MU Chronicles....

Berhubung sodara Archi udah nerbitin cerita sendiri tentang MU AMPM, aku sambungin dengan cerita MU dari Forum tentangga nih he hee...
Sorry masih bahasa inggris, skill menerjemahkan ku masih cupu he he....
ini dia cerita nya

|The Mu Chronicles|

Chapter I

The sun was already sinking into the deep green of the hills of Lorencia,the red and gray-pink of its shadows touching the corners of the land,when Milamber began his descent.The trail stretched unevenly down the northern slope,winding through the huge boulders which studded the rugged terrain in massive clumps,disappearing in the thick forest of Noria to reappear in brief glimpses in small clearings and thinning spaces of woodland.Milamber followed the familiar trail with his eyes as he trudged wearily along,his loyal Rune Blade strapped comfortably on his back in the ancient Warlock fashion.His broad,windburned face bore a set,calm look,and only the wide purple eyes revealed the restless energy that burned beneath the calm exterior.He was a young man,though his look much older.He wore his grandfather's thunder armor which he had repaired and improved himself long ago,when his father was still a part of his life.But that was long ago,and Milamber tried to keep that painful past behind him,even though he would be haunted at night by dark and restless dreams.

There was a slight chill in the evening air,and Milamber clutched his arms around his chest.His journey ahead lay through the forests and rolling flatlands of Kern,a newly established outpost facing the Valley of Loren in case of another invasion.The sun had set,leaving only the deep blue of the heavens pinpointed by thousands of friendly stars.The huge trees shut out even these.Milamber was left alone in the silent darkness as he moved slowly along the beaten path.Because he had traveled this same route a hundred times,the young man noticed immediately the unusual stillness that seemed to have captivated the entire valley this evening.The familiar cries of Budge Dragons normally present in the quiet of the night,the sounds of birds that awoke with the setting of the sun to fly in search of food-all were missing.Milamber listened intently for some sound of life,but his elven ears could detect nothing.He shook his head uneasily.The deep silence was unsettling,particularly in view of the rumors of a frightening black-winged monster sighted in the night skies of Lorencia only days earlier.

He forced himself to whistle and turned his thought back to his day in the continent just to the north of the Valley of Loren.A low hanging branch brushing against his head caused Milamber to start suddenly and leap to one side.In chagrin,he straightened himself and glared back at the leafy obstacle before continuing his journey to Lorencia at a quicker pace.He felt a bit anxious in spite of himself and glanced worriedly around.But nothing stirred on the trail ahead nor moved in the trees about him,and he felt embarrassingly relieved.A few moments later,he was on a wider trail and could discern bits of sky peeking through the heavy trees.He was almost to the bottom of the valley and about two miles from his home.He smiled and began whistling an old tavern song as he hurried on.He was so intent on the trail ahead and the open land beyond the forest that he failed to notice the huge black shadow that seemed to rise up suddenly,detaching itself from a great oak tree on his left and moving swiftly toward the path to intercept him.The dark figure was almost on top of the young hero before Milamber sensed his presence looming up before him like a great black stone which threatened to crush his smaller being.With a startled cry of fear he leaped aside,his Rune Blade instantly in his hands ready for a swarm of boiling energy if he could successfully perform his newly learned Powerslash skill.Even as he crouched to defend himself,he was stayed by a commanding arm raised above the figure before him and a strong,yet reassuring voice that spoke out quickly.

