Mana's Mind
by Duran the Gladiator (aka Kaeli)
Chapter 1: The hour of dawn
He could be seen training every day on the Molebear Highlands, he could be seen scouting the Cleft of the Earth and paying visits to the dwarves. He could be seen there every day... except that one. He was in formal attire, brandishing a beautiful armor made of platinum, ditto shield and a very frustrated look. He, the newest and best Knight of Gold and delegate to every important meeting for the Grasslands Country Forcena, used to be a mere mercenary in King Richard's service. Until he became one of the Mana Heroes by Kevin's side, that is. He used to be Duran, a stubborn guy who never seemed to agree with anyone. But now they had promoted him to Sir Duran, and made him radically change his attitude from stubborn to more serious, from antisocial to severely shy. His sister had trained him in manners, and he knew full well that she had been much more easy than his aunt Stella would have been. But now a bit of his "old" nature resurfaced as King Richard had told him some very unpleasant news.
"Do I have to go to Beast Kingdom, sire? Maybe you could use my advice..." Duran tried desperately.
"Duran... do me this favor, for an old friendship shall we say. Besides, there's going to be delegates there from every important country - or not-that-important. There's going to be someone from Altena, someone from Rolante, one of the people from Diorre, one of the Navarrans..."
"The Navarre Sand Fortress is not seriously a country, is it?"
"It is now. Flamekhan has accepted rulership over the desert cities and the Valley of Flames, so technically it's now called the Navarre Sand KINGDOM. Anyway, Wendel is going to send someone too. Probably Heath, that younger guy you said you met. And, of course, the Beast King."
"Huh? Isn't the Beast King going to host the Reconsiliation in his castle?"
"Oh, you don't know? The Peace Summit here requires him to be here. Forcena, for it's central position in the world, has to host the Summit. All the kings and queens are to come here. And knowing that his father was needed here, Prince Kevin of Beast Kingdom has offered to host the Reconsiliation. Now, come on and go to Maia with me already! The queen of Altena will arrive here shortly by the aid of Booskaboo. You can then take the ride along with the Altena delegate to get to Beast Kingdom. Between us," King Richard added with a wink, and Duran immediately knew this was strictly off the record, "I'm looking forward to meeting Queen Valda again after all those years. A new alliance between our lands would certainly do us good... and I don't mean the lands only."
"Say, who's Rolante sending?"
"Remarkably enough, they're sending the head of the Amazon army, since Queen Lise is sick. Prince Elliot is obviously too young for this kind of thing..." They headed out into the badlands, over the bridge and on to Maia. Even though it was not at all dangerous any more - there were no more monsters - King Richard liked Duran to go with him for he found the boy much like an adopted son. Already he had stated in his will that his title should pass onto Duran lest something happen to him. They arrived at the port right in time to see Queen Valda and a few others step off... and to Duran's surprise, Angela was there too.
"Welcome, Queen Valda, Princess Angela", he said, the latter earning him a deadly glare from Angela, "to the Kingdom of Forcena." He bowed with utmost grace, amazing Angela as he managed to stay on his feet in all his armor.
"Greetings, Richard. Ah, this must be young Sir Duran." The king took the offered hands. "Oh, as for the delegate to Beast Kingdom, my daughter has volunteered." King Richard raised an eyebrow. Volunteered? For what reason? He could, however, assume that it had something to do with his finest knight, judging by the looks they gave each other.
"Ah, then she can escort Sir Duran, he's my delegate. Duran," he turned to his companion, "be sure to greet Prince Kevin on my behalf. He is a very remarkable boy to have done such magnificent deeds."
"Don't forget, King Richard, he had help from me!", Duran reacted, which evoked a chuckle from both the King and the Queen.
"And don't forget my input, Sir Duran...", Angela said. Something in her voice made Duran temper his happiness. "And indeed, Kevin is a very remarkable young man. He has done good things for everyone of us."
"Right you are, princess. Now, Duran, don't delay any longer. Escort the princess safely to Beast Kingdom. I'll see you both back in a week!" The King guided the Queen and her escort through Maia as Duran got on the sea turtle's back and helped Angela get on. As Booskaboo swam off, they started talking.
"So, I guess we're stuck with each other then, huh?", said a slightly uneasy Duran.
"Yes. It's a pleasure seeing you again. Can't really believe it has been a year... you could have come over, you know..."
"Angela... I'm sorry. I've missed you too... but I really couldn't. King Richard sent me out as delegate all the time. Now that I'm a Knight of Gold, I've new duties... you could have visited too, you know.", he added playfully.
