KK! Since you all liked that chappie, I shall continue with it! Here's Chappie 2!

Chapter 2: Life Eater

Dart, Rio and the new company Davoren arrived in Bale to ask Albert for the Queen Fury to go to the outer Island to the North where Zumi Forest was located. They had entered the castle with greetings since Dart knew the young King, and that he had played a big role in saving the world from Melbu Frahma.

"I'm never been in the castle before!" Rio exclaimed as she looked around at all the armor and paintings placed on the walls and beside doors. Davoren's eyes were wide as he gawked at everything that was in front and beside him.

Dart smiled as the two younger people walked behind him as they made their way to the throne room, where Albert King of Serdio waited.

: Throne Room:

The door opened and the trio stepped in, welcomed by a smile from the King who was sitting on the throne at the top of the stairs. "Dart, what has brought you here?" he asked.

Walking up to Albert, Dart smiled slightly. "We need to borrow the Queen Fury...we need to reach the Zumi Forest."

"You mean, you've had the same dream? I've been having a dream that says that I should lend the Queen Fury to the ones who need to reach Zumi Island. That must be you?" Albert asked questionably.

"Hmm...Something must be happening soon, Albert...we need to borrow that ship!" Dart said sternly.

Nodding Albert led the trio to the newly made dock, Emille's father had made after her wedding with Albert. There, the Queen Fury waited in the water peacefully as Kayla and Commodore Puler waited as well.

"So, another ride to save the world?" the tall man asked.

Dart smiled. "We don't know yet, we need to go to the Zumi Islands...can you take us there?" he asked hopefully. The man nodded and told Kayla to get the engine ready, Dart thanked him kindly as well as Albert as they took off from the dock.

: Middle of the Ocean near the Zumi Islands:

Rio sat watching the water as the boat moved quickly but calmly over the waves. Her hair blowed in the wind, as she became to daydream back to what she remembered Erika telling her as a child.

: Flashback:

"Child...When you have grown older, I hope that you watch out for these demons...they will come out in the night and attack from the Shadow's engulfing everything...be careful..." she told the young Rio sitting on the pillow.

"Erika...why do I have ta worries now?" the childish voice asked the old lady.

Closing her eyes and touching Rio's forehead Erika smiled. "You'll know in the future my child, just remember to be ready and not lose focus..."

: End flashback:

Opening her eyes Rio sighed deeply. "You meant about the things that attack the town...Erika...you knew this was going to happen years before anyone did..." she whispered to the sky.

"You...knew...and also you warned me, I won't fail you Erika! I won't fail you as a mage and as a granddaughter!" she sternly told herself, looking back to the water, Rio could have sworn she was staring at Erika's smiling old face.

: Zumi Islands:

The group had finally reached the islands, and now were docked at the platform made by someone who probably lived there. But, there wasn't even a house or person.

"So...we find this person, on a barren island, and then go to the stones?" Rio asked Davoren.

He nodded and looked forward. "Come on...you never know, there might actually be someone living here..." he told them as all three walked prepared into the Zumi forest.

They walked around the vines and trees, also avoiding a stream that stunk of poison running beside them. Rio covered her nose with her bandana, and shook her head with disgust. Davoren and Dart seemed to be adapting to it better, since they had stronger bodies.

Dart suddenly froze in spot as Rio and Davoren walked into him. "Why'd you stop Dart?" Rio asked as she placed her hand on his arm. Pointing, Dart stayed silent and serious. Looking to where Dart was pointing, Davoren gasped at what he saw.

There, in front of them was a nice made tree fort. The wood was firmly nailed down, making it have a smooth looking feature to it. Stairs made their way to a long spiral path that led to various doors and openings. Whoever owned the place had kept it pretty clean, for there were flowers growing in a garden as well as a blossom tree near the side of it. As the group got closer, the sounds of punching and kicking were heard from the room at the middle of the Fort in the tree.

"Somebody's in there..." Rio peeped as she hid behind Davoren for comfort. He was beside Dart who was getting ready to yell and ask who was there.

"HEY! Can we speak to whoever is in the house?" he shouted toward the door. The fighting stopped, as Dart finished and footsteps were heard coming to the door and near the edge...there, stood a young man in his mid twenties, looking at them surprisingly.

He stared down at the group with his olive green eyes. His slightly tan face held gentle features as he stared down at them, his golden blond hair swaying in the wind, and the glint of gold on the tip of the spikes that worked as bangs. He wore a simple black muscle shirt and had tape wrapped around his hands. He wore olive green army cargo pants and black boots with a brown and black belt that hooked around the side of his waist.

