New chapter! New chapter in record time!

In the beginning, there was nothing but darkness. Then Naga got bored and decided to do something about it. So she said, "Let there be light!" and there was light.

And the light was good because it contrasted with the darkness. And then she waved her hand, and water appeared out of the ether.

Then, when she snapped her fingers, the blueness of the water separated to fly upwards and become the sky.

And Naga said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear."

And it was so.

Then Naga said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it."

And it was so.

The Goddess worked tirelessly to paint her portrait. She crafted the sun, the moon, and the stars. She crafted cycles for them, called them seasons so that there would be equal parts warmth and cold. She created life, from the smallest insects to the birds flying in the sky to the largest animals walking the land. Mighty forests sprang up from the grass and covered vast areas of land, housing many living things in them.

And Naga saw that it was good.

While the great Goddess worked, a single man was present to see the creation of life on the planet. Robin was his name, and he watched in wonder as everything was created out of the nothingness of the abyss. He saw how the land materialized under his feet, how the seas and the skies separated to become two separate entities. He saw how the grass, the flowers and the trees sprang out of the desert landscape and bloomed in a few seconds. He saw how Naga created all life on the planet and how all the different creatures appeared and spread across the land.

And he saw that it was good.

After the Goddess was done, she blessed all of her creations and went away to rest after a hard day's worth of work. So, Robin was left alone to wander around and admire the wildlife. And admire the wildlife he did. He smelled the flowers, fed the birds and played with bunnies. Soon, he found himself on the outskirts of a forest. Robin was about to go in when he heard growling. Suddenly, a pack of wolves appeared and were slowly heading toward him! Robin was not worried, however, because he was sure he could take on a couple of wolves. So he confidently reached for his sword and unsheathed…a tree branch. Robin stared dumbly at the "weapon" in his hands for a few seconds. What happened to his sword? Why was he carrying a tree branch? Why where these wolves eyeing him instead of the various other animals around? All these questions raced through Robin's mind before he dismissed them. Well, melee may be out of the question, but at least he still had his trusty spellbook! Robin reached into his coat pocket and pulled out…a rock.

This was starting to become frustrating. First his sword gets replaced by a tree branch and now his spellbook became a rock!

Robin calmed himself and focused.

Okay, he's been through worse. A tree branch wasn't the most ideal weapon but he could still keep the wolves at bay. It wasn't all bad. However, as soon as this thought entered Robin's mind, he heard some moaning and groaning. To his horror, purple smoke accumulated in front of the wolves and Risen began emerging out of it! They were as creepy as he remembered them, being all undead and everything.

By this point Robin was starting to get nervous. Sure, wolves he could handle, but actual armed Risen who feel no pain? He might as well be dead. The only way he could possibly come out of this alive was if he got incredibly lucky, stuck his tree branch into a Risen's face, hoped that the shock killed it, stole its weapon, picked a god, and prayed.

Well, it was a plan. Maybe not the greatest plan in the world but it beat waiting around until he go maimed, killed and devoured (not necessarily in that order).

Robin took a deep breath and was about to execute his ridiculous plan when something else happened: the purple smoke kept on growing until it engulfed both the Risen and the wolves. When it cleared, the Risen were riding said wolves that had grown twice their size.

It was at that moment that Robin proverbially shat his pants. There was no way he could've possibly planned for this! First wolves, then Risen, now Risen riding wolves!

Robinnwas about to try his luck and get the hell out of there when he suddenly found that he couldn't breathe. No matter how hard he struggled, no air came into his lungs. The world was turning black, the wolf-riding Risen were approaching. One of them lunged and…

"BWARGH! Wha–?! Risen! Wolves! Risen riding wolves! They'r–GAH!" Robin didn't know what happened, but he found himself face-first on the floor of his office. "Oww…"

"Hee hee hee hee hee! AAAAH ha ha ha ha! 'BWARGH'?! Oh gods, that was HILARIOUS! Heeeee hee hee hee hee!"

As Robin stood up and rubbed his face, he saw a familiar face laughing hysterically.

