Jairis

Jairis is a world located in a radically different universe from that of the TZ universe. Governed by a being known as the Luciolith, this universe conforms to vastly different inherent laws than what would be known in other universes, though the same applies to every and all universes in relation to one another. Tentatively referred to as the Lucioverse.

Jairis appears to be a world in the midst of a technological renaissance. The tools of the old world have merged with the works of the ancient world, producing technology, tools and utilities that contrast with the homely and feudal state of the world. Beings of all sorts reside here, even if not easily found, but most revered of all are the long gone Angelions and Daemonids, the founders of the world's magic and creators of the seemingly endless energy source, Teras.

The Second World, Shrouded by Fog
A girl with long hair with a myriad of countless colors flowing through it begins to stir, revealing turquoise and green eyes, momentarily at a loss as to who she is. She wears relatively simple clothing, with talons for feet and clawed hands.

"...Where am I?" She begins to fully rise, looking about her surroundings.

She finds that she is in the middle of a forest clearing. Lush green leaves decorate the trees and the grass is a mostly healthy color. Incomplete toadstool rings and flowers that bloom red, yellow and violent are sparsely spread around the clearing's outskirts and the chirping of birds can be heard over the chatter of small insects. Sunlight partially permeates the area from an angle, dazzling beams of white and pale gold illuminating the fairly dark area.

"Huh....? How'd I get here...? I'm in... a forest?" She slowly gets to her feet, and decides to climb the tree to get a vantage point.

From the tree top, little else but trees can be seen to the south, west and north. To the east, the edge if the forest can be seen though it appears that it will take some time to reach it.

She clambers down, and after a moment, she cautiously heads East, hoping to get moving quickly.

It takes several hours, enough for the light to dim considerably, to reach the forest's edge and see part of a well traveled dirt road heading north and south not far ahead of her.

She looks around, pausing for a moment to take in her surroundings again. After catching her breath, she approaches the road, looking for any sign of civilization to head toward.

''My memory is still fuzzy, and I woke up in a strange place... did something happen to me?''

In both directions, the road appears to span onward for miles without signs of civilization. Other than that the area is either  forested or decorated by small shrubs.

"I guess I will be walking around a while, huh?" She looks North, then South. "...North it is."

Several more hours pass before the faint outline of a town or city becomes visible at the horizon. It seems that in a few hours she may reach the city.

"So you're headed to Taryl? You've walked a long way at a dangerous time of day," comments a person who's presence just barely became noticeable. They wear a dusty brown cloak, closer to a mantle in appearance, over a leather chest plate, pants that appear to be made of a synthetic fabric and leather boots. Across their backs hang two broad swords and, closer to their waist, a pair of short swords. Across their waist are a pair of sheathed daggers. In the darkness it is difficult to make out their features other than their messy dark hair and pointed ear tips. Their voice is gender neutral and their tone is friendly and light.

"I wouldn't know. I'm not from here." She says in a guarded tone, shifting into a defensive stance on an instinct.

"Figured, most locals would be in bed by now. 'Tis the Hour of the Darkening afterall." The figure shrugs dismissively.

"The... ...Darkening?" She says with an raised eyebrow. "No idea what that is. Is that some fancy term for sundown or sunset?"

"No, that would be dusk and dawn respectively. Others not from here have asked the same thing. The Darkening was an event from way back in the Yions Dynasty, where the mad emperor Zaryc Yions released the boundary separating this world from Pandaemonium, subsequently releasing the Idolas and its swarm of Darklings unto the world. The Hour of the Darkening is two forrs before dawn, when the sky is the darkest and dark magic is at its most potent. Though the two forr period is nothing compared to the Resurgence event each year."

"...Oh. ...I know nothing of myself or my own history at the present, so you'll have to forgive me. ...I'm at a loss for my own name at the moment."

"Ah, maybe someone in Castle Taryl can help you with that. I'm heading there myself, but only after I take care of a few things in the castle town."

She blinks. "Who are you exactly? And since I guess we are headed in that direction, I guess could you maybe... show me the way?"

"Eh, a wandering hero or something along those lines," he comments. "It would be faster to go without me by a day, but if you want me to take you there I have no qualms."

