//------------------------------// // Forest of the Forgotten // Story: Kobold Adventures: The Land of Equines // by Undertotem //------------------------------// Greilyn was sitting on one of the long wooden desk of the Adventurers Guild, with his head resting on one claw and a mug of ale on the other, looking lazily on the unfinished drink. He is a blue smooth scaled kobold with a white underbelly, white horns that come out of the side of his head, and smaller white spikes behind the jaw. He also has a pair of dragon like wings on his back that would let him fly and blue eyes. He wears leather garbs with a steel armor plate on his chest and a pair of sandals. And he wields a broad sword behind his back. Greilyn sighed then he looked behind him and saw two of his friends come down the stairs of the guilds second floor holding a couple of mission papers from the quest board. One of the kobolds was a green scaled female, with some slightly darker shade of scales. She was only wearing what he could say, "Decent Enough" clothes. A leather top that only covers her chest and a "skirt" that only manages to cover the font and back end of her lower body. She has pink eyes and six small white horns on her head, three on each side. She carries a wooden staff with her as she is somewhat a Nature Arcana user of the group. But that does not mean that she can not handle herself in a fight. She did live in a forest her entire life before she joined the group. The second kobold to follow her is a light blue rough scaled male kobold. He wears a plethora of necklines from a simple string feather, to a crystal necklace, to a bone necklace. He wears a blue button up shirt with some sea patterns, but with ripped sleeves and light gray shorts that's a bit tattered at the bottom. Greilyn did not know what the purpose of his best friend from doing it, and when he did ask the answer that he got was "Because it looks cool". The kobold has amber eyes but the one thing that differentiate him from the group was that he has a fined tail, a translucent membrane on the underneath of his tail. He wields a spear as well as Lightning Arcana, as some kobolds would call him the Lightning Striker due to his uncanny way of combining Combat Arcana and Elemental Arcana since he was supposed to be an Arcane Sorcerer before, but instead he took a weapon and started going on adventures using both types of Arcana. The two kobolds reached Greilyn and dropped the scrolls from their claws on the table. "So, what do you guys brought today?" Greilyn asked the two kobolds in a bored tone. as he looked towards the pile of papers in front of him. "We have some gathering requests, finding someone's missing pet, hunting down a few monsters, a few investigations and such. What do you want Grey?" The green kobold asked. "You guys can pick anything, as long as it's within our capabilities. We may be on the gold division due to luck, but I doubt we could handle a Dark One or even a Rogue Dragon, Valara" Greilyn said just to remind the two what they can and can not still do. "Hey! How bout' this mission? We just need to kill a bear it says here" The light blue kobold said as he shows the piece of paper to Greilyn face with a wide smile. Greilyn on the other claw took the piece of paper and read it, only to yell at the light blue kobold for his idiocy. "Azzy! We are not hunting down a Blood Wraith Bear (Use your imagination)! One its bigger than we are, heck it's bigger than humans and elves! Two, did you even see the payment? Even if we did succeed on killing it the payment is less than the risk. Whoever posted this was most likely a noble douche. We're low tier Gold, just let the high tier or above handle this thing." He explained. "Hey! you guys may not handle it, but I sure can with my skills." Azzy said as he bragged about how good of fighter he is, but this just started another long argument between the two best friends. "H-hey guys, um.... you should really stop fighting, you're kinda attracting a bit of a crowd with your yelling". Valara, the green kobold said trying to defuse the current situation between the two squabbling kobolds, as some of the people around them started chuckling or whispering. "What in the bright falling stars is happening now with those two?" A voice was heard behind as Valara looked to see who it came from. She saw a dark blue rough scaled male kobold with a few darker shaded scales that run along his back, arms and tail and a lighter shade of blue underbelly. He also has a few emerald green scaled on his head and red eyes. He wore an off white vest with pale red outlines and dark gray cargo shorts with a leather belt on his waist. On his back is a repeater crossbow and on the base of his tail