"Nope, been practicing diplomacy and stuff like that. Mother decided she'd spend more time with me, and teach me how to be a proper princess and queen. Oh, and I'm sorry for the politesse of just now. It's been trained into me."
"Me too." They sat silently for a while, until Angela went to sit closer to him. Duran thanked the gods she wore a coat and formal attire. In the skimpy outfit she'd worn on their adventures... he knew she disliked formal garbs, but this didn't give him a heartache by looking at her. Over the year he had spent without her had grown a realisation of the hopelessness of his love for her. But now he wished so badly...
"Duran, I didn't imagine you could become so shy over just one year! Seriously... you ARE in loving company, you know..." She leaned over for a kiss, but found her prey avoiding her.
"Angie... it would hurt too much. Your mother probably wants you to marry a prince and stuff. I'm no prince. I'm not even remote. I do love you, but it would be far better for the both of us if we faced the distance between us."
"Hey, tin man," she used her nickname for him in a teasing way while placing her hand on his cheek to make sure he took notice of it, "I don't care for that. I care for you. And I think now is a good time to decide if we want to get this right - serious. We're both adults now. We can very well make our own decisions, and ask for those decisions to be respected. I love you, Duran, as I made clear a year ago. I haven't loved you less for a second of the past year. I know you haven't either: so why are we still caring for a barrier such as blood? So you're no royalty. You're one of the most elite men in the world. Everywhere you'll go, you'll be treated like a king. So you're a Forcenian, and I'm from Altena. I could become a remote diplomat and live with you. You could do the same and come live in Altena. Or we could go and live elsewhere. I want to be able to love you." Angela looked at him once more. He sighed, he knew it was true: they couldn't give up on each other. Not in the way they were emotionally involved.
"Me too. But let's do it properly then. Angie...", he said as he sat in front of her and gently held her hands, "I am dearly in love with you. Wanna be my girlfriend?"
"Sure...", she said and hugged him.
They still had their arms around each other when they arrived in the Moonlight City Mintos. There was a bit of a crowd waiting for them at the inn. The Fairy King stood there, helped a bit by Carlie who had grown up a lot during the year that had passed. She was now equally tall to Kevin, who stood beside her, and looked a whole lot more mature. She had traded her hat for a more fashionable beret, and her usual flowing robes were now a bit less flowing. Behind Carlie stood a young woman they both recognised as being the Flamekhan's daughter Jessica, and she was holding the hand of a remarkably happy-looking Hawkeye. The Ninja Master stood in his black garb, but he had tied a white ribbon in his hair. They joined the group as Kevin spoke:
"Welcome fellow reconsiliators. I, Prince Kevin, welcome you to Beast Kingdom. It's great pleasure for me to see you here. Now, follow me please, Moonlight Forest is real maze." He led them to the impressive castle Duran remembered to be gloomy - but it wasn't anymore. The beastmen and -women had polished the stones of the castle so the dirt of the ages had come off and the stones reflected the moonlight again. The Moonreading Tower still stood in the middle of the forest menacingly, but was now outmatched by the castle's shine.
"Please go on inside, I give the cooks final adjustments for lunch.", the boy said before heading off into one of the corridors. The doors to the dining room was open, and everyone crowded in. Hawkeye was first to notice the two newly arrived delegates.
"Hey Duran, hello Angela, how's it been? A year can be a long time, can't it?"
"It sure can. Well, we've been fine. We too just met on the way here. It's sure good to be together again...", Angela said, and giggled as Duran put his arm around her waist.
"So, you guys haven't given it another go for a year?! Are you finally getting back together now?", Hawkeye whispered.
"Hawk! That is an insult to me and my beautiful girlfriend!", said the swordsman mockingly, "Yes, we've decided to go about it seriously now. No flirts, no silly kisses, but just love and affection."
"Ah, that sounds like the marriage material! Will there be any wedding bells at the end of this romance?"
"I dunno, but I hope so. And what's happened with you? Any wedding bells for you?"
"Yes. Me and Jessie got married two months ago. We were married by an acquaintance, by the way."
"Oh? Who then?" Angela raised an eyebrow? One of their friends? But who?
"A lovely little priestess named Charlotte."
"No, seriously?! Have you been married by Carlie?"
"Aided by Heath, of course, but she did give us the blessing and all. She is a fully-fledged Priestess of Light now. Oh, here comes the bringer of light herself!"
"Hello Duran, hello Angela, how've you been?"
"Fine, thank you, Carlie. You too, I hope?"
