CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

Wynn groaned as sharp light managed to get past the defenses of his eyelids. He weakly covered his eyes with an arm, then gasped in pain. He let the arm fall back, recalling the burn that Seron had given him. His eyes opened again, burning with a fierce intensity. Seron was nearby, and Wynn had to stop him!

Suddenly, Wynn heard a moan from nearby. He turned his head, and saw that it was Fami. She was more asleep than awake. He frowned as he saw her clutch her stomach. She had taken Seron's last desperate attack hard. She was wearing a loose-fitting gown, her tunic having been burnt clean through.

Wynn sat up, blinking, looking around the room. At one corner was the Cucco Lady, asleep in a chair next to Jier's cot. Jier hadn't been hurt as badly as some, but still needed some treatment. Also nearby were Tane and Shezarah. Tane, like Wynn, had been somewhat protected by his armor. Nerah and the Medicine Shop owner had passed out in their chairs, exhausted in their efforts to heal everyone. Some of the other injured, including Kesler, Greer, and Zaruu, were also still asleep. As far as Wynn could ascertain, he was the only one awake.

Not for long. Nerah stretched luxuriously, her mouth open wide in an immense yawn. She stood up, looking around, then headed for the door. She stopped as she saw Wynn sitting up. "Wynn, could you be a dear, and go to the Medicine Shop for me? We need some potions; I'll give you a list. I'm just worn out from staying up and all."

Wynn nodded, getting out of bed. He slipped his armor, complete with a large gaping hole that he noted with disgust and anger, over his tunic. He turned to her, then looked in the direction of the shop's owner who was still asleep. "Who'll be there?"

Nerah covered a yawn with her hand, writing the list of potions. "His cousin will be there, I'm sure."

Wynn nodded as he slipped on his boots. He took the list from her. "I'll be right back." He went out the door, and into the Kakarikian dawn. It seemed the entire town was still asleep, with no light but that of the rising sun.

He made his way across town towards the shop, his mind on one topic. Seron. Why, Seron had caused more trouble than he was worth! Wynn grimaced as he remembered the incident with the Tekititon army. And then there was his aid to Icarnos. And his partnership to the marauder leader, Deihawk. And his clash with Wynn in Ganon's Tower. And now, his attack on the windmill. It wasn't easy to get rid of the man, it seemed, but Wynn would find a way.

Wynn rapped on the door to the Medicine Shop, then waited. After no answer, he knocked again. After his only reply was silence, he sighed and turned away. It was fortunate he knew where the cousin was staying. He would pay him, or her, a visit, and then get the potions.

As he walked towards the house, he saw movement coming from it. Realizing it was probably the cousin, he hurried his pace. Then, he slowed. There were two figures coming out of the house. Both were all too familiar.

"YOU!"

******

"Chirp?"

Seron faced his monster in the darkness of the house, seeing it only by the light of the morning coming through the windows. "Quiet!" he hissed. "We don't want to wake her up!"

The monster looked to the girl, and back. It seemed to deflate, realizing they were leaving. And that meant more danger, for it and its master. Plus, they were leaving the nice girl behind.

Seron slipped on what was left of his armor, and picked up his sword, taking another bite out of the piece of bread he had swiped from the house's kitchen. "We'll never see her again!" he said smugly, yet paused at the door, looking at her sleeping figure. He was gone a moment later.

The two slipped out, Seron holding the book as if it were the only thing he possessed in the world. The two started on their way towards the exit of the village, heading for Hyrule Field. They weren't ten steps away from the house when they heard a shout.

"YOU!"

Seron whirled. "Blast!" he hissed under his breath. "Wynn!" he said, the smug smile returning. He casually tossed the book to his Tekiton.

Wynn leapt off the side of the stairs he had been coming down, landing near Seron with sword at ready. "Time to die, pal!"

"I'm afraid not! You see, I have a plan to retake what is mine, so I really must go. But perhaps you can do me a favor? DIE!" Seron waved his gauntleted right hand, and his dark lightning arced toward Wynn.

This time, Wynn was ready. The lightning rebounded off a barrier of Wynn's magic. "Seron, I'll make you pay for what you did to my friends!"

Seron's face grew into a snarl. "Pay? Pay! Ha! Wynn, you are the one that will pay! You are the one that stole everything I had from me!"

