《Tales of Harberia》 Prologue Large white, marble pillars encompased a room bathed in pure golden light, flecks and the luminescent brilliance of particles rose from the floor into the air like wandering spirits surrounding a small pedestal in the center. Upon that roman pedestal, sat a box of black satin, its smooth curviture outlined by the surrounding atmosphere. The little box was open. Soft cushions in the hues of red - like blood - gave one a sense of awe and desire. Yet, resting on top of even that... was a ring. This ring was not a shiny silver, nor pure white, but black and etched with gold. Strange symbols emblazed along its circumference made a beautiful sight, so streamlined and sleek that one couldn''t possibly help but stare. And at its pinacle, there rested some form of magic that took the form of a gem. It did not reflect like a diamond, nor an emrald, or any other jewel for that matter. It reflected all flavors of light; a flash of black, silver, a jet of green, blue... everything. Ariel could not peel his eyes away for at least a minute whenever he stared, yet this time, he opted for longer. For this time would be the last. Before him, rested the Ring of the White Queen; his guild''s most prized possesion, among other things in their treasury, all of which Ariel was responsible for guarding. It was one of the five "impossible items" in the game Grand Scale Online (GSO). Less "Impossible" in their ability to be obtained, and more so in their effects. For example, the ring could multiply its user''s stats based upon the average of their strength and intelligence stats, as well as allow for the user to utilize skills from the item''s unique skill list, which were supossed to be in correlation to the namesake; "White Queen"; a legendary figure in the game whom a player would often hear referenced in cutscenes or flashbacks to the "past". These advantages would be astounding, albeit not gamebraking. The devs made sure of that after repeated misuse of some other "legendary" items by other players. But even then, Ariel would never truly know its worth.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. That was due to the ring itself having never been used - Brought about by the feature which had wrought the ring into infamy. It transformed the user. It changed their gender, and voice temporarily... Ariel guessed that wasn''t too bad. That might have made the item quite popular even. Yet it wasn''t just that, but it also had a permanent, lasting effect on the user''s original avatar after the ring had been used, becoming more and more apparent after each and every use. So says the item''s very own description. Though, no one knew whether or not this lasting effect was related to the transformation per se, they aslo didn''t know if this unknown side-effect was a debuff, or something even more detrimental. So in the end, nobody used it. Ariel removed his gaze from the pedestal and sighed. "00:03" A beep resounded in his player notifications. 3 minutes until server shutdown. It was the death of Grand Scale Online. The streets of cities still bustling with the faux lives of npcs, yet barren of any player. Fields of monsters left unchecked, and guildhouses empty, except for his. People had moved on to the next best thing, as they always do. "00.02" His gaze reverted back to the pedestal once more, a sudden urge, a curiosity he hadn''t felt but moments earlier. For all of his years in the guild he had seen it and admired from afar, holding it not by it''s own body, but by its case. For the first time, he wondered how it felt. How the sensors would tickle his brain. How smooth its curves actually were, how it weighed in his hands... So Ariel strode up to the pedestal and gracefully pinched the ring from its soft cushion, placing it in his palm. "00:01" He ran his finger along its length, feeling the golden grooves pleasantly along his index finger. It felt cold along the outside, yet warm within, unlike anything he had felt before in-game. The ring slid deftly onto his fin- [[[Server offline]]] ... _______________________________________________ Ariel sat up from his bed, a blank look across his face, and it remained so for the next 20 minutes before he removed the VR helm from his head, stood up and loudly sighed. A few steps brought him to the door, and a few more beyond that, to the washroom, where he sat thoughtfully upon his toilet in reminiscence. He did not notice the slight shaking, or the two little flickerings of the light. But he did feel the strange sudden rise in elevation moments before... ...the ground beneath him was ripped apart and exploded. 1. Lucille Eastwynd Ariel awoke to soft lights and shadows washing across his face repeatedly in the patterns of a tree''s leaves. Though he didn''t hear the soft little rustles that should have accompanied it. His mind digested this, yet his thoughts remaind non-coherent. His eyes slowly adjusted and fucused upon the smooth, ligthtly tan cieling, littered with the shadows of a tree beyond some far window. The bed below him was comfortable. A comfort that was both "his" and "not his". ... Instantly, a frown settled upon his face, which then turned into a confused and inquisitive raised brow. ''What?'' He couldn''t understand it. "Both his and not his?" He felt something terrible grow in the depths of his subconsious. More terrible than the fact that he suddenly remembered his toilet exploding of all things... He didnt know why he was afraid. But Ariel swore it