The vast unexplored labyrinth underneath the Library proved to be a real challenge for the party of six. Even though they wisely chose to split up in twos to cover more ground, they never seemed to make any progress. Every turn, every corner all looked familiar and even so, each set of partners never encountered any of the others. Everyone's patience was wearing thin and they were wearier than ever.

"Can we stop once more?" asked Kathryne to Seyren, both of them having slowed to a crawl. "I'm not feeling so great…"

They sat down once more, facing each other. Seyren wiped the sweat off his forehead as he said, "You said this place has magical properties that causes those who explore it to become tired more quickly right?"

"Yes, and I estimate it would be only a few more minutes before we become too exhausted to carry on…" said Kathryne, her expression bleak. "We… really got ourselves into trouble this time, huh?..."

"Well I'm not planning to fall unconscious here. We have to keep moving…" said Seyren, standing up and holding out a hand. "We can't afford to waste anymore time if all we have is a few minutes left." Kathryne nodded in agreement and took his hand, using it to stand up once more.

"Can I ask something?" asked Seyren as the two of them continued walking. "Eremes seemed to want to talk about something with you. May I know what it is?"

Kathryne became silent, recalling her promise to Eremes to keep his secret. "I'm afraid I can't share that with you. I believe Eremes will share that with the rest when he is ready. Until then, as a friend I am bound to keep his secret."

"I… see."

Seyren became silent. Kathryne, worried about what Seyren might be thinking, spoke to defend Eremes.

"Please understand. We already know that Eremes's past is something he wishes not to talk about. He's starting to open up. Just give him time."

"…Alright. Bu-ouch!" Seyren hit something solid like metal, knocking him down. As Kathryne helped him up, she looked at what Seyren hit. She found that it was a metallic gate.

"This isn't familiar," she said. She turned around to see the path they took and saw that it was too dark to see. The pathway they were walking on was different too, also metallic. How could she not have noticed?

"I think we've found the chamber of the Heart!" she said excitedly. Seyren moaned in pain as he was helped up by Kathryne. "Well finally…" he said irritably. "Let's see it…"


"Aren't you tired yet?" Howard's loud voice echoed throughout the entire hallway as he asked the question. "We've been walking around this dumb maze for who knows how long!"

"Stop asking stupid questions and keep walking!" answered Cecil irritably. "You're already not helping, so keep your mouth shut!"

"Sheesh, what is up with you…" muttered Howard quietly. He turned his head away from Cecil and into the path ahead which remained quite dark. "…So what did you think of the stuff Kathryne read in the book?"

Cecil looked surprised. "You mean you were actually listening?"

Howard scratched his nose as he replied, "Well of course I was listening! You seriously need to give me more credit."

"Well now that you mention it, I'm a bit afraid of what might happen when we find the Heart," said Cecil thoughtfully. "If it is true that the Valkyrie is sealed somewhere and the Heart is the key to finding her, what will happen if we meet her?"

"You must be thinking of those stories they told us when we were kids…"

"Yeah, about Valhalla and stuff. Seemed like nonsense way back then."

Howard then started to laugh. Cecil got an annoyed expression when she saw Howard laughing and said angrily, "Hey, I'm being serious here!"

"I know, I know…" Howard stopped laughing as he spoke. "It's just, this is probably the first time we've ever talked about our childhood since we left."

Cecil's face turned red as she realized this. She looked away from Howard, staring at the wall. Howard did not notice and continued speaking, "You know, when this job is over, I'm calling it quits."

"What?"

"I'm gonna find another job back in Alberta," he said, his tone serious. "Working for Rekenber's good money and all that, but I've had enough of following his orders and all that crap."

"But if it wasn't for him…"

"Oh come on, don't tell me you're still defending him!" He stopped walking and turned to face Cecil. "I believe, in my own opinion anyway, that we would've met Seyren and Margaretha and Eremes and Kathryne anyway, even if we never met Rekenber!"

Cecil became silent. Howard's words caused her to think deeply and recall some memories.