Wynn shook his head. "Oh, I did? Seron, you were a pawn! First for Icarnos, then for Ganon! They wouldn't have hesitated to kill you, after they were done with you! You were a fool to believe otherwise!"

Seron stepped back, his snarl falling away. He turned his back to Wynn for a moment, the whirled back, fury in his eyes. "Wynn, you will never beat me!" he swore.

Wynn looked into his eyes. "You won't ever beat me, either."

"Then let us see! A final battle! One must fall!"

Wynn nodded, charging his magic. "Seron, you once had a chance. You still might."

Seron laughed. "Me, a good guy? I think not, fool! I like being evil!"

"Too bad you're not good at it."

"If you were good at being a hero, maybe you could have saved Solan."

Wynn flinched. "Prepare to join the rest of your kind, villain."

"Same to you."

The two released their magic simultaneously. The beam of light cut through Seron's dark lightning, dispelling the other's shield of magic. Seron threw himself to the ground to avoid being blasted into oblivion. His lightning struck again, and again, as did Wynn's beams of light. The two were locked in a battle they had waited a long time for.

Finally Seron took a shot to the chest, falling to the ground. Wynn walked up to him, his sword pointing to Seron's chest. "It's over."

"Not hardly!" Seron waved a hand, and Wynn was shoved back. Seron leaped into the air, flying over Wynn's head and landing behind him. Wynn gasped as Seron's magic zapped him.

The two faced each other. Both were ready, and dead set on finishing it. They never got the chance. "There's the wizard!" came a shout, and soldiers ran for the duo. Seron clenched his fists in anger, and glared at Wynn.

"We finish this later!"

"Whenever you tire of life, apprentice!"

Seron turned, and ran away, Tekiton in tow. Wynn, exhausted, watched him go. Finally, as Seron disappeared from sight, Wynn turned, and walked away.

******

"It seems I was wrong about the powers of our friend Seron," said one dark figure to another. "He actually had half a chance against that one guy, Wynt or Wynn or whatever."

The other figure lowered the binoculars she had been using. "Not really. Another good shot, and Seron would have been dead."

The first figure arrogantly waved a hand. "It matters not. Seron is a mere pest, and Wynn and his friends have no chance against me. Soon, they shall see."

The second smiled. "And when you win…"

The first grinned evilly, placing a hand around her shoulders. "And when I win, Hyrule will be ours."

******

Jier sighed. "So, he got away again?"

Wynn nodded, his face dark. "The coward!" Jier growled.

Wynn shook his head, disbelieving. "I almost had him. He was weakening. If only…"

Fami sat down next to him, sliding her arm across his back in a comforting squeeze. "You did all you could."

"We have to finish the job," Tane stated, looking at the floor a short distance away from his seat on one of the cots.

Shezarah, carrying glasses of water for herself and Tane, walked over, joining the conversation. "Where will he go from here?" she asked, knowing instantly whom they meant.

"I don't know, but he had a plan. And, some kind of book. I don't know what it was; I didn't see it that well. But, it looked old."

Nerah nodded. "I seem to remember seeing a book hit him, after the explosion when you nearly blasted him." Seeing the flash of frustration on his face, she went on. "That must be where he got it from. But, what could it be, and why is it so important to him?"

Fami turned to Jier. "You've lived here all your life, do you know anything about any book that could be of importance?'

Jier stroked his chin, thinking about it. "Maybe. Just maybe. I know of a book of old Hylian talismans… The Sheikah hid it there, so we could guard it with our town. But, know that Seron has it… I don't know of anything important in it, though- Blast! The pendants!"

The others looked at him, curious and a tad alarmed. "Pendants?" Tane asked.

Jier stared off into space. "There is a legend of my people, the Sheikah… But, I had always thought it was just myth. But… If it isn't, and Seron knows about them, then we might be in serious trouble!"

Wynn sat back. "Tell us the myth."

Jier nodded. "Long ago, back in a time where magic ruled Hyrule and was both its greatest power and curse, three pendants were created. I don't know their original purpose, but they had an aura of power to them. There were three, one for each piece of the Triforce. Courage. Wisdom. Power. They had no known effect, save one. In that same era, three crowns were created. They corresponded to the pendants. If a person had both the pendant and crown of a kind, that attribute would be multiplied in them hundredfold. However, these items were deemed too powerful, and were hidden away. They were never destroyed, I doubt they could be."

