Kessa Ironjaw's Arc

Chapter 1 of 1

Kessa slammed her fist on the wooden table at the guild hall. She needed warriors who could fight, not amateurs who swung swords like farm tools. Her goal burned bright: build the strongest party in Brambleclaw and climb to the highest adventurer rank. She'd been recruiting for three days now, but every candidate was useless. One couldn't block. Another moved too slow. She told them the truth—they fought like drunk toddlers. They all left angry. Kessa crossed her arms and grinned anyway. Somewhere in this forest town, real fighters existed. She just had to find them. The next morning, Kessa hauled her Silver Guardian sword and shield to the town square. The silver metal caught the sunlight, gold inlays tracing patterns across both pieces. She dropped them on the cobblestones with a loud clang. People stopped and stared. Good. She raised her voice. "Anyone who thinks they can fight, step up. Show me what you've got." A crowd gathered, whispering and pointing. Kessa picked up her sword and shield, settling into a ready stance. Her arms felt strong, her grip steady. This was better than sitting in that stuffy guild hall. Real fighters would see her skill and want to join. The weak ones would walk away. Either way, she'd find her party. Three challengers came forward. Kessa sparred with each one, testing their blocks and strikes. The first tired after two minutes. The second had no footwork. The third actually lasted five minutes before Kessa disarmed him. She shook her head at all of them. "Not good enough for the top rank," she said. They left, muttering insults. The crowd thinned. Kessa wiped sweat from her forehead and glanced across the square. A three-story tavern stood there, windows bright with lamplight even in daytime. That's where the highest-ranked parties gathered, where legends were made. She'd get there. She just needed warriors who wouldn't embarrass her. Tomorrow she'd try again. Real fighters had to exist somewhere in this town. By afternoon, Kessa packed up her gear and walked to the Dragon's Maw Dungeon. The entrance loomed ahead, carved to look like a dragon's mouth. Stone teeth jutted down from the top. Adventurers posted missions here, and parties formed for dangerous runs into the depths. Kessa stepped inside and scanned the notice board. Most jobs needed full parties, but some accepted solo warriors. She ripped down a paper advertising a floor-three challenge. It paid well and would prove her strength. If she couldn't find her party through sparring, she'd find them in the dungeon. Real fighters went where the danger was. She strapped her shield tight and headed for the stairs. Her legend started now.