Navigation 6: Messenger

            They had already arrived at the ruins when the sun had set. At one point in history, the Mountain Palace had much importance. Now, because of the near destruction of planet Expel, it had been transformed into ruins, with a few halls still intact. In the corner of her eye, Sara spotted something glowing. As she walked over to examine it, someone's voice stopped her.

            "I wouldn't go near that thing. It could take you to an entirely different place," the voice said.

            Sara turned around and met the gaze of both Jana and Leo. "What are you--?"

            "Queen Celine sent us and asks for Master Dias's return," Leo replied. Dias nodded.

            "You all be careful. These ruins are old, so stay together," Dias said, turning to leave.

            "Dias! Be careful," Sara cried.

~*~*~

            Since it was night now, it was agreed to be safe, make camp, and plan the next day.

            "Miss Jana…what's 'Urth' like?" Celes asked as they sat by the fire.

            "Um…well. The people there are similar, except we don't use what you call heraldry. We use science," Jana replied.

            "Sci-ence…like the ability to heal?" Sara asked.

            "More or less. Humans use science to heal one another, but we use it to learn about other living beings. Unfortunately, that knowledge is limited to Earth," Jana replied, tossing her long, raven ponytail back.

            "How wonderful! I would love to visit," Sara said.

            "Well, it's not as pristine there. Many of the forests were destroyed due to humans not being able to live alongside nature. You would not like it, Sara," Jana sadly replied.

            "It still sounds amazing…"Sara said.

            "I have never journeyed without my brother before," Leo said in the distance.

            "Really?" Chris asked.

            "Yea. He claimed that my skill needed work, but…" Leo replied.

            Upon hearing a sound, Sara's slightly pointed ears twitched, and soon afterwards, she was running off.

            "Sara!" Celes cried, following.

            The young girl's heart pounded. She was sure that she heard someone call her name! The aura was so familiar, too! Without Sara noticing, the jewel inside her pendant began to glow, as she got closer.

            "S…a…r…a…" the voice called.

            "I'm here! Where are you?" Sara called back. To her surprise, a transparent figure appeared in front of her. Those blue eyes widened. A ghost?

            "S…a…r…a…" the figure whispered. It was that of a beautiful woman, who had blue hair, and distinctive pointed ears, more so than Sara's.

            "Who…who are you?" Sara asked.

            A transparent hand moved towards Sara as though to pat her head. Who was she? Why did her aura feel so familiar?

            However, the woman could not even touch Sara. Sara could see how this saddened the woman.

            "Please…don't be sad…"

            A look of fear crossed the woman's face as she quickly disappeared. Now stood a strange-looking man with long silver hair, and distinctive pointed ears.

            "You?!" he laughed. "You are the strong force that my lord has picked up? A mere half-ling?"

            "Sorry to disappoint you. Who was that woman?" Sara demanded.

            "No one you need to worry about," he replied.

            "Sara!" Celes finally had caught up.

            "What do you want?" Sara asked the man.

            "I am to bring you to Nede," he replied.

            "Nede?" she asked.

            "You are in no position to ask questions!" he yelled, throwing a shock wave.

            "ANTI!" Celes quickly cried, creating a force field around them. With all of the commotion, Leo, Chris, and Jana quickly joined their friends.

            "I see you have powerful allies, girl. Tell me your name," he said.

            "Sara."

            "I am Gabriel, named after one of the great Ten Wise Men. Do you know of them, Sara?" he asked, approaching her, attempting to place her into a trance.

            "No."

            "Come to Nede, Sara. Your past lies there," Gabriel said.

            "Sara!" Celes cried, breaking the slight trance that her friend was in.

            "So there is something going on as well on planet Nede? Tell your 'lord' that I refuse to come," Sara yelled, pulling away.

            "If you don't, then that woman you saw will suffer," he replied, knowing that would hit.

            "I have no choice then…" she said.

            "Smart girl…" Gabriel smiled, extending his hand.

            "Let me prep myself, ne?" Sara asked.

            "Of course."

            "Those who seek the darkness…above the wanderers of night…dim the stars for me…and halt those who come between us…" Sara started chanting. All of a sudden, she threw what looked like lightning at an unsuspecting Gabriel. "ENERGY MASS!"

            "GAHHH!!" he yelled, unable to move.

            Quickly, Jana placed a metal-like object (hand-cuffs) on Gabriel's hands, preventing him from using his hands to throw forces. Celes quickly used a silence spell that prevented him from using heraldry.

            "Now, you will tell us everything you know!" Sara threatened, eyes narrowing.

            "What do you know about New Nede?" Chris asked him.

            "Like I'm going to tell you," he yelled.

            "It's better than telling your master that you were dumb enough to become a hostage for a bunch of travelers," Leo replied.

            "Not so easy. Once my capture has been acknowledged, the ones on this planet that are helping my master will come for me," he said.

            "So what do we do with him?" Sara asked.

            "I'll take him back to Cross to be dealt with," Jana replied.

            "Not alone!" Leo said. "What if he tries something?"

            At that moment, a young man came from the entrance to the ruins. He wore a lab coat, had blue hair, and strange cat-like ears. It was a Fellpoolian.

            "What is causing such a horrid racket?" he asked.

            "Dr. Leon? From Lacour?" Celes asked.

            "Ah, Princess Celes. What brings you and these travelers here?" Leon asked.

            "We are doing some investigation on—"Sara started.

            "As was I," he replied. "I've felt it, too." Leon looked at the strange man.

            "He's quite suspicious. I'm taking him back to Cross," Jana replied.

            "Claims that his master is quite the big shot," Leo said.

            Teal eyes narrowed at Gabriel. "You're a Nedian…" Leon turned to Jana. "May I accompany you to Cross? I, too, need an audience with the King."

            Jana nodded. Before leaving, Leon asked everyone, "Besides Prince Chris and Princess Celes, what are you names?"

            "I'm Leo."

            "I'm Jana," she said behind him.

            "My name is Sara," she replied.

            "You remind me of an old traveling companion," Leon said. "Take care to seek the inventor girl from Linga." He shrugged, and then left with Jana and Gabriel.

            "Shall we prepare to investigate, everyone?" Chris asked.

            Celes, Sara, and Leo nodded.