was a small pack of his personal belongings. "Nothing much really, but arguing on what mission to take Corgda Xandoo" Valara said to the dark blue kobold. "*Sigh* Val I thought I said you could just call me Xandoo or Xan, just.... let me handle these two" He said as he then walked towards the two arguing kobolds. "They're fighting again huh? Do those two always manage to fight every moment they see?" Valara heard beside her, so she turned to see a dark gray smooth scaled male kobold with a gray underbelly with gray horns that come out behind the head. A cyan crescent moon sigil on his forehead indicating that he was one of the Lunar Sorcerers, sorcerers who uses the moons as guidance in life and in combat to protect others for they use magic somewhat akin to the Spirit Arcana that some Monks use. Although the kobold may be using the traditional Lunar garbs that are color blue with sand yellow outlines, it was made fancier by it being held down by a red, and white and black patterned cloth around the waist, some pink inner clothing, and a rather fancy hat with feathers to accompany the blue garb. He also wore white pants and leather boots that also has the sigil of the Lunar Sorcerers. He carries with him a harp he carries with his right claw and a lute that is placed beside the backpack that he carries. Coincidentally his name happens to be called Lunar. "I do not know why they fight about different things, is it because they are friends is why they fight?" Valara asked Lunar as she tilted her head sideways. Although a faint blush could be appeared on his face, to faint to be seen by the other kobold, due to how adorable and innocent she looks whenever she does that. "*a-ahem* W-well I don't know much about what they are arguing about, so why won't we get closer to see whats happening" He said as he rubbed the back of his neck as he started to move forward to the small crowd that surrounds three of his friends, as Valara walks behind him. "I'm telling you, you're being an idiot on doing this, you'll probably kill yourself!" Greilyn yelled still trying to get his point across. "And I'M telling you that I'll survive just fine if you don't believe me! I'm strong and I can take it on my own!" Azzy said still with a smug look on his face. "OH! I'LL SHOW YOU WHO'S STRONG!!!" and there started a fist fight between the two kobolds as they started punching each other. Meanwhile Xandoo was standing there taking in all the context of the argument that's coming from the mouth of Greilyn. Seriously!?!? They're fighting just because Grey thinks we cant beat a Blood Wraith Bear?!?! We have someone that can purify bad spirits with us for moons sake!!! And by then, Xandoo became even more pissed and annoyed as the two fought. Greilyn and Azzy momentarily stopped fighting and soon drew both their weapons. But as soon as they lunge at each other they both felt a claw grab both of their heads and continue to smash them together. "WOULD THE TWO OF YOU SHUT UP!!!!" Xandoo yelled at the two fighting kobolds as he smashed both of their heads together. "Seriously! One disagreement and now you try to kill each other!?!? What are you two, hatchlings?!?!" he asked the two now stunned kobolds lying on the floor. The other spectators of the fight were now laughing to themselves and soon the small crowed dispersed. Xandoo rubbed his forehead in annoyance as he looks at the two kobolds on the floor. He was going to pick them up but soon stopped as the hall started to be quiet by the second. The guild soon got quiet as an elf with green hair with the back of his hair braided by a red string, and the front sides of his hair braided as well, came down the stairs. He wore a white robe that reaches to his waist and a light green vest with leaf patterns that decorate it, with two brown buttons on the front. He also wore a white cloth pants and walked bare foot with a wooden staff on his hand. He is the guild master of Ace Draco's Adventurer's Guild, Kreylee. "Corgda Xandoo." Kreylee said in a calm voice. "As I see that Greilyn is unable to speak right now, I would like to ask you to bring your party in my office." And with that the Guild Master left. "Remember, your only mission is to observe and investigate the magical anomaly. I don't want to receive a letter saying that one team of my guild members died or disappeared during and investigation mission." Kreylee said in a calm voice that hides worry. "Know that this is a personal request from me, as much as I don't like the military mages of the city I need to know what were dealing with here first, before they come first to the source. I may sound like I'm asking for much, but you will be rewarded" "We'll be needing that reward right now. You're saying