The Beginning of an Adventure

It is the year 1065 and the day is wonderful. A crisp autumn breeze blow orange and red leaves about giving color to a glorious landscape. Birds chirp and sing as they prepare to head south before the winter snows hit. Small rodents such as squirels and chipmunks collect the fallen nuts to feed themselves while they hide away from the frosty season ahead. And amoungst all of this a cheerful 17 year old girl skips her way down the well used trail to her newly found destiny....

A bag with clothing on her back, a sack carried on arms filled with discs found by her parents and loyal family dog by her heels, Genn is ready for her future as a rancher.

" Oh Marcus! This is so exciting don't you think?" She smiled down to her dog as she walked along the trail. " I can hardly wait till we get there. I can hardly believe I've been so lucky as to have won that contest to get my own ranch! I tell ya it was fate!" With a cheerful bark from Marcus, Genn could only giggle.

Travelling for another hour Genn finally began to approach a near-bye town named Yeuin, one of the best places to buy supplies for ranches. And luckly this town was close to Genn's new ranch. Genn paused at the entrance to the town, awing at all the people and monsters roaming about. She could hardly believe that very soon she will be able to walk amounst these people with a monster of her own.

"Well, here goes nothin..." With that she headed in.

Genn could hardly believe her eyes. Monsters the likes she had never seen roamed about. A funny hairy one walked along side it's master. "No telling what it's hiding underneath all of that fur." Genn thought to herself. And a huge golem that appeared to be wearing a tuxedo seemed to be admiring itself in a mirror. A colorful rainbow looking worm rested it's tired body in a bouqet of flowers almost blending in completly. Genn giggled with childish glee at the sites and sounds of this lively town.

Stopping at one of the small shops by the road she looked about the various items to see if there is anything she would like. "Can I get ya anything miss?" The kindly old woman asked.

" Oh no, I'm just looking for now.. but could you possibly tell me where the shrine is?"

" Oh ye be lookin for the shrine?" The old woman stood up and walked to the side of Genn. " You see that tall building right over there?" the woman pointed down a very busy street. Genn nodded even though she could barely see over the crowd. " Well that's it right there. If ya got discs that's the place to go."

Genn smiled brightly, " Thanks alot! And I'll be back to buy something as soon as I get me a monster!!" With that Genn ran off in the direction the woman pointed to until she saw it.

Genn was almost taken aback by the utter beauty of the building. The outside walls were covered in emaculate tapestries that must've taken an army to work. The glimmer of golden thread gleamed in the sun nearly blinding anyone who stare at it long enough. Embroideries of ancient times were depictied on the trimmings of each and every carpet hung on the walls. Catching her breath, Genn looked down at Marcus. "Well buddy, this is it. I better not get cold feet now."

Stepping up to the doors Genn opened them until she and Marcus could fit through. " Hello there." A young attractive woman said as she began to head for the two. " My name is Kirsten, may I be of service to you today?"

" Uh...uhm yes. I'm going to make a ranch and uhm, I have these discs... and uhm.... yeah." Genn stuttered as the woman smiled gently.

" Oh there's no need to be shy or frightened. It's a pleasure to see new ranchers in here. Please follow me and I will help you if you wish." Kirsten gestured with her hand for Genn to follow. Reluctantly Genn did so until they came upon a large almost empty room.

The only things Genn could see were in this room were 4 large statues surrounding a small hole in the ground, and a small desk type of thing right infront of it. " Is this where I can get a monster?" Genn asked.

" *Giggle* Yes it is. There's really nothing to it. Let me instruct you on what to do alright?" Genn nodded as she examined more of the rooms atmosphere. " Do you have a disc?" Genn nodded once more. " Alright, then all you need to do is go put a disc in that little hole right over there, " Kirsten pointed to the hole in the middle of the statues. " and come over to this control panel and press this button." She pointed to a large marble button on the panel. Actually it was the only thing on it.

"Is that it?"

"Yup that's all you need to do." Kirsten laughed. "Why don't u give it a try?" Genn almost jumped at the oppurtunity. She fumbled through her discs until she found what seemed to be the best one... for the moment that is. She ran over to the small hold and placed the disc gently in it afraid that if she placed it too hard it might break. After she was satisfied she rushed over to the panel and took in a deep breath. "Here goes nothin." As she pressed the button.

A low hum could be heard as suddenly brightballs of light began forming around her disc. The statues around the area began to shake slightly as they began to also glow. Whispering, "Do you see that Marcus?" Suddenly a rush of air caught Genn off guard and almost knocked her off her feet. The balls of light burned fiercly as they begin to break apart dancing around the spinning disc. "What's happening?" Genn yeled over the now deafening hum.

" The guardian statues are now giving your monster a form. It's common so don't worry." Kirsten reassured. Suddenly just as soon as this frenzy of lights and sounds began it stopped with a bright flash.

And there it was, Genn's first pixie. She could only squeel with glee as she ran over to hug her new monster. "Oh I've always wanted a pixie!!!" She hugged onto her monster until a soft squick came from the baby pixies lips. " Oh I'm sorry little one, I didn't mean to hurt you." Genn apologized. The pixie only smiled up at her and returned the hug as best she could.

"That's a very beautiful monster you have there. You need to give it a name if you choose to keep it." Kirsten said as she came beside the two.

" Hmm, what should I call her Marcus?" Marcus slowly crept up to the small pixie. The small monster was barely as big as the small dog was. He sniffed at her not wanting to get too close. The little pixie giggled in delight and rushed over to the nearly scared to death dog. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him the biggest hug until his eyes were about to pop. " Hehe, i think someone has a new friend. Now let's see, I'll call you.... Julia!!! After my mommy."

"That's a very lovely name. Now do you wish to know your monsters stats?"

"Stats?" Genn asked with a blank look on her face.

" Why yes, this tells us how good your monster is. trust me, this will help you in the long run. I'll go get the equipment for you and tell you what it does and how to use it."

"Does it cost much? I mean I hve money but not alot. It's just enough for me to get started with." Genn asked as she felt the few gold pieces she had in her pocket.

"Oh dear child, everything at the shrine is free. We gladly help anyone with services." Kirsten said as she came back with a box. She placed it down on the ground and opned the top to how Genn what was inside. She pulled out something with a small screen on it and then another that looked like a gun. " Now all you have to do is flip this switch and point it at your monster." She demanstrated so and pointed the gun thing at Julia. Julia smiled and giggled wondering what it was and came to investigate. " Now see here?" Kirsten bent down and held the screen to Genn.. numbers and words began to appear. "This shows you your monsters stats. Plain and simple huh?"

"Wow! I never knew something like this existed! This is so great!!" Genn hopped around and danced with her new monster. "This is going to be so great great great!!!!!!!!"

Dancing all the way out of the shrine genn headed back to the little shop she had first stopped upon. "Oh little one, I see you have a new member to your party with ya." The kindly old woman greeted as she recognized Genn.

"Yup yup!! It's my first monster ever and I'm going to take really good care of her! but I dunno what I need to do that." Genn pulled out her pouch filled with her money. " have any suggestions on things i should buy that aren't too expensive?"

The old woman smiled softly. "Since I can tell this is your first time, I'll give u a big discount today. Everything you can carry, you cahave for free of charge." Genn gasped at what she just heard.

"Are you sure? I mean I can pay for something... I have money!" but the old woman protested and repeated herself. "Oh this is a dream come true! First I win the contest and now I've met the nicest people ever!!" The woman chuckled.

"Well dear, Let me help you get started so you can be on your way."

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