Author's Note:

Meijin Lightus: Don't worry, I will. I need to start planning what Sparrow's going to do to her now, any ideas?

Baby Mama Valkyria: Um...I was able not to get myself killed during a first run of the Crucible. Then again, I did use the cheat way of getting a lot of gold, buying a load of houses so I get a lot of money then spend most of that on master weapons and a lot of potions. Yeah, that was a really quick run through of the crucible. And if your best friend was a hero and could obviously win, wouldn't you bet on them? I know I would.

Anyway, Well, there is a slight development in this chapter. I decided to bring it in now, just to make the time at the spire more painful for everyone. Your welcome XD. Oh, and a little interesting dream scene. I hope you enjoy this chapter and read and review.

Chapter 26 – The truth of the crucible.

"Well, I got nothing." Sparrow re-joined her friends. "But got this gun, so it can't be all bad. How about you guys."

"Well, I found out who's building the place and how they got there." Walter said

"I found out how they are recruiting guards." Edward told her

"I found out what the spire is." Hammer smiled, Sparrow looked at her.

"Then, how about we go to the bar and discuss it." Sparrow smiled.

Sparrow got some drinks in, they then seated themselves in the corner away from everyone else. Sparrow listened to each piece of information her friends gave her, and by the end of it, she was looking into her drink thoughtfully.

"So, I just need to be the crucible. Get tot eh Spire, find Garth, get him out of there. There would probably be a ship coming in every month. Got to be careful because the fact the spire is a weapon." Sparrow said, she sighed. "That's the plan then."

"You sure. I am pretty sure I could get through the crucible too." Hammer said

"No, I would rather prefer it if you were safe here. Or, well, at Homestead. I'll inform Reaver to head there once things are in motion." Sparrow smiled. "I am not going to let Lucien get anyone else."

"Just, promise you'll be okay." Hammer frown. Sparrow smiled at the look in her eyes and nodded.

"Cross my heart." Sparrow smiled, drawing a X over her heart. "anyway, how told you the spire was a weapon?" She frowned lightly.

"No idea. A man, obvious, I could tell his voice. But, he wore this huge cloak, and had is face hidden. So, I couldn't tell you what he looked like." Hammer looked at her apologetically.

"It's fine. Its just a little weird for someone to know what it is… I wonder who they were." Sparrow muttered.

"Well, either way. You should go up to the crucible tomorrow." Edward said.

"Yeah, But, I am thinking maybe I should get some training in before I go, just to make sure. I don't know long I'll be there, and I want to make sure everything is tied up here before I go." Sparrow told them.

"Well, I am sure you won't be too long. Besides, I am sure we could help out around the kingdom whilst you are away." Hammer smiled "It will save you from worrying too much, when you are worrying so much about Garth."

"You guys wouldn't mind doing that?" Sparrow asked. "I mean, taking care of Albion, and I mean the whole of it. From Bloodstone to Bowerstone?"

"Well, we could easily station ourselves in different towns.

"I can deal with Oakfield." Hammer smiled.

"Well, I would like to check out bloodstone." Edward muttered.

"No, you wouldn't." Walter advised him. Sparrow found herself laughing at them.

"Well, if you think you can handle it. I will be interested to see how Albion copes in your hands." Sparrow smiled. "Then again, I have never really looked after Albion in a way."

"Well, you are just by being here." Hammer said. "After all, the whole of Albion with benefit from your help in the long run."

"Our help. I would be lost without you guys. And let's be honest, you would be lost without me." Sparrow said

"We would be dead without you." Walter chuckled. "Last time we will make that mistake."

"Well, I guess we should try and find a place to stay the night." Sparrow yawned.

"Well, we could sleep just outside the town, in the shade of trees. We could also take it in turns to keep watch." Walter suggested

"Sounds good." Hammer nodded. The friends headed out of the town and in to the wooded area nearby. Edward volunteered for first watch. Sparrow fell asleep rather easily, easily drawn into the land of dreams.

Sparrow found herself on a farm, she looked around. The sounds and smell seemed so real and so familiar. She saw a young girl running after some birds, her eyes widened. Rose? Young rose was laughing, a man came up behind her and lifted her up.

"Daddy!" Rose laughed, Sparrow looked at the man. Her eyes widened, that was their father? She knew there was an obvious relation, she shared his red hair, she couldn't see his eyes properly. "You're back!" Rose hugged the man.

