1. The People of the Rioting Lands
The Dyneskal Empire had entered into the reign of the Emperor Balor. After hearing the prophecy that, one day, he would be killed by a grandson, Balor commanded that his grandson, Areus, be slain. But thanks to the quick actions of his father, Lugh, Areus was saved and awaited in the chance to take his revenge at the arena at Liberdam.
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Balor ordered his army to advance north. The Dyneskal Army did not care about status or rank, but promoted mercenaries solely based on their strength. As a result, although they came from different places, with different dreams and ideas, each mercenary fought with heart and passion.
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During the advance, the Dyneskal Army learned the whereabouts of the remaining family of the rebellious Lugh. Enlisting the aid of his friends, Areus rushed to help, but could only watch in desperation as his family was cut down. Areus was thrown into a deep pit of despair.
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With the ties between him and his friends strengthened, Areus joined forces with Nemea and the Anti-Balor resistance, and together they headed for the Ministry. However, thanks to the sorcery of the High Priestess Iizu, Balor was given the power of immortality. Only a „Dark Relic“ had the power to slay the immortal Balor…
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The Sword of Nihil, recovered from the belly of the dragon in the Cave of Phantoms. It was said to be the sole remaining means of resisting the now immortal Balor. Pretending to have arrested Nemea, Areus and his companions finally enter Ancient Castle.
2. Areus‘ Rising Fame
Having heard the rumors of Areus, the one man who had fought the legendary swordsman, Reig, to a draw, the Arena was anxiously awaiting Areus‘ coming. Not wanting to disappoint Areus‘ expectations either, the Arena had carefully prepared for his match.
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The fans at the Arena unanimously praised the victory of the once-persecuted young half-elf. Having reached the summit, suddenly a glorious world of possibilities opened up in front of Areus…
3. The Battle with Reig
Invited by Darqin, Areus and his friend, Dorado, watch a fierce battle between the Sword Saint, Reig, and some trolls. Areus watches closely after being advised by Darqin that the only chance he has of beating the undefeated Reig is to learn all that he can of Reig’s fighting style.
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The match between Areus and Reig was finally set. The match that all of Liberdam had been waiting for. When next they entered the Arena, it would be time for the epic battle to unfold… and each and every townsperson was waiting with bated breath for that moment.
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The match begins before the eyes of the packed crowd. Although most thought that he had no chance against Reig, the man known as the „Sword Saint“, the crowd gradually begins to warm to the brave young newcomer, Areus…
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The match ends only when time runs out. The entire Arena is filled with the sounds of cheers honoring the skill and courage of both Areus and Reig. After the battle with Reig, even Areus could feel that he was coming into his own.
4. Areus‘ Strategy
Having failed his officer examination, but passing his mercenary exam, Areus joins forces, for better or worse, with Dagda and Selene. Although at just the fringe of the Dyneskal Empire, he feels he is one step closer to finally reaching the heart of Balor…
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On his first mission as a mercenary, Areus listens quietly as an officer of the Dyneskal Army tells him about Balor’s plans for the mercenary army. „We will be his hand that sweeps away the corruption and decay of the past. To forge in its place a world fitting of our Emperor’s glory!“
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Recognizing their growing achievements in battle, Dorado, officer in the Dyneskal Army, asks Areus and his friends to search for the mysterious relic, the „Sword of Nihil“. But unfortunately they are unsuccessful in their attempts to find the sword.
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After battling a pursuing party, they find an ancient sword thought to be the Sword of Nihil, but after examination they determine it to be a fake. If only they can find the true sword, they are certain they will be given the honor of standing before Balor himself.
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After Molzova tells Dorado of the secret collusion between Areus and Nemea, Areus and Dorado fight to the death and Dorado is struck down. The time for the final battle is rapidly approaching, the battle to which Areus has devoted his entire life…
5. Dagda’s Past
Dagda of the boldans was a cheerful and friendly adventurer, but for some reason relating to his past, he was loathe to enter Liberdam. Of course, everyone has something in their past that they are ashamed to admit, and yet…
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One day, they meet a former swordsman who knew of Dagda’s past. When he began to speak of how Dagda once fought in the Arena, Dagda’s face sank. It seemed that there was indeed some dark period in his past, that had something to do with the Arena.
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Dagda and Darqin had once been rivals, but after Dagda refused to participate in a rigged match, the rumor that Dagda was a cheater was circulated through the City… Unable to relay the truth to Darqin, Dagda fled the city in shame.
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After finally revealing his hidden past to his new companions, Dagda was able to move on. Filled with a renewed sense of belonging, gained from his battle companions, the shame and resentment from his treatment at Liberdam slowly faded from Dagda’s heart.
6. Leticia and Elliot
Threatened with death by Balor, Areus‘ mother and adopted brother had fled to a home hidden deep in the forest. After reuniting with them, Areus promised his mother that, one day, he would fulfill his father’s promise to create a world where all races could live free from hate and prejudice.