"Yup. Me and Heath have practiced a loooooong time but now I'm a Priestess of Light. I like it alot. Heath is proud of me, he says he even thinks I might become like Gramps someday. Like my new style, by the way?"
"Yeah, suits you." "Looks cute on you, Carlie!"
"Heath said I should start to dress my age. So I did."
"Heath has a good sense of fashion if he advised you this..."
"He even bought me a very beautiful dress. I'll wear it later. Kevin said he'd organised a dance. I just hope I don't have to dance. I can't dance!"
"No worries, Carlie, I teach you! I can dance good. Hello Duran, and Angie... you back together?"
"Jeez, what is it with everybody?! Is it that obvious, Kevin?"
"No, but I smell Angela's scent on you, so I piece two and two together. Congratulations... and you too, Hawk. Jessie is very lucky girl, and you are very lucky guy. Now, let's go talk reconsiliation."
"Ahem..." A knock on the door made all heads turn that way. In the doorway stood Lise, in her usual Amazon armor, but with a crown on her head. "Got room for one more?", she said grinning.
"Lise! You're here!" The friends all stood up and went to her. "How did you get here?"
"Flammie. She still is here, although she seemed to have gone up into exile again. NOW let's talk reconsiliation."
"Do you think I look good in this dress, Duran?"
"Uhh..." Duran gulped. Angela had put on a strapless dress with a low back, something like her normal dress, but even more beatiful. He nodded slowly. "Y-yeah... looking good..."
"Oh, all you men think about is good-looking girls in skimpy outfits, isn't it?"
"Yeah, and darn right we are. And don't you like me in this outfit too?" It was true, Angela had found her new boyfriend very good-looking without all the armor.
"So so true. Now, let's go and dance, loverboy, before I keep you here." She bit her lip: that wans't supposed to come out that loud. He blushed scarlet. But he was first to regain his senses and kissed her on the cheek. "You and me both. C'mon, I wanna dance or die trying."
"For you, it would be the latter, wouldn't it?", sounded Lise's voice from the end of the corridor. "Come on, you wouldn't deny me the pleasure of watching you dance, would you?" She laughed as she joined her friends and guided them to the ballroom.
"Lise, I'd start thinking you've been here before", said an amazed Angela as they were skillfully guided through the corridors.
"Well... I have been here a few times to visit Kevin. He needed my help in a few cases... and I helped him. He's a nice man, and so is his father. A bit rough on the edges, but a nice man..." They entered the ballroom (recognising the decorations as Lise's work), where Lise went to talk to a few others. Duran invited Angela on the dancefloor and started to dance. Immediately they had the attention of the entire room as they danced the most graceful-looking waltz. When the waltz ended and Angela went to get drinks, Lise came up to her with an amazed Carlie and Kevin.
"Wow, he can dance better than anyone else of gathered company!", said Lise.
"Where'd Duran learn to dance that good, Angela?"
"Methinks I can't dance that good... maybe Duran learn Carlie how to dance?"
"It almost seemed as if I was floating..." Angela stated dreamily.
"Effect of the waltz or just of being in Duran's arms?", was Lise's mock remark.
"Hmmm... both! Now, if you'll excuse me, it's about time for round two. See you!" And the princess was off again, leaving Kevin and Carlie at the drinks table as Lise too went back to her company.
"Kevin, what is going on with Angela and Duran? They look funny... Hawk did too when he looked at Jessica when they got married."
"Uh... they in love, Carlie. Don't you know being in love, what it's like? ...I think it must feel very nice. Beast King said it feels very nice, and Angela looks happy."
"In love? Like they give each other lotsa kisses like Hawk and Jessica? Ooh, they gonna get married too? I hope I can marry them then!"
"I hope too. You are good Priestess of Light, and good friend of me. Beast King said he hoped you'd come again. Heath had you training that long?" Kevin poured his companion a drink, then took one for him. "I missed you too, wanted to talk to you. Been feeling strange lately, a bit drowsy... you have same tired feeling, or not?"
"Yes. The others too: I can tell. Fairy King said that the elves were acting strange as well. Only Jessica and the Beastmen aren't influenced..."
"Beastmen don't feel it as good as me. I just hope that Beast King is allright in Forcena. Sunlight makes Beastmen dreamy and less powerful!" He noticed their drinks were empty. "Would you like other drink, or just dance?"
"Dance, please. My dress screams out to be a ballroom dress." She let herself be guided to the dancefloor by Kevin.
