That night was a restless one for the whole island city, for all minds were intent on sending the young Janice and Marcy off to the afterlife. Serge cursed at the two voices that forever floated in his head, the ones that had practically taken responsibility for the premature deaths. Though they pinned all blame on him, he refused to believe that he could do such a thing by simply speaking to them. If that was so, then why hadn't Razzly and Leena felt any negative effects? Suddenly he realized that it was a day after he had spoken to the then-living girls when they fell ill. It was entirely possible for the fairy and his bride-to-be to have suffered the same fate. He then knew that he had to go find them before the inevitable happened. He rushed to Steena's temple, hoping the elder would still be there in spiritual preparation for the funeral.

As he drew back the curtain, the incense smoke emanating from the central point of the temple nearly suffocated Serge. It smelled of purity, but also of death. His mouth covered, he approached the small altar which he had sat by many times before. Black and white flowers were arranged around it, with two gems in the center. Both were pink. He stared at the stones, drawing himself into them until---

"The black flowers represent mourning, and the white symbolizes the innocence of the souls that were lost. Those jewels you find yourself so enchanted by are for Janice and Marcy. It is quite odd that one such as you is so hypnotized by such a simple offering. Perhaps you feel grief, or maybe even guilt..."

Serge turned around quickly and stared into the glowing eyes of Steena, the village elder. She appeared neither joyful nor upset to see him, for she could sense that something was amiss in his heart. She sat down beside him in lotus position, breathing deeply. "Follow me," she commanded, "and do as I am now."

Never one to argue with the orders of a friend highly respected throughout, he assumed lotus position and slowly inhaled. The smoke from the incense twirled in his mind, seeming to search for the reason of his abnormal behavior. When at last it brought feelings to light, Serge's eyes closed into darkness.

"What is this? I thought you said you wouldn't go to see Steena!"

"I guess I lied, just like you did..."

"No, no. We didn't lie to you, mon ami. All we said waz zey might live, and zey might not. You are breaking your end of ze deal..."

"I never made any deals with you. Besides, all pacts have hidden terms. Guess I never told you mine..."

"Why are you giving us all this lip, Serge? All we want is for you to be happy with us!"

"If your vision of happiness is slaughtering those I am close to just so we can be together, then forget it! Don't you see? It's only making me miserable!"

"All for ze better, mon ami. You must experience death. Zen you will know what we 'ave been through. Death iz never pleazant. If you will not die, zen you will just 'ave to see others do it for you."

"Then why don't you get rid of me now? If you're dead, then I will be dead with you! There will be no more suffering and we will be together! Does that not appeal to you?"

"We couldn't care less about the others. They can all die, and they will. Besides, we are now half alive. Time is reviving us, just as it was meant to... You have to stay alive until we are there. You have no choice..."

Serge awoke in a sweat, still in the temple and under the watchful eye of its caretaker. Steena looked at the boy, who was gasping for air. "Step out for a moment to clean your lungs, if you must. But do come back. I must speak with you about the strange occurrences that have sprung up recently."

Bewildered at the power of the incense which had caused him to dream, he sat on the steps outside. Fires were being lit right and left, and flowers were strung all around. The funeral was to start soon. Sighing, he returned to the altar and again stared into the stones. Before he could get too drawn into them, Steena scooped them up, placing them in the pocket of the pale grey cloak she had donned while he was out. "Serge, we will talk after this ceremony. But first, you must see the results of your actions. Come." With that the two left and he was whisked into the darkness of the night by the somber priestess.

The next things he saw were the fires, sticking out like burning sore thumbs amidst the black of the sky. All was clear and silent, save for the sobs of the villagers. The bodies of the deceased were laid out on beds of flowers. Everyone gathered in a line to walk by and give their respects. Familiar faces streamed by with tear-filled eyes. Serge wanted to approach and apologize, but Steena held him back. He was the last to file by. As he laid his hand upon each girl, a voice whispered into his ear.

"Opassa Beach...," spoke the specter of Janice.

"Revival of time...," whispered Marcy.

As he took his hands off the cold bodies, the eye-mark that burned onto his hand the last time he touched the girls returned. He wanted to scream, but couldn't. He ran to Steena and showed her the mark. She gasped as she recognized the meaning of the symbol. "T...th...that is the mark of Zeal!"

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Oki, since I haven't used our friend the disclaimer in a while, now I shall. THESE CHARACTERS ARE NOT MINE! They are Square's. Good enough for ya?

Short, I know, but it only comes in spurts. And thanx to the people who have reviewed my stuff already. Its what inspires me to do more, of course. That said, I have NO IDEA when chappie 5 is coming... but I do know the end of our little tale...