"Of course, I promised, didn't I? Have I ever broken my promises?" He asked

"No, but mama is always saying…" Rose began, the man stopped her.

"Rose, will you listen to this old man?" The man smiled

"You're not old daddy. But, okay." Rose nodded.

"No matter what happens. I will always find my way here. I will not fall to any monster I face, nor to any bad guys who want me gone. I will always come home." He told her. "so, never stop believing in me okay?"

"Okay Daddy!" Rose nodded.

The dream suddenly changed, Sparrow found herself in a room, a nursery. The man was holding a baby. Sparrow approached to get a better look at the child and gasped. There was no mistaking it, it was her as a baby.

"Manu! What are you doing?" A woman stormed in. glaring up at him.

"I am holding my daughter." Manu looked back at her startled and somewhat confused.

"You've already tainted Rose with ideas of adventuring, I will not allow to do the same to Sparrow." The woman demanded.

"They are my children too!" Manu raised his voice ever so slightly. "They share the heroic blood I have! If I had not been on an adventure, if I followed your ideals, you would be dead, remember?" The woman stopped.

"They are young girls, girls shouldn't be out fighting!" She said

"Why shouldn't they? They are as able bodied as any man. I would rather have them prepared to fight and protect themselves, rather them only knowing how to take care of a house." Manu told her.

"You are hopeless. I am warning you now! You need to stop this heroic nonsense. It's not real!" The woman stormed out of the room. Sparrow watched her, that was their mother. She looked at Manu, who was baby her tight. Baby her looked up at him.

"Listen to me, little Sparrow. One day, you too will take flight. No one will hold you down." He smiled slightly. "You will fly higher than me, higher then Rose. You are special little Sparrow, and one day, the whole of Albion will see how special you are."

"Dadadaada!" Baby sparrow giggled, Manu looked down at her proudly, Sparrow looked at his eyes, the greeny blue orbs were dancing with tears.

"Dad…" Sparrow whispered….

Sparrow bolted up right, Hammer was now keeping watch. The hero of strength looked back at her friend.

"You okay Sparrow?" She asked.

"Don't know…" Sparrow got up and joined her. "Had two pretty weird dreams."

"Want to talk about them?" Hammer asked

"It was about my family. I saw my sister, and my dad and my mom. My dad was hero, just like me…my mom didn't believe in heroes. She blamed him for tainting Rose for making her dream of adventure…" Sparrow sighed. "They lived on a farm, I want to find it, when I save Garth. I want to find my parents. I want to know what happened to us."

"I will join you, I will stick by you forever Sparrow." Hammer smiled, when Sparrow looked at her, Hammer blushed and looked away.

"Are you okay?" Sparrow asked, slightly confused by her reaction.

"Yeah…I…I'm just fine." She looked up at the night sky.

"You sure, you look embarrassed." Sparrow pointed out.

"I…" Hammer stopped and sighed. "Can I tell you something? But, just promise to think of me any differently after okay?"

"Sure, I promise." Sparrow nodded

"I really admire you Sparrow, you seem so…relax and calm all the time, you're not afraid by monster running at you from all sides. You faced that White Balverine all alone. I really like you Sparrow…" Hammer looked away. "As in like like you. But, I have no idea if I am that way, because I know I have fancied boys before." Sparrow chuckled.

"There is being bisexual Hammer, meaning you like guys and girls. But, why would you think I would think of you differently after you told me that?" Sparrow frowned.

"I guess I am afraid. I don't want to ruin our friendship." Hammer muttered "I didn't want to destroy our friendly bond with my stupid emotions…" Sparrow looked at the older hero, reading her face, before smiling.

"Well, Friendship and relationship are a lot alike." Sparrow looked up at the sky. Hammer took her turn to look at sparrow, surprised to see a smile on her face. "They both involve a type of love. Both can drive each other mad, but still care for them. You are pretty cool Hammer, and you're pretty cute when your blushing." She added grinning at Hammer, Hammer blushed and punched Sparrow's arm playfully. They both laughed.

"would you give it a try?" Hammer asked. "Being in a relationship with me? I have never dated before, but it would be worth a try…right?" Sparrow smiled.

"don't see why not. This doesn't mean you'll try and stop me from going the spire, again right?" Sparrow asked

"No, but, I will wait for you. No matter how long it takes…just before careful." Hammer said

"Sure thing." Sparrow moved closer to the hero of strength and wrapped her arm around her. They leant against each other. Reaver trotted over and lay at their feet, her tail wagging slowly.