"Wait a moment,friend.I'm no enemy and have no wish to harm you.I merely seek directions and would be grateful if you could show me the proper path".
Milamber relaxed his guard a bit and tried to peer into the blackness of the figure before him in an effort to discover some semblance of a human being.He could see nothing,however,and he moved to the left with cautious steps in an attempt to catch the features of the dark figure in the tree-shadowed moonlight.
"I assure you,I mean no harm",the voice continued,as if reading the young man's mind."I did not mean to frighten you,but I didn't see you until you were almost upon me,and I was afraid you might pass me without realizing I was there."
Then suddenly the huge figure lunged with terrible swiftness,his powerful hands seizing Milamber's wrists,and he was lifted abruptly off the solid earth and held high,his Rune Blade dropping from nerveless fingers as the deep voice laughed mockingly up at him.
"Well,well,my young friend!What are you going to do now,I wonder?I could cut your heart out on the spot and leave you for the Hounds if I chose,couldn't I?"
Milamber struggled violently to free himself,terror numbing his mind to any thought but that of escape.He had no idea what manner of creature had subdued him,but it was far more powerful than any normal man and apparently prepared to dispatch Milamber quickly.Then abruptly,his captor held him out at arm's length,and the mocking voice became icy cold with displeasure.
"Enough of this,boy!We have played our little game and still you know nothing of me.I'm tired and hungry and have no wish to be delayed on the forest trail in the chill of the evening while you decide if I am man or beast.I will set you down that you may show me the path.I warn you-do not try to run from me or it will be the worse for you."Milamber stared hard at the figure,daring him to meet his angry gaze.
"Besides,I may be a better friend than you realize.",he added with a short laugh.
Milamber could see the fellow more clearly now,and a quick scrutiny of him revealed that he was definitely human,though much larger than any man Milamber had ever seen.He was at least seven feet tall,but exceptionally lean,though it was difficult to be certain about this,since his tall frame was wrapped in a dark glowing armor with a large cape on the back.The darkened face was deeply lined,giving it a craggy appearance.The eyes were deep-set and almost completely hidden from view by shaggy eyebrows that knotted fiercely over a long flat nose.Milamber distinguished a long and strange looking staff beneath the stranger's large cloak,which reminded him about his Rune Blade,which he bent down to reach and attach back to his back.The stranger seemed to notice and pay attention to the blade.Milamber looked straight into the deep,hard eyes of the stranger,though not without some difficulty and managed a weak smile.
"I thought you were an thief",he mumbled hesitantly.
"You were mistaken",was the quiet response.Then the voice softened a bit."You must learn to know a friend from an enemy.Sometime your life may depend upon it.Now then,lets have your name."
"Milamber Leah"
Milamber hesitated and then continued in a slightly braver tone of voice.
"My mother is Sevina Leah.She manages the inn in Lorencia a mile or two from here.You could find lodging and food there."
"Ah,Lorencia,"the stranger exclaimed suddenly."Yes,that is where I am going."He paused as if reflecting on his own words.Milamber watched him cautiously as he rubbed his craggy face with crooked fingers and looke beyond the forest's edge to the rolling grasslands of the valley.He was still looking away when he spoke again.
"You...ever heard of a man named Malron?"
It was not a question;it was a simple statement of fact.It was spoken so distantly and calmly,as if the tall stranger were not interested in any sort of a reply,that Milamber almost missed hearing it.Them,suddenly realizing the significance of the remark,he started and looked quickly at the other.
"How did...?"
"Oh,well,"the man said,"doesn't everyone in Lorencia know about him?His name spreads almost all over the land."
Milamber was startled.His heart started pumping faster.Memories rushed through his mind,mixed with feelings of all sorts.He hesitated just an instant,but the pain was too much to bear alone.
"Malron..isn't here anymore.He left four years ago,and no one heard of him since."
The stranger stared down at Milamber with a strange smile.He realized that Milamber was just a child and was still very ignorant of so many things.
"Well,"he said after a long pause,"You are his son,aren't you,Milamber?"Yet again,it wasn't a question,but a simple statement of fact.Milamber couldn't believe what he was hearing.His thoughts went still,as if paralyzed by some spell.
"No",he interjected,"You are wrong.I am Sevina's son,and my father is a merchant.He is away at the moment."
The stranger looked hard into Milamber's eyes,and he almost regretted lying to him.
"Milamber,I think it is time that I reveal to you my identity.You are Malron's son,there is no doubt in that.I can see it in your eyes as clearly as I can see the moonlight's gloom on this land.I knew your father better than you could care to think of,child.Excuse me for being so hasty,but we haven't much time."
Thoughts were racing through Milamber's mind,and the only thing he could come up with were simple nodds.
"My name is Ilenthil.",he declared calmly.Milamber could barely believe what he was hearing.
"Ilenthil?!",he repeated dumbly,"Ilenthil,the last of the Dark Lords?!"
Ilenthil was laughing at the other's unbelief,clearly pleased of the effect it had on him.
"Why yes.But enough of that for now.I warn you,do not mention anything of my presence to anyone.You hear me?It would put all of us in danger.Now,I didn't come all the way from Paranor to introduce myself.As a matter of fact,I must keep my presence here as secret as possible.The ennemy is geting stronger by the day and would do anything to quickly dispatch all threats to him.Now,lets continue our journey to Lorencia,shall we?"

