Part 5a: The Lost Shroud Pt 1(Easy)

The Lost Shroud

Easy Quest

Requirement: Must have searched for the Elder Shroud.

Reward: 1,000 zeni

The Elder Shroud is coveted among the Kanassans for its ability to grant the wearer unrivaled power and the wisdom of the ancients. Rumors have it that the Prophet Alkiti's brother took the Elder Shroud and traveled into the desert, alone, to never return. Seek him out

Business boomed, oh boy did business boom. Tinith and Iora worked hard. They even had to hire a couple more. Izon had done what he promised, though it was still not enough. He needed more. He needed to do more. With the artisan soul, he managed to stay hidden from the authorities after the monastery incident.

Ten thousand zeni for business, that was already paid off, now it was just profit to him. Oh how he loved the simple minded folk. Though ten thousand was obviously a little harder to come by here than it was on Earth. Not like it mattered.

Izon, who now went under Ian Lancaster again sat in his office looking over the various documents in front of him. He was learning the law of Kanassa which he had recently learned the name of the planet. It was a bit stricter than Earth, but much the same.

There were fewer laws on business, probably because everyone kinda was in a zen like state most of the time, they didn't worry too much about business. Ian brought advertising to their world. He got artisans to paint billboards. He went to the town square to gather people. Yes, business was good.

It was night time when Ian was finally done with some of his research. There were no laws about take over of other companies, nor even a process. No one had to have their own business license which was good, though they greatly frowned upon blackmailing and extortion which he was good at.

They had no death sentences. One would be forced to join a monastery which wouldn't be bad in the short term. Certainly what he had done previously to the monastery would constitute banishment which would not be good. Though soon he'd leave and he wouldn't have to worry about it much.

He rented a place a few blocks away, it was small, but safe which was good. He was also studying their lore which was very mystical. He wanted to know them. He wanted to get into their heads.

He walked into the place and set down the books. Grabbing what passed as Coffee in this place, he sat down, feet kicked up on a foot rest. He picked up one of the books about artifacts as he took a sip of coffee.

One thing every culture loves is seeing their own history. And that was something he could do. He opened the book and began reading. There was a lot of mumbo jumbo in them that he didn't trust or no clues as to the whereabouts of the items. Except one. According to the book, an archeologist was searching for the Elder Garbs. Said to make you immensely more powerful.

He read through. The Archeologist was Corva, who vanished in the desert which was about three thousand miles from where he was. It'd take him time to get there, but if he could find him, he could get the item from him or bargain for it if he was still alive.

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It was something he'd have to get ready for. Tithin was still untrust worthy and he couldn't quite trust Iora to keep an eye out on his own "son". He still didn't have the full story on that either which was annoying. He hated family feuds, even though he's started at least one.

He tossed the book aside and sat back relaxing, letting his mind wander at the about. He was still waiting to get the money together to get off this god forsaken planet. The smell of fish was getting harder and harder to deal with. Though he was starting to feel like he could read minds, though it was random. Tithin had his mind shut off he could tell. Iora was one that was very light hearted which made him that much easier to manipulate. Sadly everything was still broken and he couldn't piece anything together.

A knock came at the door which made Izon let out an exasperated sigh. Who the hell could it be? His neighbors feared him for whatever reason. He never told Tithin nor Iora where he stayed. He stood up and straightened his jacket. Coming to the door, he opened it and was knocked backwards as a boot struck his chest sending him crashing into the little stuff he had.

He sprawled on the ground and got up. Two rather large fish people grinned at him, cracking their knuckles. "So this is the puny creature huh?"

"Yeah, this be him."

Izon stood. "What the hell do you guys want?"

"Puny creature doesn't know anything. So much for being important."

That's when Izon realized he probably had a bounty on his head as a demon, which meant only Iora or Tithin knew who he was here unless they weren't stupid and put together that there was a red creature as well as some unknown human on their planet. Either way, his time was quickly running short.

They came at him on either side. His hands shot out to either side and their fists struck a wall that glimmered red. It vibrated as the three powers fought for control. Sweat began to bead down Izon's head as he fought to keep them at bay.

The building shook and walls cracked. He had to end this quickly. Quickly bringing his arms in, he charged up energy as the two warriors broke through the barrier. He jumped back and crashed through the window. He unleashed a constant bombardment of energy blasts down into the room, igniting it into a brilliant light of red.

The shockwave from the explosion knocked him back, slamming him into the building behind him. He recovered quickly and thanked the demons for the power that he stole from them. The building collapsed under the entensive damage and he cursed the two for having to destroy his home and kill those he called neighbors. Not that it mattered, he knew where to get the Elder Shroud and since he had no place to go as of yet, it was a perfect time to go after it.

"Damn, my hat." He flew down and looked around. The hat cost him nothing but it was the only one on the planet. He found it, hanging on an exposed barb. It was dusty, but it didn't matter. He grabbed it and dusted it off, before taking to the sky and off towards the desert. As long as he got back by morning, he should be good. And if not, it didn't much matter. They'd work without him, at least for a day. By day two they'd begin to worry. He couldn't allow that.

He took off east where the desert rested. It was going to be hot, but he was used to hell, so that didn't bother him either. He looked down and saw people running to the sudden destruction. He had to get off this planet soon or he'd constantly be fighting. Which wasn't good for one's longevity. Though taking Liore's power may have provided him with an ability that could allow him to steal the other's power.

It'd be something he'd have to try. The city vanished behind him and he was nearing the mountains that surrounded the city. The dark forest below was eerie and he could see birds that would terrify the normal person. And soon the mountains enveloped the forest. He rose above the clouds, using the peaks as his guides until they vanished. Once he found a hole in the clouds, he dove down and found himself over a field with what appeared to be a monument.

Intrigued, he landed and looked at it. It was a monument from a battle that had happened.

The Hero Liser lies here, finally at peace. We shall all remember the deeds he has done in his life, but nothing more than bringing us everlasting peace both physically and mentally.[i]

Below it read: [i]Founder of the Kannassian Temple.

Figures. But over the years people loose touch of those who bring them the greatest things in life. Then an idea popped in his head. He knew what he was going to do. A plan that would get that bounty off his head for good and give him followers like never before. He'd have to act uncharacteristic though. That's fine. Something he'd have to return to do at a later time.

He took note of its location and took off once again, shooting through the air towards his first goal. He had plans and a great many. He had to get moving on putting them into action.

Soon the grassland turned to desert and he knew he was nearing. Though he still had to find him. At least though he knew where to start. The town of Hica. A small town known to be inhabited by the most daring of all the archeologists or adventurers.

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TWC:1521