"I'd rather not be off on my own. I don't know anything about whatever may hide in this land."

"In that case, I'm obliged to serve as your escort, madam," he bows slightly, "I am Hairos of Dosk."

"Thank you very much. I wish I could offer..." She pauses, as something akin to a memory of someone addressing her as 'Naki' plays in her head momentarily. "...If you want, you can call me 'Naki'."

"Naki? Very well then, follow me. I'll rent a room in the local inn so that you can rest while I handle business." He leads Naki into the town of Taryl, arriving a few hours after dawn. He looks around the town before locating an inn called the Darh's Fantasy and paying for two rooms with a smooth stone of many colors. "Stay here until I return. Unless something pressing comes up, try not to leave the inn and avoid any dark alleys or spaces under bridges if you must." Hairos speeds off shortly afterwards, handing Naki a blocky rectangular key with a tag written in a completely foreign script.

"Second storey, leftmost room," says the inn keeper, a plump woman with greying hair and dark bags beneath her eyes from many late nights and stress.

She follows the directions given, trying to decipher the unfamiliar text to challenge herself, but doesn't loose track of where she is going, and arrives at the room and enters.

The text makes no sense whatsoever. It looks almost like random symbols squeezed into a tiny space, with nothing to act as a cipher or decoder beause of a lack of reference materials.

She sighs, then looks for a bed to rest on, or something of equivlent value to rest on.

A small bed with somewhat thick covers coating them. A roughly sewn pillow sits on the head of the bed, near a small lantern.

Naki quietly lays down in the bed, resting from the long day of travel.

''Who am I? Why am I here? All I know is... Naki. Nothing else... ...What should I do with myself?''

Seven forrs pass beforbefore Hairos returns. The leather bits of his armor have been replaced with a silver colored metal and his tattered cloak has been mended. He now dons two metal forearm protectors and has three quivers of thirty arrows each slung across his back. A feathered charm hangs from his hair and the makeshift harness he wears has been replaced with connected holsters and sheathes that hang at his side, each holding one of his blades. His eyes are obscured by his hair, an inky dark green the color of wet seaweed. He holds a large bundle at his side and sets it by Naki before heading out once more.

Naki blinks, before looking at the bundle in curiosity. "What's this...?"

"Some equipment and gear. Walking around like that as you makes you an easy target to thieves and cutthroats."

"Thanks... I'm not defenseless though." She examines the equipment.

Inside the bundle is a set of modified leather armor with plates and runes engraved into it. There is also a thin tunic made of tiny silver scales and a small dagger.

Naki looks it over a bit more, then starts putting the tunic and armor on, then looks over the dagger, curious to see if it has any special properties.

The dagger is fairly ordinary, with a well polished dark blade and a simple scabbard. The weapon is feather light and simply crafted.

After putting the equipment on, Naki lies down to pass the time, after a while though she looks to see if there are books.

Any of the sparse books in the room are again in the unintelligible script.

She frowns. "That's going to be a pain in the ass..." Her spirits are dampened by the realization she can't read, and quietly just takes a nap.

Another five forrs pass before Hairos returns. He sees Naki's sleeping form and decides to go for another two forrs to handle a few miscellaneous tasks around Taryl.

After a long while, Naki wakes up and spends her time trying to remember her past.

Naki vaguely remembers a white clad figure and several people, but their names and faces elude her.

She frowns, then simply resigns to wait for Hairos.

When Hairos returns, he carries a large coin purse and steaming loaves of sweet bread with some type of meat stuffed inside.

"Hungry?"

She nods. "Thank you. What is the language here? I do not understand it."

"You're speaking it just fine," he replies, handing the loaves to her. "There's no real name for the language, it's generally called Common or the Shared Tongue."

After taking a bite, she shakes her head. "I mean the words, the text. Like on the books."

"Well that's harder to explain, coming from a guy who grew up in one of the rural regions. The letters differ in each region, some times the language written isn't even in Common. Most books are written in Imperial or Tallick, both of which are unable to be taught second hand."

She sighs. "Well that's just brilliant... I guess I won't be reading for a while."

"Don't get so down, Castle Taryl has people who can teach the languages. That being said, we're heading there tomorrow first thing in the morning."

