[Chapter 13 A New Departure END]

A/N: And thus begins the last chapter of this mystical tale of April Fool's Day, even though its not April Fool's Day.

Unlike the last chapter, this chapter was finished in roughly two weeks and will probably be checked

- - - - -

Ein and group were in Tetyth, exploring the city by the bay. It wasn't long until they came upon the "panel" It was the red panel of 'heaviness.' The girl's were looking to Ein, hoping that they weren't going to picked for the "weight" job. Ein realized just who he'd pick.

"Rose...."

(You can't be that stupid!) Rose said jumping on the red panel. The girls as with Rose, knew what was going to happen, or were they?

Before Rose landed on the panel, Ein finished his line.

"...and Lina!" Ein shouted, surprising well...everyone, even Rose.

So Lina jumped on the red square and the door slowly raised itself, not enough to get through without crawling, or sliding. Ein dropped his bag and dug through his bag and pulled out his heavier swords. He threw all three of the swords on the switch, and the door slowly raised again, making it passable, to some degree.

"There." Ein said closing his bag and swinging it on his back. "Problem solved!"

So the three "older" women and angel ventured forth, leaving the younger girl, familiar and some weapons behind. However, there was a bit of a problem when the four returned back.

"Darn, the squirt locked us in." Serene said beating on the door.

"Ein, why didn't you pick one of us to stand on the door?" Fia said looking at Ein.

"Well I... it seemed like a better idea at the time.... and....and..." and at that point, he woke up from his dreamy state. Was that a dream or a nightmare. Ein though to himself.

He looked straight ahead and saw the calendar marked April 2th and instantly remembered everything that's happened. He sighed and remembered that "his" girls are still out and missing. Most of the water stains on his shirt have mostly disappeared. In there place was the magical brown mud with a good story to tell. Ein looked out the window again. The sun was again, slowly revealing itself, as dawn was inevitably coming. So he got up and looked at the sun dial, outside.

"Only six o' clock?" Ein said to himself.

(I want more food.) At that response, Ein turned around and saw Rose, sleeping happily in her warm, fuzzy brown bed. She must be dreaming about food again. Ein though as he walked around his curious familiar.

Quickly and quietly, like a ninja, he changed into a new pair of black shorts and blue shirt. He threw his old clothing in the laundry bin nearby. Later, after finishing the rest of his morning routine, Ein went downstairs to make some breakfast.

Unlike last time, he wasn't adding and hot sauce to his crepes. He didn't change the salt and sugar dispensers nor did he rig the chair or even add some sourness in Fia's coffee. For today, was a normal day and he made a fancy yet normal breakfast free from any April Fool's pranks. After making it, he set it right on the table just like last time, but unlike yesterday, the girl's were missing.

With Einherjar on back, he walked out of the house, unaware of what Cierra did to the whole town. The sun itself was rising from the night sky, as Ein walked around town looking for any news for his beloved. The first place he walked to was the place of the site where the Elder fell and where Ein saw too much. While he walked, the sounds of nature slowly revealed itself.

As he arrived there, some small blue birds, perched on a nearby tree, chirped and greeted him. As he stepped foot into this open area, the sound of rustling leaves can be heard, as the wind was noisily moving his "old" bed. The Elder lay there, sleeping under his flour "blanket." Ein looked around once more, remembering what happened yesterday. The bushes were now empty and silent, free from the "intruders" of yesterday. The mud pit was, like the Elder, motionless and quiet. The pit, as Ein saw, wasn't empty at all. Inside it, besides the pile of dirt and footsteps, was a sleeping person, bagged and unable to leave his "bed."

So Ein decided to help his smith friend by freeing him from his prison. He jumped down, uncovered and untied his friend. Once free, he carried him, like a baby, and left him next to the Elder. Ein was still looking around for his lovers in this clearing. After sometime, he came to the conclusion that they weren't here and left, leaving the two men alone, sleeping.

The sun itself was slowly raising, beginning a new day and eating the darkness that covered yesterday. In its wake, the sun reveals the plant life and pathways that were hidden before. The light uncovers the poor girls who were sleeping on the dirt. But will Ein be the first to find him, or will some other person come?

