The day had finally come, Toda and Lance had turned eighteen and could finally take on more dangerous tasks within the Nu'Bai branch of Terra's Adventurer's Guild. For they had a policy of anyone could join at age fifteen, but could only participate in gathering and delivery quests until they each became of age. Afterwards, they had to be a Bronze Rank C or higher in order to take on a monster hunting quest. Not only this, but also had to have three recommendations from at least one Silver Rank F and the rest from outstanding citizens of where they resided. This was so that the idiotic and bullheaded do not rush off after becoming of age, only to be found months later and rotting in a Goblin's larder.

Toda and Lance, however, have been performing quests together since joining up at age fifteen. Ever since then, the pair would run around their community in search of adventure, but found only the dull quests of gathering, delivery, and training. The last was necessary for younglings who wished to fight with sword and shield in hand, and they would often come away black and blue after each session. However, they always grinned and bore it well.

The features of Toda were that of an athletic build of one hundred and eighty five centimetres, coupled with a hawk based facial with mischievous eyes of sapphire that sparkled at every turn. This included a fiery red mane of hair atop his head that, no matter what was resting upon the hairs, always spiked up when it was removed.

Whereas his friend and closest companion, Lance, stood at a height of one hundred and sixty three centimetres, and had shoulder length hair of soft lavender which was emulated within the pair of doe shaped eyes. This one's entire facial structure was like that of a dew drop, which denoted this one to be quite effeminate. However, he had a great secret held close to his heart, but would reveal it at a later date.

For the pair, during their time as rookie Adventurers, had made friends with three other girls, each pining for Toda who was clearly more outgoing than the shy Lance. However, their object of affection was oblivious to this fact, despite having the crystal clear signs laid bare before him.

Two of the three were a pair of raven haired twins with one of them gaining the class of Mage, whilst the other took up the class of Priestess, and were named Lanna and Anna. Both had all the right curves that any man would want, but were often hidden beneath their thick robes of blue and yellow cream. However, this didn't stop the eyes of men from seeing their chests, which were obviously quite large for their one hundred and forty eight centimetre frames. Not to mention their own faces mirrored that of Lance's, but none have yet to put two and two together.

The last, however, was a Dwarven girl who called herself Jan, but always corrected people by drawing out the J sound as though it were a G in the name of “George”. Her own build, on the other hand, was the same stock as all others of her kind. With only a height of one hundred and twenty centimetres, and enough muscles to make even a Strongman from Earth feel weak, she was one who could hold her own in a fight. Unfortunately, she felt weak in the knees for the fiery red haired Human named Toda, and followed him wherever he went.

Now, the group themselves were awaiting Lance at the east end of the community, whereas themselves were already decked out in their newly formed Adventurer gear. Such as Toda and Jan wearing a chain hauberk, heavy leathered leggings, and iron capped shoes, but with the former holding a wooden shield and iron short sword and the latter carrying an iron battle axe.

Their wait, however, was short lived as Lance ran up to them just as the sun was beginning to rise above the horizon. Here, he stopped in front of the group, bending over and gripping above his knees as he panted. “Sorry, I'm late,” his voice was soft, barely above a whisper. When he stood tall, it was revealed that he wore the same outfit and had the same armaments as Toda. However, he was also holding two wooden caps with metal rivets down the centre, that also had stretched leather to give it some padding.

“Geez, Lance,” huffed Anna as she brushed the front of her blue robes free of any remaining dust, “You sure took your time.”

“Sorry,” came his reply, “Was having breakfast with Mom.”

“Oh,” they all responded with some awkwardness. For Lance's mother was bedridden due to an accident which left her without the use of her legs many years ago. Not only this, but the accident also cost his father's life, and their only means of financial support. Therefore, he took up a job being a rookie adventurer in order to take care of his and his mother's finances.

“Well, come on,” called out Toda, who then gripped him under the shoulder, and pushed him forwards towards the Forest of Nu'Bai, “We have Goblins to slay, and we're burning daylight.”

“But the day is just starting,” grumbled Jan, who hefted her axe upon her right shoulder before marching behind him.

“Still, we're burning it,” he grinned over his shoulder, paying no mind to the blush which graced the Dwarf's cheeks. Turning away from her, and releasing Lance's arm, he slapped the cap atop his head and led the party to the forest line. Here, they were stopped by a pair of hunters who were exiting the forest with three Horned Rabbits drained of their blood upon each of their belts.

The pair wore the standard out fits of grey and brown leathers which covered them from head to toe, only allowing their fingertips and eyes to be revealed. However, one of them stepped forth in order to stretch the leather mask downward in order to reveal, “Uncle Owen,” gasped the twins, who rushed over to hug their supposed uncle. Of who had a face which seemed to always be full of cheer, and split into a wide grin as he received the pair's hug with his own.

“Ah,” his voice was a harsh whisper, and cleared it quickly in order to speak with gruff authority, “What are you two doing out here?”

“We've a task to clear out some Goblins,” chimed in Anna.

“Yeah,” came Lanna's voice, “We turned eighteen, so we're allowed to go with Toda, Lance, and Jan to hunt them down.”