"Damn it, Lissa, what the hell?!" the tactician asked irritably.

"I'm sorry, I tried to resist—I really did. But it was just too perfect! You were sleeping so peacefully and….and…" Lissa burst into another fit of laughter.

Robin grunted. "Although I should be angry with you, you actually saved me from a very cruel and unusual dream death. So…thanks, I guess."

"Wow, I didn't think you'd be thanking me after that. Must've been some dream, though. Risen riding wolves?"

"It's not important. Why are you here?"

"Oh, right! I heard from Frederick that you're interviewing all the Shepherds to find their strengths and weaknesses. That and something about spies? So here I am."

"Yes. That's right. I was doing that, wasn't I? Great! Thanks for coming, Lissa. This could've started better, but I'm willing to overlook that. Now then." Robin sat down and faced the princess. "I know that you're royalty and all, but I'm going to have to judge everyone by their skills and not their blood. No offense."

Lissa shrugged. "None taken. It's for the best."

"Great. Now, tell me what makes you an integral part of the Shepherds."

"Well, until Maribelle comes back from her estate, I'm your only healer."

Robin blinked. "And…"

"And, I'm the one keeping you alive when you get hurt on the battlefield. I think that's reason enough to keep me on," Lissa said confidently.

Robin didn't look convinced. "I'm not so sure. If we get hurt on the battlefield, we can just drink a potion and continue fighting. No need to run to the tent or wait for a healer or any of that nonsense."

Lissa blinked. "Did you just say that potions are more effective than healers?"

"I did."

"But that's just stupid!"

"Is it, though? Is it?!"

"Yes, it is!"

"Hmph. Convince me otherwise."

"Fine. Healing staves are way more effective than simple potions."

"Concoctions exist. And elixirs heal anything and everything."

"Concoctions aren't as effective as healing staves. Elixirs aren't always available and are pretty expensive."

"Fair point," Robin conceded. "But concoctions are more abundant and more widely available."

"Healers can move around the battlefield tending to the wounded. Once patched up, the soldiers can quickly go and fight," Lissa countered.

"Why need healers when everyone can have a potion in their pockets?"

"Oh yeah, sure, it's all easy when you have a potion in your pocket. But what happens when you're all stabbed and bloody and lying on the ground? You've used up your last potion but that wasn't enough! Now, without any healers or potions, you're gonna die! What then Robin? Huh? Tell me!"

"Hmm…" Robin thought about it for a moment. "Okay, fine. In the name of efficiency, keeping both potions and healers sounds like the best idea."

"YES!" exclaimed Lissa.

"BUT! I'm still going to need a reason to keep you. I mean, yes you can heal and whatever, but you can't fight! That's a pretty big minus."

"Hey! I heal injuries, not inflict them. And in order for me to properly do my job, I'm going to need a bodyguard to guard my body. Besides, I have a really good reason why you shouldn't kick me out."

"Oh? Do tell."

"See, I may be a healer, but healing staves aren't the only ones that I can use."

"Really?"

"Yep!" Lissa said cheerfully. "There are staves that can increase your resistance to magic, ones to repair your weapons, and most importantly, rescue staves."

"What's so special about rescue staves?" asked Robin.

"Rescue staves are basically portable teleporters. In the hands of a staff user, they're able to teleport anyone right beside them, no matter how far that person may be. I'd say that's quite impressive, wouldn't you?"

Robin remained silent, processing this new information. Portable teleporters? That could drastically change the flow of battle. It was inconvenient that they worked only one way, but with proper staff user placing, the possibilities were limitless! Robin became very giddy thinking of all the uses of the rescue staff.

"Um, Robin? Helloooo?"

Lissa's voice brought him back to the present.

"Hmm?"

"You okay? You've been rubbing your hands with a creepy smile on your face for a few minutes now."

"Oh Lissa, I'm more than fine. I'm excited. Very, very excited. This rescue staff news is a game changer! Congratulations, you get to stay with the Shepherds."

"Yes!" Lissa pumped her fist into the air.