Ein was walking around on the pathways of pre-cut foliage, like a wandering marauder in the desert, looking for some treasure. The sounds of birds chirping and water gushing was filling Ein's ear, for this is the first time that's he's been out in nature this early in the morning. The dark, blackness in the sky was slowly be consumed by the sky blue, created by the luminous sun. With a few steps, Ein could easily another plop. Curious he turned and saw a leaf with morning dew dripping into the mud below. Again he heard another sound and turned. Doup . This time, a water drop was hitting a puddle of water below. Doup. Doup. So Ein ignored the noisy water drops, continuing on his quest to find some "lost" people. Doup.

The sun would be a aid to all, for it is the opposite of the chaotic moon. It was bring hope and joy, rather than fear and anguish. It would lead to their salvation rather than their demise. For today was a normal day, not a "holiday".

Upon looking up, Ein blushed a rosy red at what he saw. In all his dreams, he'd never except to see "them" like this. Lifeless, yet peaceful and revealing everything. Ein took two steps back and took a notoriously long breath and closed his eyes. Before he even opened his eyes, he pinched himself on the cheek and stretched a bit, letting all the lactic acid free itself. Then he put his hands to his side, rested his shoulders and opened it eyes. What he saw wasn't a mirage or an illusion.

He saw Fia there "sun bathing" and sleeping. Doup What he doesn't know, as how she got in that predicament. Nevertheless, what saw wasn't a lie. Doup. So he turned his back on the green swordswoman and though long and hard about what he "could" do and what he "should" do. The other thing to note, is HOW he's going to bring her back home. Doup. Ever girl, would give him "weird" looks and some would just even attack him. Carrying her bridal style would be much worse since everyone would, undoubtedly, assume the worse. Ein, himself, wasn't a respectable mage and at best was only able to use "combat" magic only. And even then, it would more or less awake the sleeping maiden. So his conclusion, was to find the others, first and plan it out. Doup.

Lina wasn't that hard to find since she was lying nearby, with her empty quiver still on her, and she was still armed with a bow. He smiled when he saw her drooling on her favorite bow, that Ein gave her. Doup. In fact, the drops of water are slowly being absorbed, warping the wood and making the bow unusable. Doup. At that point, he left the two to find the other two. As he continued on his trek, a strange though came to his mind.

Is this the will of the gods, fate, luck, or is it bad luck in disguise? Ein though to himself. He giggled at a bit looked up in the sky towards the "weapon of the gods." The moon itself was gone, but in its place was a smaller whiter version of itself. Doup.

"Thank you" Ein said to himself bowing to the moon. As he continued, he hoped that the other two weren't in the same condition. But his angelic hope was going to be twisted into something darker, sinister.

As he looked up in the sky, he saw some dark smoke.

Well Cierra is awake, Ein said finding a way to the fire. What he saw, when he got there, was also equally shocking. Cierra was talking in her sleep. Doup. Not only was she talking, she was casting fireballs at a tree, which, by this time, was mostly burnt. The crimson witch lay there on her back, with her hair somewhat singed by her own spell. Her long hair was now, visibly a few inches shorter; a few inches past her neck, instead of near her stomach. Doup.

He chuckled quietly at what he saw, however that wasn't the biggest surprise. At he turned, he saw, Serene. Doup. He saw Serene on a pile of leaves, happily sleeping face up, as if she had some stomach issues. While the leaves covered some parts of her body, her stomach was clearly visible. Doup. The wind, which was still quietly blowing, was slowly lifting some of these leaves. At that point, he turned his back containing his darker desires.

"Am I suppose to be happy that I ended up finding them like this." Ein said to himself contemplating on what to do next. Doup. Even with a red face, and a "wild" imagination, he was deeply thinking about somewhat to "bring" the girl's back home. His next idea, akin to Mursya's, was to bag them and drag them. The only problem was that the dragged person would be very upset and unhappy that she was uncovered and furthermore angry at what they assume Ein might do. Doup. Ein stood there with the wind licking his face, still thinking. The day was still young and Ein could easily ask others for help. But in his opinion, that would be too easily, and this case would only complicate the situation.

Doup. Doup. Minutes passed as he continued to stand still pondering and wondering.

Well I could wake them up.... Ein though but, they would assume I was a pervert. No.

Or maybe I could throw something at them and wake them up. No, no. Then they would blame me again.

