"Geezes!", Duran shouted as he jumped out of the way for a Firedrake that was furiously spitting fire breath their way. Silver nearly cut its head off, before being caught off guard by another Ninja. "Look out, here comes!", Duran said as he jumped in and hit both the little lizard and the shadowy figure of the ninja. Both collapsed, clearing the road. Angela shivered, but with a smile on her face.

"I know a new spell!", she said. "And, what's better, it's one of Undine! I should make short work of those Firedrakes with this!"

"Let's hope so…", Duran muttered under his breath as they walked the narrow path that led them past countless lava pits, through a landscape that wavered in front of them - the Valley of Flames, home to Salamando. "I damn nearly lost my sword last time!"

"Aw, come on, Duran, I'll buy you a new sword once we get back, 'kay?", Silver said. "Now, which way, Hawk?", she asked the ninja that led them.

"Just follow the path…", he said as the three Heroes took care of their wounds. The path winded down a small hill that seemed to be made out of some glassy substance, since the paths were slippery at times. Another Firedrake was waiting for them, as was a Dark priest. Angela grinned and started casting.

"Undine, spirit of the wintry land of Altena, guardian of frost and snow, hear me now! Let your mighty hail fall down on those that mean us harm, let the cold of the true winter enter their hearts and freeze their souls. May your frost be our means to vanquish this evil… Ice Smash!" Immediately, large pieces of ice materialised, falling down on the Firedrake - the Dark Priest was being taken care of by Silver's "Blade Illusion", as she called it. After the cold subsided, there was no more trace of the lizard. Angela grinned. "Okay, Hawk, where should we go now?"

"There should be a golden Goddess statue just around the corner." And indeed, there were no monsters in sight around the corner, only a golden statue of the Mana Goddess at which they healed up and recorded their name. Silver sighed as she felt the soothing wave of energy wash through her, but her sigh turned into a gasp as she saw movement ahead of them.

"Come on, they're nearly at the Stone!", she said as she rushed off, followed by the others. But the sight of it halted her: Isabella held a knife to Jessica's throat. The two women stood on the other side of a bridge: one looking desperate - her eyes filled with tears that slid down her cheeks when she saw Hawk - and the other having a devilish smile.

"Ahahaha…", Isabella's laughter resounded through the searing air. "Don't come near me, or she'll die… not like she won't die eventually… AhahahahahaaaaaAAAAAH!" The laughter suddenly ended in a shriek of pain: the woman dropped the dagger and grasped her shoulder, in which a dart was lodged. Hawk rushed over to Jessica, picked her up and carried her back to the others. Isabella looked over to the group in disgust, noticing she had been caught off guard by Nikita. "You!", she shouted, "You miserable…"

"You've lost, Isabella.", he said, which caused the woman to chuckle.

"Ha… "Isabella", what a dumb name… My name is Bigieu, dear deceived boy, also known as the "Beautiful Beast"… And I've not lost!" Bearing a truly evil smirk, they saw her walk away slowly in the direction of the stone.

"Salamando!", Silver exclaimed as she ran off.

"Nikita…", Hawk started as he saw Duran and Angela follow her.

"Go, Hawk, I'll take care of her. I'll bring her to Deen, okay?" Hawk quickly nodded before speeding off, following the others. Meanwhile, Silver found the distance between her and the Mana Stone of Fire rapidly closing, but she also found that Bigieu was way ahead of her. She heard a rushing sound as she edged her way over the narrow path leading over a raging pit of fire, and saw what she hadn't dared dream of seeing. The Stone was opened, and its energy sparkled off it in the purest waves.

"What have you done to Salamando?", she asked the ninja warlock, drawing her sword, as did Duran, who followed her, and Hawk, who had just arrived.

"Salamando? Nothing, nothing at all… You're too late, Heroes, the Stone's energy has been released! It's a pity, however, that your saving my prisoner forced me to use Bill and Ben's soul to open the way, but the sacrifice of their life alone wasn't enough for me… Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go… ta-ta… ahahahahaha…" Bigieu vanished slowly, as did her laughter, although it continued to resound in the ears of the four friends. Silver sank to her knees, and banged her fists onto the stone platform over which the Mana Stone of Fire floated. Hawk, too, sank to his knees in defeat, although he didn't feel angry with himself like Silver did. Duran knew she felt she had let everyone, including herself, down: he walked up to her and sat down next to her, saying nothing out loud but instead speaking to her in their minds.

"Silver, you did your best. Don't blame yourself!"

"How can I not? I should've…"

"You should've done nothing, missy!", a voice sounded from out of nowhere. A jolt of flames rose from below them up to the height of the Stone, but where the rest of the flames died out, a few lingered, and slowly a face formed in the middle of them.

"Salamando?", Silver asked hesitantly. "Salamando, are you okay?"