Several minutes later,the trees and brush began to thin out and the flickering of yellow lights were visible through the darkness.Milamber kept walking straight ahead,heart beating in his chest,eyes looking straight ahead,feet walking almost mechanically.By now Lorencia's South Gate was visible,and the familiar sounds of activity reached his ears.Laughers,music,the metallic sounds of armored boots on stone."Finally home",he thought."And not without any trouble.",he added to himself,smiling despite himself.
The guards granted them access to the inner city,after recognizing Milamber's face.They thought of stopping Ilenthil,but instatntly tossed the thought away when realizing his size and the impact he had on them.
They passed slowly between the buildings of Lorencia,and Milamber could see torches burning through the wooden frames of the wide windows.He casually saluted Pasi on the way,still on business even at this time of the night.He saluted back with a smile,then glanced uneasily at the tall figure of Ilenthil.
"Inn of the Continent",Ilenthil read out softly after stopping in front of Milamber's house."Your mother Sevina works in there?",he asked casually.
"She runs the inn,more precisely.I help her most of the time.You'll find food and sleep in there.Welcome to Lorencia,Ilenthil."Milamber replied softly.
Ilenthil was surprised by the sudden change of attitude.Just a moment ago,Milamber was a frightened and confused boy,and now he had regained a man's confidence and maturity."This boy has potential",he thought,"His father's son,undoubtly."

When Milamber finished greeting his mother,he passed by his room to unstrap his Rune Blade and safely store it in a trap underneath his bed.Someone had already stolen his last Thunder Blade,even though it was just a prototype.He couldn't afford to lose his most precious possession.The Rune Blade he had forged with the help of Hans,the renowned blacksmith of Lorencia,was a success and brought Milamber a sense of pride he couldn't explain.
He then rushed back downstairs to join Ilenthil who was sitting on a table by himself in the inn's darkest corner.Milamber sat down in front of him,bringing along two bottles of ale to share with his new companion.They drank in silence,each keeping their personnal thoughts to themselves.After a moment's silence which seemed like an eternity,Milamber decided to break the uncomfortable silence.
"So,what brings you here to Lorencia?I heard there was a lot happening out there,especially in Paranor.Rumors are that strange creatures have been appearing in Devias.I heard those kind of creatures only lived in Kantru.But those are rumors,right?Just like that other rumor that some twisted Warlock is building up an army in the Far North."
The Dark Lord didn't seem to pay attention to the other one's remarks.After what seemed like hours,he finally replied.
"Milamber,there's something you need to know.Not all rumours are lies."
Milamber stared at him,definitely not understanding a word the other had said.
"Lord Kundun,the twisted Warlock you mentioned earlier,is building up an army which he summoned from the realm of the Hadeshorn.His minions are spreading all over the Continent of Mu.Devias is under threat.If it falls,Lorencia will be in grave danger,along with all the people in the South.Aren't you wondering why we have lost contact with the elven people?They have been blocked away from the rest of the Continent.The Contient of Mu will fall if nothing is done to prevent it."
"How do you know all this is true?",Milamber laughed out in disbelief.
Suddenly,Ilenthil abruptly stood up and hit the table with his fist so hard that the entire inn went dead silent.He stood there for another second,and sat back down.Conversations took back where they were left and the inn was soon filled with laughter and songs as before.
"Because I have watched and withstood it,you fool!",Ilenthil murmured harshly.
Milamber went still for a couple of minutes,just enough time to digest what he had learned and had decided to believe.
"I still can't believe we have met,"he finally managed to say."yet you seem to know me from somewhere,and I have the strangest feeling that I should know you."
The dark face above him nodded as the familiar mocking smile crossed it fleetingly.
"Perhaps you should know me,though it is not surprising that you do not remember.But I know who you are;indeed,I know you well."
There was a long moment of silence before Milamber was able to speak again.
"Then what brings you here?",Milamber asked at last.
The tall man looked sharply at him and uttered a deep,low chuckle that caught him by surprise.
"You,Milamber,"he murmured."I came looking for you."

Sampe segitu dl, untuk chapter kedua segera menyusul....tq.