Cecil was standing near the entrance of the village of Payon, old wooden houses surrounded by bamboo. Her left hand was gripping an old bow, made of composite wood. She had just finished her archer training. Somebody then ran towards her from the woods outside, a young merchant just her age. He stopped short in front of her and took a deep breath.

"H-Hey, just ran outside the village for a bit to try out my new skills," The younger Howard beamed at her as he stopped panting and stood straight up. "So, did you like that bow I left you?"

"Well it's barely stronger than the one my instructor gave me…" answered Cecil hesitantly.

"Aw come on! I spent my entire first paycheck getting that…!"

"You idiot…" said Cecil, shaking her head yet smiling. "But thanks. Now come on, we have to hunt a few monsters hanging outside of the village. If we get good spoils, we might be able to compensate with what you just spent!" She turned from Howard and started running out the village. She laughed as she ran since Howard could barely keep up with her…


Alberta, the port town. Cecil was leaning against a lamp post somewhere near the town square. She was staring at Howard, who was busily haggling with a vendor.

"Now that's my final offer!" said Howard to the vendor, who was shaking his head as he handed Howard a small bag. "Thanks!" said Howard, beaming as he turned towards and approached Cecil. As Howard got near her, she took the bag from him and examined it. "Hey give that back!" exclaimed Howard, trying an failing to snatch the bag back. Ignoring him, Cecil opened the bag and took out what's in it. It was a small chipped gold coin. "What's this?" she asked. "Don't tell me you spent your money on this… It doesn't even look like zeny…"

Howard snatched the coin from her and quickly hid it in his bag. "Course it's not zeny, you can't pay zeny for zeny you know." Cecil shook her head at Howard's statement. Howard ignored this and continued speaking. "It's a gold dubloon! It's a rare find from the sunken ship near the harbour. I think this is the first one ever salvaged from it!"

"Now where'd you heard that story?" asked Cecil sceptically. "I've been on that ship, nothing to find there but aggressive marine life."

"What? Didn't you see the skeletons and ghosts?"

"What do you mean skeletons and ghosts? There's nothing of the like there."

Howard looked Cecil in the eye and asked, "How far did you go in there?"

Cecil suddenly became uncomfortable and answered, "Well, as far as the entrance…"

"Hah!" Howard laughed and pointed at Cecil. "You're too scared to check that place out deeper! Hey what are you- ow!" Cecil struck Howard on the back of the head. "What'd you do that for? H-Hey where are we going…?" Cecil had grabbed Howard by the scruff of his neck and was dragging him towards the harbour.

"You think you're so tough huh? Well then let's go deeper into the sunken ship. If there were any of those monsters you said there, then I'm pretty sure we can handle them. After all, I have experience hunting undead."

Howard struggled fruitlessly as he shouted, "No, we can't survive with just us! We'll get massacred…!"


"Howard, are you okay?"

Cecil had a worried expression as she watched her friend pull a cart containing a lot of equipment towards her. Most of the equipment on the cart seemed to be old and used.

"Yup, this is nothing," replied Howard reassuringly, wiping the sweat from his brow as he lowered the handles of his cart. "You wouldn't believe how much junk the guys at the equipment shop keep around! I bought em' real cheap and I plan on selling them at the capital."

"They don't look really useful now…" said Cecil as she picked up a crossbow with a broken string from the cart pile. "Who on earth would buy this?"

"Hm… you do have a point," said Howard as he picked up battered battleaxe from the pile. "I know! One day, I'll head to Geffen and become one of those blacksmiths! That way I can make my own high quality arms and sell them!... Hey!" Cecil had placed hear hand on top of Howard's head and had pushed his head down. "Oh come one," she said. "You? Become a blacksmith? Come on!"

"Oh yeah? I'll show you! One day I'll be swinging my hammer on my own anvil! You'll see."

"Hahaha… Well I guess it's good to dream…" Cecil sighed. Howard calmed down a bit and looked at his friend. "What's wrong?" he asked. "Don't you plan on hitting it off someday? Maybe become a hunter or what?"

