Hello there! Welcome back to the story. Currently, we are sheltering Jack Moschet as he hides from his snake of a wife.

Jack: Help me. ;_;

Well, other than that, not much is goin' on. So let's get on with it.

In this chapter, as I promised a large update, the gang is going to travel all the way into Veo Lu. Hurrah!

So, other than that, not much, but a lot of things are-

Maggie: JACK! WHERE ARE YOU!?

Well, it's been great, but I've really gotta run! *flees with Jack*

000000000000000000000000000000

"GOD DAMNIT, SON OF A GOBLIN!" shouted Garrett painfully.

Lianora sighed sympathetically. "Did you twist your ankle AGAIN?"

Garrett nodded, his eyes burning with rage and embarrassment. While he had been training with his spear, the Lilty had twisted his ankle. A day later, he kept twisting it, as he refused to sit in the caravan and rest.

"That's what happens when you don't know when to quit," Creston explained logically. Garrett shot him a glare.

"Oh shut up, metal head," snarled the Lilty.

"Oh will ya both stop?" said Ray up ahead of them. The Selkie was walking far in front of the caravan. It was hard to see what he was doing up there.

Lia suddenly snapped her gaze towards him, and eyed him like a hawk. "Ray," she said sharply.

"What?" he asked, running a hand absently through his hair.

"Give me the alcohol."

"What alcohol?"

"The one hidden in your shirt that you're drinking through a straw."

Swearing and cursing fluently under his breath, Ray walked back to Lia and handed her the bottle. Sam looked at him and sighed.

"Ray, just give us all the liquor you have," said Sam wearily, rubbing his forehead. With an aggravated sigh, Ray opened his bag, and pulled out the contents. It turned out that the Selkie had stocked up after the gang had stayed for a night in Marr's Pass.

"How'd you manage to get that?" asked Star incredulously. "You're not old enough to buy alcohol. You're only what…19…20?"

Mika let out a laugh. "What makes you think he bought it?"

Creston let out a contemptuous snort. "Not unlike a Selkie."

Both Selkies glared at him. Creston gave them a skeptical look.

"Don't deny it," he said sternly.

As Nieta listened to beginnings of a chaotic day, she looked out on the horizon. It truly was a great experience when you thought about it, travelling the world with your companions (no matter how much they argued with each other). They got to explore the world, when every other person had to stay in the crystal's protection.

It was something that few people experienced in a lifetime.

As she looked ahead, towards the miasma stream that led to the Vale of Alfitaria, Nieta caught something in her sight. From a distance, it looked like a caravan. She strained her eyes and squinted as they moved closer. She saw three bodies on the ground.

"Guys! Look over there!" the Lilty shouted. Instantly, Star and Sam were by her side.

"Looks like trouble, let's go," said Sam. Everyone else nodded simultaneously.

00000000000000000000000000000

As the caravan screeched to a halt next to the bodies, the caravanners recognized them as the Marr's Pass caravan.

Star gasped. "What happened?"

"Oh…hey…," said one of the Lilties in a tired voice. He was lying on his stomach.

"What happened?" demanded Nieta, her eyes wide with astonishment.

"We sorta ran into the Black Knight," explained a female Lilty.

"Who's that Black Knight?" asked Creston, curiously.

"You don't know?" asked Garrett.

Everyone was amazed. For once, Garrett knew something Creston didn't.

"The Black Knight is one of the greatest warriors that is still alive to this day," explained Garrett. "He's a Lilty who dresses in black armor. That's how he got his name."

"Well, I wanted to see how good he was," explained the Lilty lying on his stomach. "So I challenged him."

"He was…completely berserk…," said the third Lilty. "He just ran at us shouting something."

"And he did this to you?" asked Lia. "My goodness…that boy has his work cut out for him…I wonder if he'll be able to go through with his plan."

"What boy?" asked Star.

"Well you see, while the three of you were at Tida…"

0000000000FLASHBACK0000000000000

Lianora was walking through Alfitaria, when she almost walked into a boy with a spear.

"Watch out!" shouted the child.

"I'm sorry," apologized Lianora, always eager to appease someone.

