A/N: This story is a sequel of sorts to the original The Quest. Its general storyline and plot bear numerous similarities to the plot of the computer game, Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny, but this is not a crossover with Ultima.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Quest, it's the property of Court Five and Green Harbor Productions.
Introduction, Part 1
It had been a year since the Paladins' adventures in Everealm and their Quest to become the One True Hero and defeat Verlox. They had gone back to their ordinary lives on Earth, but all of them missed their adventures in that magical realm, and their own world almost paled in comparison to it. There was so much magic, and so many amazing places and creatures to encounter there, the Earth seemed drab and dreary by contrast. Yes, they loved their families and friends on Earth, but they still missed Everealm sorely.
Little did they realize that some of them were going to be lucky enough to be chosen to return to Everealm in its hour of need. But this time, there would be some new faces that would join their party, some new lucky souls who would encounter the wonders of Everealm with the seasoned old adventurers.
It was a day like any other day for Lina Carollo. She had just finished helping out at her family's restaurant for the day, and was now going home to rest and relax.
That was when she discovered the familiar stone symbol of the Quest of Everealm on her doorstep. Lina was ecstatic at an opportunity to return to the fantasy realm. She read the scroll inside the stone:
"One True Hero, your services are needed once again in Everealm. You have another opportunity to be the hero who saves Everealm from evil again. Go to the underground passageway between realities, and follow the corridors to the Everealm waterway, where the boatman will transport you to our realm."
In other parts of the country, five of the other old Paladins, Leticia, Patrick, Shondo, Andrew, and Bonnie, each received a similar message, beckoning them to come to Everealm. And in still other areas, six other people had been chosen to become new Paladins and to join them in Everealm, too.
The chosen Paladins and the One True Hero walked through the Tunnels Between the Parallel Worlds. The old Paladins already knew the way to the waterway, so they evidently all got there first. The six green Paladins, however, took a little more time, but eventually, they got there as well. The boatman greeted them all and beckoned for them to get on his boat, which they did.
As they began to go through the watery passageway, they soon saw the familiar (to some) silhouettes of the Fates in front of them. The three immortal women spoke, frequently continuing or completing each other's sentences, as they often did.
"A new evil has entered Everealm," said Talmuh.
"One which seeks vengeance for your previous victory," said Karu.
"Over Verlox and his forces," said Solas.
"This evil is more subtle and cunning than mighty Verlox," said Talmuh.
"An evil which requires all your strength and mind," said Karu.
"As well as your heart and soul, to defeat," said Solas.
"Continue to Everealm, where you will once again meet Crio," said Talmuh.
"And he will explain in detail what is afoot," said Karu.
"In the ever dangerous Marwood Forest ahead," said Solas.
With that, the Fates' silhouettes faded into the darkness.
Mutterings and murmurs rose among the Paladins, old and new alike. They all wondered what could be taking place, but no matter how dangerous it was, they were prepared to enjoy their time there once again.
"You ready to be the One True Hero again, Lina?" asked Andrew.
"Sure," said Lina, "We're here to save Everealm again, and that's what I'm going to do. What else would I do?"
The other Paladins smiled.
At the end of the passage, they all cautiously stepped out into the Marwood, looking around in the darkness of night. Lina found something lying on the ground nearby. She picked it up. It looked like an arrowhead on a chain, but it was shaped like the point of the Sunspear, and seemed to be made of the same metal.
"What is that?" inquired Leticia.
"I'm not sure, Leticia," said Lina, "But it looks just like the Sunspear. Something tells me, however, that I'm meant to have it, because I became the One True Hero on the last Quest." She put it around her neck.
"It sure looks good on you," said Shondo.
"Thanks, Shondo," said Lina with a smile.
Wondering what was going on, they all looked around for a sign of their guide. Curiously, there seemed to be no sign of Crio anywhere.
"Where do you think Crio is?" asked Bonnie.
"I don't know," said Patrick.
"He better be all right," said Shondo, "Because it sounds like we're going to need him to get to the bottom of this."
Suddenly, in one area off to their right, the darkness seemed to gather together and solidify into shapes. All the Paladins stopped and stared in trepidation as four humanoid shapes materialized nearby and sneered at them. They looked like dark skeletons and skulls dressed in black cloaks and hoods, and cold, yellow, glowing lights shone in their eyeholes as if they were eyes. They also wore tarnished silver crowns on their heads. They did not look welcoming at all.
The four figures began to advance on them. They seemed to be most intent on Lina, and leered at her the strongest. Leticia didn't like the looks of this and stepped in front of Lina, blocking the skeletal figures' way.
"Where are you going?" she demanded. "Leave Lina alone! She's our hero!"
One of the front most figures spoke in an icy voice. "That is precisely why we want her, mortal fool. Now step aside, or we will do more than just kill you in your turn."
"I don't think so," said Leticia, bravely but rashly.
"Leticia, don't!" hissed Bonnie.
"What is he going to do?" asked one of the new Paladins nervously.
As if in answer to her question, the figure in the front raised one bony hand and conjured up a dark bolt of some sort. Without a moment's hesitation, it shot the bolt right at Leticia's chest. A second later, Leticia was lying on the ground, groaning in excruciating pain as the cold weapon tore at her breast.
The figure advanced on Lina again. Nobody was sure what to do, and feared the worst. Even Lina herself was uncertain what to do. But then, the Sunspear amulet she wore around her neck began to glow with a warm, golden-red light. It shone right in the eyes of all four skeleton figures, and they screamed and tried to shade their faceless skulls. A few moments later, they started to fade, and they disappeared into the darkness from which they came.
Lina and the others breathed a sigh of relief. The danger seemed to have passed for now. But they still didn't know what to do or where to go.
"Now what do we do?" asked another of the new Paladins.
"I'm sure I don't know," said Lina, "Though I'd sure like to know what the heck those things were and what they wanted from us, especially me."
"What about Leticia?" asked a worried Bonnie.
"I really don't know," Andrew said, "But maybe if we can find the Hag of Purgwal, she could help us with this. That wound looks magical, and deadly, too."
"I think that might be possible, Paladins, seeing as I have come from her hut just now," said a familiar voice. They all turned and saw Crio approaching them.
"Crio!" exclaimed Shondo, "Where have you been? We've been looking all over for you!"
"Yes," said Crio, "I apologize for my tardiness, my friends, but the Hag of Purgwal kept me tied up with details of warnings regarding the Skull-Kings."
"The Skull-Kings?" asked Patrick, "Is that what those things were called?"
"Yes, they are," confirmed Crio. "Ah, I see that poor Paladin Leticia was gravely injured by one of them! Come with me, Paladins. We shall take her to the Hag's hut. The Hag is almost always irritable, but I've already convinced her to help us all in our hour of need, and she isn't in league with the evil despot who presently rules Saenctum. She can cure Leticia, although she may ask for Paladin Andrew's assistance, based on his history with making the potion that once cured our dear Queen Ralia."
"There's an usurper king or queen ruling Saenctum now?" said Lina. "What happened to the true Queen?"
"I will explain everything at the Hag's hut," said Crio. "The new Paladins may get acquainted with the old ones there if they like, and then we'll discuss the current condition of Everealm. Come, we cannot waste another moment in the Marwood Forest at night. Make haste!"