Okay. So. It's been... much too long, but here I am again, posting this chapter. In all this time I've plotted out and written a good portion of a novel, developed some other parts of my brain, met an awesome English teacher, and have done a nice amount of things with my life. Today, however, school is out due to an ice storm, and in this time I've beaten Rule of Rose, started reading another fanfiction, and have been disappointed by an internet drop. I've felt listless and my novel is currently on my dark list, as I have experienced a number of disappointments with it lately. Well, while the internet was up I saw that I've received two more reviews, which reminded me that I have a great piece of work here which I just sort of dropped. Writing this has helped me regain some sense of purpose. Yaaay! Purpose! The only thing I'm worried about now is whether my writing has changed too much- I've lost some of the child-like, simple but so true, excitable-ness that usually characterizes my writing, but at the same time, I have gained so much. Hopefully it evens out, and you all are satisfied.

Thank you so much for being awesome fans. I hope I won't disappoint.

Also, wow. I totally just wrote the entire Marr's Pass section and looked back to see I had put it in the past chapter. Ha... hahaha... okay...

Warning: This chapter is terribly short. Embarrassingly short. But the next chapter will be posted shortly, which is long, so... yay! Also, please inform me if it's hyperbolic. I'm a little moody, but I really wanted to get this posted. Alright, here we go!

Chapter 3

The Mine of Cathuriges

When the grandfather of my grandfather's grandfather was still a child,

no one in this land could challenge the might of the Lilties.

They forged weapons of iron to bring the world under their dominion.

But eventually the mine was exhausted,

and the Lilites' unstoppable conquest ground to a halt.

The Lilties' ambition vanished along with the iron.

They abandoned the mine, where the monsters now thrive

"Wherever there is light, there is shadow. I wonder if we'll ever be rid of their menace," Korrin recited, shutting the book with finality. "The Mine of Cathuriges."

"Wow. I see Krisni as a whole new person," Jade said, marveling at the grand structure that was the mine. "Lilties? World conquest? Who would've thought?"

"With her aggressive behavior, I'm not surprised," Maru muttered to himself.

"It's funny, how knowing a little backstory can really change perspective," Korrin said, safely packing the book away. The trio was checking their supplies, equipment, and other such things, tying Harold down and generally preparing themselves for the challenge that loomed ahead, because, according to their trusty journal, it was going to be quite a challenge. The bursts of hot air that the entrance occasionally belched affirmed this.

"Is this our last drop?" Korrin asked as they started down the trail to the Mine. Jade looked over at him, but he was staring straight ahead, into his own thoughts. They all knew what the last drop meant, and knew it well. For Korrin, home meant facing his brothers and father, showing them that he deserved the spot that he was randomly appointed. Maru knew that home meant pain. Jade knew that home meant family, and warmth, and love, and all of them knew that home meant Trywn's little "surprise" unveiled. Jade clutched her weapons closer just thinking about it.

"Yeah, I think this is gonna be it," she affirmed after the uncomfortable fizzle in her chest died down. Their crunching footsteps slowed as they neared the entrance, the gravel beneath them changing slowly from light, dusty brown to dark, almost coal-like pebbles and bits. It was getting very hot.

"Going back will be interesting," Maru stated, unbothered by voicing their silent worries. Jade shrugged and smiled, though her unease was seen in the way she rubbed her hand.

"Let's just get this over with, okay? Then we can worry about tomorrow and going back or whatever," Jade suggested.

Korrin nodded in agreement and even Maru shrugged his acceptance. They took a breath and ventured into the forgotten strength of a once-powerful empire.

"This place is creepy," Jade noted after awhile. Maru equipped a Life which had popped out of a recently-killed Orc.

"Dark and hot, yes. But personally I think the Mushroom Forest beats this place," Korrin attested. Jade laughed a little.

"Yeah, that definitely takes top."

"Orcs are ugly beasts," Maru said after the Life finally clicked onto his belt. "Come on, we've got to kill the rest."