Dart gasped as he looked up into the face of the man that stood there, showing the same kind of surprised look. "It...Can't be..." Dart whispered.

The man walked sideways and jumped down the tree gracefully and landed with a soft sound on the grass, and stared at the group...Dart the most. His mouth made a firm line across his face as he spoke finally, "What...are you doing here?" he asked, soundly sort of upset.

Finally finding his voice Davoren replied to the question, before Dart could speak. "We're here to ask you something..." he said moving beside Dart and staring at the man.

"Who are you...i do not know any of you except him..." he frowned deeply.

"I am Davoren, this is Rio...we're here with Dart to stop a upcoming evil...that might have a threat for the world, and in a dream...it said to find you, the only one on the Zumi Islands."

This still didn't convince the man, who crossed his arms not believing anything at all. Looking at Dart, he gave a questionably glance. Dart nodded in response and walked forward to the man, who was seemly silent, and that made Rio uneasy.

"They're alright...childhood friends, don't worry. And that is the true reason why we're here...you see. And I have a question for you...how are YOU alive?" Dart asked placing a hand on the man's shoulder...probably to make sure he was real, and not a mirage.

"I don't know...you see, I just washed up on this Island some day 9 months ago...there was no way to get to another place so...i built this here and the dock at the bay, hoping somebody would find me...but after living here for a bit, I think I liked it more then civilization with other people..." he told Dart as he backed up one step.

"I see...so you have no memory on how you got here...well...do you mind if we come in?" Dart asked the man, who he remembered as his friend. Before the man could speak, Rio piped in a few words.

"What's your name Mr.?" she asked pitifully.

The man slightly smiled as she hid half behind Davoren frightened. "I am Lavitz Slambert...Now, please...come in and you can explain to me better why you've come to this place."

Leading the trio into his home in the tree, Lavitz turned and made up the stairs, Dart behind him and Rio and Davoren behind Dart.

: Afternoon:

"So...you're telling me, that I have to come with you because of some dream saying this might be the end of the world if we don't find these crystal?" Lavitz asked correctly as he poured some hot water into 4 cups that had some kind of powder (Green tea leaves) in them.

Nodding Rio thanked him quietly and stirred the green tea power into the water and took a sip. "Yes and...My grandmother Erika said that these monsters are dangerous...they get more powerful with each crystal..." she said.

Sitting down in one of the chairs, Lavitz lowered his head in thought. Dart eyed him carefully as he took a sip of his tea and placed the cup on the table in front of him. "We leave tomorrow...you can choose if you want to, but we have to know by tomorrow..." he told his friend.

"And if I don't go...?"

"Then we'll leave and look for other people to help..." Davoren told him, filling in Dart saying.

Nodding Lavitz put the cup to his lips and took a sip and placed it back. "I'll have to think about it...in the mean time...you can stay here if you like, it's been a long time since I've even seen another person in my presence..." he murmured.

"Thanks, we'll respect your answer anyways Lavitz..." Dart said. Davoren and Rio silently nodded, and they finished their drinks.

: Two Hours before Dinner:

Walking down the path in the tree, Davoren saw the glint of gold flicker in the night as a light was put up. "Hey, what are you doing?' he asked Lavitz.

"Putting the candle light in the glass, gets rid of the bugs and also gives light in the dark...I'm going to go get dinner, can you tell Dart were I went if he asks?" Lavitz told Davoren as he walked away.

"Sure thing..."

: Hour before Dinner:

By the time Lavitz got back, it was about hour before 6:00 and it was getting darker outside. He had in a bag; fish, rabbits and chickens. Rio's face brightened as she saw him head for the kitchen, and without thinking stepped in front of him.

"Can I help?" she asked cocking her head to the side in a cute posture. Lifting an eyebrow Lavitz put on a crooked grin and whispered something to her and she took of with the bag to the kitchen with Lavitz following.

Dart and Davoren watched with interest as the girl bounced around putting water on the fire, washing the fish and plucking the feathers out of the chicken and also shaving the rabbit. Lavitz was busy cutting up vegetables and making sure the water didn't over boil.

Rio placed the fish on the cutting board beside Lavitz and she started cutting the chicken the way he showed her and that was just exactly how she cut it. The two kept on cooking while Dart and Davoren were busy setting the table.

After the guys had finished, Rio ran into the room and giggled. "I just got appraised! For my cooking! Shana will be so happy!" she spinned in circles with glee and ran back into the kitchen to help some more, just then a sweet yet watery mouth aroma made its way into the living room and to the noses of Dart and Davoren. They stared wide eyed at the kitchen door, just as Rio came out with a pot and Lavitz with plates that had different foods on them.