"It's okay," said the boy. "Just be careful. Don't get in the way of my training."

Lia was interested. "What are you training for?" she asked.

"The Black Knight killed my father," said the boy, hatred in his voice. "And I'm going to get revenge. I, Leon Esla, will avenge my father!"

00000000000000FLASHBACK END000000000000000000

"That's no plan; that's suicide," said Creston, rolling his eyes.

"Way to crush a kid's dream," said Garrett, giving Creston a glare.

"Oh yes- a child wanting to murder a vicious swordsman and become a great warrior. Must remind you of yourself," theorized Creston scathingly.

Garrett roared in rage, and was quickly restrained by Sam and Ray.

"Well…here," said Star, digging in her bag. "We'll help you out and treat your injuries, okay? It must hurt…"

"Thanks," muttered one of the Lilties.

As Star treated the wounded Lilties, Sam drew the group close together.

"What do you think?" asked the Clavat.

"I think the roads seem a lot more dangerous now," said Ray grimly. Creston nodded in agreement.

"We'll be fine," said Lia, although she sounded as though she was convincing herself as much as the others. "We'll just have to be a bit more wary."

Everyone else murmured their agreement, although they weren't entirely convinced that they would be alright.

0000000000000000000000000000000000

After a brief trip to the Mine of Cathuriges and changing the chalice's element to fire, the group arrived at the miasma stream.

As they walked through, fire rained from above from time to time. The caravanners were careful not to get singed.

Star was walking next to Sam, while Mika, Nieta, and Lia walked together, with all of them keeping an eye on Ray, who was a bit further back in the stream. Garrett and Creston walked on complete opposite sides of the trail.

Star looked around uneasily. "I still haven't got used to these things"

Sam smiled at her reassuringly. "Hey, don't worry, we've gotten through here before, and we will again." He offered her a hand. "You can hold my hand if it makes you feel better."

Star blushed and took his hand, which did not go unnoticed by the group of girls nearby. Mika snickered, while Lia and Nieta went "Aw!"

"Look at those two," said Mika, the smirk still on her face. "They're just a cute couple waiting to happen."

"It's so romantic," gushed Nieta.

"Yeah, if only you and Garrett could get your feelings out," commented Lia. "And as for you, Mika, we all know that your eyes are all over Ray."

"Because I know the idiot is gonna try and sneak some alcohol down his throat," said Mika, rolling her eyes.

"Denial," said Lia and Nieta at the same time.

"No, denial is what Lia does when someone she likes Creston," said Mika.

"Let's change the subject," said Lia quickly.

"What are you guys talking about?" asked Sam, curiosity in his voice.

"What, we can't have a little girl talk?" asked Nieta.

"Girl talk? Hang on I'll be there in a minute!" shouted Star across the miasma stream. She ran away from Sam over to the girls.

Sam felt rather disgruntled. "Great," he muttered. Ray gave him a sympathetic look.

"Oh, cheer up dude, you'll bring her around eventually," advised the Selkie. Garrett, who was nearby, came walking over, while Creston subconsciously eased closer to talk with the boys.

"You see Sam, girls are like cows," explained Ray.

"Did you just call Star a cow?" demanded Sam angrily.

"No! I was just using an example…okay, fine…animals…girls are like animals," Ray corrected himself hastily.

"This coming from you, wild boy," muttered Garrett. Ray gave him a glare, but then continued.

"Girls are like animals; they travel in packs…schools…uh…herds?"

"Groups," said Creston helpfully.

"Right!" said Ray. "So you see…until…uh…mating season…you're not going to be able to woo your mate."

Sam gave the Selkie a blank look. "What?"

Creston sighed. "He's saying that you won't be able to win over Star until the right moment, so for now, just let her hang with the girls."

"Oh. Wait, how do you know I like Star? And why couldn't you just say that in the first place instead of talking about animals?" asked Sam, trying not be embarrassed.

"Your feelings for Star are so obvious, even Garrett's noticed," said Ray. Garrett muttered a curse at the Selkie.

"You didn't answer the second question. Why couldn't you just keep it simple?"

"Simple isn't my style," said Ray smoothly, his classic smirk returning to his face.