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Having joined the mercenaries in order to get closer to Balor, Areus bid farewell to his family. Someone must stop Balor’s madness… Leticia watched quietly as her son, Areus, walked away, never turning back.
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The regular army advanced into the forest on the outskirts of Liberdam, charged with the mission to hunt down and kill Balor’s grandchild and his mother. Rushing back to save them, Areus was aided by his friends Dagda and Selene. Together they passed through the Dragon’s Boneyard to reach Areus‘ mother as quickly as possible…
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By the time they arrive, however, the house is surrounded. Areus‘ adopted brother, Elliot, declares himself to be the son of Lugh and is struck down alongside his mother. In the blink of an eye, Areus‘ remaining family is slain, and for all his strength, he can do nothing but stand and watch as the tragedy unfolds.
7. Elder Warriors‘ Repose
Areus enters Liberdam, leaving behind Dagda who is not yet emotionally prepared to return. Apparently Darqin has been worried about Dagda since he left the city following the cheating scandal. It seems he is eager to see him again.
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Upon hearing that Darqin had himself searched long and hard for him after he left the Arena, Dagda decides to pay Darqin a visit. But this time, it is Darqin who is nowhere to be found. In search of Darqin, the three companions head for the New Moon Tower.
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After his rescue, Darqin and Dagda face each other for the first time in 20 years and Dagda receives a new soul, Chrome Heart. Upon seeing that, Darqin promises to once again meet with Dagda after another 20 years have passed.
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After renewing their rivalry in a battle at the Arena, the two old warriors share a laugh over how they have aged. Dagda, clearly refreshed and recharged after talking over old times with Darqin, thanks Areus for all he has done and offers a rare, bright smile.
8. Selene’s Purpose
Areus is asked by the dakenith, Selene, for help in a quest to exterminate monsters. It seems that she is searching for something. After destroying the beasts, Selene, rather heavy-handily insists on joining forces with Areus.
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Selene searches among the defeated monsters and suddenly announces she’ll be leaving the party for a short time. Dagda tell Areus that she has a secret that she cannot tell anyone. What exactly could Selene be searching for…?
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Areus hears word that a darkenith leading monsters is running amok at Fire Dragon Mountain. Recalling the tenacity with which Selene destroyed the monsters, Areus and Dagda head for Fire Dragon Mountain to confirm if it really is Selene, as they fear.
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Selene is searching for her sister who had been turned into a monster by a weapons merchant who has been transforming darkeniths into living weapons. Upon learning of this, Areus and Dagda decide to do what they can to aid Selene.
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The three companions manage to defeat Selene’s sister. Still unsure of whether or not this was the proper thing to do, Selene hears a familiar voice say „Thank you“, and upon hearing it, receives a new soul, Nosferatu.
9. The Closed Heart of Areus
While striving to save his family, Areus had, for a time, opened up his heart to his new companions. But after their death, his heart, once again, became closed and hardened. The words of his friends no longer reached him… Areus set off on his lone mission, resolved to slay the man named Balor.
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Alone, Areus accepts a mission that reminds him of the time he first met his companions. After reuniting with Dagda, Areus understands how much they care for him but is still unable to fully reach out of them.
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Heading for Liberdam, Areus meets Darqin who scolds him for having left his companions with whom he shared so many adventures and battles. Areus sets off alone for the holite mines to try to confront his inner demons and his true feelings.
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After successfully fighting off the dark demons within himself, Areus receives the new soul, Negavanitia. Darqin tells him that now he is strong enough to fight alongside his companions without being swallowed up by the darkness, and that the rest is up to him.
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Areus finally tells his companions that he has been charged with the mission of defeating Nemea. After asking for their help, Dagda and Selene tell Areus that is was always their intention to do so. Areus‘ once closed heart opens again like a blossoming flower.
10. The Crimson Armor of Angildan
Areus fought with Angildan, leader of the Arnotun mercenary forces. After Angildan bravely conceded defeat, Areus and his friends sheathed their own weapons. With his jaunty and friendly manner, Areus found it difficult to believe that he had once fought alongside the likes of Balor and Zofor.
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After telling Angildan of how his family was taken from him, Angildan confessed that he too had lost his true love. He then advised that it takes time for wounds to heal and that it’s important to recover fully before trying too hard to get back up.
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Areus managed to learn that Angildan was friends with Nemea and that they were headed to Elz. With his broad connections, it seems as if Angildan knew each and every adventurer on the continent.
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But even Angildan was unable to prevent the death of his greatest love, Lufaye. Nevertheless, after meeting with Areus and his friends, Angildan’s spirit to continue to fight for the future was rekindled. To show his gratitude, he swore to Areus to help him in any way he could.
(11 – 20)
Subculture works. 