"Don't forget about the cart," Korrin reminded as Jade and him walked onward. Maru set the crystal down and kicked the track switch. He watched as the course shifted, then gave the back of the cart a solid whack. The vehicle went flying along its track, crashing into a stack of crates that would've taken them hours to sort through and, on its way, nipping a lethargic Orc on the back of the leg. Sighing, Maru heaved the Crystal to its place above his head and walked until Jade could dive mercilessly at the creature. After Korrin landed a Thunder, and Jade, a Focus Attack, it fell, dropping a piece of Mythril along its way. Korrin pocketed it and the group ventured through the next tunnel.

Korrin, who was leading, stopped suddenly. Jade and Maru followed suit, Jade peeking around the Yuke to see what the holdup was. Nothing obvious existed, so she ducked around him and continued onward. A tug at the back of her neck prevented her from taking many steps further.

"Look," Maru hissed from behind her. She weaseled her way from his grasp, but this time, she did look.

It was huge. And rabbit-like.

"It's huge and... rabbit-like," Jade said, squinting to get a better look. It lumbered about, sniffing this way and that. A giant horn adorned its head and folds of something draped from its gargantuan body. It sniffed the air and Jade watched as it appeared to catch a scent. It took a step, and another, and soon, it was lumbering towards them at full speed, its weapon fisted and poised to strike.

"Oh Yevon," Korrin said, backing up, a Blizzard spell readied.

"I have the Life," Maru informed them as he stepped back. Jade blew her bangs from her eyes and gripped her sword. She stood there for a moment, watching as it careened wildly towards them, then sucked in a breath and-

"YAAAAAAH!" she screeched as she lurched forward, sword brandished and swinging wildly. The creature stopped for a moment, confused, then sent a similar battle cry into the air and charged.

"Oh Yevon," Korrin repeated with a little more desperation in his voice, eyes wide in fascinated awe at the two great forces of nature that were about to collide. Then, to the surprise of both the males, Jade veered to the left and allowed her sword to drag behind her at a precise angle. The creature wasn't quite expecting this either, and attempted to turn around to follow Jade, but instead, found many of its trinkets caught on the weapon, and much of its flesh following. Korrin had his Blizzard ready, but his gaze was flipping from Jade to the Orc, Jade, Orc, who were moving so quickly and strangely that he couldn't identify a safe place to land the blow.

Maru powered up a Cure just as the maddened Orc brought his hand back to land a crushing blow onto any part of Jade he could reach. Jade was merrily slashing away, practically glowing with joy for how light the weapon felt in her hand, how easily it cut. When a giant fist was brought down upon her sword-arm, though, she stopped, wide-eyed, and suddenly couldn't breathe.

Maru let loose the Cure that he had been holding just as Korrin landed his Blizzard. The creature froze, screeched, and was dead.

Korrin dusted himself off, sighing heavily as he did so. Maru picked up the chalice and brought it over a few more steps, just in case. Jade was dancing in success, any remnants of pain in her arm dissipated, or perhaps overridden by temporary, airy joy.

"See, that wasn't so hard," she said after she broke from her ending pose. She reached for the giant bag at the creature's side and pulled out a large slab with curvy designs all over it and the shape of a very fat crescent moon.

"What is it?" Korrin asked, stepping closer to look at the unknown slab. Maru drew closer as well, glanced at it, and shrugged his shoulders. Jade looked at its front, its underside, and spun it around, then shrugged herself. They all agreed that she could hold it, which she was happy to do. They walked a little further and found a lock, into which Jade reluctantly relinquished the key. The door creaked open and a blast of hot air met them. Jade spread her arms and ran straight into it.

"So, Mr. Moogle," Jade began, sipping her tea lightly as she sat, cross-legged and proper. "Why are you living here, in such danger?"

"Well, somebody's gotta live here, Kupo!" the thing said cutely. Its bonbon bobbed and Jade temporarily froze in her delicate tea-sipping.

