**

-Inside the Cave of Moss-

Inside the cave of moss, Makani almost choked on the piece of fruit that he was chewing on when the old lady proclaimed that she's a goddess.

*Cough! Cough!*

Makani coughed and took out his leather bota bag out of his DS ring to get a drink of water. As he drank the water, the corner of the old lady's mouth curled as she eyed Makani. Makani who's recovering from what the old lady had said began asking questions.

"Goddess of moss? I thought gods are suppose to be ageless and eternal?"

The old lady's mouth began to frown even though her eyes are covered with a blindfold she looked saddened when Makani asked her those questions.

"It's true that we gods are ageless and eternal. But everything changed when my foolish brothers and sisters decided to have their worthless squabble. When we began fighting, we caused chaos and destruction throughout the lands and our reckless actions had provoked your ancestors like an angry bee hive."

Makani remembered the story well, the mortals throughout the lands grew restless and rebelled against the gods. As everyone united under the banner of the Hero Kai, the mortals went on to battle against the gods. The result of this epic battle was very grim because both sides didn't have a pleasant ending. The old lady continued talking while Makani listened attentively as he sat comfortably on the soft ground covered in moss.

"I began to rapidly age when I was struck by the explosion that the hero Kai had created. The blinding violent explosion caused me to lose my sight as well. Unlike the other gods and goddesses who were much closer to the blast, I considered my self lucky because most of my brothers and sisters died in the explosion. Those who escaped, fled with critical injuries causing them to be crippled and deformed."

Sitting there on the soft moss covered ground, Makani is in disbelief that he was hearing the story from views of the deity's. He remained silent and continued to listen as the old lady continued.

"I stayed here in this cave to hide from the others."

Makani's eyes widened. 'Others?' he thought to himself. Instantly Makani was curious about what the old woman had said about the others.

"Others? What do you mean?"

"The there are a few of us left and a very small percent of that few wishes us to gather while the rest just want to live a peaceful life. I myself have been living a peaceful life in this cave."

The things Makani was hearing is very alarming. He didn't know whether he should inform someone or not. But since he could do nothing at the moment, he continued to question the goddess so that he would be able learn more.

"What does that very small percent want?"

The old lady began to stroke and brush the soft wall covered in moss.

"I have no clue what they want. But all I know is that I enjoy just being here in this cave. If I fade from existence anytime soon, I'll leave this world happy."

It annoyed Makani that he didn't find out what the small percent of the gods and goddesses wanted to accomplish by having them gather. Makani hoped it was nothing but knowing this information bothered him. Then suddenly the old lady said something.

"All I know is that one or three of us out there are making more of our minions and releasing them to cause havoc."

"Minions?" Makani asked.

"You mortals refer to them as Holos. "

As she finished her sentence the old woman suddenly grabbed her chest and began to moan in pain. She then grabbed onto the wall of moss with one of her hands and slowly fell on the soft moss covered ground.

Ignoring the pain the he felt in his entire body, Makani rushed to the old woman's aid to see what had happened.

"Goddess what happened?"

"To think that I would fade away this way. But before I leave, I have a present for you young mortal. There behind that red rock is a small leather bag full of a special white moss called Ki. A small piece of this can cure any illness but will take five years of your life, a pinch of it can heal you entirely but will take twenty years of your life."

The old woman began to fade away as the moments passed she became more transparent. After a few more second the old lady's entire body completely disappeared. Makani felt saddened that old woman had faded away without him ever knowing her name.

**

-City of Hau-

Tristan and Harry is currently on a quest/job. Since there were no quest to be found that included fighting Holos, they were both stuck doing menial quests. The quest that they took from the Adventurer's Guild board was titled: "Help Wanted: Missing Dish Washer Boys with the description of; Help Dish Washer Boys needed.

Tristan insisted in taking the quest because he thought that it would lead to fighting monsters. Harry didn't mind doing the quest but he definitely thought that the title and the description of the quest was misleading.

Now in a restaurant kitchen both Tristan and Harry are stuck washing dishes for three days.

"This is embarrassing! I am a Fighter class!" Tristan screamed as he washed the dishes inside the sink.

"Shut it! or else we'll tell the Adventurer's Guild that you forfeit this quest!" Screamed the manager.