Lise had been last to leave the ballroom after tidying together with Kevin and a few Beastmen. Sleeping had been fairly easy since she had drank a few glasses of the Beastmen's beer. Strong stuff, since Kevin refused to touch it even if he was allowed to drink it, and Duran too avoided the stuff - "I don't wanna forget that waltz, ever!" - but Hawkeye and Jessica had joined her and had left the dance cheerful and wrapped in each other's arms. And she had drifted asleep moments after falling down on her bed, still wearing her dress. She praised the gods that she hadn't undressed, since the next thing she knew, Duran was in her room, together with the rest, trying to get her awake.
"Duran... have you no idea what time it is? It's only just light outside..." And then it hit her: light? They all rushed outside to the clearing in front of the castle. Although their vision to the outside world was limited, a victorious sun appeared above the horizon, and casted its golden light into the Moonlight Forest. It was a beautiful sight to behold if it weren't so unnatural. Hawk was first to speak.
"Guys, I think we have a problem..."
And just as he said that, Kevin fell down, clutching his head.
"It is Moon Spirit, Luna! I hear her wailing! She is confused!"
"B-but, hasn't she disappeared with the rest of Mana?", Lise gasped as Carlie tended to her friend.
"I don't know, but she is here and wailing. Duran, send message to Beast King. He know what to do. Tell Peace Summit of it, and ask them to be careful..." Duran nodded and sped off to the tower where the messenger birds were kept. After writing and sending his message, he joined the group in the dining room where they held a crisis meeting.
"Beastmen weak now that the moon is gone from the sky... What to do?"
"There's no more direct threat, so we'll just have to wait for the response of the Beast King. Don't worry, everything will work out fine. And if it doesn't, we'll MAKE it work out, 'kay?"
"Has anyone seen anything unusual? I mean, besides the fact that it's day out there...", asked a reasonably calm Hawk.
"I have." All heads turned to Lise. "I thought it was the fact that I had drunk a bit too much that caused it, but I saw light in the Moonreading Tower." Kevin rose from his chair to disappear to the kitchen again, after scratching his head in amazement about what Lise had just told. "Gerald," Lise called for one of the beastman guards that stood by the door, "do you know what the Moonreading Tower is now used for?"
"Yes, Queen Lise, it is used no more. It's empty. Beast King ordered it to be closed."
"Oh..." Suddenly, a cry resounded, and Kevin came back inside, carrying a baby.
"Gah, we have problem, guys! I went to kitchen because I heard Lugar cry. He was in kitchen, boiling water spilled all over him. Blisters all over his face. I cried, wished I could do something... and then it happened... I healed him! Just like I healed you with Wisp's power!"
"Heal Light? You were able to use Heal Light again?!"
"Yeah... how come I was able?"
"I don't know... but we have to find out soon..."
A few hours later, a beastman came inside with a message from King Richard and the Beast King. Duran took the liberty of reading it to his friends out loud:
"Dear Duran,
this is indeed a very disturbing tiding you bring us. The necessary precautions have been taken by us to ensure that everyone is safe. Unfortunately, problems have arisen here as well. The dwarves have been forced to flee from their living place, and rumors of other mishappenings have reached us as well. A heatwave in Altena, heavy rainstorms in the desert, ceasing of the winds in Rolante, a shadow covering Wendel and its cities, overgrowth of Diorre... even Bucca's Dark Priests have sent us news of their sudden disease. If this continues, the world will either perish or change to never be the same again. But I am completely left in the dark as to the cause of this all. Mana is gone and so must the Elementals... although Kevin does have extra developed senses.
Anyway, have fun there, and say hello to Queen Lise on my behalf, King Richard."
"How does King Richard know that I'm here?", Lise whispered confused to Angela.
"Of course he knows, all your friends are here, why shouldn't you be?", was the answer. "Now shush, he's going to read the Beast King's note too."
"Dear Kevin, and other Mana Heroes,
it seems to me that the Elementals might still be around. They are dependant of Mana, but not totally dependant. It could be that Mana's disappearance has caused them to deteritoriate, and after a year their minds have gotten off the protection of the lands we live in. I advise that you go to the Moonreading Tower and take a good look - if Luna is still there, you should talk to her.
May you find answers when you search!" He paused for a moment, letting his words seep in.
"So? What'll we do? If Luna is still there... it could be dangerous."
"And since when, Duran," said Hawkeye mockingly, "have you steered clear of danger?"
"You're right... I think we should go!"