Fami shuddered. "If Seron gets his hands on all of them…"

Jier shook his head. "It wouldn't matter. A person can only use one pair at the time. He could only have the Pendant of Courage and Crown of Courage, or the Pendant of Wisdom and Crown of Wisdom, and so on. But, with even one of them, he could be an unstoppable force."

Wynn rose to his feet. "Then it is up to us to stop him!"

Tane stood up too. "We'll get him, Wynn."

Jier frowned. "My mother, Impa, Sage of Shadow, will know more. I'll go speak to her now."

The other five watched their friend walk away. "I'm coming, too," Fami told Wynn.

"Not a chance! You're already hurt enough as it is!" Wynn informed her. She started to protest, but he held up a hand. "We'll come back in a couple of days. With the potions and the help of the Cucco Lady, you should be fine by then."

Fami sighed. "Alright. But be careful."

Wynn smiled. "You know me!"

"That's what I'm afraid of." Fami gave Wynn a quick kiss, then walked away, towards the Cucco Lady.

Nerah smirked at the couple then said, "I'm coming, whether you like it or not. You don't get rid of me that easy."

Tane laughed, then looked to Shezarah. "Well, in that case, I guess we're coming too."

Wynn nodded. "Then let's find Jier, and get going. The sooner as we finish this, the sooner we don't have to worry about Seron." He looked in the direction that Seron probably was. "And then, we finally get our chance to make him pay."

******

"Quit your griping! At least we are still alive!" Seron yelled. The Tekiton looked at him pitifully, still rubbing its growling stomach. It chirped at him, then turned its back. "I know we didn't have breakfast, or lunch, but shut up and let me read this, and I'll steal some food!" Satisfied, the Tekiton nodded, then walked away, probably looked for something to eat.

Seron sighed, leaning against a rock wall. They were in Hyrule Field, planning their next move. Seron had been furious after his conflict with Wynn, and hadn't gone far from Kakariko. The stairs leading into town were still visible, a short distance away.

Seron picked up the book lying next to him. "Hylian talismans, huh. Well, let's take a look!"

Casually flipping through the pages, he stopped at one, eyeing it curiously. An amazingly well-drawn picture depicted a battle. Two young men battled, one dressed in simple green and clutching a beautiful sword that seemed familiar to Seron, the other clad in black and wielding a cobalt-blue blade. Seron scratched his head as he read the description beneath the art. "The Master Sword and Dark Blade: symbols of the balance between Hyrule and Alteria?" He shrugged his shoulders, and continued flipping.

He opened the book to what seemed like a well-worn page. It had obviously been looked at more than the others. His eyes narrowed as he read a poem on the page.

In a realm beyond sight,

The sky shines gold, not blue.

There the Triforce's might,

Makes mortal dreams come true.

Seron laughed. "Oh, the Triforce, eh? No thanks, I already know what happened to Ganon after he went after that relic!" He flipped the page, searching for other possible schemes. His eyes widened as he read a passage. "Pendants? My, that sounds interesting! Hmm… Ha!"

His laugh startled the Tekiton, who was trying in vain to grab an apple out of a nearby tree. It turned to look at him, and noticed even from the distance the gleam in his eye. It shuddered. That look always meant trouble.

Seron waved for it to come to him. "Let's go! We have our destiny to fulfill!" He clenched his fist. "And a hero to kill!"

******

Jier stood at the entrance to the Shadow Temple. Near him was his mother, Impa of the Sheikah, and Sage of the Shadow Temple. She was a striking woman, lean and fit with shining silver hair, but not from age. She wasn't a young woman, but could take on several warriors half her age without breaking a sweat.

Jier nodded to his mother. "So, you see, Seron has the book. And with it, he could find about the Medallions, and the Crowns. And with them, he could cause no end of trouble!"

Impa nodded. "So, you want to know their locations, so you can stop him? This quest shall not be an easy one. The talismans are guarded."

Jier shook his head. "I doubt monsters shall stop Seron."

Impa's eyes lit with irony. "Son, you assume to much."

Jier looked ashamed. "Ah, so the guardians aren't monsters?"

Impa smiled. "Good, you see your mistake. No, indeed, the guardians are much less fearsome, but much more cunning. They are fairies."

Jier coughed into his hand. "Fairies?"

Impa frowned at her son. "Great Fairies. With magic much more powerful than the likes of you shall ever see. They are not dangerous, unless you cross them."