With each though Ein came to the same saddening conclusion. Due to his "nature" and actions, regardless of what he would do, they would instinctively blame him for his perverted actions be it true or not.** He sighed at the notion and looked up again in the moon. This is one cruel world. Ein though to himself. At that point, the light bulb came on and Ein came with a plausible solution that did not involve getting beaten, injured, or being hit.

Briskly, he walked back to the house and looked around. Hidden in one of the "quiver-like" containers was a large, dirty, but old white scroll, that was easily larger than Ein himself. With one in his hand, he walked out and decided to move...move....

He came to one solid conclusion. He couldn't simply "pick" and help one person at a time, since he would be "biased." Doup. So this tragic though struck the hero as he originally planned of putting the girls on the scroll and dragging them. This plan has also failed. He looked up again at the white planet and realized that it was bad luck in disguise and at this point was showing its ugly head. So he meditated in front of the house for another idea.

In no time, another came. This time he stored the scroll and walked towards the magical cavern. He walked pass Ritz's home and passed the ubiquitous magical vials of untested colorful liquid. Doup. By then he came up to the stone door. He quickly knocked but no one responded. At that point, he kicked a rock, which was fortunately the one with the "door bell" spell on it. With a quiet gong heard, he patiently waited. Footsteps can slowly be heard and someone came to their front door. Doup.

As the front door opened, he was shocked by what he saw. He saw an actual "normal" witch in well... normal, common, dull, everyday, sleeping attire. To be more precise, she was wearing pajamas with blue stripes with matching shorts. Her hair was still a mess, but that's mostly it.

"Hello, Ein, what are you doing so early in the morning." Soala, said yawning and definitely not realizing that it was Ein in front of her. As the wheels clicked, she was shocked and stunned at the same time. Ein saw her, in unattractive normal clothing. However, her though was soon to be broken by a quick action.

Ein quickly grabbed her hands and asked her "Can you help me with this?" At that point, she blushed and easily said yes, not knowing what exactly Ein was going to ask for anyway. "Umm... can we talk... inside." Ein said, looking back to see if anyone is hearing them. With that type of action, Soala eagerly welcomed him in. He walked in, as if he was a tourist, looking round and round. Like Ladie's house he wonder where and how all these decorations and furniture got in the house.

"This way." Soala said leading Ein to her living room. At first glance, this room looked like something out of the stone age. Rock tables, rock chair, rock couch and even a rock wheel was sitting in this bland room, that seems to even lack wallpaper. The cold stone floor was licking Ein's feet even through his shoes. As Soala saw on the couch, the surface jiggled a bit, undulating up and down like a sine wave. Ein sat next to Soala,hoping to absorb some of her heat.

As he sat down, he became shorter as Soala become taller. Then he felt the surface rise up, making him taller and closer to the ceiling. He was surprised by the soft, luscious, warm, couch. Sure it looks like something that was left in a cave, but with Soala's magic, the couch is much more comfortable. Her response, was a giggle, as she too had a lot of fun. But after that laughter, time slowed itself to a crawl.

"umm..." Ein started to say looking at the ceiling, attempting to think of someway to ask her for help. Doup. As for Soala, well.... other thoughts came to her mind. However, this silence was simply broken by Ein's mind. The fact that they, the girls, would wake up at some point if he doesn't do anything.

"Umm.... can you..... ....Will you...?" were the first word's Ein muttered. With the two words, Soala was waiting for the next two or three words that would change her world. She was waiting for a confession.

"Can you help me?" Ein said, finally accepting these choice of words.

"Of course!" Soala said, turning towards Ein, not realizing what he said. "Wait! What?" Soala yelled out, slowly understanding what Ein said. Doup.

"Well you see....." Ein started to say, turning towards Soala. So he talked and explain what he saw although neglecting to tell her one important piece of information. Soala was definitely surprised but nonetheless listened, since the two were alone.

- - - -

After ten or so minutes...

"I will." Soala said.,confidently.

"Thank goodness you understand my situation." Ein said,realizing that Soala understood exactly what he said.

"So then what are we waiting for." Ein said getting up from the couch.

"Your right, let's do this then." Soala said also getting up.

So the two marched off with the same goal in their hearts, to save the four girls.

Soala followed behind Ein, wondering what she would do, given this opportunity but it seems that Ein would make the first move. He looked back, watching Soala looking up in the sky, so he grabbed her hand and "helped her move faster." With Ein's help, the two arrived at their destination in record time.