'Looks like Ray's feeling better,' thought Garrett darkly. 'Asshole.'

00000000000000000000000000000000000000

The Tipa caravan travelled across the Vale of Alfitaria as the sun set in the evening sky. But little did they know, they were being watched from behind the trees.

"Alright then…," whispered Bal Dat, the leader of the Striped Brigands. "We've got them right where we want them. Understood?"

"Yes sir!" said Meh Gaj.

"Hey, kupo," said Artemicion. "I just realized something."

"Oh yeah?" said Bal Dat. "What?"

The striped moogles sighed. "I want to be a star. I want to be a light in the sky and guide others and shine down upon people."

"Wow…just wow…," muttered the elderly Selkie.

"Are you speechless with emotion, kupo?"

"No, we're dumbfounded by your stupidity," said Bal Dat harshly. "Now shut up! Here they come! Get in position!"

As the caravan reached a fork in the road, the thieves made their move.

Artemicion and Meh Gaj both jumped in front of each path at the fork. Bal Dat, meanwhile, stood behind the caravan, blocking any escape.

"Alright then!" shouted Bal Dat. "Hand over all your valuables if you want to leave here!"

Creston, who was currently at the helm, tried to assess the situation calmly. Star came up to him.

"What do we do?" asked Star. Creston just shook his head.

"You're not getting past me!" shouted Meh Gaj.

"I don't know…but I don't think we should fight them…," thought Creston out loud.

"For the love of…," muttered Ray. Then a devious smile formed on his face. He ran forward and pushed Creston out of the way.

"Move over, helmet head, let me handle this!" yelled the Selkie, his smile making him look slightly crazed.

"What are they doing, kupo?" asked Artemicion to Meh Gaj. Then Ray flicked the reins.

Immediately, the papopotamus rushed forward. It charged towards the moogles and knocked him out of the way, sending him into the sky.

Ray, meanwhile, still cackling, led the caravan away down the path. His laughter was loud, gleeful, but slightly maniacal. But it told every Tipa caravanner one thing.

Ray was back!

Meanwhile, at the fork in the road, the two Selkie bandits stared at the sky.

"And so, he became a star," commented Meh Gaj.

"Big time," said Bal Dat.

((Author's Note: I don't know the proper spelling of the creature that pulls the caravan (Papopotamus-thing). If anyone knows, please tell me how to spell it right. Thanks!))

00000000000000000000000000000000

And so we are done with another chapter. Hurrah!

Favorite Parts: The Boy/Girl talks in the miasma stream, and the Striped Brigands scene. But I also have two quotes I would like repeat here because I love them.

((1). "GOD DAMNIT, SON OF A GOBLIN!" shouted Garrett painfully.))

((2). "That's no plan; that's suicide," said Creston, rolling his eyes.

"Way to crush a kid's dream," said Garrett, giving Creston a glare.

"Oh yes- a child wanting to murder a vicious swordsman and become a great warrior. Must remind you of yourself," theorized Creston scathingly.

Garrett roared in rage, and was quickly restrained by Sam and Ray. ))

I'm sorry Garrett, but Creston owned you with that one. XD

So I built up the plot a tad bit more. Black Knight. Go him. And I even included little Leon Esla. Murderous little brat.

As for the Striped Brigands…I included that purely for the humor value.

Romance appears. If you haven't noticed, I kept it within the same race. There are little hints in there. DON'T WORRY! I am NOT going to start focusing on romance more than action! I hate fics that start out good, but become a soap opera.

Sam and Star are being flirty, Garrett and Nieta don't know a thing about love, Mika's in denial, while Ray flirts with her without shame. And Creston and Lia…well…tiny spoiler, they're the last couple to get together, so…they won't be touched upon TOO much until later.

NEXT CHAPTER: Veo Lu Sluice. The source of water for the Jegon River. The caravan faces its toughest dungeon yet. Can they cope with griffins, toads, and the sinister, clever, Lizardmen?

Creston: And I finally get to request a review. Joy. So review, please. *turns to Garrett* That's how you ask for a review.

Garrett: YOU TRYIN' TO START SOMETHING!?