-=Victoria Greets You=-

After a relatively short time of travel, the Southperry ship was docked on the westernmost edge of the largest land mass in the Maple World. Victoria Island was the primary island for adventuring, with numerous areas of all kinds, ranging from the tall, mountainous regions of the north, to the serene, mysterious forests of the south, from the dark, imposing urban areas of the west to the calm, peaceful country areas of the east. There was also much adventuring going on underground, though only the most powerful of adventurers traveled to the deepest depths, rumored to contain vile, deadly creatures.

New adventurers would begin their trek through Victoria Island by starting in Lith Harbor. This town, like Southperry, was a harbor. However, it was in every way much larger. The population was larger and more diverse, including pirates as well as sailors, along with some people who knew the lay of the land that helped newcomers get their bearings. There were more buildings and shops to weave around, all made from concrete and stone. However, there were some things that didn’t change, such as the friendly atmosphere and nice, sunny weather.

The ship’s loading ramp lowered, and a score of adventurers poured out onto the docks below. All of them were in awe of having reached Victoria Island as true, albeit new, adventurers. Most of them already lived on Victoria Island, which led those who were from Lith Harbor to quickly get acquainted with their surroundings. However, the fact that they were now something different from the usual villagers they had been before made them feel new and reborn, as though they returned to their home island as a completely new person.

Shadow Viper, however, along with a few others, didn’t have this luxury. Instead, they were in a completely new world that was unfamiliar to them in many aspects, if not all of them. Therefore, they would have the biggest challenge when it came to adapting to their new surroundings. Fortunately for them, a large portion of the native adventurers were willing to help guide them on their first steps to becoming more powerful.

Upon reaching solid ground, Shadow, Lance, and Skye regrouped not far from the docks to get a game plan established. “Ok, we’re here and ready to really start our adventures. However, we should decide what we do first and who goes where.”

They all contemplated ideas for a moment. Shadow was the first to speak up. “Wherever you two choose to go is your choice,” he said, “but as for me, I must see Dark Lord. I am eager to hear what he has to offer.” As he said this, he couldn’t help but feel another small intrusion of mental images, ceaselessly showing him the figure of Dark Lord.

After hearing this, Lance and Skye deliberated in private for a moment. Eventually, they returned to Shadow. “That’s fine with us,” Lance said. “Skye and I are going to head over to Henesys first. She can’t wait to tell her family about how she successfully made it through Maple Island.” Skye nodded with a grin.

Shadow nodded in turn. “Then we go our separate ways for now,” he said in conclusion. “In any case, I’m very glad to have met you two. Hopefully our paths will cross again in the future.”

“You bet!” Lance said with a thumbs up. “It was great to meet you as well. Good luck with the quest you’re on!” Then he and Skye were off, both waving farewell to the ninja bandit as they headed off.

*Alright, so I know where to go from here,* Shadow began thinking after the others were gone from his sight, *but how do I get there?* He began walking around the town, looking for help. As he searched, he suddenly noticed what appeared to be a viking. He had a muscular build, light brown, long, braided hair, a moustache, and wore green shorts, a gold belt, and a green horned helmet. The large figure was talking to a trio of adventurers. From his gestures, he appeared to be pointing them in certain directions.

Shadow waited where he was until the trio was finished with the man and left, then took his turn. “Excuse me, sir,” he began, “could you please help me?”

The large man’s face broke into a wide grin. “Why hello there, young man!” he said in a jolly tone. “How can Olaf the guiding viking help y-” his words died on his lips, along with his grin, when he suddenly noticed the bandit lacking an arm. “Goodness gracious,” he whispered as he examined with wide eyes. “How in the maple world did you get here with only one arm?”

At that moment, one of the adventurers from the original trio dashed back over to Olaf. “Hey, mister, I forgot to ask, how do I-” he stopped when he saw what Olaf was looking at.

Shadow suddenly tensed when he realized what they were looking at. Unfortunately, he didn’t get a chance to speak his mind when the boy yelled out, “Hey everyone! This guy only has one arm!”

Shadow’s mind went blank. All he could do was scan the area as everyone within earshot had two pairs of wide-open eyes looking at him. Eventually, recations began coming alive as some held gazes of utter disbelief, others held looks of fear and disgust, others scoffed at him for what they believed was foolish, and others laughed at him.