"Well… You remember what happened in the forest a couple of days ago? Near the hunter's training ground?" Cecil clutched her arm suddenly, and Howard noticed that she was clutching on a bandage. "Oh… Yeah, seriously, that guy's falcon has issues." He then took a bow from his pile of equipment, checked it for defects, and handed it to Cecil. "W-What's this for?" asked Cecil, as she examined the bow. It was elegant despite the fact that it was obviously used before. "I overheard from the archer village," said Howard. "Using a bow takes lot of skill right? Well that bow I just gave you is standard issue for every hunter! Now using it might be tricky, cuz' even though it looks like any other bow, you won't be able to use it easily. The string is made from quality flax, different from the other bows you use, which are probably made from sinew. It's harder to pull, see?"

Cecil was speechless at Howard's detailed description of the hunter bow she was holding. After getting past her awe, she asked him, "Well, okay… you got the knowhow on weaponry like this… I didn't even know what my bow was made of until now…" She looked ashamed. "Well anyway, why are you giving me this?"

"Silly… It's for when you become a hunter! You're not scared of becoming a hunter just because of one crazy falcon eh? Now don't go and let me down alright?"

"Geez… You don't have to be so pushy…" said Cecil, turning her head away yet smiling. "But really… thanks. I'll treasure this." Her smile caused Howard to blush and turn away as well. "W-Well, um, we should hunt in the forest again…" He picked up the handles of his cart and said, "Well then let's go!" As the two of them walked towards the entrance of the town, Howard said, "Besides… You're not sexy enough to be a dancer…" Howard's remark rewarded him a knuckle sandwich.

"And you're not smart enough to be accepted in the ranks of the alchemists!"


"Hey Cecil!"

Back in the present, Cecil was roused by Howard's loud voice. "I think we found it."

"What?" She suddenly noticed that they were in a more brightly lit room. In fact, the hallway behind them had disappeared altogether. In front of them was a gate. Howard motioned her to approach, and as she did so, she reached out her hand, her fingertips slowly nearing the gate.


"If you are tired, just let me know. I will slow down if I must." Eremes's voice was as indifferent-sounding as ever yet Margaretha knew that the concern behind his voice was real. She smiled warmly as she replied, "I'm still fine. We have to focus on the Heart right now." Eremes nodded and continued focusing his gaze on the dark path ahead.

"Eremes?" After a moment's silence, Margaretha suddenly spoke out. "What is it that Kathryne knows that I don't?"

Eremes was struck suddenly. It seemed that she knew he was hiding something that Kathryne alone knows.

"Eremes? Say something."

Perhaps it was the tiredness he was feeling, but right then he thought that maybe sharing what he held secret would ease his mind. Before he can speak though, he found his face inches from a small metal gate. As he stepped back in surprise, Margaretha suddenly grabbed his hand and they were both swept off the ground by a strong gust of wind. A blinding burst of light accompanied their departure, leaving Eremes and Margaretha unable to determine who or what may have caused that to happen.

As the light faded and Eremes was able to see once more, he found himself standing on a brick floor reminiscent of that in a castle. In fact, when he looked up, what he saw was some sort of altar. But as he looked around, there was the sky. Where was he? This is not a castle, he thought.

"Wait, Margaretha?" he swept his gaze around the room. Then suddenly someone hugged him from behind. "H-Hey!"

"You seem worried about me," said Margaretha, grinning at Eremes.

Eremes pushed her away as gently as he could before turning back towards the altar. Margaretha's cheeriness not disappearing despite what just happened caused him to sigh. He then recollected his thoughts as he observed the altar.

"Is this… where the Valkyrie is sealed?"

To answer his question, a female voice suddenly spoke in his mind.

"Another pair of humans?" asked the voice. "You are but the third to come here, in this place."

"Hey did you hear that?" asked Eremes to Margaretha.

"Yes…" she answered. "The third pair? That means… the others got here before us?"

"I am one of the Valkyries, warrior-maidens of Odin."

