the choice. As time went on I began to hear his name in rumors and small-talk with passing merchants until finally Leonidas had become the Grand Champion. It was what was expected from a man who was born to be the most brutal warrior.

Naruk, the young druid, decided it was best to go back to his forest.  Most of the nine made fun of him, teasing Naruk of the selfish child-like decision to go back home. But, when the laughs had stopped, I saw a glimpse of anguish in the young boy's eyes. Something was wrong with his home. Thinking back on it now I should gone with him. We sent Naruk on his way and I've kept him in my prayers since.

Zhu Rong, the beast trainer mistress, returned to her teacher, Nari. I've seen her a few times in my travels through West India. She seemed to be doing fine and I didn't feel the need to ask.

Da Vinci, a good friend of mine, returned to Europe, this time with a fellow technician, Oichi the gunner. Da Vinci wanted to change warfare so it would never again cost a human life, a task that seemed less daunting since the man learned a lot from Henry Ford's factory. He lives in Italy now, though I haven't seen him since my last visit to the southern countries of Europe.

Okuni, the shaman priestess, had set aside her staff and picked up the broom, opening up a halfway house for travellers. I didn't know this when we had departed but awkwardly found out when I stumbled into her new Inn just west of Japan. She and I had been intimate for a short time, it didn't end well and we haven't talked since.

Kim Yoo Shin, the Hwarang tactician, returned to his post in the Korean military and quickly rose to the rank of commanding General. I heard stories of the fearless Kim Yoo Shin in handfuls of taverns once in a while. It seems like he has the same immense intelligence that I remember. I pray often that it doesn't consume him.

Then there was Dharma, an old and very wise monk whose advice I would often regard first, before anyone Else's. He returned to a Buddhist temple just outside of the Yellow River and once again began his journey towards enlightenment.

But it was months later that I had heard he was found dead in his meditation chamber. They said his body was lifeless, that it was his time and he let up his spirit on his own accord. Some younger monks said he had finally achieved enlightenment. I hoped that he did as well but the travelling monks that had told me just shook their heads with sadness and continued on down the path.

As for me, I set aside my cannon and wrapped my calloused hands around a walking stick, changed my name from Brahe to Herab, becoming a wandering merchant specializing in medicine and dried foods.

I liked my new life, it was something that I had needed to do since the nine had given up on Atlantis. I was world-weary but knew that I had more to learn. The choice was a way for me to keep the lifestyle without having to keep the bloodshed.

And even when I heard news of an army building near Berlin I felt that I was far enough removed from the world that I could turn the other cheek and wait through the storm.

But, when I also heard the mighty Kim Yoo Shin was defeated in battle I was torn back into reality and begun to fear for the young man's life. It was only fate when he fell through the door at Okuni's Inn, drenched in blood and filth, barely able to stand but staring at me through red-stained eyes. Kim collapsed to the floor, panting wildly, speaking with fear of a demon army. Okuni and I ran to his side, her experienced hands taking over the mending of his broken body.

I watched her work but was lost in the haze of the moment. My mind was stuck in the future, guessing on what young Kim Yoo Shin was trying to say. Passed Okuni I saw my walking stick and for the first time in years tried to remember where I had put my cannon.