"Long day tomorrow then, I would imagine... ...and more sleeping too."

"You can go exploring if you want, but be cautious."

"....Ehh... I'd prefer not to go out at dark. I'll just rest some more, I could use it."

Hairos nods, then retires to his room.

Naki goes to sleep, hoping to find answers and a purpose tomorrow.

When dawn comes, Hairos wakes up Naki.

"Come on, it's time to go."

Naki nods, and doesn't waste time getting ready to go, and is quickly prepared for the day. She checks her weaponry one last time, then nods to signal she's ready to leave.

"It'll take a forr, maybe two, to get to the castle. Let's go." He leads Naki out of the inn and towards the opposite side of Taryl, where a large gate hangs slightly ajar. There are two guards on post and they draw their weapons, but they quickly put them away when they recognize Hairos, bowing as he goes by.

Naki decides to keep close, not wishing to run into any potential trouble. "I know you said you're a wandering hero, but it's quite another thing for guards to bow for just 'a wandering hero'. Are you an important person or something?"

"Nope, just a wandering hero. I'm called the Rogue Hero because of my weapons, Sakuya and Kareru, or something along those lines."

Naki's eyes narrow subtly, wondering if he's keeping something out of the explaination on purpose. She decides not to pursue the discussion, rather, she decides to look about her surroundings.

Beyond the gate lies a simple caste bearing a flag with a buckler surrounded by thorns as its crest. The exterior is well kept, appearing bare of decorations but maintained and pristine.

Naki looks around a bit more, then mainly looks at the castle.

"What's the ruler of this city like?"

"He's really relaxed and willing to hear people out. His advisor is a stickler for rules and regulations, though."

"Oh I see." Naki falls silent for a while as they walk, wondering what lies ahead.

The inside of the castle is bare of most eccentricities and decorations one would expect to see within a castle. There are long carpets that cover the floor and many candle fixtures set on the walls between various crests and coats of arms, but no animal busts or trophies like antlers or skulls. There are no weapons decorating the walls nor are there fancy chandeliers, solid gold fixtures or walls of marble.

"Huh, doesn't strike me like most castles I'd imagine."

"I had the same impression when I first visited this place as well."

"This should be an interesting day..." Naki mutters as they walk on.

Hairos enters a round room where four people wait. Two of the people are clad in heavy armor, one wearing blue armor with orange markings, the other with silver and black armor. The other two are dressed in different manners. One is wearing a dress more akin to a robe and the other wears a white lab coat covered in tassels over dark pants.

"You've returned, Rogue," growls the one clad in blue armor, "And you've brought a compatriot... Grand."

"Good to see you too, Berserker."

Naki blinks, but keeps quiet.

"These are the other three heroes," explains Hairos. "The one in the black armor is Dragon, the one in the dress is Magus and the one in the blue armor is Berserker. We're still looking for the Saint Hero."

"Dragon found him," says the Magus Hero, pointing to the man in the lab coat.

"Ah. Nice to meet you Saint, I'm Rogue."

"Whatever, I don't care about this hero business," says the man in the lab coat, not sparing Hairos a glance.

Naki nods at the explanation, but doesn't say anything, uncomfortable and wondering about the Heroes.

"Berserker isn't one to mince words with," says the Magus Hero, bowing politely. "I'm Ayla."

"I'm Charle," says the Dragon Hero, their voice muffled by their helmet. "Nice to meet you."

Naki looks at them for a moment, bowing slightly. "I'm Naki... I don't really know much about myself aside from my name. I don't even know how I got here. You are... heroes?" She asks.

"That is our given designation," nods Ayla, "It appears to be based on our place of origin and skills rather than random. As for why the five of us were chosen, that's yet to be seen."

"I'm not the only one in the dark of why they're here then I guess..."

"It has to do with the Darkening," says the Saint Hero. "The Resurgence is not far away and someone appears to be making a major mess of things, ruining the name of the Hex Makers as they do whatever they want."

"Oh, you know what's going on then," asks Hairos, getting a near nonexistent nod in the process.

"I've been to the affected areas. Only a Reviled Execution could cause a contained outbreak of a plague in a trade town and turn another major town into a sea of blood."

"Reviled Execution?"

