War of Emperium

Rush

Sograt Desert was undoubtedly the largest desert in the world of Midgard. It stretched as far from the southern tip of Prontera, to the whole land of Morroc and finally to the woody hills of Payon. A variety of creatures, but unfortunately weak ones, thrived in the burning sands.

The sun was hot and the heat haze sickening, but first job people and the occasional second jobs braved the desert sands for chunks of experience.

A Peco-peco was fast crossing the desert horizon. The only difference was, its rider was not a Knight. A Wizard in his regal robes was perched precariously on the rushing giant bird, gloved hands gripping the harness tightly. His white cape, embroidered with the Geffenese Eye, was billowing gracefully behind him.

It was Nerva al'Thor. But one would not know it was him, because his face was hidden beneath the dark shade of his sakkat.

"Stop!" he commanded, pulling the harness.

The Peco-peco responded and cawed loudly. Nerva looked on at the horizon and saw what had caught his attention.

"HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME!"

It was a Novice, running for dear life. Behind it was one of Morrocs most hated creatures, the giant Golem. A giant made out of pure rock, the Golem was fast at the scuttling Novices heels, and great stony fists ready to crush.

"Hnh" said Nerva.

He pulled the harness. The Peco-peco reared and dashed head-on toward the Novice and the Golem. The Novices blue eyes widened.

Nerva removed his right hand from the harness. In a flash he grabbed the Novice by the collar and set the boy before him on the Peco-peco. Using his left hand Nerva pulled the harness really hard, making the Peco-peco perform a full 360 degrees turnabout.

The Golem loomed above them and howled in outrage. It whammed its solid fists into the sand, causing a loud explosion. But Nerva, the boy and the Peco-peco were fast to avoid it. In the blink of an eye they were at an optimum distance from the Golem. Nerva extended his right hand toward the approaching Golem.

"FROST DRIVER!"

The Novice watched in wonder as the Golem was frozen in a huge block of ice. Nerva raised his hand to the sky, which immediately darkened with thick storm clouds.

"THUNDERSTORM!"

A great ring inscribed with Geffenese runes appeared beneath the solid block of ice encasing the Golem. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled. A very big bolt of lightning struck the block of ice, shattering everything it was encasing into bits. The Novice squealed.

And then, the sky cleared. Heat returned on that part of the Sograt once more.

"You okay?" Nerva asked the boy.

The Novice faced him and made to say thank you, but his words died even before they got out of his mouth. Nerva gave a small, thin-lipped smile.

"Where do you intend to go?" he said as he ordered the Peco-peco to run.

"M-Morroc" the boy stammered.

"Good. I am planning to go there as well." Nerva replied.

"W-who are you?" the Novice asked.

A pair of yellow eyes flashed from the under the sakkats shade. The Novice felt chills down his spine.  "Oh, I am just a Wizard who happened to pass by when you needed help. Nothing more than that, boy. Nothing more than that."