"And let me guess," Maru put in, a finger wrapped around his half-empty teacup which moved along with his speech. "Rent was cheap."

"Well," began the moogle defensively, but after a few seconds of blank silence, it admitted sheepishly, "The rent-collectors all manage to get eaten on their way."

Jade and Korrin looked at one another and burst into a chorus of giggles. Maru sat back with a knowing smirk and finished off his tea in two gulps.

"Orcs are good for something, I guess," Korrin said, and the three others nodded in agreement.

After a few more exchanged words (and buttered biscuits), the three exited from the moogle home and back into the musty, dusty, cold, barren, monster-infested mines. With a stamp to show for it, of course.

It was a large room, very open and empty, and far at the end of it was a cavern that looked especially promising. Korrin even swore he could see a blue light reflected on the stones at the very end of the cavern, right where it turned. But, of course, there was an open and empty room to walk through first, and the heroes were never lucky enough to walk through one of those uninterrupted.

At first, though, things were looking hopeful. The entire group took one step forward, two, then shuffled a little further inside, gripping their weapons and glancing around rapidly. They reached the middle of the room, a record thus far, and stopped to appreciate the awesomeness that it was. This pause was their mistake.

A giant, decorated Orc fell from up above, the thunk enough to send anyone shaking and, since it almost squished them upon impact, they went stumbling. Maru's mouth pressed into a straight line as he noticed the various, lethal-looking pointy things and potions dangling from its belt. Korrin was more focused on the roar the creature was bellowing, and Jade simply couldn't take her eyes off the giant weapon in its grasp. It looked at them, sniffing the air with its crooked snout, and bellowed again from deep within its belly. Jade puffed her chest out and approached it, and it took a step to meet her.

"My FOOT!" Jade yelled suddenly, dropping everything to clutch her hurt appendage. She hopped around for awhile, her foot cradled nearly to her chest, until she realized something else.

"Owowowowowo… my weapon!" The Orc King didn't appear to recognize it had stepped on something until her screech. It brought its own foot from the ground and peered below to find Jade's sword sticking out like a toothpick from its calloused feet. It plucked the weapon from its place with a grunt and flicked it across the room. Just like that, Jade was defenseless.

"Jade!" Korrin yelled, firing his Blizzard. "Are you okay?"

"Not exactly," she said as she rushed past him, her shield up to her panicked eyes. Maru and Korrin exchanged looks and backed up a little further. Jade cowered behind them.

"What do we do?" Maru asked as he heaved the chalice up to avoid a hard swing.

"Something other than this!" Jade yelped as she dodged an attack specifically aimed at her. She shrunk even further behind her shield. Korrin, upon realizing how pitiful she looked, suddenly felt a flood of purpose fill him and an idea entered his head.

"Maru, give Jade your Cure," he commanded.

"What?!" Maru looked at Korrin like there were a few choice words he wanted to add.

"Just do it!"

Maru fumbled with the hooks on his belt until he finally unlatched the orb. He tossed it to Jade, who reached up and fumbled with it until it fell between her shield and her chest. She was temporarily mesmerized until yet another swing was sent her way, and she was knocked back, onto her butt. Meanwhile, Korrin and Maru consulted in a very hurried fashion, which consisted of a lot of yelling and a good amount of jumping around.

"Give me the chalice and fight," Korrin commanded. Maru instinctively curled the Crystal Chalice closer to him. He also gave Korrin a look which spelled out his thoughts fairly clearly.

"Oh, come on!" Korrin yelled in exasperation before seizing the item from Maru. "You wanted to be the fighter in the first place. Be a man!" And that was all the encouragement Maru needed.

The armorless Selkie stared up at an Orc King whose staff was glowing eerily. He looked back at Jade, who was glowing with the ready Cure, and to the monster in front of him, who was no longer muttering and was now looking at him in a rather threatening fashion.

"Maru!"