"A large scale, gruesome curse that kills everyone within its range in a specific way."

"...Great..." She looks at Hairos, silently wondering why he brought her along to the other Heroes.

"You are rather well informed, Saint Hero," rasps the Berserker Hero.

"I've been around. Rumors and information are audible to those who listen. Of course, a foreigner like you would be without such information."

"Are you saying that one from another world is less intelligent?"

"No, but you'd  be less informed overall and less savvy to the the gossip of Elucine."

"Easy there you two," says Hairos, standing between the two as both tense up for a confrontation. "No need to fight over something trivial. Besides the chancellor will have a fit if anyone starts a brawl."

"T'would be an execution, not a brawl, Rogue," replies the Berserker Hero.

"Indeed, we'd be cleaning your waste and innards off the ground," counters the Saint Hero.

Naki feels her attentiveness drifting off, not so much feeling awkward as she is bored.

"Ahem, a show of force is unnecessary," says another voice as a figure clad in a padded robe with a single sleeve silently steps into the room. He looks rather frail and somewhat meek in stature, but he holds authority in his voice.

"Milord, you cannot greet such folk in that sort of attire," calls a person in bustling white robes. He appears to be an older man, likely in his fifties, with thinning hair and a thick moustache.

"'Tis fine Falir, my dress is suitable," intones the younger man, surveying the group. "Ah, two additions to our not so merry band and in less than four Dyn. It seems that all of the heroes and a Nosi have gathered. How are thee all?"

"...and a Nosi?" Naki asks.

"Indeed. Do you not know what you are?"

"The only thing I know about myself is my name. And that I have no idea where I come from. Or what I am. So yeah, I don't know what I am. Mind is blank as blank gets."

"No need to take offense. A Nosi is... How shall I put this, an unpredictable being without the light of the Luciolith about them. The Luciolith is the creator of our world and is the source of all knowledge and life."

"So... I'm an outsider and or I was not created of this world or something? ...That can't possibly cause people to judge me... certainly not..." Naki mutters.

"But why am I here? ...Great, more questions...."

"Well, few can tell," notes the lord. "I'm clairvoyant and attuned to the Sein of the world to an extent, so I can see things many cannot. I cannot discern your purpose, only that you should travel with the heroes until the right time."

"Really," asks Hairos, "Huh, I guess buying Ven Shold armor was the right thing to do after all."

"You bought Ven Shold armor for a person you did not know," exclaims Falir, "What if she had been a ruffian or a bandit in disguise?!"

"Eh, I would have handled it," shrugs Hairos, "Besides, I'm a good judge of character. I wouldn't have helped her had she held great malicious intent... Well not to the extent thusly presented."

"...Ven... Shold...? ...Man the terminology around here gives me a headache... ...and I guess I'm going to have to get used to the bickering between the two lovely ladies over here," She remarks, subtly implying Saint and Breserker.

A very sharp object narrowly misses Naki's face as it embeds itself into the wall behind her.

"Do not fan the flames, you'll only make them larger," warns Ayla.

"Ven Shold, yes. It means the armor was granted a blessing of defense," explains Hairos.

"Oh, I see." She says, not reacting to the sharp object. "Thanks then, I guess."

''I know for sure that this is gonna be a long day... ...and I'm no closer to really having answers.''

"Think not of it, you never know when a disaster of dire proportions will strike, thus you must always be prepared for both the worst and the best, that way nothing strikes your blindspot because of your inattentiveness."

"I see... so why are these guys here?" She asks, the chancelor, refering to the assembled heroes.

"It's as the Saint Hero so succinctly put," answers Falir, "Someone has chosen to go around the Elucine region, using Reviled Executions to wipe out entire towns in mere moments. Whom ever this person is, their goals are unknown, but their targets are. The remaining nine major towns in Elucine seem to be their target and, judging solely by the two Thcyanas- Mass Killings- they have caused, they may be using different Executions to do so. So far Larsaven- Malady of the Festering Wound- and Sigorm un Taras- Cutting of the Invisible Blades- have been used, leaving over a dozen Executions to choose from."

"Next will be Cirminos un Dunven, followed by Seianasoph, then Baras un Seit fo Sein," says the Saint Hero.

