The ship shook again and I looked out the window to see nothing following us. Yet...something had gotten on the ship and was currently attack us. The urge to protect the Master became the only thing that mattered to me.

"Master...please...let me keep you safe." I said. "I do not know what this is, but I will not let them hurt you."

Edge ran from the bathroom still dripping wet.

"Brother! Master! What is going on?" Edge asked in a panic.

"We don't know yet...but stay here and watch the Master...I am going to find out!"

I stepped out and saw black mages on the deck. I had no idea where they were from, but they had to be stopped.

Then I saw an insignia on one of the lead mages...

They were Mysidian. Cecil had attacked them before we were sent to Mist. They were attacking our soldiers and seemed to be defeating them easily.

"We did not want to do this...but we must stop Baron from taking the Crystals!" One of the mages yelled.

"Palom, Porom...use your twin magic! Take them out!" I heard one of them scream as they were run through by a guard.

I stepped back behind the door as I heard what sounded like a shower of stones hitting on the deck...screams came from all over the deck.

I opened the door and saw that most of both sides were gone. A set of teenaged twins and one older man were left as I walked out the door.

The three Mysidians gasped as they saw me. I had not equiped my armor, so I must have shocked them.

"Surrender or die." I said with gritted teeth. "I cannot promise you will live, but your death will not be as painful if you give up."

The elder mage threw a fire spell at me and I dodged it easily. The fool.

I kept walking towards the mages. I picked up a sword from one of our dead soldiers and prepared to attack.

The elder mage thew another round of spells at me and missed completly. I laughed and threw the sword at him. It hit the mage in the shoulder and he fell to the ground. The female twin bent down and pulled the sword out and began to heal him.

This angered me...I missed his vital area...how?

As I walked up on the three mages the girl cast a spell and she dissapeard with the elder mage. All that remained was an angry boy that pulled a fire rod from behind him and began to shoot small fire balls at me. I was able to dodge most of them, but one hit my arm and that made me mad.

I jumped and the boy lost me. I then jumped down and knocked the teenage wizard out. He was easy to defeat, but it was obvious his spell casting was above the normal wizard. He and his sister had wiped out twenty soldiers.

I took the boy to our Master. He would know what to do. I wished that I had gotten the other mage...together...they could have wrecked havoc on the world. We would have to find her...bring her to the Master.

I ordered several of the soldiers that had been downstairs to begin cleanup and they obeyed. None of our warriors were under their own will at this point and they obeyed whatever they were told. Perfect for what we were trying to accomplish.

Edge was standing by the door when I made my way to our room. He acknowledged me and opened the door to my Master.

"Well...what do you have there Kain?"

"Master...Mysidian mages attacked. Teleported onto the ship. All of them are gone...except this boy...his sister and he killed most of our soldiers on deck. She teleported away with another mage, but I have kept this one from escaping."

The Master looked as I dropped the boy onto the bed.

"A mage?" The Master scoffed. "I am already a powerful mage...are you sure this boy is strong?"

"I promise...he helped kill twenty men. He is strong and will be valuable to you."

"Kain I am very tired. I will do my best to turn him. If I cannot, then you must kill him."

I nodded. "Whatever you ask of me. It will be done."

I watched as the Master brought his dark energy out of his body and pushed it into the teenage mage. The mage's body arched into the Master's hand and I watched the energy flow into the boy.

Edge walked back in the room and nodded at me. "You did good protecting our Master, brother. I am impressed and proud of you."

I smiled. "Thank you. It was nothing. The Master cannot be harmed...he must complete his quest to take over all the kingdoms...we need to be as one."

The Master finished with the boy and looked up at us.

"I have started to bring him under my control. The problem is now I must wait before I begin to change Cecil. It will take much of my power, and this ordeal has weakened me. I must rest."

The Master sat down on the chair by the shower room and put his hand on his forehead and sighed.

The boy sat up slowly and looked around the room.

"Where...am I?" The boy said with a groan. "Who...are you?"

