Author's note: I do not own Dragon Quest VIII!

Nearing Our Destiny

Prologue: Dangers Ahead

Airlia and Draco were on the boat approaching the kingdom of Trodain, dressed as plainly as they could. Airlia had taken to wearing a loose fitting black broom skirt that enhanced her magical abilities. Her tunic was a dark green that was square cut along her neckline with a corset outside of it to keep the tunic tucked in. She wore a belt with a whip that was sitting on her left side with her item bag on her right hip. On her back was a quiver with a false bottom holding their funds stocked with arrows and a bow resting just on top of the quiver. She fiddled with her skirt, ensuring her throwing knives were well hidden. She stood a paltry five foot three inches including her leather boots. Her long brown hair was tied back with a simple length of black ribbon. Her brown eyes were filled with concern as they landed near Trodain.

"I hope she's good to you brother. I want you both to be happy and in love, like mother and father." She said as her brother nodded.

Draco was dressed in a plain navy blue tunic with grey pants tucked into dark brown boots. On his head was a red bandana to try and hide his heritage. His warm brown eyes belied the inner strength as she looked at the gold jacket that he was wearing. She could see that he had brought their friend and confidant mouse, Munchie in the right pocket. He stood nearly a foot taller than she did. He held a spear in the back holder along with a shield. On his left hip was his sword while he had his item bag on his right hip. Airlia knew he always carried his metal boomerang hidden within his other coat pocket. Once the ship docked, Airlia and Draco hurried off as they waved off the ship. "When it's time to return, we'll simply seek passage from Trodain."

The captain frowned because he didn't want to leave the pair alone, "Are you sure lass, lad?" At Draco's nod, he left the pair as they went around the corner to follow the path to Trodain. The pair had arrived far later than they had originally planned, but it was for the best. Their captain of the guards Marcus was right after all in that they needed to know how to defend themselves. Draco had trained with Marcus for swordsmanship and for knowledge of the spear while Airlia had trained with the master of whips and the master of archery. Luckily they were able to adapt to the methods fairly quickly though. However the Captain of the guards wasn't quite as confident in Airlia's abilities, demanding that she learn a few basic fighting techniques to protect her if someone should try to assault her. She had learned quickly the art of what hurts most on the human body to strike there if given the opportunity. She was also given throwing knives to keep on her at all times, hidden within the folds of her skirt that she would wear while traveling.

When they arrived at the castle, the guards smiled at them as they proclaimed, "Welcome to Trodain Prince Draco and Princess Airlia!" Airlia blushed lightly as she nodded her thanks while they went inside. The sun was high in the sky as they saw the king and princess of Trodain hurrying out to meet them in the courtyard. Airlia stood back, as did Trode while the royal couple looked at one another for the first time since the engagement happened. She could see the gentle look enter their eyes and knew that everything would be just fine between them as she sighed softly. Princess Medea was truly beautiful, wearing a simple white dress that hung off both shoulders with an underlying red sleeveless tunic. She had gold bracers on her wrists and gold armbands that glistened off the sunlight. Her long hair went down to the middle of her abdomen held in place by a sapphire and gold headband with a blue cloak finishing off the look.

Princess Medea's warm brown eyes glimmered in joy as she curtseyed to the pair of siblings. "Welcome, I am Princess Medea of Trodain, and this is my father King Trode of Trodain." She indicated the shorter man who had warm brown eyes and a mess of dirty blond hair bordering on a golden brown held in place by a crown. Below his mouth was a crafted goatee that somehow held remained regal. He was short, standing only about three and a half feet high with his regal attire.

Princess Airlia curtseyed while Prince Draco bowed. "Greetings to you both, I am Princess Airlia, and you've already met my brother Prince Draco. We wanted to be able to get to know both of you better, so we thought it best to come here ourselves. I insisted on it simply because I don't want either of you to be trapped in a loveless marriage. He shouldn't have to bear it…" She let her words drift off. Trode looked at her sympathetically as she shook her head, indicating to let the matter go.

Draco frowned, knowing exactly what she meant and why she was so upset. He put a hand on her shoulder, "If you find someone worthy of your heart, you just tell me sis. I'll back you no matter what."

At Medea's frown Airlia expanded, "I've never met my future husband. Mother only said it was to bring peace to her homeland but refused to say more on the matter. Even father won't tell me anything and usually he'll tell me right away. So it prompted this trip to meet Medea."

Trode smiled amiably as he led the pair inside the castle. "To make it easier, we'll just move on from that dreadful topic. Welcome to Trodain. You may explore anywhere you wish on the castle's premises. Princess Airlia will be staying with Princess Medea for the duration of the stay while you'll have a room just down the hall from them." Airlia paled as she saw a man walk past them in the castle, towards the door. He was familiar but she couldn't quite place the face because of his red and purple jester attire striking against his black hair. But his face, it was just so hauntingly familiar as she shook her head to clear it.

"Airlia? What's the matter?" Her brother quipped as she shook her head.

"I don't know. That man, who is he King Trode?"

Trode shook his head, "He was just being shown the way out my dear. Don't let him distress you my dear. He was a jester who came here looking for work and I found him quite frankly unamusing. So we suggested he go look elsewhere for work if that's what he truly wants to be." Airlia nodded as everything seemed to progress smoothly.

Dinner had gone well while Airlia and Draco retired to their quarters for the evening as Medea went out to the balcony for a bit of time alone to look at the stars. The next few minutes went by slowly as Airlia realized the pair had yet to come in. So she opened her door to see a guard unconscious as she ran to him. "Please, you must wake up!"

Turning her head, she saw the jester from before coming down. However, he looked different… His white makeup had bleached away to reveal greyish skin, and his hair was no longer jet black, having become devoid of all color. She glared at him as he cackled, "So my princess, are you ready to face your destiny?" She paled in fright as he raised the scepter before her world went dark.

He picked her up, grunting as he did while his body got used to having the powers of the scepter. "You scorned me once Princess, but soon as the seal is broken… You will scorn me no more!" Draco opened his door after hearing a scuffle and growled as he reached for his sword.

"Ah Prince Draco, time for you to become as still as the plants, like everyone in this kingdom will soon be!" He held the scepter up as the ball in its mouth glowed an eerie red. In the moment of the blast, Draco feared for his future wife and for his sister who was lying limply in the jester's arms. Shortly after the prince was incapacitated, Dhoulmagus walked outside of the castle onto the balcony that Airlia had been going to prior. He chuckled as he set the sleeping woman down before unleashing his wrath on the kingdom before him. Once he was done, he watched every thorn encrusted vine wrapping around the castle. He saw every person turned to a plant before he picked up his maiden with a viscous smirk. The jester now knew he had a way in to deal with each and every person who had wronged him before.

Picking up the unconscious woman, he left by foot, becoming more and more determined with every step of dealing with everyone who wronged him… Starting with dear old Master Rylus…