Forfeiting a quest is worst than failing the quest. Forfeiting a quest will make the Adventurer's Guild deduct experience points from the adventurer. Most deduction are large enough that the adventurer will be force to be downgraded to their previous grade.

"I told you there was something sketchy about the quest. But you insisted." Harry whispered as he wiped the dishes dry with a rag.

"Okay! Next time i'll listen!" Tristan whisper shouted to Harry while he continued to wash dishes.

Even though the job that they're both in is a menial job, doing the quest would eventually help them upgrade to the next class. Two and half weeks are still remaining until they could register into the tournament. Hopefully by then the two will be upgraded.

**

-City of Hau

The snowy streets of the capital is lively and many of its citizens are traveling to their various destinations. Its been several days since they arrived and Moa, Iola and Kola stood in the busy street of the capital. As the three stood there, they're at awe at the seemingly strong adventurers that would pass them by. Moa who's more excited than the other two couldn't help but stare at the warriors that sped their way through the streets.

"So many strong adventurers!"

Iola wearing a grumpy face, is doubtful that they'll find an adventurer that will help them rid of the bandits just for some food. Kola stood there just merely observing and doing his duty that the elder of the settlement has given him.

Moments later Moa sees a large demi-human with bear like features carrying an enormous spear.

"There! I'll ask that adventurer. He seems fearsome and is willing to help the weak."

Moa followed and rushed over to the demi-human. The boy stepped in front of the adventurer and bowed down with his knees on the ground.

"Mr. adventurer please help us!"

The demi-human looked down at Moa who's on his knees bowing towards him on the cold frozen ground. The large adventurer grunted.

"What's all this?"

"Please Mr. Adventurer If you could spare a moment to hear our story. We have food to fill your belly while you listen." Moa opened a pack full of delicious looking meat.

The fierce looking adventurer looked at the meat inside the pack and considered the offer.

"Very well. Let us go to the Adventurer's Guild."

Moments later in the Adventurer's Guild, the three settlers and the adventurer sat on a table. While Moa told their story and situation, the large demi-human adventurer snacked on the delicious meat that they offered. At the end of telling their situation, the adventurer sat there and stared at the three.

"Bandits eh? Hmmmm."

Moa intently stared at the adventurer while he sat there trying to make a decision.

"I'm sorry. But I don't intend to risk my life for food."

After hearing the adventurer decline their request, Moa got on his knees and began begging.

"Please Mr. Adventurer! All of our lives are at stake!"

The large adventurer stood up and started to walk away.

"Again, I wish to be no part of this. Thank you for the delicious meat."

Moa grabbed on to the large adventurer's leg and continued to beg. His begging caught the attention of the adventurers nearby.

"Please Mr. Adventurer! This is our lives!"

The large adventurer shoved Moa away and shouted his decision again.

"I said no! Find someone else who'll fight your battle for food."

Moa again grabbed on to the large adventurer and continued to beg.

"Please Mr. Adventurer! If you have any conscience!"

"I SAID NO! I AM A FIGHTER CLASS! I STILL HAVE MY PRIDE! FOOL!"

Annoyed the large adventurer grabbed Moa and threw him across the room.

*CRASH!*

Iola and Kola rushed to Moa's side to see if he's okay. Tears began to fall from Moa's eyes. Iola looked down to Moa who's crying.

"What'd I tell you?"

Kola grabbed Moa and began helping the boy up on his foot. Iola just stood there with a grumpy face staring at Moa.

"What a waste. That adventurer ate half of our meat provisions."

Kola turned around to Iola and gave him an intense look.

"Commenting such things won't our situation."

The three grabbed their things and started walking to door. Then suddenly a beautiful black haired elf stood in front of them.

"Hello, I'm Erica. I'm one of the assistants of the Adventurer's Guild. I couldn't help but listen to your story. I may not be able to help you with your problems but I can assist you in getting those adventurers that you need to fight your battle."

Moa's saddened face changed. Instantly he grabbed Erica's hands.

"Anything would help miss!"

Erica blushed as Moa firmly held on to her hands. Moa stared at Erica's eyes waiting for Erica to tell him how they'll be able to hire the adventurers they need.

