[FFML] [teaser] Dark Corona

[The Eternal Lost Lurker]

I look out the window and face the morning sun as it rises over the cliffs
surrounding my village.

The modern world's influence is slowly creeping through the town. The elders
speak of times when there were but a half-dozen rough stone huts with slate
roofs and two or three sturdier dwellings in this small valley. I see no
evidence of that today, in the face of the fine brick and plank edifices
that shine in the light of day. On the hill at the south end of town, where
the mayor once lived, now stands the combination school and mission, an
imposing white stone monument built by travelling merchants from the coast.
The massive clock atop the mission tolls the hour; services will begin soon.

As the day brightens, the sunlight catches on the items I have spent the
night contemplating.

Passed down through three generations of my family, they once belonged to my
great- grandfather...whose name I have begun to curse on a daily basis, for
the burden which has been handed down to me from my mother.

The cursed sword, its demonic hilt snarling, its dark, flanged
silver-and-black blade drinking in the light like a parched man at an oasis.
The innocent-looking blue stone, its highly polished surface glistening in
the morning sun.

I want to bury them both in the depths of the cave on the edge of town. I
want to forget I ever saw them. I want to escape the burden that has been
passed on through generations.

I want to, but I can't. Not only would my parents never allow it, but I know
what would happen if I did. I'm fully aware of the dangers both the sword
and the stone pose--and why they must remain within the family.

Why I must be cursed with them both.

Sighing, I strap the armlet bearing the Atlamillia back onto my wrist, and
slide the sword, Dark Cloud, into the harness on my back. I then stand, dust
myself off, and prepare to face the day.

For today, I am to leave the confines of Norune for the first time, and
continue the work of my parents, and theirs before them.

You'd think we'd be done rebuilding the world by now...





[Dark Cloud and all related trademarks copyright 2000-2008 Sony Computer
Entertainment and Level-5, Inc. Used without permission.]



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The Eternal Lost Lurker
www.lurkerdrome.com