"Yes! We go at evening - then beastmen are strong enough to go by without me!", cheered Kevin. Their minds were set: they'd go and find out what was going on.
by Duran the Gladiator (aka Kaeli)
Chapter 1: The hour of dawn
He could be seen training every day on the Molebear Highlands, he could be seen scouting the Cleft of the Earth and paying visits to the dwarves. He could be seen there every day... except that one. He was in formal attire, brandishing a beautiful armor made of platinum, ditto shield and a very frustrated look. He, the newest and best Knight of Gold and delegate to every important meeting for the Grasslands Country Forcena, used to be a mere mercenary in King Richard's service. Until he became one of the Mana Heroes by Kevin's side, that is. He used to be Duran, a stubborn guy who never seemed to agree with anyone. But now they had promoted him to Sir Duran, and made him radically change his attitude from stubborn to more serious, from antisocial to severely shy. His sister had trained him in manners, and he knew full well that she had been much more easy than his aunt Stella would have been. But now a bit of his "old" nature resurfaced as King Richard had told him some very unpleasant news.
"Do I have to go to Beast Kingdom, sire? Maybe you could use my advice..." Duran tried desperately.
"Duran... do me this favor, for an old friendship shall we say. Besides, there's going to be delegates there from every important country - or not-that-important. There's going to be someone from Altena, someone from Rolante, one of the people from Diorre, one of the Navarrans..."
"The Navarre Sand Fortress is not seriously a country, is it?"
"It is now. Flamekhan has accepted rulership over the desert cities and the Valley of Flames, so technically it's now called the Navarre Sand KINGDOM. Anyway, Wendel is going to send someone too. Probably Heath, that younger guy you said you met. And, of course, the Beast King."
"Huh? Isn't the Beast King going to host the Reconsiliation in his castle?"
"Oh, you don't know? The Peace Summit here requires him to be here. Forcena, for it's central position in the world, has to host the Summit. All the kings and queens are to come here. And knowing that his father was needed here, Prince Kevin of Beast Kingdom has offered to host the Reconsiliation. Now, come on and go to Maia with me already! The queen of Altena will arrive here shortly by the aid of Booskaboo. You can then take the ride along with the Altena delegate to get to Beast Kingdom. Between us," King Richard added with a wink, and Duran immediately knew this was strictly off the record, "I'm looking forward to meeting Queen Valda again after all those years. A new alliance between our lands would certainly do us good... and I don't mean the lands only."
"Say, who's Rolante sending?"
"Remarkably enough, they're sending the head of the Amazon army, since Queen Lise is sick. Prince Elliot is obviously too young for this kind of thing..." They headed out into the badlands, over the bridge and on to Maia. Even though it was not at all dangerous any more - there were no more monsters - King Richard liked Duran to go with him for he found the boy much like an adopted son. Already he had stated in his will that his title should pass onto Duran lest something happen to him. They arrived at the port right in time to see Queen Valda and a few others step off... and to Duran's surprise, Angela was there too.
"Welcome, Queen Valda, Princess Angela", he said, the latter earning him a deadly glare from Angela, "to the Kingdom of Forcena." He bowed with utmost grace, amazing Angela as he managed to stay on his feet in all his armor.
"Greetings, Richard. Ah, this must be young Sir Duran." The king took the offered hands. "Oh, as for the delegate to Beast Kingdom, my daughter has volunteered." King Richard raised an eyebrow. Volunteered? For what reason? He could, however, assume that it had something to do with his finest knight, judging by the looks they gave each other.
"Ah, then she can escort Sir Duran, he's my delegate. Duran," he turned to his companion, "be sure to greet Prince Kevin on my behalf. He is a very remarkable boy to have done such magnificent deeds."
"Don't forget, King Richard, he had help from me!", Duran reacted, which evoked a chuckle from both the King and the Queen.
"And don't forget my input, Sir Duran...", Angela said. Something in her voice made Duran temper his happiness. "And indeed, Kevin is a very remarkable young man. He has done good things for everyone of us."
"Right you are, princess. Now, Duran, don't delay any longer. Escort the princess safely to Beast Kingdom. I'll see you both back in a week!" The King guided the Queen and her escort through Maia as Duran got on the sea turtle's back and helped Angela get on. As Booskaboo swam off, they started talking.
"So, I guess we're stuck with each other then, huh?", said a slightly uneasy Duran.
"Yes. It's a pleasure seeing you again. Can't really believe it has been a year... you could have come over, you know..."
"Angela... I'm sorry. I've missed you too... but I really couldn't. King Richard sent me out as delegate all the time. Now that I'm a Knight of Gold, I've new duties... you could have visited too, you know.", he added playfully.