And the fire flooded his vision and seeped into the cracks of his head and burned into every bit of his being. He breathed it, and it scalded his insides, all the way to his stomach and back. He tried to speak, utter something, but all that came out was a crispy wheeze. He hurt. Badly.

Like a flash, he felt the sensation of melting ice cubes and silk dripping across his skin and caressing his insides, and the pain was gone. He looked down at himself in shock. Not a single scar or burn, not even a stray piece of ash lingering. Suddenly, the blown-up Selkie wanted to vomit, because he was overwhelmed by a feeling of smallness.

"Maru, what are you doing!?" Jade shouted from behind him. He wanted to turn, but he was readying himself to leap. "GET IN THERE AND BEAT TH-" But he already was.

There, in battle, as Maru whacked and grunted and lunged and fought, a profound feeling overtook him. He couldn't quite think about it, but it was for this reason that it was so wonderful, so important to him. This ­thing in front of him was wicked, a reason for so much of the suffering he had endured. It was big, a leader, important, and the more he attacked it, the more the feeling grew. The tension in his muscles felt good- his quickness and reflex was automatic, but every time they kicked in, he felt it. A kind of pride, a kind of reason. One of those things people would stay in a caravan for, and something he had always yearned for, always.

Purpose.

"Oh my-! MARU! Get out!" He looked around and it occured to him that the light was blinding. In the slow-motion, fast-paced scheme of things, he had ignored the fluctuations of light, but now he saw just how bright it really was. And how he and the giant were the only ones in it. He let out a slow breath, squinting, then turned back to his target.

"Beat it! Hurry before it explodes!" Korrin yelled desperately outside the bubble, but his voice muffled to Maru's ears. The whole world seemed muffled now, growing hotter and thicker and the texture of badly woven grass. Beside him a Blizzard formed and began to melt almost instantly, though Maru leapt in just in time to make the attack an Icestrike. Then he went on with his driven, numbed task. It was hotter. It was drier. It was terrible.

"N-no! Don't let it... NO!" Maru recognized the voice as Jade's and paused to see what the commotion was about, since her voice carried a note of pure distress. Oh. The creature's staff was glowing. So that's where the annoyance was coming fro-

BOOMpshaassssh...

The staff exploded and sent the three bodies, their possessions, and one rather beaten Crystal Chalice flying through the air, and into several walls. The structure of the whole place shuddered and a few pebbles fell.

Then, the creature itself exploded, but by then, the three were already as far away as they could be. Once the ground settled again, there was movement.

"Aw, man!" Jade said, sitting up and sending several rocks tumbling. She rubbed her head and clenched her eyes open and shut, open and shut.

"Oww…" Korrin said, slouching down further against the rocky wall. Maru remained motionless, trying to recover his breath, staring up at the mine's roof. It's almost supernatural, he thought, dazed. But his mind-numbing drive was slowly fading, and nothing but a few frizzling sparks remained within him, which was more than he could claim beforehand..

"Is everyone… gonna… livvv…" Jade trailed off, pausing in her attempts to stand. She slouched against the wall, unable to finish her question.

Maru took a deep breath, his face returning to its original color as he rose and dusted himself off. He grabbed the chalice beside him which was, amazingly, still 2/3 full. Korrin, who had been at the edge of the circle, visibly relaxed. Jade's breathing evened, and she reattained the Cure from beside her and began tapping into it.

"They never said anything about all this when the crystal picked us," Korrin said. The chamber seemed larger without the creature in it, and the fact that his voice echoed slightly made it even bigger. Jade let loose two Cures and tossed the orb back to Maru, who caught it easily and began charging it for her. As she waited, Jade leaned down and picked up her weapon from beneath some stones. She shook it and sheathed it, heaving a sigh.

Korrin headed the procession into the Myrrh's hiding spot. Regardless of the dankness of their experience, the beauty of the tree burst like a ray of sunshine through the clouds above their heads. Korrin approached it, standing on a little stool for the task, and stepped back for the tree to work its magic. He thought about how it would be the last time they would feel it, at least for awhile, the pure serenity and harmony of the world that always lingered around the tree, as if the slivers of peace just migrated to the magical plant. As he thought, Korrin realized how strange it was that monsters, the pure chaos, wanted to be around it. Perhaps the soulless creatures were searching, just like they were. He looked up, and it was full.