Just standing in the middle of it all made Shadow’s blood boil. This was the first time some stranger pointed out his missing arm for him, and oddly enough, the reactions were not to his liking. He raised a hand for silence, but no one payed him any heed. Quickly growing frustrated, he then yelled out, “Yes, I know I lost an arm, and I don’t need any reminders!” Nobody listened. Shadow raised his voice higher. “You can say whatever you want about me, but believe it or not, I made it here with one arm with little trouble!” The noise only grew louder. The laughing became harder. The scoffs and jeers included name calling and accusations of lying. Those who didn’t say anything simply looked at him as though he was out of his mind.

Olaf raised both of his hands. For once, the crowd grew quiet, but the looks of hatred and fear remained. “Well, boy,” Olaf growled, “for an injury like that, you must be incredibly foolish, or you’re trying to claim the impossible!”

“Say what you wish,” Shadow replied calmly. “All I know is that it seems I am unable to obtain any help from you, or anyone else. I’ll simply head to my destination on my own.” He began to leave, until a large hand clamped itself around his forearm.

Shadow looked around to find Olaf gripping his arm tightly, his lips curled into a snarl. “The only place you’re going is back to Maple Island,” he spat. “I’ll be going with you to see that the officials there revoke your status as valid adventurer. Blasted Todd and Peter must not have paid enough attention to you.”

With that, Olaf began walking toward the boat, but was suprised to find that he wasn’t moving. He whirled around to find Shadow resisting his grip. “Hey!” the viking shouted. “I told you, you’re going back! Understand?!”

However, Shadow met Olaf glare for glare. The bandit’s eyes narrowed in fury. “I am going to go where I need to go, no matter who says what.”

Olaf’s anger tripled in intensity. “YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING!” He roared. “We do NOT allow your kind, who are unfit for adventure! Now come with ME!” He used his strength to pull Shadow into the air.

Unfortunately, Olaf’s move backfired. Shadow actually went with the attempted throw, letting his legs lag behind long enough to suddenly shoot an upward kick into Olaf’s jaw. The viking was thrown back a foot or two as Shadow gained freedom from his arm. He landed on the ground gracefully, and then ran towards the destination. Unfortunately, the crowd gathered around the scuffle immediately closed off his way out, trapping him inside. Many of the adventurers yelled and cursed at him for what he did.

By this time, Olaf was back on his feet, charging at him. “By the will of Empress Victoria, you WILL stand down!” he yelled. “She does NOT allow adventurers like you here! You are INFERIOR!”

Whatever reason was left in Shadow’s mind suddenly snapped in half. If there was ever an insult to be thrown at him just for losing one arm, this was not the one.He assumed a fighting stance, waiting for the charge to reach him.

*I’ve got you now,* Olaf thought with a snide grin. However, his thought of victory was cut off in an instant when a sudden kick came out of nowhere, catching him beneath the chin and propelling him in the air. Shadow then jumped up above him and threw out a downward kick which slammed into the viking’s chest. Olaf landed hard on the ground, completely dazed from the blow.

“You can call me a freak,” Shadow said to everyone between heavy breaths, anger still in his eyes. “You can call me a fool. But you will NOT call me INFERIOR!”

Unfortunately, his declaration was answered with more hostility. “He hurt Olaf!” someone yelled out. “He’s defying the empress’s wishes!” cried out another. Immediately, the crowd slowly moved in on him, the adventurers baring weapons. Shadow quickly unsheathed his dagger, ready to fight.

All of a sudden, a pair of females dressed in robes with hats appeared. One of the girls was taller, about Shadow’s height without the tall hat above her head. She wore shining white robes and wielded an ornate looking staff. The other was a good four inches shorter, with simpler robes and a shorter hat. She wielded a simple wand.

“Leave him alone,” the older one commanded. “Olaf deserved the response. We’re taking him from here.”

One of the onlookers who seemed to recognize the shorter girl cried out in suprise. “Wait a minute!” she exclaimed. “That girl shouldn’t be st-“

“SHUT UP!” the older girl screamed, pointing her staff threateningly at the crowd. Immediately, they backed away in fear. “Now, I suggest all of you loyalists clear a path for us. I don’t want to have to ‘claw’ my way out of here.”

Reluctantly, the crowd opened a path. “C’mon,” the older girl said to Shadow. “We’ll get you to safety.” They ran out of the crowd. Shadow followed quickly; though he was curious as to who the girls were, he was thankful to have been given a way out.

Shadow immediately tried to push the recent events out of his mind as he ran. He succeeded in all but one. He had no idea why, but the words “Empress Victoria” simply stayed in the back of his mind.

—————————————————————————

Lucky number seven! Ironic, since it wasn’t totally luck for Shadow. More new names, more new characters, and a huge twist on the normal Lith scene? What will happen next?!

Mountain Dews for all! This time’ they’re in 20 oz. bottles!

Previous installments:
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