I walked forward. "I am Kain...Dark Dragoon of Baron...and this is Edge...former Prince of Eblan and now a dark ninja of Baron."

"Dark...Dragoon? Kain? Do I know you?" The boy asked. "Everything is hard to remember...I do not remember you..."

"We are now brothers at arms...you are a child of Baron now and we are family under the lord and Master Golbez."

"Where...is...my...sister...?" The boy asked slowly. "I cannot...reach...full potenial...without my sister..."

"She escaped. We will find her eventually and bring her to our side." I said.

The boy nodded. "I am the strongest black mage in the world...even without my sister. I will destory anyone that gets in our way...that hurts our...Master..."

"How old are you boy? Are you even old enough to fight with us?" Edge said with a laugh.

"I am eighteen and you will not treat me as a child! Our elder increased our age with a spell so that we could be of use when your Dark Knight killed most of our mages. I was willing to give my childhood away to stop him and now I give it away to serve our Master. He will see my power and will love me more than all of you once I prove MY worth!"

Edge laughed at the teenage mage and pointed his sword at him.

"You are nothing but a child! We are the Master's true warriors...you were picked up because Kain chose not to kill you...I was wanted by the Master from the start of his conquest!"

Edge walked toward the boy and he cast a quick spell that froze him in place.

"What sorcery is this? I cannot move!"

The boy laughed and pointed his magic rod at Edge. The end of the rod began to glow. "What is the matter? I thought you were the stronger man here? I have put you at my mercy and I could kill you where you stand."

The boy smiled as he put down his weapon and let Edge free. The ninja fell to the ground and began to take in air heavily.

"D...damn you kid..." Edge grunted. "I will not lose my place in the Master's top guard. I'll kill you before that happens."

I wouldn't let that happen, but before I could step in, the mage cast a sleeping spell on Edge and he collapsed to the floor.

The mage turned to me. "He won't be mouthing off for awhile."

I took Edge to the bed and dropped him. His attitude had been unacceptable. The Master needed to solve that problem when his strength was better.

"I will change that bit of his personality in a few minutes." The Master said. "I have almost regained enough energy to finish the mage and help Edge. I have been sending dark energy to the sword we left for Cecil. I sense he has it in his possesion now."

I smiled. My brother...Cecil...soon we would be together again.

Porom laughed. "What is so important about this Cecil guy? You've got me now!"

I turned. "Cecil is the Dark Knight that stole the Crystal from your village. He killed your people, but he turned on us. We want him back and we will have him!"

The boy shrugged. "They are not my people anymore. I am now a Baronian Dark Mage under Master Golbez and I will destory all who oppose us."

The Master called out to the Mage. "Porom. Come. Allow me to finish your rebirth as one of my children. Come."

The mage walked in a daze to our Master.

"Look into my eyes Porom...look and fall farther into my power...become one of us. Forget your past and become my pawn."

"Yes Master...look into your eyes...forget my past...I am one of your pawns...I will obey."

The Master put his hand on the young mage's face. "You are quite full of yourself aren't you?"

"I am the greatest mage on the planet!" The boy proclaimed.

"I am sure you think that, but it is not the case, not yet. You must no longer act as if you are better than the others. You all have strengths and weaknesses. Kain could kill you in a second if I commanded it, even with your power."

The boy turned and I smiled. "That is correct, and I am currently not even equiped...and I know I could stop you."

The boy turned back to the Master and lowered his head. "I am sorry for my behavior. I will no longer act that way. It has been purged from my mind and I will treat the others as equals."

The Master laughed and tussled the boy's hair. "Good boy, that is what I wanted to hear. Now. Close your eyes and be reborn...no longer part of the free world. You are mine. My Dark Mage."

The boy closed his eyes and after a few moments they reopened and glowed purple. The boy walked towards me and smiled.

"Kain...my brother...we must obey the Master! Please! Help me become a stronger warrior like you. I am a strong mage, but a weak fighter. You can help me be better service to our Master!"