Here, their uncle turned towards Toda, who was already walking forward in order to salute the elder with his right fist over his heart, and his left arm resting slightly above his rear end. “Don't worry, sir,” he spoke in a serious tone, “I'll be sure to bring them home safe.”

“You better, boy. They're all that's left of my family,” growled the other, and grunted as the twins elbowed him in the gut.

“We'll be fine,” and, “Tod'as with us,” is what they spoke of as they retreated to their friend's side.

“Uh-huh,” he grumbled slowly, massaging the area they had struck. Afterwards, he turned to his partner, who shrugged as though it did not concern himself, then back to the group, “You best be careful. There's a beast out there which has been sighted a few times heading north.”

“You mean the one with that scream?” shivered Lance who inched a little closer to the protective aura Toda had.

“Yeah,” bobbed Owen, “Some Silvers had found its den a few clicks south, and about half a click in either direction of the sight was utter devastation.” The group shivered at the thought, not wanting to run up against whatever it was that was the cause of it all.

“What will they do, Uncle Owen?” wondered Lanna as she hugged her sister who embraced her back.

“Your Guild is thinking about calling in some Golds from New Wair to take care of it,” their eyes widened at the revelation. For a Gold Rank Adventurer was considered as one of the elites, but were not compared to Platinum, Diamond, a magickal metal, nor any of the numbered ranks. Still, a Gold gracing this small community with their presence? It was still mind boggling.

“In any case,” he slowly replaced the mask over his nose and mouth, creating muffled words of, “you all be careful, okay?” Upon so saying, slowly stalked forward with his partner towards the community of houses which was their home.

When the elder was far enough away, Toda released a long breath he didn't know he was holding. Afterwards, he turned towards his group in order to egg them forwards, but stopped due to them becoming over excited due to the prospect of a Gold Rank coming to their community. “Can you believe it,” whispered Anna, whose eyes sparkled with admiration, “a Gold Ranked Adventurer.”

“I know, right?” chimed in Jan before pointing towards the forest, “But come on, we have to complete our contract. Afterwards, we can wait for the Gold to show up.”

“Yeah,” replied everyone, including the shy Lance whose eyes shone with excitement, then faded away as he wondered aloud, “How far away is the Goblins?”

“A couple kilometres east, why?” called out Toda, who dragged himself to the front as he made sure to have his shield strapped to his left arm, whilst his sword was out and at the ready.

“No reason,” he replied offhandedly, copying his friend.

Afterwards, the group trekked forwards for a few hours, none truly accustomed to the terrain. Therefore, they only traveled almost a full kilometre when they heard it. The scream of a predator claiming its territory.

Today, Lance, and Jan then placed their backs around the twins, whilst Lanna intoned, “>,” as a small hut made up of gilded, white light formed up around themselves. Afterwards, they each tensed as the sound continued to be carried away from them whilst the forest's residents hid themselves from this unknown beast. Whereupon they heard, then saw, the bodies of four green-skinned children in dirtied loincloths rush past them with great fear upon their features, towards the east.

“After them,” Toda called out, disrupting the protective spell in order to chase after the Goblins who ran past them.

“Wait for us, Toda,” called out Lance and Jan as they dashed towards him as well, leaving the twins to banish the spell before running, too.

The chase lasted for only a few minutes as they each found themselves surrounded by ten of the green-skins, who each chattered and grunted in their own language whilst pointing their sticks at the group. “Ugly bastards,” growled Jan, ready to charge.

“I agree,” frowned Lance, who then turned towards the twins, “Anna, can you-”

“Already on it,” she replied with a grunt, and thrust out her slender hands whilst closing her eyes, “,” a small gust of wind swept around her in a perfect circle, stirring up the fallen leaves and loose earth, “” The circle of air quickly heated itself as it stretched itself outward until it surrounded the whole of the party, “>!”

Her eyelids slid back as the whole of her eyes flared with orange light. All around them, the circle of wind sparked and crackled as flames burst forth, swirling in a clockwise motion. Inside was only warmth, whilst the outside had screaming Goblins with tendrils of ethereal flames embracing their small bodies, reducing them to ash. Of which should have been all ten of them, but one escaped whilst screaming in its horrible little language. The group, on the other hand, were too enthralled by the showmanship of the flames to care about the pest. Instead, they simply widened their eyes in awe until the magick ended with Anna collapsing upon the earth.

“Anna,” cried out her sister as she intoned the spell, “>.” Whereupon her hands glowed with a soft green light before it entered the other's body. Of whom slowly opened her eyes to find everyone staring over her.

“Wh-what?” she croaked out, and soon found herself coughing lightly.

“That was so cool,” shouted Toda, who quickly knelt down next to the raven haired twins, and hugged Anna. Of whom blushed scarlet as she opened her mouth to speak, but only squeaked out a surprise. Afterwards, he held her at arm's length with a grin, “I didn't know you could cast a Fire Spell like that!”

All the while, the other girls' faces flared up with intense jealousy, as the one they all loved held one of their rivals. Of which also included Lance, who stood at the back and away from everyone.