Part I: Union of the Heroes
Chapter 1: The Empress and the Thief
(Phantom)

Night had fallen over Ereve, where all but one were asleep. Empress Aria was awake, pacing on her bedroom balcony as she immersed herself into memories and hopes.

"What if he doesn't come? Was he lying about coming?" she thought. Tired of pacing, she let herself lean back on a wall and close her eyes for a minute. As she rested, she tightened her grip on a small, sapphire-colored jewel that hung on a golden chain. It briefly glowed, calming her mind with its warmth. She relaxed, pondering about the curious letters she had received earlier that morning.

(Flashback)

The castle of Ereve was truly a wonderful place. The town center was a large area with many merchants, traders, and the occasional traveler. The castle was large and painted white. Many velvet banners with golden threads hung over the castle walls and all bore the symbol of Shinsoo, the holy beast of Ereve. In the Conference Room, all the important leaders of the Grand Army were sitting together, planning and making strategies. While the generals were arguing over the best course of action, a large, white bird with long, majestic-looking feathers swooped and plopped three letters on the conference table. A rather short man with a blue mane and a monocle immediately picked up the letters. At once, his eyes grew wide and got up from the hall, running towards a large but gentle looking bird-creature, where a young woman lay on its gigantic wings. She wore a periwinkle-blue dress and had long, sweeping blond hair that trailed off of Shinsoo's wing.

"Your Highness, a letter has come for you!" cried Neinheart as his monocle fell off his eye, dangling from his pocket.
"Terribly sorry, excuse me, coming through!" he stammered as he pushed himself through the crowd of people surrounding the Empress.
"What is it dear Neinheart?" asked the Empress, perplexed at why her tactician was so bewildered.
"Empress, three letters have come for you in the highest urgency.

Aria reached for the first letter, a white envelope with golden decor. As she scanned over the letter, her face fell with every word until finally when she looked up, there were tears falling from her eyes.

"M-my brother has f-f-fallen. He was k-killed by King V-Von Leon." she choked as Neinheart grabbed hold of her hand, trying to console her.

"I-I'm so sorry, my lady. I remember your brother. He always wanted to be a knight like your father! Then, you were just an infant. Your brother would practice sword-fighting with your father. One day, your father went alone hunting in the woods. Back then, there were all sorts of formidable monsters, not like the weak ones now. Your brother wanted to go with your father, but he was too young to go. I remember, I saw him take his sword and run off into the woods after your father. Your mother was putting you asleep, and I came in to warn her that he was going alone. Your mother took you on Shinsoo and went into the woods after him. When she arrived, she saw your father unconscious and your brother holding his sword at a Crimson Balrog. The Balrog was about to slash your brother to bits, when Shinsoo flapped his wings and gave your brother some of his divine strength. He smite the Balrog and kept your father safe. Ever since, he was sworn one protecting those he loved. His sense of duty was very great. There now, dry your tears. Your brother would have wanted you to be strong."

"T-thank you, Neinheart. You always know what to say." Aria said, a teary smile coming to her face.

Aria wiped her tears on her dress and Shinsoo nudged her soft mane to calm Aria down. Aria then reached for the second letter, this time a black envelope. She unfastened a ruby seal with black wings keeping the formidable looking letter closed and took out the letter. A look of shock crossed her face, replacing grief with fear.

"What is it your Highness?" inquired Neinheart, walking around the desk of letters to see what the Empress was so scared of.

A perplexed glance swiftly turned into a look of rage, as he yelled aloud, "What is this madness? Storm the castle my foot! The Black Mage cannot and will not set foot in Ereve! And furthermore, he will certainly not so much as look at my Empress! Don't worry Empress, you will not come to any harm as long as Ereve still stands. We must have tighter security and you, Empress, will be escorted by Shinsoo at all times for your protection. Not even that dastardly thief Phantom will be able to enter once I have added the security!"

Muttering this to himself, Neinheart ranted on about how they would punish Phantom if they ever catch him in Ereve. Now alone, Aria was about to get up, when she noticed the third letter that had been awaiting her. For once, she was not afraid or sad, but she was anxious and curious at the same time. She took the letter, this envelope being satin blue with gold embroidery and a raven pin, and opened it. Inside, she found a beautiful carte that had a picture of a blue jewel, the gem Skaia, on the back. She glanced over it, her face becoming more gleeful with every word. Unfortunately, she now heard her tactician returning with what she suspected to be an army. Quickly, she took a more somber face as Neinheart burst into the room with a general and indeed a small militia.

"What is it this time, Empress? Has the Black Mage threatened you again?" he inquired. "No dear Neinheart," she replied, "The thief Phantom has sent me a letter that he is going to infiltrate the castle and steal the Skaia."

"What is happening to this world?!" thundered Neinheart, "Have people really nothing to do except steal. Have they no education to aid them to find a job? If he applied himself, he could have been something useful like a banker or a soldier, but noooo, he has to go around stealing from those that actually work for their worth."

Again, Neinheart left the room with the confounded militia, uttering curses at the thief. As he left, Aria let herself have a quick smile before she too left the room.

(End of Flashback)

A faint rustling sound came from a tree that grew in front of Aria's bedroom window. The Empress snapped out of her memory and stood up. Tentatively, she took a step forward and asked the darkness, "Who's there?"

A shadow stepped from thin air, making his way onto the balcony. A melodic, yet disembodied voice replied , "Don't tell me you've been out waiting for me all night."

The figure now came into the light. A tall man in a dazzling white suit with golden decorations appeared. He wore brown breeches, supported by a glowing belt of gold, with a crescent moon decoration in the middle. He wore an infuriating smirk on his face that brought out the perfection of his features. On his soft blond hair, he wore a unique hat, satin blue in the shape of a raven. He leaned himself onto an ornately decorated cane with a red jewel.

"Shall I summon a guard?" the Empress inquired.

Phantom continued to smile as he put his hand on his hips, flashing a winning smile at her.

"I will not hand over our treasure, no matter how charming you try to be."
"Charming? You're finally coming to your senses." he gently laughed as he sat down beside her.

"I have invited an envoy from the Black Mage to Ereve..." she spoke softly, "I hope to negotiate terms of peace."
At this, Phantom took out one of his cartes, and magically turned into an enchanted rose, as red as rubies.

"All this worrying, you'll get crow's feet."

At this, Aria softly gasped and searched the thief's face to see any signs of trickery.

"I prefer a woman with a smile on her face." said Phantom.

Hearing this, she realized that the thief had really fallen in love with her. She accepted his token of love and laughed - laughed as if she were floating on a cloud, such a beautiful, gentle cloud. For that moment, she didn't care about the Black Mage, or her subjects, or anything. All she cared was that the so -called despicable thief would come back as he disappeared in a flurry of gold and blue cards.