Jier gave her a questioning look. "But, then, what do they have to guard the talismans with?"

Impa sighed. "Riddles. Traps. Tricks. Mind games. Tests of power, courage, wisdom, and skill."

"So, it's not that easy, huh?"

"Trust me, son, it never is."

Jier smiled ironically. "So, where do we go to find the first one?"

Impa thought for a second. "Knowing Seron's lust for power, you're best bet would be Death Mountain, near the home of Biggoron. There is a small cave there that is home to the Great Fairy of Power. She shall present you with a task that shall test your physical stamina."

Jier nodded. "Thanks. We shall be on our way immediately."

Impa gave her son a slight smile. "May your quest be successful, my son."

"Farewell!"

Impa watched her son begin his walk back to the village of Kakariko, then slipped back into the shadows.

Jier met his friends at the home his mother once dwelled in, now his own. They were all ready, with armor on and weapons at hand, save Fami. She gave Wynn a goodbye kiss, then watched as the group of five heroes walked away.

Soon, they were on the Death Mountain Trail. Wynn smiled as he recalled the last time that this many of them had climbed this mountain. It had been right before they had found the ruins of the magic-users' fort, during the Icarnos quest. Wynn remembered how he had nearly been killed fighting the dragon, the Verr, inside the fort. They had believed Tane and Shezarah had been killed. It seemed so long ago.

He frowned as he remembered another time he had come up this mountain. It had been when he and Link, the Hero of Time, had come to Goron City to warn the Goron's of a dark invasion of monsters. Wynn had been forced to fight an old friend, Solan, on that trip, and had to watch as he was taken captive once again by the being he had only known then as the Assassin.

Wynn looked over to Jier. The other man was also deep in thought. It had been discovered later that the Assassin was actually Jier under Ganon's control, and the fearsome warrior known as the General had been Seron brainwashed by Ganon.

Seron. That name brought another flood of memories. Seron, fooling Wynn into believing the dark man would show him where his parents were. Seron, attacking Wynn at the Forest Temple. Seron, using his dark medallion to nearly blast Wynn into oblivion, and getting his hand mangled by its destruction. Seron, in his General's armor, nearly defeating Wynn, then Solan, only to fall when the two acted as a team.

Wynn sighed as he remembered Seron's words to him in Ganon's Tower, when Wynn had suggested Seron give up his evil ways and join the side of good. "I will always be evil, Wynn. You cannot save me, no one can." And then, at Kakariko only that morning, "Me, a good guy? I think not, fool! I like being evil!" Wynn shook his head slowly. There was good in Seron, he knew it! But, why wouldn't Seron realize it? Wynn looked up, towards the top of Death Mountain. He wouldn't lose another person to evil like he had lost Solan. If he could save Seron from himself, he would, or one of them would die in the attempt.

******

Seron cautiously peered around the corner of the house he was hiding behind. He almost smiled as he saw that the person he was hiding from hadn't noticed him yet. He was so close to the entrance to Death Mountain Trail he could see it, yet there was no way he could get past-

"Chirp?"

Seron sharply put a finger to his lips. "Shh, you imbecile! If Kiara sees us, then I'm toast!"

The Tekiton shrugged its shoulders. Suddenly, Seron noticed a shadow sliding over him. He whirled, and his heart sank as he saw the one person he had been looking to avoid walk towards him. He opened his mouth to explain, but mercifully the girl walked right past him, not noticing him in his rather absurd costume. She looked furious. The Tekiton saw her, and started towards her, waving its arm to get her attention, but Seron tackled it, sending both to the ground.

Seron stood, pushing himself off the complaining Tekiton, smiling as he saw that Kiara was past. He ripped off his fake mustache, and threw off the dirty brown cloak that he had bought from a passing man on the way. He started towards the trail, a bruised Tekiton following in his wake.

Once they reached the trail, Seron paused, looking in the direction Kiara had gone. He sighed, his eyes not moving from that spot for a moment, then two. He only moved when the Tekiton stopped as well, squeaking at him curiously. Once again, Seron guessed at its question. "Nothing's wrong. I'm…I'm just resting. And before you ask, the reason we went through all that was to keep her from seeing us. She would be angry at us for leaving like we did, and she would slow us down."

If the Tekiton had two eyebrows, it would have raised one mockingly, but it had to settle for raising the only one it had, which totally ruined the idea by giving it a ridiculous expression. Seron walked past it, starting up the mountain. "Come. We must hurry, and complete our destiny."