"So, ready for the journey back?" Jade asked when Korrin stepped down

The three headed back through the empty mine after reading and responding to the mail. They saddled the papaopamus, not expecting how hard the road home would actually be.

Dearest Jade,

Korrin can't cook? Oh, my! You'll have to invite him over for dinner sometime. I can teach him some of my secrets, if that would help you out.

Darling, we're fine. We would be experiencing it even if you were here. The whole village is trying to adjust to everyone being gone, and how that makes everyone feel. It's rocky, but it will smooth out when it's time to.

Marr's Pass? I've never been there. I've heard good things about it, and the necklace you sent me was gorgeous! I don't know when I could wear it around town without looking too flashy. Haha.

You're growing up so quickly, Jade. Knowing thing about the village and its people, and handling it, is a sign of adulthood. But I'm afraid you already know many things, and I can't tell you many things, and, in the big picture, you're on your own. Of course, I always have something to say, but you've grown enough to really know and tell and think. And I know you can do it, even if you love to be happy. If you aren't careful, love, true happiness may slip away from you. Always think things through. Please, dear, it will usually help.

I'm sorry, it must sound like I'm lecturing. I just don't have any other way to share with you. No more talks over kneading bread. No more talks in the garden, the fields. When are you coming home?

-Mom

Momma,

We're coming home. We're coming home! We fought today, a giant beast, and Maru had to take over, so I got to be healer. It was so cool! Magic is amazing, Momma, I don't know how to say it. This whole thing has been amazing for me. I mean, I love you, and I love home, but I love here, too. I just... love it.

I'll drag Korrin over sometime, maybe after the festival? We may be too tired then. Hey, you could wear your necklace there! It would look so pretty, all shiny in the fire, just like the crystal. I can't wait.

I still have plenty of time before the big stuff happens, Mom, and I'll notice stuff the more I grow. I am happy. All this growing up-talk...

Oh, I have to go. But, um, see you soon! Love you!

-Jade

Maru Butt,

I'm beginning to give up on you. You know, I thought that maybe if I could break through, there'd be a happy you inside, and everybody in the village would finally have some balance, 'cause you wouldn't be so hateful and things would be fine. That's all I want. Things to be fine. Big stuff is happening here, Maru. You aren't ready for it, none of us are, but especially you. You in your own little hole you've dug for yourself. You with your nose in the air. Why can't you see it, Maru? You can't see any of it! But you will soon. It's already too late. Trywn...

I'm sorry. I must sound sooo dramatic to you. Which makes me more unworthy, right? Well, whatever. I'm not done with you.

Deti Ona

Ona,

I would appreciate it if you got your face out of mine, and out of my business. My life has nothing to do with yours, and your savior complex it not only immature, but terribly annoying. I am ready for whatever comes at me, I always am, because I am Maru. And you don't know who Maru is.

[Unsigned

Dear Korrin,

I'm glad to hear things are going so well. Here, with us, it's getting better by the day, and we can't wait for you to come home. I'm sorry to hear about Jade's mother... but you know we don't interact much. Korrin, we're Yukes. You of all people should be keenly aware of that.

Anyway, I've finally mastered the soup! You remember, the secret recipe, back from Shella? It's THE Soup! You really need to come home sometime, very soon, we can all celebrate and be HAPPY together!! Your mother's smiling, the siblings are learning, ah, everything's great!

Write back!

Dad

Dad,

Um, yeah. Things are going great out here too. Adventure... knowledge. All that. We passed through Marr's Pass, and I got a good look at it again. Different from what I remembered.

So... yeah... we're coming home. Glad to hear that everyone's good. Um... yep.