Before they arrived, Ein realized that he forgot to mention something very important.

"What's wrong ?" Soala asked, who was still holding his hand.

"Well.... you see the girls are well... " Ein said attempting to say it.

"They are asleep? That's no problem," Soala started to say. "I was able to move you around without you waking up! Have faith in me!"

"It's not that, it's well you'll see." Ein said leading her to the first rendezvous point. As Soala looked around, she realized what Ein was trying to say to her.

"You didn't do anything right?[3╬] " Soala said with an angry face and an ire filled tone, almost pointing her staff to his face.

"No, of course not!" Ein quickly responded. "Don't you trust me?"

"Well...." Soala started to say. "Ok, I believe you." Soala said, knowing that Ein had quite a good opportunity if he actually tried to do something but since he came for help, he probably didn't do anything.

So the wind mage raised her staff towards her first vic... err body and started focusing her mind. It wasn't long until a cradle started appearing under the fire witch. In another minute the cradle, blinked into reality, support the witch.

"So who's next?" Soala asked Ein, who pointed towards a bush. "You got to be kidding me right?"

So the witch, much like Ein, contained her laughter. It was a strange site to see someone stuck in a pile of leaves, especially when he or she is sleeping peacefully in it. Like last time the wind witch, crafted a cradle and used the "wind" to move the target onto the cradle.

"Two more to go, right?" Soala asking, hoping that there was only two more to go.

"Definitely. Ein answered confidently.

As one could guess, the two returned back to the "scene of the crime." The day was slowly beginning as the sun moved. The Elder was unfortunately missing, but Lina, Fia, as with Chappi, were still sleeping, probably attempting to "sleep in" even though they were outside. After observing the difference, Soala went about her business.

She pointed and chanted a spell, silently "Wind, I call upon thy to moveth this body, with thy power of silence and strength." So she created "wind" that was strong enough to move Fia onto the magical cradle. With three bodies in tow, the duo came to their last resting soul, Lina. Like before, Soala created a cradle and moved Lina onto the cradle, effortlessly. At that point, she sighed, knowing that her job was mostly complete.

"Thank you" Ein said in his most humble voice.

"Your welcome...... so where do you want to place these sleeping bodies?" Soala said, forgetting that he wanted to "store them" in Lina's and Fia's home.

"Well... the best place is Lina's and Fia's house, unless you can think of a better place." Ein said.

"Nope, that probably is for the best." Soala said holding her mental concentration, so the four cradles would still exist. Her mind was deeply focused on holding the four cradles because this is her first time trying to maintain four cradles. She had tried the spell with one or two people a few times before. Soala, at this point, is just a normal person. If she attempted to cast a spell, the "beds" would break. Her eyes were still wide open and she was able to converse with others but that's mostly the extent of her current powers.

- - - -

As the two were walking back home...

"Is that actually Ein and Soala walking together?" Ladie said surprised that Ein actually chose someone.

"Probably not." the Elder said, drinking his cup of coffee and ignoring the situation.

"Wow, of all people I'd never except you to be so... carefree about this. Ladie said turning back and watching the Elder.

"Well..." the Elder started to say, getting up from his chair and picking up his cane. "There's probably a good reason." he said walking to the window.

"Yeah, Ein loves Soala more than... oh wow, they've even got kids.... Four of them too." Ladie said awestruck and dumbfounde.

"Oh really?" the Elder said putting on his spectacles.

"I feel sorry for Soala. Having four kids must be rough, especially when your taking care of them." Ladie said in a sad tone.

"Are you wearing your glasses?" the Elder said looking at the scene with his "magical" glasses.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Ladie said angrily.

"Fia, Lina... Serene, and Cierra are not Ein's children." the Elder said putting his palm to his face. Ladie squinted her eyes and looked again. "Oh wait... I see it now." Ladie said. "But why are they..."

"Well they probably just had too much fun." the Elder said interrupting Ladie. "Most likely they were still asleep, from yesterday and Ein is just helping them. Heh. Imagine that."

"I see.... but how do you know?" Ladie said intrigued by the Elder's response.

"Well, what else would it be?" the Elder said walking back to his chair. "Geez, I'd expect someone like you to have a 'clearer' mind. Your sure you don't want Ein? You seem..."

"No. No. No!" Ladie said.