The Tekiton sighed, slumped its shoulders. It knew this would only bring trouble. It, too, looked back in the direction Kiara had went, then followed its master.

******

Wynn grunted as he pushed himself up onto the ledge, and then turned and offered a hand to Nerah, climbing below him. After he pulled her up, Wynn looked around. They were standing at the end of the secondary trail leading up to Death Mountain. They had passed the path leading into Goron City, following a hunch that the Fairy would be at the peak.

Wynn looked over the side of the mountain. He could see much of Hyrule from here. He recalled that it had been on this flat area that he had battled with the King Dinolfos. That had been long, long ago, back when he had never even heard of Icarnos. It had actually been here when he had learned of the wizard's existence. Wynn looked over to the rest of his friends. They, too, were remembering the same battle.

Wynn frowned in concentration. Now wasn't the time. He had to find the Great Fairy before Seron arrived. He looked to Jier. "Where next?"

Jier closed his eyes. "I think…" He opened them again. "There!" He pointed to a blank wall a short distance away.

Wynn looked to his friend quizzically. "Are you certain?"

Jier nodded, no doubt or hesitation in his eyes. "It is in there."

Wynn sighed. "Here goes…" He raised his arms. An aura of light fell over him. Suddenly, it disappeared, replaced by twin globes of light orbiting his hands. Faster and faster they went, as Wynn lowered his arms. As the orbs of light collided, Wynn placed his right hand above his left. The orbs combined into a much larger one, hurtling at the wall. When it collided, the explosion sent shards of rock everywhere, and nearly sent several of the heroes off the side of the cliff.

Wynn chuckled self-consciously as several of his friends glared at him. "Whoops. I guess I'm more powerful than I remembered."

Shezarah gasped. "There's a cave!"

Jier smiled triumphantly. "I told you!"

Wynn smiled. Indeed, there was a cave behind the wall he had blasted. The five cautiously made their way into the cavern, peering about. Tane took the lead as they made their way inside. All had their weapons ready, not sure what to expect.

Once they entered, they were all amazed by the splendor of the cavern. Inside, the walls appeared to be made of water, slowly flowing downward. The light inside was provided by two large torches. At the other end of the room was a shallow pool, with water that also seemed to ripple from the center. Surrounding the fountain was a white stone floor that seemed so pure it could almost glow.

Wynn and the others walked up to the fountain carefully. Wynn noted that on the ground was a strange marking: three golden triangles shaped so they formed a larger one. It was the symbol of the Triforce, the mystical relic that was the most sought-after item in history. It had the power to grant one wish to the person that found it, if they had a balance of courage, wisdom, and power.

"Uh…what now?" Tane asked, scratching his head.

"Welcome, mortals. Welcome to the Fountain of the Great Fairy of Power."

With an unsettling laugh, a being appeared, rising out of the fountain. It was a woman, yet much different. For one, she was much larger than any normal person. She was clad in what appeared to be a suit of vines, although it wasn't much. Her hair fell behind her in three long ponytails. She floated above the fountain, her gaze piercing the mind of the five heroes.

Wynn looked to Tane. "That answer your question?"

"You have come for the Pendant, I know. I know much of you, your lives and your quests. I even know what you would have no others know." Her gaze fell on Nerah, then Shezarah, and she seemed to smirk.

"Then you know why we need them. So, what must we do to earn them?" Wynn asked, as politely as he could, knowing much rested on them getting the Pendants.

The Fairy laughed. "A test, young hero. It would be a pity if you failed…your destiny seems so bright…"

Wynn's eyes narrowed. "What kind of test?

"Hand to hand combat."

Wynn grimaced. "Against who?"

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning shot past Wynn's shoulder, narrowly missing him. "You may have beat me here, but you'll never get the Pendant!" Seron shouted, running at Wynn.

"Halt." Seron cried out as he was lifted into the air, only high enough that he couldn't reach the ground. Wynn also yelled out as he was given the same treatment. "To gain the Pendant of Power, you must defeat each other in hand to hand combat. You may use no weapons, nor may you use magic. The first to fall, be it unconscious or dead, is the loser. The winner gets the Pendant."