"Of course young one, I will assist you in any way I can." I smiled over at our Master. He had made this brash young one into a loyal slave quite quickly. The purple in his eyes had stayed and that was new.

Porom went to look over the sleeping Ninja and I went to our Master.

"What is wrong with his eyes M'lord?"

"It is taking longer than before to bring him under. He is far more innocent than you or Edge. If the subject is good, I cannot change them. I fear his sister would not be changed...I already know I cannot change Rosa. I have tried from afar more than once already. She is pure and my darkness cannot take her."

"So he will eventually be fully turned?"

"I think sooner than later. I have used his pride to focus on changing him...like I did your pride and love. The boy doesn't have much to focus on, while you and Edge had much to focus on. Cecil does as well. But much less than before. I fear it will be too late to take him soon."

My fist clenched unintentionally. "What? He can't get away! He must be one of us!"

"Calm down Kain. Do not let your emotion take control. We will get him."

I sighed and turned back to the Mage and ninja. Edge was still sleeping and the boy was attempting to wake him.

"Wait child, this is a good time for me to change his opinion of you."

The Master stood over Edge and put his hands on the ninja's chest and began to rub.

"Edge, can you hear me?"

"...Yes...Master..." The ninja said softly.

"Good. I want you to treat the new Mage like your little brother...not as an enemy. He is brash and full of pride...much like you. You will no longer fight with him, but become close friends. You will love him like you do me and Kain."

"I...will...obey..." Edge said sleepily.

"Good. Now wake up and join your brothers."

Edge sat up slowly and stood up. He looked towards Porom and his eyes flashed.

"I am sorry for treating you badly before." Edge said. "You are part of my family now and I shouldn't have treated you that way."

The two boys embraced and the Master laughed.

"Porom, I have a robe that will suit you much better now."

The boy smiled. "Really? I get new equipment?"

"Yes. I also have a better magic rod as well. Remove the clothes of your past and come with me."

The boy shed his robes with no question and went with the Master. When he returned, he was in a dark purple cloak with red lines on the arms. The back was adorned with the Baron sigil. The boy was smiling and his purple eyes glowed.

"Thank you Master, I am so happy."

The boy hugged our Master and cried.

"You are the closest thing to a father I've ever had. Thank you Master."

The Master tussled the boy's hair again and the boy laughed.

"Take your place with your brothers. You are now one of us."

The boy nodded and came to stand with us. He noticed our nakedness for the first time and looked at himself, but did nothing.

The Master stood before us and we all knelt before him. The Master pulled me up and I followed him out of the room.

"Wait for us here my slaves. I must talk to Kain alone."

The two boys nodded and both sat down on the bed to wait for our return.

We walked down the hall and the Master put his hand on my shoulder.

"Cecil is in Kaipo looking over Rosa. She came down with Desert Fever. He is about to look for the cure, which is near Damcyan. Edward will take him there...once he returns, that is your chance to talk to him and bring him to our side before its too late."

"Can I talk to him now? We are close to Kaipo now! I can bring him to our side tonight!"

The Master shook his head. "No, he has not been influenced enough by the sword...but the more he kills, the easier it will be. You must be patient Kain. You have done well so far in bringing in strong recruits. That Black Mage will be quite useful in the coming weeks."

"What is our next mission going to be?" I asked. "There are more crystals to take!"

The Master laughed. "Indeed, we have many more, but we must now build our army again and that will take time to create. You will have to wait before we go back on the offensive."

I nodded. "I understand. Perhaps I can strengthen up that mage a bit during this time."

"He is stronger than you'd think, when he was changing I noticed. He isn't as strong as you or Edge, but he is as built as any normal Baron soldier. Whatever spell his elder placed him under to age him did a good job on his physical appearance, if not his mental state. You must have noticed his pride in his abilities showed his true age."

I nodded. "Seemed like a child, but I didn't want to make things worse."

"I thought the same thing." The Master said. "However, he should be fine now."

