Prologue-
Lightning flashed, illuminating the courtyard surrounding the small stone library. The storm raged on, showing no signs of abating. It had been raining for three days, and there was no sign of relief on the horizon.
Inside the library, a young man browsed the shelves, looking for interesting reading material to occupy his time until the storm broke. He peered keenly at the books titles as he wandered down an aisle, when an intruiging book caught his eye.
"The Legendary Aburashi Squad..." the young man read from the title of the dust-covered library book, tucked in a corner as if no one had read it in ages. "This seems like an intersting story." he muttered to himself. The man was tall, strong of build, and young, no older than nineteen. He was fair-haired with dark eyes and strong features. A simple leather tunic covered his upper body, paired with leather trousers and sturdy boots.
"That's all it is. A story." an old woman said, seeming to materialize from the shadows. She was quite old, but was still elegant, and obviously quite beautiful in her younger years. She was clad in a dark, flowing robe that covered her movements. "If you wish to know the true story of the greatest of the mercenary squads, sit with me by the fire, and I will tell you." Her voice was raspy with age, but kind nonetheless.
"Of course, Elder." The young man took the arm of the old lady, helping her to a comfortable seat by the fire. Sitting in an identical overstuffed armchair, the young man leaned forward slightly. "Now, ma'am, you said you knew the true tale of the Aburashi Squad?"
"Yes, young one, I do. In fact, I knew the squad members quite well. Kind and perverted Leo, witty and sarcastic Ehrick, massive Daren, gentlemanly Sergio, shy Lyrena, and seductive Krissa. I knew them all..." the old woman said, trailing off, lost in old memories. A polite cough from the young man brought her back to the present.
"Ahh, yes. As I was saying, I knew them well, and know the true story of their ascension to glory better than any." The elder turned and rang a small bell. A library helper came over, bowing slightly to the respected elder. "Could you bring lunch and tea for this young gentleman and myself?" the old woman asked politely.
"Of course." the helper replied, bowing once more as she hurried off to fetch the meal.
"I'm sorry, but it is a long tale, and one not well-inclined to interruption. I feel it is best to bring a meal here to eat as it is told. Now, it all began so long ago..." The elder began, launching into the long tale of the Legendary Aburashi Squad.
Outside, the storm raged on, rattling the windows of the small library building, rain pummelling its gray stone walls. Inside, the odd pair sat by the fire, one passing the stories of the old unto the young.