"No I'm not!", he said, his voice filled with anger. "Opening my Stone without asking… Ooh, that just burns me up!", the fiery Elemental yelled as large fires erupted near him. "And the fact that she's evil really makes my blood boil!", he added as a wave of lava burst out around him. "But what's done, is done, and even I can't close the Stone again. Only the Mana Sword can do so. I take it that's why you guys came to see me, eh?" He scanned the four for a second, then added: "Two fairies, huh? Well, then count me in, both of you! I'll get you out of all those hot situations…", he added as he disappeared. Silver felt him say one more thing to her: "You're a regular temperamental Gladiator, you know that, missy?" She chuckled, nodding slowly as she rose to her feet again and followed the rest out.

"Nikita, how's she doing?", was the first thing Hawk asked as he entered the basement in which he and Nikita had hidden. Jessica lay silently in the one bed that they had, and Nikita was guarding her, occupying the chair next to the bed - but as soon as Hawk entered, he relinquished it to his friend.

"She's just fine, fell asleep in my arms… Let her rest, she'll recover allright." The cat-like face was graced with a funny-looking smile, and Silver involuntarily smiled as well. Hawk sighed and turned to the group.

"I don't know how to thank you… but can I ask one last favour? Stay here, in the village, instead of travelling further now." His eyes pleaded for them to do so.

"Okay…", Duran said, and Silver and Angela nodded. "Anything for a friend in need. Besides, it doesn't matter where we stay, inns are free today." He turned around and went back up, followed by Silver, who was still looking a bit pale. Angela stayed behind a while.

"Hawk… if you need me… You know you can wake me up. Oh, and here…", she said as she reached inside her satchel and took out a Poto Oil. "I took it from Silver, she won't notice. Two healers and none of them asked if they could heal her! Oh, and take this as well, for any illness she might have gotten.", she continued as she took several Stardust Herbs and Healing Herbs. With a smile, and after giving Nikita a hearty handshake, she went upstairs as well, heading to the inn for dinner.

Meanwhile, in the inn, Duran and Silver had a conversation of their own, using Angela's absence in their advantage.

"Duran, thanks for earlier… I nearly snapped again." She bowed her head. "Can you… I won't ask you to forgive me, but I'd be happy if you'd understand."

"What's there to understand?", Duran said as he drew her in for a hug, knowing that she needed no more than his being close to her. "You acted like I would have. There's nothing to forgive, since you made no mistake. I…" He hid his face in her hair, desperately trying to find her ear. "I love you, Silver, and things like that only make me love you more.", he whispered.

"I know you do, Duran…", she said, and deep in her heart she felt something settle. Could it be that I really am starting to love him back? The thought entered her mind before she could suppress it, and Duran looked up surprised. "I really am.", Silver said with a blush on her face. "I'm starting to love you back." Just when she had said that, Angela entered.

"You two keep ending up like that, and I'm going to make remarks…", she said while she went over to the table. "Or was this another "friendly" hug?"

"Yes, Angela, it was.", Silver said, reluctantly detaching herself from her friend. In her mind, she added: "At least, it started out like one, but ended up better…" She sent the thought to Duran, and he grinned. Angela raised her eyebrows and sighed.

"Well, don't make a habit of it… Now, what's for dinner?"

After dinner, exhaustion hit the three Heroes and they didn't waste much time going to sleep. Silver borrowed one of Duran's shirts, knowing it was suited as PJs - she mentally sent Duran a goodnight seeing as Angela had occupied the middle bed and sneaking over to him was virtually impossible. Sleep came easily for the Gladiator as she was totally worn out from the heat and the constant fighting, but her dreams weren't that easy…

She was standing on a cliff, watching silently - frozen, unable to speak or move - as Duran fell down lifeless right in front of her. Her heart ached as she saw herself kneel in front of him in that dream and take his cold hand in hers. His face, framed with blonde hair, was frozen on that shocked expression. And his blood was on her hands, as she desperately tried to heal the wound - but it was too late…

"Nooo!", she screamed as she sat up, dripping of sweat. She wiped her hair out of her eyes and saw that it was morning already - looking down upon herself, she decided to take a shower to get rid of the sticky feeling she had, plus she had to wash Duran's shirt, which was soaked. Stepping out of her bed, she noticed a large pile of stuff lying in front of her bed - and one in front of that of Duran and Angela. On top of the pile were ten long, tight-fitting nightgowns and a note.

"Thanks for your help. What would a man be without his friends? Greetings, Nikita, Hawk & Jessica Komyn Swift"

Greetings, my patient and faithful readers...

I apologise for the long wait and the rather dull ending of this chapter. There's better yet to come, since I did find time to type some new chapters. I'm currently working on chapter 63 (!), just so you know.

Greetings and until the next update...