Disclaimer!! If you don't want to read this, that's okay too because it doesn't really affect the main story!! But it's still fun :)
Acheron: "Damn it! How could a weakling like him become that strong?"
Cringgg... You received a message.
Acheron: "A message? 'All members, gather at the guild right now.' Haaa, what now?"
Acheron quickly heads to the guild location.
Upon arrival, he enters the guild building where other members are already present.
Ragna: "Oi, Acheron! How could you lose to someone that weak?!"
Acheron: "Hey, Ragna! Didn't you see how he suddenly got so strong?! You should ask Greed, who lost to some nobody!"
Ragna: "Good point. Oi, Greed! What the hell was that?! You're just bringing shame to our guild!"
Greed: "Ragna, get that disgusting face of yours out of my sight before I slice your neck off."
Ragna: "Oh yeah?! Bring it on!"
As Greed and Ragna start arguing, the guild leader, Vanitas, arrives.
Vanitas: "SILENCE!! Greed, Acheron, how could you both lose? Are you that weak?!"
Ragna: "Yeah, how could you lo—"
Vanitas: "Shut up, Ragna! You also died yesterday, right?! Don't think I don't know!"
Ragna immediately falls silent.
Greed: (Damn it, if it weren't for the contract, I would've killed everyone here already.) "Yeah, we lost. So what do you want, Vanitas?"
Vanitas: "Oh, nothing much. I just want to give you two a punishment!!"
Acheron: "What punishment?"
Vanitas: "I just need you two to explore a remote village and find something there. And Ragna! Make sure you win in tomorrow's match!"
Ragna: "Alright."
Greed: "Why don't you do it yourself? You scared?"
Vanitas: "Me? Scared? Heh, I just don't feel like using my own hands!"
Greed: "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Come on, Acheron, let's go."
Acheron: "We don't even know the location yet. How can we go?"
Greed: "Vanit-vanit said the location has already been sent to Envy, so we don't have to walk."
Acheron: "That's unusual. What's so special about that place?"
Greed: "Who knows..."
They both head to Envy's place.
After arriving, Envy teleports them to the village as per Vanitas' instructions.
Envy: "Alright, happy exploring! I'm going back now. Bye!"
Greed: "What is this? The village looks like it's already destroyed!"
(Mysterious Voice) "WHY DID YOU COME HERE?!"
Acheron: (Grips his dagger) "Who's there?! Show yourself!"
From the shadows, an old man holding an ink spear emerges.
Old Man: "Who are you people? Your weapons look strange."
Greed: "Hey, old man! Your weapon is the one that's outdated!"
Acheron: "Alright, alright. Gramps, what is this place exactly?"
Old Man: "You come to this place and then ask? Are you lost?"
Acheron: "We're on an expedition in this village, so we want you to tell us about it!"
Old Man: "Ohhh, alright, young ones. Long ago..."
While the old man is talking, a spatial crack opens beneath Greed and Acheron's feet.
Greed and Acheron: "What the hell is this, old man?! Aaaaaaa—" (They fall into the crack)
When they wake up, they see the village that was previously run-down has now become beautiful and filled with people.
Greed: "What just happened? Where did that old geezer go?!"
Acheron: "Greed! Look around. Why did the village change to look so nice?!"
Greed: "Good point. What the hell is going on?!"
Acheron: "Greed, we should act normal. People are starting to notice us!"
They begin to explore the village, asking the locals about the place. They learn that the village is called Iaponia.
Greed: "Iaponia, huh? Interesting!"
While they are chatting with the villagers, a man flies above them, radiating fire energy.
Acheron: (Fire manipulation?) "Hey, sir! Do you know who that guy flying just now was?"
Villager: "Oh, that's Ignis. He's the leader of this village right now."
Acheron: "Let's go, Greed. Let's follow him!"
They quickly chase after Ignis.
When they arrive at a giant tree house, they see Ignis transferring his energy into a flame connected to the roots of the tree.
Greed: (That thing is glowing!)
Acheron: (Whispers) "Don't get greedy, idiot!"
Acheron notices they aren't the only ones watching Ignis. A group of people in all-black clothing is also spying on the flame.
Ignis: (It seems someone is targeting the Primordial Flame!)
Ignis launches a fireball toward Greed. Greed tries to cut it down but can't. The fireball is too strong.
BOOM!! Greed is thrown out of the tree.
Greed: (Damn it. Is he as strong as Unknown?!)
Acheron, shocked by how easily Greed was thrown, charges at Ignis with intense killing intent.
Ignis: "Haaa, I'm already exhausted..."
Acheron tries to strike Ignis in the head, but Ignis dodges easily and counters with a fiery punch. BOOM!!
Unexpectedly, Greed blocks Ignis's attack.
Greed: "Listen! There were people in black clothing watching you! We don't want your flame!"