I could see Kaipo below us. My mind went to thinking of Cecil almost the second I saw the town.

"Soon Kain...soon."

I sighed and watched the village dissapear and Baron become closer and closer until we landed. The Master took Porom, Edge and I to his personal chambers. It was there that I saw the large crystal ball in the center of the room.

The Master raised his hand over the crystal and Cecil appeared. He was sitting on a log outside of Kaipo with his hands over his face.

"Cecil!" I gasped. "How can you do that Master?"

I can look upon anyone that has the darkness in them. I told you he would soon be ours. It is already messing with his mind. You will have your brother soon."

I hugged the Master and he kissed my forehead.

"My little Dragoon, my pet. You have earned your reward and that is the priveldge of staying with me. The others will stay in the room beside us."

I smiled. "Thank you Master. I am honored that you want me to be with you at all times."

We kept walking and the Master opened a door that I wasn't familiar with. When we entered a soldier was standing...waiting for command.

"Master...who is that?" I asked. "Is this what you wanted to show me?"

"Yes Kain, this is Ricard. Don't you remember him? He is also a Dragoon."

I did remember him. I thought he had died during battle while cleaning the continent of Rogues and bandits. It had at least been three years since I had seen the man.

"How? How is he here? We were told he was kidnapped and killed when the King wouldn't pay the ransom. Where did you find him?"

"He was the first person I took. I learned how to control those with darkness inside them from this boy when I was first attempting my take over of the Kingdom three years ago. This was not some quick take over my little Dragoon, it took me years to manipulate Baron. I have not used him much as he was tough to control, but he might do better if he is with another Dragoon...and now that I know you are mine...I don't worry that he might take you from me...he seems to have some good inside somewhere and it must dissapate if we are to fully indoctornate him."

I looked at the long lost friend...the friend that had been as close as Cecil to me for many years. The older boy that made me want to be a Dragoon...here he was...

The Master raised his hand and it began to glow with his dark magic. The Dragoon began to stir and his head slowly raised. When his head lifted I could see the dark magic in his eyes.

"You have awakened me...do you have use of me...Master?" Ricard said in a deep low voice.

"I might Ricard...but we will have to see how you behave. I have brought someone you might remember."

The Master nudged me forward and I walked towards my old friend.

"K-Kain? Is that you? You have sure grown...and gotten a lot stronger I see."

"Yes...it is I. I have missed you Ricard. You left us at a bad time...but I wouldn't have become the strongest warrior in Baron if you'd been there. I had to grow up quick and lead the Dragoons."

"You led the Dragoons in my absence?"

"I did...and now I am the Master's favorite warrior...I have led troops and sacked Castles in his name. Nothing can stop me from serving and if you are part of the brood, then no one can stop us."

"Kain...you are a strong warrior for sure now. I am glad to know you have protected Baron in my absence and I am willing to serve under you if the Master allows."

I spun around and the Master nodded his head. "Of course. This was what I was hoping would occur. Ricard needed someone from his unit to help him understand his programming. I wish I had controlled you years ago Kain!"

I blushed as the Master ran his hand across my face.

"You've been everything I've hoped Kain. Even if you have your infatuation with Cecil...other than that you've been loyal and I will reward loyalty."

"I am sorry that I cannot forget Cecil...I really did try...but if we turn him...who is there to stop you? Cecil is the only one that has the bravery and toughness."

The Master turned the smooth caress into a slap that knocked me to the ground.

"Cecil is NOT stronger than I am Kain! He wields the power of Darkness and I control the darkness. How can he ever beat me!"

"Mount Ordeals..." Ricard said slowly. "He could become a Paladin. There is rumor of a memorial to Paladins past...but no one that has gone has ever returned...at least that's what we were always told."

The Master growled. "Cecil will NEVER become a Paladin. He will be enslaved to me within the week!"

Ricard helped me to my feet and I rubbed my bruised cheek. The Master sure could hit HARD.

