Spirit Tamer
Legacy Name: Spirit Tamer

Throughout history, there have been hundreds, even thousands of stories. These tales tell of fantastical worlds just out of reach, filled with wonders unimaginable. Can you imagine a land of sprawling green fields, surrounded by a turquoise sea? Perhaps it is hidden off to the north, far enough away so that even its winged wyverns dare not attempt the voyage…

Celtland is one such land. It is a world alive with magic and spirits, all existing in a perfect, elemental balance. Earth, fire, wind, and water. Together, these elements make Celtland.

But how, exactly, is it all kept in balance? Perhaps between some of those rolling hills, there is a modest village, surrounded on all sides by towering walls. A peaceful place that seems unfamiliar with any strife, populated by simple shepherds. If you were to visit, you would see another large gate on the far end of town…

If you let your eyes wander high enough, maybe you could see the tips of its steeples. As you pass through the heavy gate, you're greeted by a seemingly endless hill. But you press on. Such a production must be hiding something important, right?

Atop the quiet town of Melrode lies its monastery. Made of striking blue and white stone, it contrasts the wood and straw shacks of its town almost jarringly. Within its walls lies a trove of secrets, some not even known by its community of monks.

What, you wonder, could be hidden in its highest tower?

_ _ _

In one of the countless rooms, a boy twirls his plain staff aimlessly. Wind swirls around him in green blades, only lightly disturbing the pages of his nearby academic work. He plays with water and fire in each of his hands, glancing out the window to the courtyard.

He's very bored.

When was the last time he wandered down to Melrode below? He honestly can't remember. He must have been only seven years old, holding tightly to his father's hand. He remembers being carried on his shoulders through the market, and chasing the sheep in the field together.

But where had his father been for so long? It had been months since he wandered off to find…

Eletale.

The word danced through the boy's head again. He sat down at his desk, writing it in the margins of his papers again and again. What was this book his father would often rant about? The boy had never seen it, and knew only a little about it. Something about the elements, maybe sealing them? And all that nonsense about bringing great calamity…

Ah, that's right. It had been stolen.

_ _ _

The boy was summoned the next morning. He climbed the familiar staircases, spiraling up and up to the highest point of the monastery. He loved to conquer these stairs in his younger age, but like most things, they stopped bringing a challenge recently. Being an apprentice, he didn't have much else to do.

He knelt before the man he knew and adored. The Grand Abbott, the one who had appeared at their doorstep one day, plucking the nearly-infant boy and his grieving father from their small cabin. The sight of the man in robes, flowing over his hunched figure, brought back memories of leaving their sheep farm to start something entirely new.

“It has been a long time since your father left.” The man spoke in his quiet, yet infinitely powerful voice. “We've had no word from him.”

It was really all he needed to say. The boy felt a spark in his heart, and elemental energy flowed through his staff in anticipation.

“Patience, young one.” The Abbott waved his right hand, the other clutching a small walking stick (or was it his own staff?). “The beasts outside have been coming closer and closer to our town. There have been reports of attacks in other cities. The world is in panic.”

Monsters. He'd only heard of them, mostly as urban legends from the children in town.

“Your skill is great. But your experience is lacking.”

The boy stood, smiling confidently. He dared not speak out of turn, but he knew the conversation was over.

“Please, my child.” The Abbott stood a bit straighter, showing his eyes to the apprentice for the first time. “Find your father, and the book. You must stop all this...”

_ _ _

He ran down the hill. He was bounding at such speeds that he nearly tripped over his own feet, not bothering to have changed out of his hand-me-down, slightly ill-fitting clothes. After charging through the gate, he rushed along the town's paths in a blur, stopping only briefly to accept gifts and well-wishes from the villagers.

Hearing the main gate close behind him, he couldn't help but grin at the sprawling fields. They looked so peaceful, but he immediately felt something different.

Off in the distance, he saw a white wisp. He walked to it, stretching his hand out, and it very suddenly darted to him, whirling around his body.

He laughed as it finally disappeared into his staff. Wayward spirits really could be tamed easily!

Shaking his head, he tried to regain his focus. He wanted to enjoy the adventure a bit, but it was a very serious thing, despite him having no idea what could be ahead. There was no sign of a town within his view, but he figured the only way to find one would be to press on…

As he headed off to wherever the road would bring him, he noticed how eerily quiet the fields seemed to be. He always thought the world to be full of life, as his hometown is. He couldn't feel a breeze, and even the ocean seemed silent…

A growl.

His heart jumped as he spun to face a nearby thicket, and he tried to ignore the quivering of his hands as they gripped tightly to his staff.

Monsters.

He took a step back. Just urban legends, right…? Nothing to worry about…?

...Had he ever trained to use his magic for fighting?

The bushes rustled as a dark figure slowly appeared. One clawed foot, two. Hot embers glowed between its snarling fangs.

A little bit more than a story.

He raised his staff in defense, feeling that familiar flow of energy.

Well, he thought to himself. Fight fire with fire?

The staff shone red.

[overlay by Keshi]
[Profile template by Lea]
[Spirit Tamer is a fanpet of the protagonist of Quest 64]