Suddenly, a beautiful armoured maiden appeared before them in a burst of light. Her wings added to her majestic look, as did her spear of gold. She set her gaze upon the Eremes and Margaretha.

"Drop your weapon, assassin," she said, her voice stern. "You have no use for it here."

"There's no way I'm—" Eremes was stopped by Margaretha. "Do as she says Eremes," she said. "Just listen to what she has to say." Eremes hesitated, but then nodded. He removed his jurs and lowered them slowly at his feet.

When he stood back up, the Valkyrie spoke once more. "It has been only moments since the first humans to come here have awoken me from my slumber. The four who came before you were all warriors fortunately. Including you."

"Wait, what are you letting on about?" asked Eremes impatiently.

"The halls of Valhalla have place only for those who live, and die as warriors." Her voice was solemn as she spoke. "As I look into your eyes, I can feel the drive within you, causing you to fight. Your life is filled of uncertainties, yet you press on, looking forward, never looking back." Somehow, this did not sound like a compliment to Eremes. In fact, it made him feel uncomfortable. "Ah, you too." The Valkyrie turned her gaze towards Margaretha. "Priestess, I welcome you here. I sense a burning passion within you. One not dissimilar from the drive of your companion." The Valkyrie closed her eyes, her expression contemplative. After a while, she reopened her eyes before declaring "You two are worthy to become heroes."

"Heroes?" repeated Margaretha. She turned to Eremes. "I knew, from the beginning that we would learn a lot more than what we bargained for when we agreed to find the Heart. ...But heroes?"

"If you two are willing, I will allow you to be reborn," continued the Valkyrie, not giving Eremes time to react.

"Reborn…?"

"Let go of what binds you to this realm of mortals. Embrace the promise of Valhalla. Asgard awaits those who allow themselves to be reborn."

"Reborn…" Eremes thought deeply. Rebirth?

His thoughts were still distracted as the Valkyrie looked at him once more. "Assassin, you are troubled," she said. "Rebirth is not an escape. If you choose to be reborn, you will continue to face what tribulations life has to offer. But when you rebirth is complete, the promise of immortality is what is next."

Eremes looked away. "The promise of immortality does not attract me one bit," he said. "Do not pretend to understand my life. You know nothing. You who dwell in Asgard know only to manipulate the lives of us mortals!"

"Eremes!" exclaimed Margaretha warningly.

"You would never understand," he said, his tone almost sounding sorrowful. He then turned his back on the Valkyrie. The Valkyrie however, did not seem bothered at all by his outburst.

"I do not pretend to understand the lives of mortals," she said. "I do understand though, that you have been running away all your life."

"What?" Margaretha was surprised by this statement. "What does she mean by that Eremes…?"

Eremes clenched his fist, feeling both angry and confused. The Valkyrie knows, he thought. Of course she does.

"Well then, let me tell you something about rebirth. You will be able to start fresh," she said. "And perhaps understand your own past."

Eremes unclenched his fist. Understand my own past? he thought.

"Rebirth will not be easy," she said warningly. "It will be very difficult in fact. You will lose all your memories and you two will be separated."

"All our memories?" Margaretha was horrified by the thought. "But…"

Eremes turned to face the Valkyrie once more. "Alright then, I'll do this rebirth thing," said Eremes, his expression determined.

"Are you truly sure?" asked the Valkyrie. "Heed my warnings."

"After all I've been through, this can't be too hard," said Eremes with a seemingly confident smirk.

"But Eremes, what about me and everyone else and…"

Eremes placed his hands on Margaretha's shoulders, interrupting her. Margaretha's face turned red as Eremes did this. Eremes spoke gently to her. "Meeting you," he said. "And everyone, is the best thing that ever happened in my life. But unlocking my past? That is something that I need to do."

"B-But…" Margaretha's started to shed tears. "Will I even see you again...?"

Eremes let go of Margaretha. The Valkyrie surveyed this moment with a seemingly indifferent expression, but she then spoke in a much gentler tone after the two exchanged words.

"May Odin forgive me but I feel that I must tell you something."