Korrin

Loveliest Jade,

I love your letters, I really do. They brighten my day... though they always take so long. Is there any way you could write... more? I know it sounds crazy, but you aren't here anymore, we can't talk anymore. And I love it when we talk. Oh, I miss you, Jade. Are you coming home soon?

It's not Deti Ona I'm in love with, Jade. Write back soon.

Yours Forever,

Trywn

Trywn,

Haha... I don't know what to say. But you're great. I miss you, too. We're coming home, really soon! Oh, and, I can't write back a lot. Sorry. The mail-moogle only visits us after we get some myrrh, and we only need three drops before we come home. So. Yeah.

I'll see you soon. Take care!

-Jade

They walked and, as usual, did not talk. They did not talk often on any of their journeys, sometimes something about scenery, sometimes something about what was ahead. Often memories were shared. Life philosophies were brought up. But never did they talk about home. Or home's current issues.

Jade watched the shuffle of her feet and recognized how quiet it was. Thus far on their way back, they hadn't spoken. Not one word. They were reaching the hour point, which was usually the breaking point for somebody or other, but today, it was different. Today she felt a tilting feeling in her stomach. Today she wanted her mother more than ever, but the thought of her mother made her stomach tilt more. So, for the first time in two weeks, she broke out into something that they had all been waiting for, but had not wanted to initiate.

"I think Trywn's madly in love with me and I'm scared," she burst out. Korrin and Maru's eyes turned to her, and all was silent. Korrin took a step forward, arms extended.

"Jade?"

"My mom's talking about growing up and Trywn's like a love-sick puppy dog. Out here, it's easy to ignore. But I don't think I can. We're going home again."

"Jade," Korrin said, touching her just as he looked back at Maru. Maru looked, and felt, slightly sick.

Jade sat down on the caravan's wooden platform and took a long, deep breath, trying to compose herself. Be happy, she urged.Come on. It'll be okay.

Korrin and Maru looked at one another again, just as unsure as before. This is either good or really bad, thought Korrin. But, regardless of what it was, he wanted to hug her. He climbed up onto the platform as Maru watched on, wrapped his arms around her, and waited. She began to sniffle, and then, cry.

"Jade... Jade."

"I'm sorry," she whispered, cupping her hands around her face. He sighed.

"It's okay," he whispered back, hugging her closer.

"I shoulda waited 'til it was just you and me," she insisted, still whispering. He shook his head.

"Nah. Remember how I said it would all come out? This is the first step."

She nodded into him and eventually, she quieted, though an occasional hiccup broke the silence. Neither Korrin nor Jade noticed that Maru had Harold walking at a slow pace, but now, they did. The Selkie's finely-groomed head was in front of them, guiding the reins patiently.

Korrin looked at Maru for a bit, trying to decipher whether or not he was listening. He didn't come up with an answer, and looked back down to Jade again.

"Caravans are complex. Being stuck with two other people, completely alone, takes something."

"Why did the crystal do this, then? Why... him?"

Korrin was quiet. He didn't know.

"I don't know."

There was a pause as this sunk in. Then, he added something.

"But the crystal did. So it's gotta be him."

Jade nodded at this obscure piece of knowledge and, after a few more seconds, lifted herself from Korrin's chest.

"If it helps, my dad's being so cheery, I dunno if he's even real. My mom's still... yeah, and my siblings are as supportive as a pile of feathers," Korrin admitted into the big, open world.

"Wow," Jade marveled. "That kinda sucks."

"Yeah. But at least I know what to expect when I get home," Korrin said.

Jade laughed a little. "Well, I dunno exactly what Trywn wants, but I kinda know." She paused. "I don't wanna grow up too fast."

Korrin nodded. They plunked on, Maru tugging at the reigns every once in awhile. Korrin eventually came down from the seat and looked at Maru. To his surprise, Maru looked back, and there was a kind of sadness in his eyes, genuine, deep sadness. Korrin turned from Maru's intense gaze to recollect himself, and they moved onward.