"Ricard. Kain. Come with me, we have work to do. The others need to meet you as well."

Ricard nodded. "As you wish Master." Ricard then looked me over and looked back at the Master.

"Do you want me to walk around in the buff like Kain as well? I find that odd as you keep him unprotected. However, I will do what you wish of me."

The Master shrugged. "Not now. Come."

We walked back through the Castle and all of the soldiers and civilians went about doing their daily chores...none of them seemed to notice me, or the long lost Ricard. I assumed that was the Master's will.

"You are correct Kain. They are all mine and they have no reason to acknowledge you anymore. They have their own work to do."

We made it back to the Master's operations base, which was in his bedroom. The two other warriors awaited us there and the large projection ball in the center of the room was still following Cecil, who was sleeping now. It seemed like his sleep was not peaceful.

I put my hand on the crystal and smiled. "Cecil...soon you'll be with us again."

The Master put his hand on the ball and it began to glow.

"Take your hand away Kain. I am going to start manipulating him now."

I took my hand away and decided to introduce Ricard to Porom and Edge.

Porom shook Ricard's hand and smiled. "I am Porom...Master Golbez's Dark Mage. I am a Master of black magic. I am happy to have another join our party."

"I have not been around many mages before..." Ricard noted. "It is nice to meet you Porom."

Edge nodded at my friend without moving. "I am the Dark Ninja Edge...formally Prince of Eblan. Now ambassador for Baron.

"Prince...the Master sure has picked an interesting group to lead his army." Ricard grunted. "You seem quite strong. I hope we can spar together soon. I am interested in seeing how you fight."

The ninja nodded. "It will be my pleasure to spar. Perhaps later tonight after we are released from commands for the evening."

I turned back to the Master and watched the ball glowing.

"Cecil...Cecil...can you hear me?" The Master said softly.

"Yes..."

Cecil's voice! I heard it!

"Cecil...Kain misses you...do you miss him?"

The boy tossed in his bed.

"Yes...I miss him...he is my only true friend..."

"You can be with him again..." The Master said.

"How...he is gone...dead...I didn't save him." Cecil said with a sob.

"No...he is alive. He serves me...just like you must do. If you obey me, then you will see Kain again."

The boy tossed in his bed...he began to sweat.

"But...I cannot...I must save Rosa...she is sick...I must protect Rydia...my fault her mother is..."

"You can save Rosa...but you must become mine once you've completed that mission."

The boy moaned and shot up in the bed. The Master's mind meld with Cecil was severed.

I watched him grab his head and begin to weep.

The Master turned to me and smiled.

"Cecil is weakening more by the hour. Soon. Soon you can bring him to me."

"Porom. Come." The Master commanded.

The boy came to us and bowed his head.

"Yes M'lord."

"I have a ship ready. You and Kain are to travel to Kaipo. Find Edward and bring him here. I have an idea. Hurry. Cecil and the other's cannot know he is gone."

"There will be new equipment for you both on the ship. Go. Bring him to me."

The two of us walked to the airship dock and went to the captain's room. Inside was indeed new equipment. Simple black clothing that would completly cover us during the night. It would make stealing the bard easy.

The clothing fit tight and made me look strong in the mirror. I liked it.

I turned and noticed that Porom was not as weak as I'd thought. His body looked strong as he changed from the Robes to the black ninja costume.

"I am to cast a charm spell on the bard to bring him with us. You are to command him once he is charmed."

I nodded. "That should be easy enough. Cecil is much too strong for a simple spell, but Edward should be easy enough to charm."

I noticed the boy's eyes still were swirling with the dark magic of the Master...he was still not doing this fully on his own accord.

"Porom...tell me...what do you think of the Master?"

"He is all that I think about...why do you ask?"

"I just wondered. He is the most wonderful Master..." I said as my thoughts drifted back and forth from him and Cecil...then I ran my hand across my bruised face. The Master certainly could hurt me if he wanted...but he was a wonderful Master...

Wasn't he?