"First please let my hand go."

Moa turned red and laughed pathetically as he let go of her hand.

"I apologize. Now please, tell us how would we be able to hire the adventurers that we need?"

**

- Inside the Cave of Moss-

The injuries that Makani received from the Holos began to ache again. The long cut on his back reached from his right shoulder to his waist. As he continued to feel the almost unbearable pain, he stared at the small pouch in his hand and began thinking whether he should take the white moss called Ki. If he ingest a pinch of the Ki he'll be fully healed of his injuries but in return he'll lose 10 years of his life.

Makani stored the small leather bag inside his DS ring and continued to bare with the pain.

'I'd rather endure the pain than lose 10 years of my life. I'll save these for a real emergency.' he thought to himself.

Makani took out a large red gemstone and summoned Pohaku. Pohaku's body materialized in front of Makani and its appearance was the same as when Makani used a large red gemstone the first time.

Instantly Pohaku saluted as he stood in front of Makani.

'So that's how it is! Depending on the color of gemstone, the appearance of Pohaku is of different element. Red gemstone for fire and yellow gemstone for lightning.' Makani thought to himself.

Pohaku just stood there saluting as if waiting for Makani to give it an order.

Makani looked at Pohaku and remembered the new ability that he had just gotten. He grinned then began talking to Pohaku using his ability [Psychic Communication ability].

'Pohaku sit!'

'Yes master! At once!'

Makani's mind widened when he heard Pohaku's voice in his head. He began to laugh from the excitement of being able to talk to Pohaku. Then suddenly he remembered wondering how he got in the cave of moss. Makani asked his Onion Golem out of curiosity.

'Pohaku what happened before you took me to this cave?'

Pohaku stood at attention and began to tell Makani what had happened.

'After you buried us underground to hide from the Holos that attacked you, you fainted causing the ground around us to crumble. Briefly after I dug us out of the ground, we were attacked by group of canine like Holos that are about three meters tall. Seeing that I couldn't fight the group of Holos without the risk of endangering your life, I decided to flee. Luckily you summoned me in my lightning form allowing me to move faster than normal.'

Makani furrowed his brow and became curious when Pohaku mentioned being in lightning form.

'Lightning form?'

'Master has noticed it already that when I am summoned using a certain color, I take on that color's element. Now I am the element of fire which endows me enhance and strengthen body.'

Makani rubs his chin while listening to Pohaku.

'I see, Now continue with the story.'

'Yes Master! I grabbed your body and ran west. I had difficulties out running the holos on the way here. They were able to tear off one of my arms and they also managed snap off my horns.'

Makani suddenly felt tired and weak. He began holding his head as he continued to communicate with Pohaku telepathically.

'I see. I guess we'll try to avoid these holos as much as possible on the way to the capital. For now I need to rest. I suddenly feel drained.'

Everything in Makani's sight started to become blurry and suddenly he collapsed. After many hours, Makani woke up with a big head ache as if he's been drinking too much wine last night. The pain on his back began to lessen a bit. Makani opened his eyes and saw Pohaku standing at a resting position in the same location as he was before he collapsed.

Using his [Psychic Communication ability] again he communicated with Pohaku.

'Pohaku I have a mission for you.'

Instantly Pohaku stood at attention.

'Yes master?'

Makani took out his leather bota bag and handed it to Pohaku.

'I want you to refill that bag with fresh water if you can. If you can't find water after an hour, report back to me and tell me about the surroundings.'

'Yes master!'

"Go!" Makani yelled.

Pohaku bolted out of the the cave and started his mission in search of fresh water for his master.

**

-Outside of the Cave of Moss-

'Must find master fresh water'

Pohaku continued to tell itself as it stepped outside of the cave of moss. The chilly wind from the east blew towards its body cause the flames that engulfed it to flutter around.

Pohaku looked around and observed the surroundings to see if there were signs of running water. To the east, Pohaku could see the snowy area where they ran from the holos. To the west are tall mountainous areas, the entire surrounding are nothing but hard jagged rocks with no signs of water.

Pohaku continued to search and after an hour of searching, it could not find any water at all. Since Makani had only given it an hour to search, Pohaku swiftly returned back to the cave of moss to report back to his master.

**