The old man that now accompanied Cecil and the twins was none other than Tellah, the sage who had left the party at Damcyan. Fate had smiled upon them to reunite, as Tellah sensed an incredible power atop the mountain, believing it to be the key to the ultimate spell, Meteor. Cecil knew little of magic as it had never interested him as a young boy, but he had gathered that it would be risky for Tellah to attempt to use the spell against Golbez due to his age (or something like that, from the pleading rant Porom went on when she found out Tellah's motive). Nevertheless, the old man was on a journey of his own and Cecil knew not to pry; it was his own decision. "Tell me, how did you end up here?" Tellah asked Cecil, falling into step beside him. A few paces ahead, Palom and Porom decimated a zombie. "After Damcyan, we journeyed to Fabul…" Cecil began. "The Red Wings attacked and stole their crystal, along with kidnapping my best friend. Troia's crystal must be protected now, but the only way to reach the damn place is by airship, so we planned to sail to Baron and steal one. However, we were attacked again…"

"The Red Wings?"

"No, Leviathan, if I remember its name correctly."

Tellah's mouth was an 'O' of surprise. "I see! So this is why the little girl and the prince aren't with you."

"Yes…I'm sure they're dead, but I cannot dwell on it when I have such an important task at hand."

"You're quite right," Tellah nodded. "It's sad, but these things happen. Such a shame though…"

Cecil nodded sullenly and continued onwards, lapsing into silence and catching up with the twins. As usual, Porom was in the process of whacking her brother. "Stop hissing!" she cried.

"I told you, I'm not doing anything!" he protested.

"What's going on?" Cecil sighed in exasperation.

"Palom is making stupid noises. There, he did it again!"

"My mouth didn't move!" Palom yelled. Tellah approached, looking a little worried.

"I heard it as well," he said. "It seems to be coming from the summit."

Cecil's hand immediately went to his sword. He had struggled somewhat climbing the mountain due to the swarming undead being immune to his attacks, but with mages on hand the overall trip had been fairly easy. The twins wielded enormous power with their spells and could even simultaneously cast, but it involved a lot of Cecil darting to and fro, cutting away the zombies that approached as they prepared their lengthy spells. His head jerked up as this time the hissing also reached his ears, and true to his word, Palom was completely silent, picking a dried bit of dirt off his rod absently. "Be prepared for anything," Cecil murmured, moving closer to the summit. "Does anybody need healing? It would be best to save your energy."

"I have these," Porom offered, giving a Hi-Potion to everyone. "I ran out of Ether, but I think we'll be okay."

"Right." Cecil drained his offered Potion and wiped his lips. "Let's head for the summit then." They began moving again, and at the very top Cecil could see what looked like a headstone of some description, just across a wooden bridge. Tellah frowned, stopping suddenly. "I sense an evil presence," he murmured. The hissing noises picked up, getting louder. Porom gripped Cecil's hand in an uncanny fashion, she was usually so brave. "What's happening?" she whispered as their surroundings darkened and a hunched figure appeared on the bridge, blocking their way and bringing with it a foul, rotting stench. "Ugh," Palom groaned, holding his sleeve over his mouth. Cecil drew his sword and pointed it at the giggling figure. "Who are you?" he demanded.

"I am Sssscarmiglione," the figure lisped, "firsssst of the Archfiendssss..."

"Did Golbez send you?" Tellah asked, cracking his knuckles.

"That'ssss for me to know, and for you to find out," Scarmiglione laughed. He clicked a finger, and suddenly a horde of zombies congregated behind him. Instinctively Cecil struck at Scarmiglione with his blade, pleased to see he could deal at least some damage to him. Palom and Tellah flung fire spells at the zombies, pushing them back while Porom danced around to avoid their attacks, chanting non-stop to provide constant healing. In no time, the zombies were nothing more than dusty ribbons on the floor, and they could concentrate on Scarmiglione, who hissed in distaste and rushed at Cecil. He knocked him back with a powerful sword thrust and threw himself to the side to protect Tellah, who was weakened and struggling to remain on his feet. "Porom!" he yelled, and she complied with a rapid-fire healing spell, revitalising him.

"Take that!" Palom launched a powerful fire spell, which smote Scarmiglione on the side; the beast howled and toppled to the ground, writhing until he disappeared. "Ha!" Palom laughed. "He stood no chance!"

"I don't like this," Cecil muttered, sheathing his sword. "How does Golbez know where we are?"

"Come on!" Tellah urged. "We're almost there! Just a few more steps and-"

"Foolssss…you will join me in the underworld!"

"Not again!" Porom cried, then gave a yelp as she was butted forcefully to the ground by a monstrous form bearing massive tusks. "This must be its true guise!" Cecil yelled, pulling his sword out, but the surprise attack had taken its toll almost immediately; Tellah had been so shocked by Scarmiglione's reappearance that he tripped and as he struggled to get up he was gored by one of the mammoth tusks; he fell down again, unconscious. Porom ran to help him as Palom screamed out incantations one after the other. "Breathe thissss," Scarmiglione hissed, "and walk as the undead!" A green-purple of swirling mist erupted forth from his body, cloaking the party in the choking fumes. Tellah rose to his feet, but his skin had taken on a green tone and his eyes were blank. "He's been turned into a zombie!" Cecil groaned.

"Cool!" laughed Palom. He dug in his belt and threw a bottle at his sister. "Holy water, throw that on him!"