"Nope, been practicing diplomacy and stuff like that. Mother decided she'd spend more time with me, and teach me how to be a proper princess and queen. Oh, and I'm sorry for the politesse of just now. It's been trained into me."
"Me too." They sat silently for a while, until Angela went to sit closer to him. Duran thanked the gods she wore a coat and formal attire. In the skimpy outfit she'd worn on their adventures... he knew she disliked formal garbs, but this didn't give him a heartache by looking at her. Over the year he had spent without her had grown a realisation of the hopelessness of his love for her. But now he wished so badly...
"Duran, I didn't imagine you could become so shy over just one year! Seriously... you ARE in loving company, you know..." She leaned over for a kiss, but found her prey avoiding her.
"Angie... it would hurt too much. Your mother probably wants you to marry a prince and stuff. I'm no prince. I'm not even remote. I do love you, but it would be far better for the both of us if we faced the distance between us."
"Hey, tin man," she used her nickname for him in a teasing way while placing her hand on his cheek to make sure he took notice of it, "I don't care for that. I care for you. And I think now is a good time to decide if we want to get this right - serious. We're both adults now. We can very well make our own decisions, and ask for those decisions to be respected. I love you, Duran, as I made clear a year ago. I haven't loved you less for a second of the past year. I know you haven't either: so why are we still caring for a barrier such as blood? So you're no royalty. You're one of the most elite men in the world. Everywhere you'll go, you'll be treated like a king. So you're a Forcenian, and I'm from Altena. I could become a remote diplomat and live with you. You could do the same and come live in Altena. Or we could go and live elsewhere. I want to be able to love you." Angela looked at him once more. He sighed, he knew it was true: they couldn't give up on each other. Not in the way they were emotionally involved.
"Me too. But let's do it properly then. Angie...", he said as he sat in front of her and gently held her hands, "I am dearly in love with you. Wanna be my girlfriend?"
"Sure...", she said and hugged him.
They still had their arms around each other when they arrived in the Moonlight City Mintos. There was a bit of a crowd waiting for them at the inn. The Fairy King stood there, helped a bit by Carlie who had grown up a lot during the year that had passed. She was now equally tall to Kevin, who stood beside her, and looked a whole lot more mature. She had traded her hat for a more fashionable beret, and her usual flowing robes were now a bit less flowing. Behind Carlie stood a young woman they both recognised as being the Flamekhan's daughter Jessica, and she was holding the hand of a remarkably happy-looking Hawkeye. The Ninja Master stood in his black garb, but he had tied a white ribbon in his hair. They joined the group as Kevin spoke:
"Welcome fellow reconsiliators. I, Prince Kevin, welcome you to Beast Kingdom. It's great pleasure for me to see you here. Now, follow me please, Moonlight Forest is real maze." He led them to the impressive castle Duran remembered to be gloomy - but it wasn't anymore. The beastmen and -women had polished the stones of the castle so the dirt of the ages had come off and the stones reflected the moonlight again. The Moonreading Tower still stood in the middle of the forest menacingly, but was now outmatched by the castle's shine.
"Please go on inside, I give the cooks final adjustments for lunch.", the boy said before heading off into one of the corridors. The doors to the dining room was open, and everyone crowded in. Hawkeye was first to notice the two newly arrived delegates.
"Hey Duran, hello Angela, how's it been? A year can be a long time, can't it?"
"It sure can. Well, we've been fine. We too just met on the way here. It's sure good to be together again...", Angela said, and giggled as Duran put his arm around her waist.
"So, you guys haven't given it another go for a year?! Are you finally getting back together now?", Hawkeye whispered.
"Hawk! That is an insult to me and my beautiful girlfriend!", said the swordsman mockingly, "Yes, we've decided to go about it seriously now. No flirts, no silly kisses, but just love and affection."
"Ah, that sounds like the marriage material! Will there be any wedding bells at the end of this romance?"
"I dunno, but I hope so. And what's happened with you? Any wedding bells for you?"
"Yes. Me and Jessie got married two months ago. We were married by an acquaintance, by the way."
"Oh? Who then?" Angela raised an eyebrow? One of their friends? But who?
"A lovely little priestess named Charlotte."
"No, seriously?! Have you been married by Carlie?"
"Aided by Heath, of course, but she did give us the blessing and all. She is a fully-fledged Priestess of Light now. Oh, here comes the bringer of light herself!"
"Hello Duran, hello Angela, how've you been?"
"Fine, thank you, Carlie. You too, I hope?"