was as if he started remembering things that never were. He closed his eyes, breathed deeply and relaxed, head falling to the left atop his pillow. Only to open them and reawaken to the uncertainty; His gaze met with the elegant contours of a wooden dresser, a stout but beautifully crafted nightstand, and the bronze encased miniature portrait it held on top of it. The portrait was the real kicker. It was of a flambuoyantly dressed sharp-looking man and his equally outfitted wife, four little boys sitting neatly between them. The garb reminded him of those old-timey drawings of mideival aristocrats, but in smaller scale, more acurate, and strangely more... ...familiar? Again? It had caught him off guard. The shadow kept growing in the back of his mind. Like a word at the tip of his tounge, Ariel felt a truth, a belief, teetering at the edges of his active mind, attempting to tell him something he couldnt tell himself. It was annoying to no end. This instantaneous chaos... *Knock!!! Knock!!! Knock!!!* Three deep knocks from his right came so suddenly that he nearly jamp up and shat himself. ''... Oh God...'' ''...that scared the living crap out of me!''This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. His head veered in the direction of the noise, catching sight of the large set of double doors, rather far from the bed. A single hand slipped from the sheets and placed itself over his rapidly beating heart. It was then, that Ariel noticed another little piece of the puzzle, staring down at his own hand. It was small. Small, as in, like a child''s hands; "small"... Suddenly, the room looked a lot bigger than he thought it had over the course of a few minutes. He was silent for a moment, before his mind was overun with fear and confusion! Ariel wanted to scream and point to somebody at his hand with the small digits of his other little hand, and ask them what the hell was going on, but was interupted by another three sharp knocks at the door. *Knock!! knock!! knock!!* "Young Master, Lucille. Your father requests your presence in the hall!" A female voice spoke rather politely in muffled tones on the other side. ''My father?'' Ariel shook his head, slapping his youthful cheeks with both hands, to snap himself out of this stupor. He turned to squint at the portrait, as if things were begining to fall into place. Inumerable images and memories surfaced in his mind. And within them - the man in the portrait. ''Father...?'' ''That''s my father? Just what the hell is going on!!!'' "Young Master, are you alright in there? The maids are waiting to dress you..." The voice spoke once more from beyond the door, this time however, with a greater degree of concern. Ariel paused for a moment, sighed, and decided to take the path of least resistance, as well as hoping for the best. This evironment wasn''t hostile so far, and it seemed he would understand far more by going with the flow, tha sitting here and pondering about the current situation. "A-Ah, yes. Come in!" He yelped out loud to the door, suprising even himself with how high of a pitch his voice now held. The door quickly slid open, reavealing a quatet of maids, the likes of which, besides in GSO, Ariel had never seen the likes of. He looked to the one in the lead, a young woman, probably around 20 or so, with brunette hair, an average face, and cool blue eyes. A name popped into his head. "Edith" She perked up attentively, "Yes, Young Master!" "Oh, it''s nothing, nevermind..." The maid looked confused for a moment before brushing the thought aside. Two other maids selected clothes from his wardrobe in the back corner of the room, asking his opinion on them before bringing them to his side. Ariel himself, fully removed himself from the sheets of his bed, revealing the entirety of his youthful form, encased in what looked like a sleeping tunic of sorts. As the maids undressed and dressed him, Ariel did the best he could to hide the embarassment creeping onto his face, attempting to think of the maids as npcs. Much less becoming aroused at the thought of women undressing him, he couldn''t even get Ariel jr. to stand up straight with how embarassed he was. There was also the undeniable fact that these were grown, albeit young, women. And he was now just a boy. He sighed once again as the other maid rolled a full-body mirror over from the corner of the room and placed it in front of him. Reflected in the mirror was a young boy. Ariel likened the possible age to when he was around seven or eight, but possibly younger. He had greyish-white hair, a healthy, well-rounded face still maintaning a bit of chubbiness in the cheeks. Neither thin, nor fat. His eyes - a vibrant and deep orange - which he hadn''t noticed in the portrait earlier. Something in the way he looked reeked "nobility". Ariel couldnt quite put a finger on what it was. Maybe it was air his apearance gave off, or that subconsciously proud look on his face. There was that, and the fact that he had maids surrounding him, and was addressed "Young Master". The maids had dressed him in a pair comfortable black breeches with a doublet that was parts blue and white. All in all, it looked very fitting on him. However it did give his childish figure an ounce of clumsy-looking maturity. After all was said and done, the maids did a little curtsey and scampered off to do whatever it is maids do... Leaving Ariel to stare in the mirror (returned to its corner) in silence. "Lucille Eastwynd" He spoke softly, head tilting. That was