Heirloom

I couldn't believe the power that seemed to radiate from the Teardrop. It was as if the planet itself was storing its power inside the crystal. When I picked it up, a calm feeling came over me. For some reason, I felt as if it felt right when I held it. But now is not the time, I need to rescue Maya.

After jumping down the ledge, the Prophets approached us. They threw Maya on the floor, and I handed the Teardrop to Leehalt. But when I went to see if the young Drifter was ok, she vanished right before my eyes. This was only an illusion. Maya was still a prisoner, and the Teardrop was in the hands of the enemy. I feel so stupid for falling for such a cheap trick like that.

Suddenly, Alfred, Todd, and Shady enter the room. Alfred throws a grenade at the Prophets and the Teardrop goes flying. Everyone runs at once, trying to be the first to grasp the gem. But it is none of us who manage to acquire it, for just then, something unexpected happens.

The statue, the one that radiates a deadly feeling, explodes. Where it once was, stands the Golem Asgard. He manages to get the Teardrop, and escapes with the Prophets. Darn, now we don't even know where to go to look for them, or where to even begin to ask questions.

Luckily, Alfred's bomb contained a metal that can be used to track the Prophets. But he loses the signal west of Laxisland. Oh well, we can go with that lead. At least we know where to begin.

But it is in our best interests to sleep for the night and head on out in the morning. We'll need to be in tip top shape to face this enemy. After all, we've not only got Asgard and the Prophets, but Sigfried as well. And none of us have faced the Demon Lord in combat before, so we don't know what to expect.

So we head back to Baskar, as it's the closest place where we don't have to pay for a room. Not that I'm a cheapskate, but I would like to save money whenever possible in order to buy the necessary supplies for our journey. After arriving, we head to Gallows's house, and go to bed.

* * *

*Virginia,* calls Raftina, *I need to talk to you immediately. This is urgent, the fate of the would depends on us knowing the full story about what's going on. Are you awake?*

*No, I'm just sleeping with my eyes open, hoping to drive all of you crazy. Of course I'm awake! How can I sleep after that? I felt something coming from the Teardrop when I held it. What is it with that gem? How does it connect to the Guardians, and the future of Filgaia?* I ask her.

She tells me, *The Teardrop is the royal heirloom of the Adlehyde family, the gift that the

Guardians gave to your ancestors as a good will present, as well as a link to Filgaia itself. We must get it back at all costs. In the wrong hands, such power can be way to dangerous. It rightfully belongs to the Adlehyde family. As in, when we find it, it belongs to you by default, as the royal heir.*

I nod. *Don't worry, I'll get it back. Even before I knew what it was, I knew that it must be kept safe. I felt the great power flowing through it, and decided to steal it back after we'd saved Maya. I'm usually not into playing dirty, but I will take any measures necessary in order to save the world.*


*That's the spirit,* Raftina exclaims, *You're always on top of things. Well, it's getting pretty late outside. Get some sleep now Princess, you have a big day ahead of you.*

But I really couldn't sleep, again. I went outside, hoping to feel the wind in my hair. Oh, to be close to my home planet, like my ancestors. To communicate with the Guardians without the use of an Ark Scepter. And to be able to use my powers freely, without the fear of being killed.

"There you are, chatterbox. I saw you come outside again. Why are you always sneaking out of the room at night? Is there something you're keeping from us?" a voice inquired.

I turned around, and saw Jet standing there. He's really starting to annoy me somewhat with all of his following me around. But I also can see his concern for my wellbeing. I know that he isn't as harsh as he lets on to be, it's all the fault of the problems that he's had in the past, and his lost memories.

I tell him, "I just can't sleep. When that happens, I feel much better by just coming outside and being in the fresh air. So, why are you still up? Having trouble sleeping as well?"


He looks away. "Yeah, you could say that. They say that you have trouble sleeping whenever something big begins to happen or is about to happen. I guess this could count as something big. After all, we're fighting to save the whole darn planet from a bunch of wackos, and a demon."

"So, do you have any ideas?" I ask him, "As in, how to get to sleep easier. All I ever do is to go outside, but that does little than to cool me off and calm my nerves a little. If you've ever had a problem with sleep, then maybe you know something that might be of any use to me."

"Well, try to clear your mind. If you're not thinking about every little thing, then you'll have a much easier time sleeping. Why don't you try it?" he asks before he goes back inside.

Raftina tells me, *He is full of love, if you ask me. Poor kid's just stubborn. But he's getting better every day. You've been really getting through to him Virginia, I'm proud of you.*

I smile. *Yes, he does seem to have changed. You never met him when we first encountered each other, he was ten times worse than he was when we released you from the Fallen Sanctuary. I don't know if I'm the one who got through to him or not, but I think he'll be able to find happiness.*

Part of me wants this happiness to be with me, together forever. But another part of me banishes the thought. I don't know if Raftina can hear what the two sides of me are saying, and how divided I seem to be sometimes. But I do know that the first part seems to get stronger every day.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

Mushy but this is one of my stories. You know how I love mush (J/V in particular). I'm mad because Well, my computer's acting up, and I'm running late with my schedule, due to a late dinner and a sister who had to have a short turn, since she didn't take hers when we were out so she could watch TV, and she wants to watch TV when she comes back home. She doesn't ever work her schedule around ours.