//------------------------------//
// Prologue: Part 2 and Chapter 1: A Fallen Hero 
// Story: The Guitarist 
// by Kiniro 
//------------------------------//

	The Guitarist

Prolouge: Part 2

I sat in the field of our Capital City of Pronterra, admiring the developing skyline and the beautiful sky above. I had reached for my guitar to compose a melody to this gorgeous sight in front of me. I had begun strumming a few chords to start this beautiful composition of mine that was about to unfold. But I had stopped as quickly as I began. I had forgotten, what I had done. "I should have known better, I shouldn't have given them my respect, and I shouldn't have given her my loyalty." I said to myself aloud as I set my guitar by my side. "I shouldn't have trusted her, but I was foolish and an idealist, thinking that she could lead all of us to prosperity. I should have known better." 
My former guild had been the victor in the Wars of Emperium, the celebration was to be epic, all of us, were to be known as heroes. But some of us, were to be branded as traitors. My former guild leader had accused some of her top aides and warriors during the wars as co-conspirators trying to attempt a Coup against her. I was one of them, many of them were exiled from Midgard, but I refused this judgement, as I had fought for my home and for a brighter future, I was to be executed, but I ran.  And continued to run, and when I stopped running, I resisted, for a very long time. But I knew that I could no longer fight alone, so I stopped and I began hiding.

Chapter 1

I spent most of my time trying to avoid most of civilization, but sometimes you can't run away from it, no matter how much you try. But even the word "civilized" was becoming more uncommon by the day, even here in my new home. I had seeked refuge in Rune Midgard's neighbor of the north, The Swartzvald Republic. This was a very strange place, with numerous amounts of industry, merchant guilds and its leader elected by its people! Not a monarch! But even here, as strange as it was, still had the familiar taste of corruption. People fighting for control, granted with a more "civilized" way, but all for control of more wealth and more power. But at least I had a place were I could rest.
I spent my time mostly in the Swartzvald Republic's Capital City. Hiding in the grand library, mostly hunting books about music styles comparing Swartzvald and Rune Midgard, and about music culture locally. Even though my new home was strange, the citizens of Swartzvald had a fascination with culture, especially music, so I found it fitting to study it and hopefully create a new composition with some of these foreign styles.
But I kept my head down, got some money on the side by doing some street performances, but I never introduced myself to anyone. Mostly out of fear if someone from Rune Midgard recognized me. I have seen the posters ," Kiniro wanted, Captured or Dead, Bounty 250 Million Zeny." 250 Million zeny, you could easily live several life times with that comfortably. I've even seen that poster posted around this very library, but hardly anyone comes in here, so I'm relatively safe here.
"Kiniro I need a moment with you" I heard someone call out. Who would need me I thought. No one here locally knew me, so I feared the worst, someone from Midgard had spotted me. I quickly reached for my guitar and clenched it tight, but still kept my composure to make it look as If I had not moved. "Kiniro?" I heard again " I need you to come with me!" The voice called out again, but I was ready, yet there was doubt in my mind, this voice, sounded familiar. "Kiniro you're coming with me. Now!"
"The hell I am! You'll never take me alive!" I jumped and prepared to swing my guitar at this voice." You'll never take me alive! You! You!... You..." as I turned I saw the face of my would be foe. "You?" I had recognized the face. "Captain Lightning strike of the Royal Guard?"
"Kiniro I need you to come with me, its of dire importance, and its Colonel now."
"Colonel? Importance? What importance?" I responded back.
"You have been requested, by the queen."
"What? No I will not go to Pronterra to see her, that backstabbing bit-"
"Queen Xellie has requested you for this dire mission and if you accept, all crimes and accusations against you will be dropped." Interrupted Lightning.
"And what? Have her kill me as soon as I finish with this, 'mission?' No sir."
"But Kiniro..."
"No is no Lightning, I know we were friends once, and that we fought together during the Midgard Civil war prior to Tristam's death. But I can't trust you. Why should I trust your word?"
"Because I'm the one who knew we would need you, so I pled my case with the Queen, you're my friend Kiniro, you did save my life. So I think its right that I do the same"
"Fine but promise me if things go south, you have to help me out of this"
"Kiniro, I've been in the royal guard for many years, and served under Tristam, my loyalties lay with him, not our new queen, but we need your help."
"I still don't see why I should, there are tons of other Minstrels with my abilities."
"But we need you, specifically you."
"But I still don't see why..." I questioned in doubt.
"Because your the greatest in Musical Magic and you know it. No other musician ever developed that magic to the level you progressed to." Interrupted Lightning again. "You're the first Minstrel who was able to harness your Mana and channel it through your music, and you were the first to prove that speed and dexterity are more supreme than traditional endurance. You're the only one skilled enough."
"But what about those I taught?"
"Your two students, are both... gone."
"What?!... No..."
"They both tried what was asked of them, but failed, you the master must try."
"What is being asked of me Lightning?"
"You need to vanquish Satan Morroc."
"You're kidding? Haha." I laughed, "That's demon is nothing but a child story used to scare people in the desert city of Morroc."
"But Kiniro, the tales were true... and he has returned."
"Returned? What do you mean returned? How can that which never existed return?"
"Kiniro, Satan Morroc was imprisoned over Morroc Castle in the center of town, many centuries ago during the rule of Tristim the First. Tristim led a vast army not just of Midgard, but from the Swartzvald Republic, the Independent States of Louyang, Comodo, Amatsu and Brasillis. Combined with many warriors, but scholars, clerics and musicians such as yourself, he imprisoned Satan Morroc under the city with their combined magic, and they created a spell which was to hold him indefinitely."
"So how is this important now?" I asked.
"Someone created a magic spell 4 weeks ago that released him. Considering our recent change in leadership, we have lost many allies in the recent years, but they are willing to fight with us, should you be the one leading the attack. Queen Xellie has transfered command of the Midgard army to me, and she hopes that you take up my offer, will you lead me and my army once again like you did during the Civil War?"
"I don't know what say Lightning. I'm honored? But why do I lead?"
"Because your first strike on Satan Morroc will be the rallying call. You need to perform your song which harnessed enough magic that forced the Midgard Civil war to a cease fire. We need you to perform the Song of Ragnarok."
"Are you insane Lightning?! You're asking me to perform a song which has unknown consequences. Its only been performed twice, and I'm the only one to live!"
"But you do know that the musical spell performs its magic if the player can truly combine his heart and soul into the spell, it could weaken him long enough for us to kill Satan Morroc, not imprison him. Kiniro if you don't stop him, he will eventually consume this world, you do know this right?"
"I've heard the folk tales..."
"You must do this, not just for you, but for everyone in this world."
I sighed heavily. "I better be getting hazard pay for this,  but I will try."
"Good, we have Satan Morroc Contained near the former town of Morroc, we have a protection spell trapping him inside a barrier just east of town. Its big enough but everyday its shrinking, eventually it will burst, so we must leave soon."
"I said I'll try Lightning Strike, I don't know what else you want from me." I sighed heavily again. What in gods name am I getting into...

End Of Chapter 1