The other two turned to face the Valkyrie to listen to her.

"I have seen that you two share a powerful bond. In fact, I sense that all of you, including the ones who came to me before you, share a very powerful bond. Rebirth may take away your memories and your current strength, but it cannot possibly sever a bond as strong as what you share. Fate would have you two meet again."

Margaretha wiped her tears. Though her expression remained sad, she sounded appreciative as she addressed the Valkyrie. "Thank you," she said.

The Valkyrie betrayed a look of concern for a brief moment as she received Margaretha's thanks.

"So I guess… this is it." Eremes turned to face Margaretha. "About our date… I have to admit to you, I said that because at that moment—" His words were cut short as Margaretha threw her arms around him. Eremes hesitated for a moment but then returned her embrace. One more treasured memory to unlock in his new life.

The Valkyrie looked away during this tender moment. She would not understand perhaps.

To Eremes's surprise, Margaretha pulled away first. She smiled at him one last time, murmuring a silent 'goodbye' before turning to the Valkyrie and nodding. The Valkyrie returned the nod and Margaretha vanished in another burst of light.

"Margaretha…" Eremes shook his head to collect his thoughts. "I'll see you again, soon."

"Well then, I'm ready," he said confidently. "The ones that bind me to this world are my friends. They've gone ahead of me, so nothing roots me to this life anymore."

The Valkyrie smiled. "You speak as though you are going to die," she said. "You will be starting a new life. Not simply losing the one you have now."

"I sent your friend to meet someone special. There is someone you should meet as well."

Eremes was confused with what she was talking about. The Valkyrie motioned behind him. Eremes turned around to find a person standing behind him. It was an assassin, like him. This strange assassin was different however, since he was wearing an outfit different from that of Eremes.

"Who… are you?" asked Eremes.

"You must know this," said the mysterious assassin, ignoring Eremes's question. "You will lose everything when you are reborn. It will be like the first time you touched a dagger. It means that not only your memories, but your experience will be lost as well. Are you willing to give that up for the promise of greater rewards?"

Eremes looked at the jurs he had dropped on his feet. Was he ready to give up his great skill as an assassin along with his memories for a chance to unlock his past? "I am," he whispered to himself.

As though hearing his whisper, the mysterious assassin nodded. "I believe your heart is set. When the time is right, we shall meet again…"

The assassin's voice reverberated through his mind before he was blinded by another burst of light. In the blinding whiteness his memories were unravelled. Eremes's mind started to clear. All his worries were washed away with the light that wrapped around him.


When Eremes's vision finally cleared, he found himself standing in the field north of Prontera. He did not recognize the place one bit though.

"…Where am I?" He looked around and observed the vast greenery around him which was familiar in his former life. He was no longer wearing his bandaged garb and his cloak. He was wearing a blue outfit worn by novice adventurers. He stared curiously at his outfit, almost wondering how he managed to find himself wearing it. He was startled, however, by a shout coming from somewhere.

"Hey!"

He was approached by a white-haired young man wearing the same outfit. "You look lost."

"Yeah… where am I?"

"You're near Prontera Castle!" answered the young man. "Since you look like you're starting out like I am why don't we start hunting together? I know a good place where there isn't much competition…"

"Yeah… I guess," was all Eremes could say. His mind was still a bit clouded at that moment.

"Oh, I have a party set up by the way. My friends are inside the capital. Let's go meet them." The young man motioned Eremes to follow him. When they reached the rear gate of the castle, the young man spoke once more.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Where are my manners? My name is Seyren Windsor. You?"

"My name," Eremes struggled to clear his mind for a moment. There are but fragments of his memories left and thinking was difficult for him. After thinking for a moment, he opened his eyes and answered.

"My name is Eremes. Eremes Guile."

"Nice to meet you Eremes," replied Seyren with a smile. "We better hurry, they're waiting for us."

For the first time in years, Eremes returned a true smile. Without any trouble eating away at him, he had no reason to force a smile. As he headed into the castle with Seyren, his head was held high, facing the sky. It was a good day for new beginnings.