that there's a magical disturbance or anomaly or something in The Forgotten Forest that the mage scholars could detect, that's a really risky move you're doing if I ever heard one. Not to mention that we might be facing some things that we don't even know of. And how come you can sense this so-called anomaly? We have Val and Lunar with us, so how come they can't sense it?" Xandoo said as he discusses the request with the elf. Though he is skeptical at first, but then he thought that if there happens to be nothing in the forest not only did he and his team receive bonus stuff from the Guild Master, they didn't have to risk their lives going to and returning from the forest. The only thing they would have to worry about is whether the military got there first or not. "I will admit that this would be risky, but if we are able to identify the reason of this anomaly, we may be able to learn something new from this if we are the first to arrive at the scene. And the reason why I was able to detect this magical signature because it was faint magic, faint enough to be mistaken as ambient magic that others just expel out of their bodies, but strong enough that I am able to identify that the magic that I felt was different from what I am used to. As for the reward, hopefully this will be enough" Kreylee said. Outside of the office, the other four kobolds were discussing what was going to happen to them. "Do you think were going to be punished for what the two of you did?" Lunar asked the rest as he sees the two previously fighting kobolds rub the back of their neck and laugh nervously. "I don't think that we would be punished severely just because of a a small argument." Valara said as she puts a finger on her chin as she looks up while the others look at her. The other three kobolds blushed at this rather cute scene and found out that there are more interesting things other than her to look at. And sometimes even take a quick glance towards her. Valara wondered why they were looking everywhere, as if they are feeling on edge or something, so she decided to ask them. "Um, is... something wrong? You three seem to look around a lot right now?" She asked as she looks between the three kobolds. "H-hey I wonder what's taking Xandoo so long, I know that he's usually the one who talks to others when there's a problem or something heh-hehehe." Azzy said as he nervously holds his spear between his claws, trying to redirect the female kobolds curiosity to the question. But as soon as he asked, the door of the Guild Masters office opened and out went Xandoo along with the Guild Master. The rest of the group looked at the dark blue kobold in anticipation on what the news that was given to him. "We have a job to do." Xandoo said. "Seriously? Master Kreylee gave us all these just for an investigation mission?" Lunar asked Xandoo as they tread through the Forest of the Forgotten. Looking through the stuff given to them were some of the best equipment and tools one could ever have, for the fighters mainly. But high tier Arcane books were also given to them and a large sum of gold silver coins for them to use to stock up on supplies. Lunar and the rest of the party members were shocked at first due to how much the Guild Master was willing to give for a simple observe and investigate mission. But Sir Xandoo told them that they are facing an unknown magical signature, which means they don't know what they are facing, so it was better give them the reward now that they're alive than give the reward to the dead. "I know I said this before, but I'll still say it now. We don't know what were dealing with here, if it's something dangerous or peaceful. We were ordered to investigate and observe, if something happens that we can't handle we leave." Xandoo said. "Well I'm not really complaining, at least I got a new sword to try out now." Greilyn said as he drew the sword from his back that seemed to glow with arcane magic. A dark blue grip that has an intricately designed pommel and guard that has a sapphire gem at the center of the guard, and a light cyan glow around the blade. "I know right, I mean we have a lot of restoration and energy potions and elixers in mas quantities, and I have a new spear as well! How cool is that?!?!" Azzy asked the rest of the group as he tried to show them his new spear for the enth time. He held black body spear with the blade resting on the top that looks like and end of a quill. "We know, and we can see it Azzy. You don't have to show it to us again and again" Xandoo said angrily, but he really couldn't complain since the payment given to them was a really nice bonus for them to get a few upgrades, he even took an expensive yet very functional crossbow made from steel. Although