"The audacity mention such things without understanding their gravity is-!" Falir holds back a tongue lashing when the robe clad young man raises a hand. "Aye, milord."

"The Copper Bull of the Great Fire, the Mass Self Killings and the Tearing of Flesh from Soul," he repeats. "If that's the case then that would leave Devouring of the Demonic Birds, Burning by the Wrathful Spears, Entrapment in the Coat of Blades, Severance of the Mind from Body, Staunching of the Flow of Soul and Spearing by Gluttonous Beast..."

"...Correct. You've studied the actions of the Mad One to know such things." The Saint Hero sounds fairly impressed.

"Is it not the job of a king to know what afflicts his people and what may befall them?"

"...If they're using these err... Reviled Executions to kill countless people, I would think there is something dangerous afoot. Perhaps it is a ritualistic behavior? Unless they are just killing for sport or insanity, I would think something of a ritualistic nature would be the reasoning for such a thing. It's simply a theory, but from what little I know, this behavior, during this time of the... Resurgence? It seems suspicious to me."

"That much was already ascertained," replies the Saint Hero, "It's not the Thcyanas so much that matter, but their order. The order determines everything."

"At the very least, we're looking at a second Darkening. At the worst, the perpetrator is attempting to summon something from Pandaemonium, something worse than the Idolas."

Naki rubs her head. "Well so much for being helpful. I may as well let you guys do the problem solving. I don't know anything anyway..." She looks at the Chancellor. "So am I supposed to fight with them too?"

She looks at herself for a moment. "I don't know if I'm actually capable of much of anything really."

"That has yet to be seen on both parts," says Falir.

"I'll be in the strategy room. Saint Hero come with me, we may be able to predict the next target town."

"Aye." The Saint Hero follows the robe clad lord to a different part of the castle.

Naki contemplates her situation for a few minutes, trying to remember more things.

For some reason the Saint Hero seems familiar, though vaguely. There are two possibilities to his identity.

''More questions... ...no answers. ...Why do I have such a monstrous headache? ...I hate being left in the dark...''

"Frowning causes early aging..." Hairos gives Naki a concerned look.

She glances up at him. "Hmm? Oh... ...trying to remember. ...Not exactly going well. I've gotten hints of people, but I can't remember names or faces, just now that Saint guy kinda struck a bell, oddly enough. ...I freaking hate being in the dark, it drives me insane. That much I've already figured out on my own though."

"Patience is key, just endure your struggle until your answers arrive."

"...Patience... ....No, I don't think I've ever been good with that." She starts fiddling with her hair. "Certainly don't think this hair is normal... ...I wonder where I came from? I mean... ....who has natural hair like this?" She laughs, wearily.

Hairos curls one of his dark strands of hair, revealing it to be various shades of very dark green. "Not sure, then again who is born with eyes the color of metal or the ability to eat the sky?"

"Fair point I guess. ...Huh... I used to be... ...blonde?" She murmurs, remembering a tiny detail about herself.

"Anyway, what should I do now? I don't like standing around... ....it would be nice to be able to read..."

"I have a book that details Imperial," offers Ayla. "I found it when I perused the library and records within the castle."

"I could give you a book on Tarrick... Er, Talrick... Tallick," Charle offers, "I think that's the right one... Maybe?"

"That might be helpful. Thanks."

A worn book and a well preserved book are handed to Naki.

"I'll be training in the fields," says Hairos, leaving the room.

"I'll join you." The Berserker Hero follows after him.

Naki looks around, then sighs. "Might as well take a look..." She finds a corner where she won't be bothered, and begins examining the contents of the books.

The books themselves are blank, but  with each page turned it feels as if Naki has learned something  about the two languages.

"Weird... what's with these books?"

"They have an odd trait."

"Reaaaaaaal specific... well it's certainly interesting regardless." She presses on with her reading.

As she reaches the end if the books, Naki feels as if she understands the world she's in a bit more.

"Now if only there was 'A Guide to Naki', that would be perfect. Alas..." Part of Naki's shadow solidifies.

"Well Persona Grimoires exist, at least where I hail from," says Ayla, "They detail the life and stories of their originators, though they also reveal their true name unless warded. I could make one for you though you'd need to find several items before I could."