"Do you have any rescue staves on you now? Actually, you know what? That's not important, here." Robin reached for the weapons rack and threw Lissa a rescue staff. "I just have to test this thing. Okay, you stay here. I'm going to run to the other side of the castle and once I'm there, you do your thing and bring me back here. Got it? Great! Get ready."

"Wait, what? Robin, hold on a sec! How am I going to kno–"

But it was too late. Robin already ran off, leaving a very confused Lissa behind.

As Robin ran, his mind was still thinking of all the ways he could utilize the rescue staff. He could send in shock troops into the enemy's flanks and immediately rescue staff them away when they would be in danger of being overwhelmed, teleport reinforcements to areas that are under pressure, get informants out of enemy territory if they got caught. So many possibilities!

Robin was so distracted that he didn't notice the light surrounding him or the increasing feeling of weightlessness. When he finally did notice that something was a bit off, the ground disappeared under his feet. He then fell a few feet and, for the second time that day, fell face first onto the floor.

"Oww, damn it. Again?!" Robin groaned as he got up and rubbed his face. When he looked around, he found that he was back in his office. He also saw Lissa, who was breathing heavily.

"Hey Lissa, what gives? Why'd you bring me back so soon? I was only halfway down the hall."

Instead of answering him, Lissa took her staff and hit him on the head with it.

"Ow! What was that for?!"

"That, was for running away before I was finished explaining how rescue staves worked!" Lissa said irritably.

"You mean there's more?" asked Robin as he was trying to figure out whether his nose became crooked.

"Of course there's more! Now listen up, because I'm only going to say this once: the range of the rescue staff depends on how strong the staff wielder's magic is. The stronger the magic, the further they can reach and rescue. Got it?"

"Of course there's a catch…" muttered Robin. "I'm guessing your magic isn't terribly strong, then?"

"Not particularity," admitted Lissa. "I've been training, but even teleporting you from halfway down the hallway kinda took a lot out of me."

"So you need to strengthen your magic, huh?" Robin thought for a moment. "You know what? I think I may be able to help you with that."

"Oh?"

He looked around shadily before reaching into his coat and taking out a pouch. "Here, this is a bag of, uh, Spirit Dust. It'll help boost your magic strength. Don't ask me how I got it and remember to only use it in small doses, otherwise you'll be tripping balls for the entire day. Don't ask me how I know that either."

Lissa looked at the bag dubiously. "You sure this will help boost my magic?"

"Guarantee it."

"And it's safe?"

"In small doses."

"I dunno. Is this even legal?"

"Why would I have it if it wasn't?"

Lissa didn't look convinced.

"Look, do you want the bag or not?" Robin asked impatiently.

Lissa thought about it for a moment, then smiled. "Okay! But only because you said it'll help me help the Shepherds."

"You bet it will!" Robin assured. "Now a few notes: you can sniff the power straight up, but I recommend putting small doses into your tea or something. Remember, take a pinch a day and nothing more than that. I cannot emphasize this enough. If you take more than the recommended dose, the aftereffects will be…intense. You'll know it works because you'll feel a tingly sensation in your body. If you follow all these steps, your magic strength will grow exponentially and you'll be able to teleport people from across the country."

"Gee, thanks Robin! I'll get to it right away!"

Lissa rushed out of Robin's office, clearly excited.

"I believe in you Lissa! And if anyone asks, you didn't get it from me!" Robin shouted as he closed the door behind her. He then sat down at his desk and thought.

There was no way he could keep this up. He could only supply Lissa with a few pouches before he ran out. And the merchants around were charging exorbitant prices for spirit dust. Damn merchants. Apparently a bunch of people want to get better at being mages, thus driving up Spirit Dust prices everywhere. Oh well.

Although Lissa would have to get stronger the old fashioned way eventually, hopefully the dust will help increase her range so that she could at least rescue people from the end of the hallway instead of just halfway.

Robin made a few notes on his roster before deciding to lie down. The aftereffects of the rescue staff were starting to make him feel queasy.