"I got it!" She opened the bottle and threw the contents over Tellah, then cast a healing spell on him. "Are you okay?" she asked the sage worriedly.

"I'm fine," he replied, pushing his sleeves back and throwing fire spells at Scarmiglione. "Tend to Cecil, Porom!" For Cecil had fallen to his knees, seriously injured. His attacks were all but useless against Scarmiglione and he had been gored repeatedly. His face was covered in blood from where one of the tusks had gouged a lump of flesh out of his cheek. Porom flung herself out of the way of an attack and chanted quickly, healing Cecil's wounds. "Thanks," he gasped, rising again and feeling another healing spell from Tellah seep into him. "I'm sorry I can't help much…"

"It's fine!" Porom yelled over the repeated hissing noises. She flung more healing spells, this time at Scarmiglione. They burned into his flesh and he screamed, thrashing wildly and knocking Palom over. "What's your problem?" he snorted, burning him with a fire spell combined with Tellah's. This did it, and Scarmiglione lay still, vanquished for good.

"Phew!" Cecil looked down at his sword and wrinkled his nose at the greenish blood that covered it. He retrieved a cloth from inside his armour and wiped it clean while the mages caught their breaths. "That was certainly a challenge."

"I'm not sure I like being turned into a zombie very much," Tellah muttered, brushing down his robes. "Thank goodness for the twins being able to help."

"Indeed." Cecil moved towards the headstone-like structure and touched it, frowning. "I wonder what this could be…" Under his touch, the stone seemed to ripple slightly.

*...~...*

A low voice emanated from the stone. "My son, I…"

Cecil jumped back and stared incredulously. Another beast? "Just who are you?" he demanded as the party ran to his defence. The world shimmered, and they found themselves in a large mirrored chamber. The twins looked utterly perplexed at the many reflections of themselves, but Tellah's face betrayed nothing. "I will help you," the mystery voice said. "In doing so, my pain will only grow, but…there is no other way. Take this sword, and receive the holy power!"

Cecil couldn't stop himself stepping forward; a glimmer above him made him look up so fast he cricked his neck. A blade was descending from the ceiling, though how, nobody knew. Cecil reached out a hand, waiting patiently…eventually his hand closed around the hilt…there was a blinding flash of light.

Palom, Porom and Tellah gasped. Cecil was still garbed in his dark armour, but they instantly knew there was a change about him. He stood taller, gripping the sword with practised skill. He brushed mailed fingers over the blade, reading an inscription set into it. "Now, my son…" the voice said, "you must fight against the dark knight you swore to overcome!" Cecil moved closer to the mirrored walls and frowned at his reflection; the very same reflection stepped out of the mirrors and raised its sword. "Cecil!" Tellah cried, hurrying forward, but Cecil blocked his way with a sweep of his sword. "No! This is a fight for me and me alone." The dark knight slashed wildly, but Cecil knew in his heart that he was not to fight back. He felt a sudden warmth in his body, and he realised he was able to cast white magic. He pressed his hand against his cheek, where he had just been cut, and murmured a chant that he had heard Tellah say, pleased to feel the skin knitting back together. Replenished, he blocked the numerous attacks, but not once did he retaliate. Finally this had the desired effect, and the dark knight fell to his knees, fading away. Cecil lowered his sword, panting. The twins cried out with joy and rushed to embrace Cecil, who just stared at the ground in shock. "Hey, you did it!" Palom said. "What's up?"

Cecil blinked. "I...I'm not sure." He pulled off his helmet and threw it aside, then began unfastening the rest of his armour. The black metal fell to the floor with loud clangs until Cecil was left in just his leather undergarments. Reaching for his pack (they had taken turns carrying it, and Tellah had had it before they entered the chamber), he flipped the top open and pulled out the many pieces of armour he had bought from Mysidia, starting to fasten it. He was a little confused, as it was so different from what he was used to, but it was lighter than his previous armour and felt like it fitted better. The spiked pauldrons went on next, to be finished by a white and blue cloak that flowed down his back. Cecil looked into the many mirrors and gasped. Never again would he be the knight that people feared, judged because of the visor over his face. Now, he appeared righteous, confident. He couldn't help but smile.

"Here...you forgot this," Porom said, holding out a blue headband. Cecil chuckled and slipped it on, completing the full ensemble. "You look wonderful," the twins said at the same time.

"Thank you..." Cecil turned around, then frowned, noticing that Tellah was rooted to the spot, his eyes closed tight and lips moving in a soundless murmur. "Tellah, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly. "Is there-"

"I remember!" the old man cried. "My spells, I remember them now! And...somehow...that light, it broke the spell upon Meteor! Fortune has indeed smiled upon us today! I discover Meteor, and you become a Paladin!" He laughed merrily and clapped his hands. "Let us be off then!" The sage hurried off out of the chamber, still laughing. Palom began to leave also, but his sister tapped him on the shoulder and whispered urgently in his ear. Palom nodded, then turned back to Cecil, who was examining the inscription upon his blade again. "Um, Cecil...we need to tell you something."

"Yes," Porom chipped in. "You see, we-"

Tellah came back in, looking frustrated. "What are we waiting for? Come on!"

The twins sighed, shook their heads, then followed Tellah out, calling for Cecil to follow. The new Paladin took one last look at himself in the mirrors. "The light...why did it call me...son?"