he wouldn't leave his original crossbow since it was his first and will always be, the new crossbow was just a good addition to his arsenal. He hasn't tried it yet, but if given the chance he would like to pin his target full of arrow bolts. (NEW) (OLD) (But more curved bow than a branch style) The group then arrive to the scene of the magical anomaly, but seeing as there is nothing there, the group then discussed what to do next since nothing is showing up. Xandoo, Greilyn, and Valara agreed to look fore clues, while Lunar and Azzy looked around the perimeter. After a few minutes of searching Greilyn stumbled upon a pin of some sort on the forest floor, so he decided to call for the others about what he found. He found a Sun and Moon pin that seems to swirl around each other but does not seem to overtake one another. (Think Luna and Celestia Cutie Mark Yin Yang) "Hmmm..... This looks like a sigil of the Lunar Clan and Solar Clan, but why would this be here?" Lunar asked as the others went closer to look at the pin. But then he noticed that the pin was glowing by the second as soon as the rest of the group went closer. Soon the they were blinded by a bright white light. "AAAAAAHHHHH!!!! MY EYES!" "GREAT FLAMING CRIMSON KING OF-!!" "HOLY CRAP!!!" "(Girly scream 1)" "(Girly scream 2 that totally did not come from Azzy)" Soon the light faded and there left nothing on the Forest of the Forgotten. No screams, nobody, no one. But a pin that fell on the ground that slowly disappeared. A bright flash of light soon opened and out come five kobold bodies, unceremoniously dropped. "Where the hell are we?!?!" Xandoo yelled as he tried to shake the blindness from his eyes. "I do not know." Valara said feeling dizzy. Fortunately Azzy was the first one to recover due to him being used to getting blinded by bright lights to the eyes, mostly by his lightning. And he is also the first one to notice that they were in an unfamiliar place. "Um, guys? I think that pin dropped us somewhere I don't know." Azzy said as he looks towards two seats that were destroyed by age with the symbols of both the sun and the moon in banners. (But night time and luna not there) "I think that pin did something to us becau-" but before Azzy could finish what he would say, a loud boom was heard and that took the groups attention. So then they run towards the commotion to see what was happening. Upon arrival they noticed something they have never seen in their entire lives before, colorful small horses or.... colorful ponies. Well one of them is small at least. The smaller one seemed to have a coat of purple and a darker shade of purple mane and tail with a pink stripe and a horn on its head. The other one is taller than the first with a dark blue near black coat with what looks like a blue mist mane and tail, as this one wore armor on its body with a horn on its head and wings on its back. "Um, I don't know whats happening but I think we should wait and see whats happening and see who's the bad guy? Although I vote for the one in black is the bad guy." Greilyn asked the rest of the group. The others nodded in approval and decided to wait and listen to what is happening. "You little foal, thinking you could defeat ME!!" This shocked the group as the tall horse talked to its smaller counterpart in a female voice. "Now you will never see your princes, or your sun. The NIGHT. WILL LAST. FOREVER!!" She said as she laughed maniacally. "And not only did I destroy your precious Elements, I will destroy you as well!!" She said as she summoned five glowing blue swords directed at the smaller pony who seemed to freeze in shock and fear. But this only alerted the kobold group hiding in the sidelines. "You're right she is the bad guy." Xandoo said as he quickly ordered the rest of them. "Val! Bind her! Aim for the horn, it looks like the source of her power. NOW!" "Got it!" Valara said as she then used her Arcana to bind her enemy. "DEEP ROOTS!!" Quickly vines and roots started to erupt from the ground and hold down the dark blue horse on the legs, torso, neck, and horn. "Lunar! Speed boost on Grey and Azzy. NOW! And the two of you, distract her!" Lunar nodded then started to cast his spell. "Fleeting Movement!" As soon as the spell was completed, Greilyn sprinted infront of the tall horse, disappeared almost like a blur and appeared instantly with his weapon drawn and readied to swing on its opponent as it glows red. At the same Azzy used his Lightning Arcana to teleport himself behind the tall horse, ready to throw his weapon charged with lightning. And in all this, Xandoo took aim using his new bow as his bow glowed green and the bolts glowed red. "POWER SLASH!!!" "THUNDER BOLT!!!" "Fast Fire, Explosive Arrows!!"