"Do you always eat like this?" Davoren asked as he sat down staring at the food. Chuckling, Lavitz shook his head. "No..." he stated. The group started to eat.

: After dinner:

Davoren stretched and stood up asking where they would sleep. "You'll stay in the extra rooms, don't worry..." the blond man told him reassuringly.

Lavitz led the group to their room and soon after went to his own. Dart, Rio and Davoren chatted a bit.

"So...you think he'll come?" Rio asked covering herself with the fluffy quilt and lying down on the soft pillow. "I mean, I wouldn't mind having a guy like him around..."

Chucking Dart nodded. "He is a guy you want around. He used to be a Knight, so he's got lots of battle experience. No need to worry Davoren..." he said to the man who kept quiet.

"I'm just thinking...what if he doesn't come..." he replied back to Dart, finally saying something.

"That's his decision, we must respect that..." Dart told him before lying down and falling asleep like Rio had done before hand. "Yah..." Davoren mumbled before going off to sleep as well.

: Midnight:

In the forest, the dark shadows glowed menacingly because of the light from the candles...But, looking closer the shadows have moved to the stairs of the house and have moved in those shadows. The moon made a glittering light that spread into the room of the owner of the Fort, guiding the shadow's to the one they were searching for...Lavitz.

Rolling over, he wrapped the blankets tightly around him as a cool breeze made its way into the dark room; lighten only by the moon's pale shine.

Click

"Huh!" Lavitz woke up in bed and looked around the room, breathing heavily. He knew he had heard something, and felt a shadow move over him softly like the wind.

"My...imagination..." he whispered quietly, before hearing another click and becoming full alert. Silently he reached for his weapon, a double bladed spear and got out of bed and moved to the window. He stared out and saw nothing down at the ground, just shadows.

"The hell...am starting to hear things...hmm!" standing straight up, not in crouch...he froze as he felt the hot breath of something behind him. Swallowing, he slowly turned his head to see blackness, and a pair of red and white eyes staring at him evilly.

Lavitz stared at it in awe as he back further to the window. The thing moved and reached out to grab him, but Lavitz let out a yell and slashed at it. The creature screeched in pain and backed off, but at the same time waking the others.

"What's the...?" Dart sat up in bed as he covered his ears and got out of bed, the screech tingling his ears. 'Lavitz?!?' he began to run toward the room where his friend was sleeping, Rio and Davoren right behind him at a quick speed.

The Shadow creature lashed out at Lavitz as he took another swipe, and sent him through the widow and onto the hard ground below; his weapon landing 10 feet from him.

Sitting up in pain, he stared as the thing jumped down and stood a few feet from him. He got up and watching the creature carefully ran and grabbed his spear just as the thing threw him against the wall. But...it was also hissing, for the spear had gone straight though it.

"Shows that a human can beat a monster..." Lavitz smirked and dug the blade deeper into the Shadow Monster. It cried out and held him hard against the wall earning a cry from him.

"Ergh...let the hell go...you abomination..." Lavitz growled as he was lift a few feet off the ground. The creature snicker and a red light appear from its forehead and aimed at Lavitz's chest searching...it landed in one spot and Lavitz stared down at it with wide eyes.

Removing one claw, the Shadow Creature shot it straight into Lavitz's chest, as a dimension appeared right behind it. "AHHH!" crying out in pain, Lavitz struggled against the creature's searching, but as soon as it stop moving it claw, he was being absorbed into the body of it.

His eyes opened wide as he tried to struggle even more, but...casting a spell, the demon made him fall limb. His eyes staring into space like he was possessed and he was slowly absorbed into the body.

"NO!" Dart yelled as he slashed his sword across the monsters back, as it screeched loudly and swatted at him, but Dart just backflipped.

"The creature has fully absorbed him Dart! We have to get Lavitz out before he dies!" Davoren yelled to the man with sword preparing to strike again.

"Right!" he shouted, and attack again with magic. "Spectral Light!" and the light attack shot at the monster, making it cry louder as it ran for the portal. Davoren and Rio blocked its way as the two took out their weapons and slashed at it, sending it into the lake by the Tree Fort.

Dissolving the creature's body disappeared, showing Lavitz sinking to the bottom unconscious. Dart dove in and grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to shore.

"Is he okay Dart?" Rio asked anxiously.

Checking for a pulse, he nodded and lifted Lavitz onto his back. "Come on...let's get back inside..." he quietly told them. They nodded, and went inside of the house.

Soooo...a lot longer then my last chappie huh? Iwa's gonna be happy! Hehehe.any request can be made again. Thanks!