"Yup. Me and Heath have practiced a loooooong time but now I'm a Priestess of Light. I like it alot. Heath is proud of me, he says he even thinks I might become like Gramps someday. Like my new style, by the way?"
"Yeah, suits you." "Looks cute on you, Carlie!"
"Heath said I should start to dress my age. So I did."
"Heath has a good sense of fashion if he advised you this..."
"He even bought me a very beautiful dress. I'll wear it later. Kevin said he'd organised a dance. I just hope I don't have to dance. I can't dance!"
"No worries, Carlie, I teach you! I can dance good. Hello Duran, and Angie... you back together?"
"Jeez, what is it with everybody?! Is it that obvious, Kevin?"
"No, but I smell Angela's scent on you, so I piece two and two together. Congratulations... and you too, Hawk. Jessie is very lucky girl, and you are very lucky guy. Now, let's go talk reconsiliation."
"Ahem..." A knock on the door made all heads turn that way. In the doorway stood Lise, in her usual Amazon armor, but with a crown on her head. "Got room for one more?", she said grinning.
"Lise! You're here!" The friends all stood up and went to her. "How did you get here?"
"Flammie. She still is here, although she seemed to have gone up into exile again. NOW let's talk reconsiliation."
"Do you think I look good in this dress, Duran?"
"Uhh..." Duran gulped. Angela had put on a strapless dress with a low back, something like her normal dress, but even more beatiful. He nodded slowly. "Y-yeah... looking good..."
"Oh, all you men think about is good-looking girls in skimpy outfits, isn't it?"
"Yeah, and darn right we are. And don't you like me in this outfit too?" It was true, Angela had found her new boyfriend very good-looking without all the armor.
"So so true. Now, let's go and dance, loverboy, before I keep you here." She bit her lip: that wans't supposed to come out that loud. He blushed scarlet. But he was first to regain his senses and kissed her on the cheek. "You and me both. C'mon, I wanna dance or die trying."
"For you, it would be the latter, wouldn't it?", sounded Lise's voice from the end of the corridor. "Come on, you wouldn't deny me the pleasure of watching you dance, would you?" She laughed as she joined her friends and guided them to the ballroom.
"Lise, I'd start thinking you've been here before", said an amazed Angela as they were skillfully guided through the corridors.
"Well... I have been here a few times to visit Kevin. He needed my help in a few cases... and I helped him. He's a nice man, and so is his father. A bit rough on the edges, but a nice man..." They entered the ballroom (recognising the decorations as Lise's work), where Lise went to talk to a few others. Duran invited Angela on the dancefloor and started to dance. Immediately they had the attention of the entire room as they danced the most graceful-looking waltz. When the waltz ended and Angela went to get drinks, Lise came up to her with an amazed Carlie and Kevin.
"Wow, he can dance better than anyone else of gathered company!", said Lise.
"Where'd Duran learn to dance that good, Angela?"
"Methinks I can't dance that good... maybe Duran learn Carlie how to dance?"
"It almost seemed as if I was floating..." Angela stated dreamily.
"Effect of the waltz or just of being in Duran's arms?", was Lise's mock remark.
"Hmmm... both! Now, if you'll excuse me, it's about time for round two. See you!" And the princess was off again, leaving Kevin and Carlie at the drinks table as Lise too went back to her company.
"Kevin, what is going on with Angela and Duran? They look funny... Hawk did too when he looked at Jessica when they got married."
"Uh... they in love, Carlie. Don't you know being in love, what it's like? ...I think it must feel very nice. Beast King said it feels very nice, and Angela looks happy."
"In love? Like they give each other lotsa kisses like Hawk and Jessica? Ooh, they gonna get married too? I hope I can marry them then!"
"I hope too. You are good Priestess of Light, and good friend of me. Beast King said he hoped you'd come again. Heath had you training that long?" Kevin poured his companion a drink, then took one for him. "I missed you too, wanted to talk to you. Been feeling strange lately, a bit drowsy... you have same tired feeling, or not?"
"Yes. The others too: I can tell. Fairy King said that the elves were acting strange as well. Only Jessica and the Beastmen aren't influenced..."
"Beastmen don't feel it as good as me. I just hope that Beast King is allright in Forcena. Sunlight makes Beastmen dreamy and less powerful!" He noticed their drinks were empty. "Would you like other drink, or just dance?"
"Dance, please. My dress screams out to be a ballroom dress." She let herself be guided to the dancefloor by Kevin.
