Something We May Have Taken For Granted  

Author for this story is unknown.

First time came to Valkurm Dunes, I saw a Taru White Mage among the group of strangers. I was a Warrior, at a time I didn't even know what SkillChain was. Competition for Subjob item was very intense, and it was common that Ghouls at Dunes were claimed immediately once they had spawned. Every night, we searched for the items endlessly. Without knowing too much, we had a static party settled down. War, War, Mnk, Whm, Blm, Rdm. And finally, we had gathered complete subjob items for all. Already with each other for so long, we decided to level all our subjob together also.

First time went to Jeuno, twice, we had all died on the road. I still remember clearly the sound of our cheers when we got to Jeuno after all the obstacles we went through. In order to celebrate the moment, we sold everything we had for some money to buy a LinkShell. The leader was assigned to the Taru White Mage who lost on the /random dice.

We had such a good time... Hoping it could always stay that way, never changed...

But. When was this starting to change? Maybe it's when the Taru White Mage learned the Teleport magic. Gradually, everyone drifted away. Taru White Mage was the reason. Always quiet and calm, she started to avoid daily repetitive, killing, mad leveling partying. To those members who wanted to get strong, powerful, high-level faster, she began to have troubles to get along with them. The level difference was too wide. One day, she suddenly told us her decision.... "I am so sorry. I have no use to everyone anymore. Please find another White Mage...." Actually before she even made her announcement, our members already started to fall apart. Secretly competing with each other by outleveling, again and again. Now as I recall, I still don't understand why I was so desperate to level. Maybe, it's because of the burning desire to persuade greater power, I think. Two people left the LS, and later on I joined other LS.

........

........

At last, I maxed my warrior in levels. It was still quite some time before the release of Rise of Zilart expansion. Having completed my initial goal, I started leveling THF in order to make more money. As soon as the Rise of Zilart has released, my THF already reached lvl 58. Thinking to explore the new zones and considering THF had the ability to flee from dangerous situation, I decided to go as THF.

Coming back to hometown Bastok, went through the Korroloka Tunnel, I arrived at Altepa Desert. No map. No direction. I had no idea what to expect. I just wondered around and see what would happen. Suddenly, I saw the Telepoint-Altepa. At the sametime, there is something next to it.

Yes, it's the long forgotten Taru White Mage. She was in complete AF, sitting there alone quietly. Next to her name, is a very familiar LS color. Not possible.... there are too many LS with similar colors. But somehow, my intuition told me it's the one we had long ago. She saw me, and smiled. Then, used /tell and said.....

"Haven't seen you in a long time. You look good ^^"

Maybe she found the awkwardness in the air, she did a /cry emote.

"I was so sorry that time, I wished I could apologize to everyone. One day, if we meet again. But I need to tell you something. "

Bathing in the purple light from Telepoint-Crystal, she started to tell her story slowly. What happen after that. What she was thinking that time.

She, was an "adventurer" to the land of Vana'Diel, she said. Of course, samething to me, I thought. But the way she understood about adventure seemed to be different than mine.

"It was really fun when we were at Dunes. In a world we had no sense of where to go, we found our path together." "But ever since we came to Jeuno, we were doing samething over and over again everyday. We didn't have any spare time." "After I learned the Teleport magic, I always thought we could go someplace interesting as one. But everyone was only into leveling......"

"I, I just want to hang around in this world. I know, maybe at somewhere, there must be a great scenery I have yet to see. If we could all share that moment, would be so wonderful. At least, that's what I thought." "Remember the first time we saw the rainbow at LaTheine Plateau? I still remembered how excited we were, never forgot. I wished we could all did this once again, just like the old times..."

At this point, I am shocked...

Indeed, first time went to Jeuno, it was very excited. But after that, everytime I saw new zones, did I still have the same feeling? Even if I arrived at a new place, it's just another hunting place to me. Those Momument Stones detailed the story of each zone, to me, is just another cumbersome obstacle to obtain map of the Crawler's Nest. Since when, I have lost the enthusiasm to adventure?

The original LS we created, BLM was the one insisted would stay untill the end. But now, she is the only one left, alone by herslef. Even though, she said she still wanted to keep it equipped.

"Because, this is a special LS" "Although there were many invites to other LS, but I all politely rejected them. One day if someone come back, I can say welcome home to him."

I felt ashamed. Until now, I never even thought of her once, already forgot about her in memory. Not to mention other members. I even dropped the Link Pearl long ago.

"Walking around in this world by myself. Everytime I saw something new, I always typed in what I discovered in LS chat, even though it ended up talking to myself only. w"

"I discovered many many stories. Like the history of Davoi, Magic Towers at Beaucedine Glacier and Sarutabaruta......" The Taru White Mage kept talking to me the stories that perhaps no one would even pay attention to until now. In the chat window, red texts of her /tells started to fill up slowly. At the sametime, I felt I was very envied of her. Her expression was so real and whole-hearted. I already lost the sense of adventure, but she still kept it in her heart.

Nervously, I asked her. If it's alright, could you once again, give me a Link Pearl? I asked. Next time if you go travel around, please take me with you. I know it is a very shameful, selfish request.

She smiled, and request to Trade.

It's a pearl with the most memorable color. I equipped it right away. In the chat window, a green line of text slowly flowed in.

"Welcome back. And welcome to the adventure world of Vana'Diel"