the name of this bodys original owner... It came quickly to him as he stared at his form in the mirror. Maybe it really was his name, and it just seemed not to be because he regained the memories of his past life or something? But... that was assuming he died in the first place and didn''t transmigrate... "Whatever!" He threw his hands upon his face, slapping his cheeks once more. The situation, however it may be, would not change at a moments notice. If there was a way back, assuming he didn''t die, he would have to go look for it. ''Or, invent it.'' He thought, staring at the old-fashion cloth on his arms. "Nobody here will call me, Ariel." His eyes lost their focus for but a moment, and his mouth let loose a sigh. "Lucille..." He closed his eyes. And opened them once more. "Lucille it is!" 2. House Eastwynd Light footsteps echoed in the hallway, as the newly reaffirmed Lucille Eastwynd, strolled as casually as possible down the wide and lengthy rolled carpet. The truth was, he had been walking for a good five minutes without a damned clue exactly where he was going. Maybe it was that his memories had yet to come back to him completely, or some other factor, but he was yet again too embarrassed to ask a passing maid or servant for directions. What would it be like to be stopped by the young lord of the house and asked for directions within their own home. It would be suspicious to say the very least. It might also lead to some gossip! Lucille scratched his head. On second thought... He had an idea. Lucille continued to walk down the wide corridor, taking a peek around every corner, untill he came upon a maid cleaning a set of vases near a window. A cunning glint overtook his eyes as he slumped his shoulders ever so slightly and put on a strained look. "You there!" He watched, stifling a slight smile as the maid yelped and did a little jump, before turning to face him with a look of suprise. "Young Master, Lucille, you''ve suprised me!" She breathed out in relief, and bowed before straightening her posture, "How may I be of service?" Lucille pinched the bridge of his nose and faked a look of dire concentration. "Well, you see, I''ve just awoken with a bit of a headache and confused my directions a little, could you take me to the hall? My father is expecting me." ''This should be fine for a noble child''s speech, right?'' The maid''s expresion turned to one of minor panic and concern, "Headache? Are you sure I shouldn''t guide you to the physician instead, Young Master?" Lucille''s lips twitched. ''Does a light headache constitute a visit to the physician? Also... We have a physician?'' "You dont need to bother", He shook his head, "Honestly, it''s leaving me as we speak! But I don''t want to delay any further. Do you mind?'' The maid, whom he honestly couldn''t pin a name to, gave a little smile, before turning and walking back in the direction from where he came, gesturing to him. "Of course! this way, Young Master" ----- It took Lucille another seven minutes with guidance to arrive at the supposed hall. A set of rather large double doors stood before him, which he pushed open without a second thought. There was little point in waiting, especially after the time he''d spent getting lost, not to mention he currently hadn''t the slightest idea of how patient of a man his father was. Beyond the door his eyes met with the sight of a large and spacious hall. It must have been at least 20 meters wide and twice as long. Or larger. Lucian''s current grasp of size was rather askew after all. The walls were lined with decorative foliage and apealing vases. A few maids and attendants could be seen working or inspecting the many paintings along the walls. In the center of the hall stood two figures of vastly different height and stature. One man and one child. He immediately recognized the former as his ''father'' by the sheer likeness to the portrait; a sharp looking man with a wavy span of white hair, stubble across his face and deep brown eyes. If he honestly had to say, Lucile would place this guy a fair bit farther up in the food chain in terms of looks. He was a well buit, serious looking older gentleman.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. The other one had a deep brown set of hair, and orange eyes similar to Lucille''s. His overall features looked just like the older man''s if his age were to revert some 30+ years. He was wearing a garb similar to his as well, though his was parts dark green and white instead. "Lucille! Come over!" "Benjamin! Father! Good morning!" Lucille''s expression brightened as he walked over to them, recalling his eldest brother''s name almost instantly. As for his father... He remembere his name and title too. He was Clayton Eastwynd; the Earl of Arleens, and head of House Eastwynd. An earl was below a duke and marquess, but a bove a viscount and baron, if he recalled correctly. That meant his house should have a good amount of authority. He couldnt yet decide if this was a good or bad thing. "My son, Lucille, it seems you have something on your mind?" The Earl spoke relaxedly, looking calmly at him. But before Lucille could answer his brother interjected from the side. "Ah father, I bet he''s just nervous about his harbering tommorrow! I remember even last year Gabriel was fidgeting all over when you sent him off. Lammond and I did the same thing as well! We''d probably been reading too many of those tales of evil alchemists and the like..." Lucille hid his deeply confused