"Heh I'm just teasing you!"

"You don't have to be that mean!"

"Well... where's the fun in that?" the Elder said.

- - - -

"Finally we made it!" Soala said, towing the four "beds" behind her.

"Just leave them inside and your free to go. Thanks again." Ein said, opening the front door. So Soala walked in with the four cradles behind her. However, as the fourth cradle entered, something caught Ein's eye. Instead of entering and closing the door, Ein walked a few steps, in front of the house and found a rock.

Haven't seen one of these in a while. Ein though to himself. He kneeled down, below a window, and picked up the small looking rock. He held it in one hand, and rotated it, looking at the shape, texture and color of the object. Ahh this brings back so many memories. Ein though to himself. So he pocketed his rock and decided to stand again. However, before he even got back up....

...someone screamed.

Lina screamed, realizing the situation and unaware of the events of yesterday, promptly waking the other girl's up, in their beds. The others fell, like Ein and realized their lack of clothing and look up. They had expected that it was Ein, but in fact it was Soala instead. Ein however, dove down and listened, knowing that he already had too much fun already.

"I never knew you were like that!" Cierra screamed. Outside, other people listened in, to what everyone could guess was the girl's screaming at Ein.

"Soala, what did you do?" Serene asked. With that response, everyone, who was listening, was shocked and wanted to hear more.

"Why, why did you do this? Fia said.

"Well it wasn't my fault..." Soala started to say.

"Your fault!?" Lina said

"Get her!" Serene said, leading the others.

"Let's make her pay for what she's done!" Fia said

"You messed up my bow." Lina said looking at the skewed bow, she was still holding.

"Even though your my friend, I can't forgive you for these type of actions!" Cierra said, following everyone else.

And so the four were chasing Soala, who promptly ran outside the house and back to her home. To everyone else, it seemed like a bizarre thing happening, since its a dry, normal day. Soala hoped she could outrun them and hide in her house. Ein watching, remembering what happened last time, when he was being chased.

(Nya!) Ein's familiar said, watching on the window in his room, above.

So you watched everything? Ein said to his cat.

(I wasn't the only one nya!)

Yeah the Elder is probably watching too.

(I hope they don't become scarred because of this)

They probably won't. Although, this is something I'll never forget.

(They probably won't either! [5ö])

Did you know I found a rock?

(Nya! You and your rocks. What will you do with this one?)

I don't know but it brings back lots of memories.

(Nya! It sure does. [5ö])

And so this morning begins with a bang, thanks to the girls' own actions, from yesterday. Rebecca, much like Ein, was watching from afar. They didn't dare intervene but like everyone else, wanted to see how it would end. The humor was slowly fading, as they all realized they had work to do. Chappi was going to finish repairing some picks for Ritz. Ritz need needed to find some more crystals to buy a fancier pick. Fia needs to pick some more herbs to make some medicine. The Elder was planning the fate of the future. But Ein..... was still a guest of Elendia.

The beginning of normalcy was coming, for it was only a matter of time until the chase ended. By then, Soala and Cierra would return to their magical experiments and end Claude's peaceful times. His research on a new medicine was nearly completed. The druid was going to make something that could change the world. But would he finish it, or would the witches change that? Would it work, or end up in flames? Whatever the case, the holiday was ending and reality was sinking in. The veil of normalcy have finally come and the holiday fever died but the memories will still live on.

- - - - -

Somewhere up atop a hill , overlooking Elendia....

"If only there was another April Fool's Day." someone said, looking up at the moon. "But that won't happen for another three hundred plus days." "If only, if only....if only...." that person said, looking back down on the town.

- - - - -

A/N: This is "officially" now the end of April Fool's Day in Elendia. The day has already ended, and all other events from that day, have also ended. Everything and everyone is returning back to their positions, as if April Fool's never came, for times continues onward, uncontrollably.

As for me, school is still continuing onward. I hope you all enjoyed this story, even though its filled with mistakes. I know I had a lot of fun writing and planning out this whole story. I'll probably be updating my profile now. As for the next fanfic, I have no clue, what I'll be writing. I'll probably be taking a few months off, before I start my next fanfic though. If you want to be notified, review and well... write it in your review.

Now I leave my writing, to start learning Japanese. I've put it aside these last few months, working solely on this. Now its my time to return back and start learning once more.