Lise had been last to leave the ballroom after tidying together with Kevin and a few Beastmen. Sleeping had been fairly easy since she had drank a few glasses of the Beastmen's beer. Strong stuff, since Kevin refused to touch it even if he was allowed to drink it, and Duran too avoided the stuff - "I don't wanna forget that waltz, ever!" - but Hawkeye and Jessica had joined her and had left the dance cheerful and wrapped in each other's arms. And she had drifted asleep moments after falling down on her bed, still wearing her dress. She praised the gods that she hadn't undressed, since the next thing she knew, Duran was in her room, together with the rest, trying to get her awake.
"Duran... have you no idea what time it is? It's only just light outside..." And then it hit her: light? They all rushed outside to the clearing in front of the castle. Although their vision to the outside world was limited, a victorious sun appeared above the horizon, and casted its golden light into the Moonlight Forest. It was a beautiful sight to behold if it weren't so unnatural. Hawk was first to speak.
"Guys, I think we have a problem..."
And just as he said that, Kevin fell down, clutching his head.
"It is Moon Spirit, Luna! I hear her wailing! She is confused!"
"B-but, hasn't she disappeared with the rest of Mana?", Lise gasped as Carlie tended to her friend.
"I don't know, but she is here and wailing. Duran, send message to Beast King. He know what to do. Tell Peace Summit of it, and ask them to be careful..." Duran nodded and sped off to the tower where the messenger birds were kept. After writing and sending his message, he joined the group in the dining room where they held a crisis meeting.
"Beastmen weak now that the moon is gone from the sky... What to do?"
"There's no more direct threat, so we'll just have to wait for the response of the Beast King. Don't worry, everything will work out fine. And if it doesn't, we'll MAKE it work out, 'kay?"
"Has anyone seen anything unusual? I mean, besides the fact that it's day out there...", asked a reasonably calm Hawk.
"I have." All heads turned to Lise. "I thought it was the fact that I had drunk a bit too much that caused it, but I saw light in the Moonreading Tower." Kevin rose from his chair to disappear to the kitchen again, after scratching his head in amazement about what Lise had just told. "Gerald," Lise called for one of the beastman guards that stood by the door, "do you know what the Moonreading Tower is now used for?"
"Yes, Queen Lise, it is used no more. It's empty. Beast King ordered it to be closed."
"Oh..." Suddenly, a cry resounded, and Kevin came back inside, carrying a baby.
"Gah, we have problem, guys! I went to kitchen because I heard Lugar cry. He was in kitchen, boiling water spilled all over him. Blisters all over his face. I cried, wished I could do something... and then it happened... I healed him! Just like I healed you with Wisp's power!"
"Heal Light? You were able to use Heal Light again?!"
"Yeah... how come I was able?"
"I don't know... but we have to find out soon..."
A few hours later, a beastman came inside with a message from King Richard and the Beast King. Duran took the liberty of reading it to his friends out loud:
"Dear Duran,
this is indeed a very disturbing tiding you bring us. The necessary precautions have been taken by us to ensure that everyone is safe. Unfortunately, problems have arisen here as well. The dwarves have been forced to flee from their living place, and rumors of other mishappenings have reached us as well. A heatwave in Altena, heavy rainstorms in the desert, ceasing of the winds in Rolante, a shadow covering Wendel and its cities, overgrowth of Diorre... even Bucca's Dark Priests have sent us news of their sudden disease. If this continues, the world will either perish or change to never be the same again. But I am completely left in the dark as to the cause of this all. Mana is gone and so must the Elementals... although Kevin does have extra developed senses.
Anyway, have fun there, and say hello to Queen Lise on my behalf, King Richard."
"How does King Richard know that I'm here?", Lise whispered confused to Angela.
"Of course he knows, all your friends are here, why shouldn't you be?", was the answer. "Now shush, he's going to read the Beast King's note too."
"Dear Kevin, and other Mana Heroes,
it seems to me that the Elementals might still be around. They are dependant of Mana, but not totally dependant. It could be that Mana's disappearance has caused them to deteritoriate, and after a year their minds have gotten off the protection of the lands we live in. I advise that you go to the Moonreading Tower and take a good look - if Luna is still there, you should talk to her.
May you find answers when you search!" He paused for a moment, letting his words seep in.
"So? What'll we do? If Luna is still there... it could be dangerous."
"And since when, Duran," said Hawkeye mockingly, "have you steered clear of danger?"
"You're right... I think we should go!"
"Yes! We go at evening - then beastmen are strong enough to go by without me!", cheered Kevin. Their minds were set: they'd go and find out what was going on.