thoughts, ''Harbering? Evil alchemists?'' Benjamin turned to him, and patted him twice on the shoulder, "But don''t worry about it! It''s nothing like those stories, even if some parts are a bit... Intense", he faltered in saying that last part. ''Intense...?'' Putting his confusion aside for the moment, Lucille decided to play along. Looking to both Benjamin and his father, who seemed quite concerned with his mental state, he felt a sense of deep comfort well up from within. "Oh, uh, I am slightly nervous, but seeing how well it has turned out for you, brother, I feel far more confident" Lucille deflected back to Benjamin, hoping to glean a bit more info on the topic. His brother smiled. But failed to comply. "That''s the spirit! Oh, and I should probably mention that Lammond and I have a little wager going on what your symbol shall be, so uhm try and make it a ring or bracelet or something, ok? I don''t want to lose my spare sword to him." Benjamin spoke quietly with mischeivous demeanor. ''My symbol?'' A cough from their father interupted the conversation between the two. Though the old man seemed to hide amusement in his eyes from the boys previous conversation. "Alright Benjamin, that will be all from you." "Yes, father" The boy gave a qiuck nod, turned, and walked to the door Lucille had entered from, He looked shortly to Lucille as if to say they would talk later. Then the Earl, turned calmly to Lucille. "As you''ve heard, your ceremony, is indeed tommorow. Everything has already been set in place. As the sun rises, a carriage will take you and your mother to the tower by Lake Kerr, the alchemist there is a good friend and colleague of mine, so treat him respectfully. I will not be present as there are a few mishaps within the teritory this time around, sadly it is the same situation as your three other brothers this time around too... I wonder what fate this is... " The Earl looked reminiscent for a moment. " Behave yourself well. Hopefully, by the setting of the sun tommorow, something remarkable will join the ranks of the instruments protecting our family." "Yes, father!" Lucille replied, though not really understanding half of what the earl had said. "Go, see your mother in the garden. She has more to say on this topic, as well as what comes after." The earl shooed him off with a tired smile. Lucille bowed his head, and reaffirmed the duke once more before leaving the hall. A thoughtful mood overtook him, reviewing the information he''d been told so far and pondering their meanings. _________________ _________________ His memories must have been coming back to him more quickly. Ever since he''d recognized the faces of his maid, father and brother, other things began clicking into place. As he walked away from the hall, tidbits of information resurfaced in his mind. He knew his general location now. He could "feel" it just how one would imagine subconciously walking to a place they knew well. That being said, he was quite relieved and pleased with this turn of events. Now, he didnt have to trick a maid again or do something suspicious. A few long hallways and an open entrance later, he walked swiftly between two thick columns, and out onto a stone pathway. The manner in which he transitioned from the grand indoor halls to a stone pathway, by which green grass grew on both sides - felt so natural it was strange. Vivid memories began pouring into his mind like a raging torent every time he gazed at a particular place, or object, like the green grass, a bed of flowers, and garden gate. It felt as if he was remembering who he was. Not the Ariel who was Lucille, but the Lucille who was Lucille, if that made any sense. So grew the concern of losing one identity over the other. It was less scary than it sounded in actuality, more like a man of one life, remembering what happened in a life of his past. Or vice versa in this case. He shook his head and pushed open the gate. A straight path of tall green hedges alluded to the entrance of a maze, but Lucille knew it wasn''t so. He walked directly down into it, made a short left at the end, and immediately came upon a vast open space filled with the multicolored petals of flowers, neatly organized rows of all different kinds, formed around the entrance like layered arcs, at the center of the field, was a barren patch of dirt. Lucille recalled, in his ever growing net of memories, that his mother was to use this patch of dirt for a new type of flower. And lo and behold, there sat three figures crouched on that very plot. One held the figure of a lady, which was his mother''s obviously, another was a youg boy, and the last, an older man. The young boy, with a head of curly white hair, Lucille soon recognized as his third brother, Gabriel, a soft spoken kid who Lucille (previous) felt calm around. The old man looked rather simple and forgettable crouching next to Gabriel, his shoulders shouched and back arched with age, yet Lucille recognized him nonetheless. It was the Gardener; a man named Benteheim. Though Lucille recalled just naming him, Bent, which was rather cruel now that he thought about it, but the old guy didn''t seem to mind... He walked towards them. Yet, some people in his family seemed to have a penchant for noticing him, because as soon as he stepped within the confines of the field, his mother''s head of dark brown hair swerved ever so slightly to the right, before turning back to stare at him with bright orange eyes. She smiled, and a single hand waved him over.