Wynn's friends ran up to him, wishing him luck, and sending glares at Seron. Seron merely leaned over and whispered into the ear of his Tekiton. Then, both Wynn and Seron looked each other in the eye, and nodded. The world disappeared around them with a flash.

A second later, they found themselves standing on a small platform. Wynn gasped, feeling a tide of heat wash over him. It was boiling in here! he thought.

The platform they were on was inside the crater at the top of Death Mountain. Far away was a cliff, where the Tekiton and Wynn's friends stood watching them. And all around the platform… Wynn swallowed loudly. The platform was nearly submerged in lava!

"Good luck to both of you. Farewell."

Wynn looked to Seron, and cracked his knuckles. "You want to give up now, and save me the trouble of beating your face into the ground?"

Seron laughed, throwing off his cloak. "I'll remember that while you're taking a lava bath."

"I'll give you something else to remember!" Wynn yelled, throwing himself at Seron in a tackle. Seron was caught off guard, but nearly managed to twist out of the way. Both fell to the ground, then stood, moving away from each other, fists clenched and ready.

Seron made the first move. He came at Wynn with his right fist back, aiming for Wynn's face. Wynn sidestepped, but Seron's move was a feint. As Wynn moved to the left, Seron stopped, twisting in a roundhouse kick. Seron's boot met his enemy's face, knocking the hero down.

Wynn was on his feet in an instant, but Seron was on top of him before he could attack. Wynn gasped in pain as Seron's fist dove into his stomach, and Wynn bent double. The next thing Wynn saw was Seron's knee flying at his face. Wynn staggered back a step, only to have his legs cut out from under him by a quick kick.

Seron smirked down at Wynn, who was on the ground. "Had enough, hero?"

The fallen adventurer groaned, trying to clear his head. The heat was sapping his strength almost as much as Seron's attacks. "No."

Seron laughed. "Time to fix that, then!"

"Wait." The villain paused, sneering down at Wynn. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Seron frowned. "What's that?"

"This!" Wynn yelled, as his foot scythed his foe's legs out from under him. Seron fell, his head making a sharp 'crack!' as it hit the rock of the platform. Wynn was the one standing when Seron's vision cleared. "My turn!"

Seron desperately tried to scramble away, but Wynn caught him by the neck of his tunic. Seron yelped as he felt himself lifted from the ground, and then flying through the air. He landed hard, and tried to push himself up, but found himself unable.

He rolled over, and sat up, trying to ignore the fact that his head was swimming. His eyes widened as he saw Wynn's boot moving fast at his face. He couldn't move away in time.

Seron coughed, then choked as he felt the pressure of the hero's boot on his throat. He tried desperately to push it away, to get air, but failed. "Give up, Seron?" Wynn demanded. When Seron didn't answer, he pushed down harder. "Do you?"

"Hey!" came a distant shout. Wynn looked to the cliff where his friends were standing. There, the Tekiton was attempting to beat up Tane, much to the larger hero's annoyance. Tane pushed the thing away, and it stayed down.

The wizard smiled. Exactly as planned. Seron gave Wynn's foot a sharp twist while he was distracted, sending the other man down. Seron fumbled on the ground, and his hand found a fist-sized rock. Seron saw Wynn's eyes widen as the rock came down, hitting the side of his head.

Wynn grunted loudly, then fell back. He didn't move.

Seron laughed, tossing the rock into the lava. He briefly considered pushing Wynn into the lava, but didn't get the chance. The world grew bright around him, and then he was no longer in the volcano.

Seron sneered at Wynn's friends once they re-materialized in the Great Fairy's Fountain. He cockily stepped forward, knowing his victory was at hand.

The Great Fairy waved a hand. Seron looked down as a wave of spiraling light flowed over Wynn and him. The light felt refreshing, and cool, soothing his wounds, making them disappear.

When it was done, Seron and Wynn were completely healed.

Wynn groaned loudly. "What happened?" he mumbled.

"You lost, hero! Seron triumphs!" Seron crowed.

"Indeed, you have earned the Pendant of Power." A glowing pendant lowered, coming to rest on Seron's neck. "Use it wisely, and do not fear its strength." With the same eerie laugh as before, the Great Fairy of Power disappeared into her fountain.

Seron laughed. "Now, no one, not even you, Wynn, can stop me! HA HA HA!"

Wynn and the others groaned, their shoulders slumping. They had lost the first pendant, and if they didn't catch up, Seron would win this race. And it would cost them their lives.