Ignis doesn't listen and continues to bombard Greed with fireballs.
BOOM!! BOOM!! BOOM!!
Greed summons a wall of souls to shield himself.
Greed: (Damn it, I need to talk to him, but we're too outmatched!) "Acheron, control your psycho urges and explain it already!!"
Acheron: "Tch, I'm trying! Ignis, listen to us! There was a group of black-clothed people watching you. We were just waiting for you to come out to speak!"
Ignis: (Black-clothed group?!) "Those damn ninja scum! Sorry for doubting you!" (Releases his grip on Greed)
Ignis: "Who are you really?"
Acheron: "We're just wanderers who got lost here."
Ignis: "Oh, I see. Sorry for attacking you." (Bows)
Greed: (This guy is so weird...)
Acheron: "I just want to ask. What were you doing with that fire?"
Ignis: "Oh, that? It's the Primordial Flame. It serves as the core of this village. As the descendant of the Primordial Fire, it's my duty to keep it fueled with my energy."
Acheron: "Alright, I get it."
Ignis: "Now, I need to head to that damn ninja clan!"
Greed: "What are you going to do?"
Ignis: "There's an unwritten rule — anyone targeting the Primordial Flame must face me in battle! See ya!" Whoosh!!
Greed: "Well, instead of waiting around, let's follow Ignis. Ninja clans are usually loaded, right?"
Acheron: "Fine. I'll go with you."
They rush toward Ignis's aura and witness him launching a massive fireball at the ninja clan.
BOOM!!
Greed: "Whoa! I'm gonna get rich!!"
Ninja: "Oi, that must be Ignis's allies! Attack them!!"
Acheron: "Greed, focus! Here they come! 'Blood Leap, Activate!'"
Greed: "You go ahead. I'm gonna enjoy counting my gold. 'Summon Undead!'"
In an instant, Greed and Acheron wipe out the ninja soldiers charging at them.
Greed: "Hey, Acheron! You sure enjoy turning people into Legos, huh? Gross!"
Ignis: "Hey! Why are you two—"
??? "Hahaha! Ignis! You fell right into our trap! We lured you here so we could steal the Primordial Flame without any interruptions!"
Acheron, Greed, and Ignis: "!"
Suddenly, the ground around them begins to decay, the trees wither, and the air grows colder.
Ignis: "Hey, idiot! What do you think you're doing?! If the village core is removed, this place will be destroyed, including your own hideout!"
??? "Haha, who cares?! We can just rebuild it with the Primordial Flame. And of course, only for us!"
Ignis: "ARGHHH!!" (Ignis slams his fist into the ground, releasing a powerful flame aura that temporarily stabilizes the land.)
Greed: "If you want, I can help you find the thief who took the Primordial Flame. But of course, for a price!"
Ignis: "Fine! Just hurry before it's too late!"
Greed: "'Soul Manipulation, Active.' Search for the cursed soul carrying the Primordial Flame! Ughhh!!" (Greed coughs up blood) "I can't... My energy isn't enough to cover the entire area. It seems the thief has already escaped the village!"
Ignis: "Here, take some of my energy!"
Greed: "Alright... 'Soul Manipulation, Active.' Search for the cursed soul with the Primordial Flame!"
Cringgg! "Found it! The thief is heading toward the northern sea!"
Ignis: "Got it! I'll carry you so I don't lose track!"
Acheron: "Hey, Ignis! Can you give me a drop of your blood so I can follow you?"
Ignis: SMACK! (Punches himself) "There! Now let's go!"
(Hey! Aqua! There's a thief heading towards the sea with the Primordial Flame. Can you create a storm to slow them down?)
Aqua: (Got it. Leave it to me.)
Ignis: "Perfect! Let's go!" Whoosh!!
After arriving at the northern sea, they see a ship with ninja insignias.
Greed: "There he is! ATTACK! '1 Million Scythe Master!'"
Ignis: "'Upgrade: Big Fireball!'"
Acheron: "'Blood Leap, Activate!'"
Their combined attack decimates the ninja ship, reducing it to ashes.
Ignis immediately retrieves the Primordial Flame and rushes to reconnect it to the tree before everything is destroyed.
Just as the flame is restored, the sky suddenly shatters, revealing a pitch-black void.
Acheron: "Wha—?! Where are we?"
Old Man: "Congratulations. You have successfully completed the trial I set for you!"
Greed: "Trial? Who the hell are you, old man?!"
Old Man: "Me? I am the spirit that resides in this village. I am tasked with giving trials to anyone who enters this place. Since you have completed the trial, take this — the Ink Spear. Goodbye, and good luck!"
Greed: "Huh?! What's the point of this old, ugly spear?!"
Acheron: "Forget it. Let's just go back and contact Envy."
Envy: "I've been here the whole time. °___°"
Acheron and Greed: "What the—?!"
END