In a land wrought with chaos, void of religion and order, dying of criminality and injustice, a prophecy claims that five men shall come forth with the answer to all suffering. Each shall brandish a separate banner, each man is born innately knowing of his god and His teachings, each will accumulate followers and bring harmony. Being represented by the banner they carry, these men are known as the Emblem Priests. This is the story of Landel Vergahdt, the fifth Emblem Priest.

A thin man passed wordlessly over the dust and stones outside the village, panting under the heat of the desert sun. He was clothed entirely in black. A heavy coat matted with sweat swayed about around his leather boots loosely laced and tucked over his baggy pant legs. His shirt drooped to his knees, but he had tucked it into his pants and allowed it to flap over again, making two small folds. A dim metal shoulder guard on his left arm bore the Emblem of eight concentric, deep purple circles. Pots and other articles clanged at his side in his small traveling bag as he walked, banging in rhythm to his steps.

The people of the village would have openly welcomed him if they knew what color hair he had. If he was blessed with red hair as they were he was certainly a decent traveler from another nearby town. But if he had the mark of blond hair he was most definitely one of those heathens from the southern regions that always started bar fights and tried to trick the local merchants on their travels through town. Certainly the heathens were none other than the people of Hyath, who had aligned with Buryen and his horrible religion.

The villagers lingered anxiously by their doors, either to greet the man or turn him away. Yet he continued straight through the main road, walking among the red stone houses and curious eyes. He made ten paces into the town before anyone could see beneath the hat casting his face in shadow, and in the direct noon shadow it was too difficult to determine his hair color. As he looked from side to side the people snapped their gaze toward other things or busied themselves to avoid being openly rude to a possible friend.

At the sound of running footsteps he stopped and looked back over his shoulder to find a young girl with brilliant red hair jogging to catch up to him. "She's still following me," he grumbled, slightly amused. She wore a green silk blouse with matching pants fitted with elastic cuffs handy for keeping sand out of the garment. Her hair was cropped very short, accented by a bright green bandanna tweaked with a slight feminine touch- she had tied a large bow into it. The whole outfit provided great cover from the sun while remaining cool and airy, yet it stayed withing the bounds of fashion.

"Landel, please wait for me! I have another question!" The girl drew close to him and tugged at his sleeve. After complaining briefly he waited for her question. "I still don't remember what you were saying about the dynamics. It doesn't quite make sense."

He turned to enter a shop with her in tow, explaining as he moved. "All living things have one basic urge, one drive that every action you have ever made could relate back to- survive. Survival comes in many fashions, and does not necessarily mean to endure punishment or continue existence with bare necessities. Survival can also be related to your happiness, your possessions, your eight dynamics." The girl began to speak up at the mention of these dynamics, which he was keen to continue explaining.

Yet as he entered the store the owner looked across the counter with an aged squint and requested in a loud, intent voice, "Remove your hat when you enter my building. Show some respect for your elders." Landel apologized and obliged, revealing his bright blond hair slicked back save a single lock of his bangs diving forward over his brow. At the drop of a hat the weathered man rose and clutched his cane, demanding Landel to leave. On the storefront a crowd of angry people had gathered, waiting for his exit.

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Thus ends the first chapter. What do you guys think? Please tell me anything that comes to your mind. Anything is useful information! (Note: This chapter has been edited from an earlier post, to make it easier on the eyes.)