Mystery of Destruction

Lyle was running as fast as he could towards the caves to Sheran. He didn't like seeing other people suffer, so he had to get there fast. Soon, he'd arrived at the tunnel that led through the mountain. Making sure he was completely equipped, he entered the cave.

'Sure is dark in here,' mused Lyle, 'I sometimes wish I knew a little sorcery. That way, I can create light for myself like Rasha does. Oh gods, Rasha! I left her back at the inn baking a pie. When I get back to Alekia she's going to be so mad at me. Better start thinking of a good excuse.'

He spent the rest of the trip trying to figure out something that might make Rasha believe him. Finally, he decided to just tell her the truth. Lyle had never meant to hurt her feelings, his Maxim blood sometimes spoke a little too clearly about what it wanted to do. She would understand that excuse.

* * *

No amount of training could ever prepare him for what he saw in Sheran. Almost every house was on fire, and people were all lying unconscious in the street. But the strange thing was that no one had been killed. Who would attack and destroy this town, but spare everyone's lives.

"I'd better go back to Alekia right away. We'll have to send a full detail in to investigate this incident, right away. I've got to make the commander believe that," he stated.

With that, he ran away from the town, and back through the caves. In no time, the youth had arrived back home. He instantly ran to give his report to their commander.

The commander asked, "The situation in Sheran is that serious? I guess we'll have to send a detail in to check it out and begin the recovery efforts."

Lyle smiled. "How soon will you be able to send us?"

"Well," the commander said, "The chairman is in Lorbenia, and won't be back until next week. Then, we have to arrange a meeting, where the members of the detail will be decided."

'This is stupid. I might as well go back alone to investigate,' thought Lyle.

But the first thing he did was to go and see Rasha. He knew she would be pretty mad at him for running off, and needed to assure her that it was all right. Lyle found his friend in her bedroom.

Rasha asked him, "What do you want? You know I'm still angry at you."

Lyle stepped forward. "You see, some monsters invaded Sheran, and I had to go to stop them. But I found nothing there when I arrived, nothing but burnt out homes and people who were wounded but not to the point that they would die. So I came back to arrange a detail, but the commander wants to wait until next week to even think about it, as the chairman is out. I've got to go back to Sheran on my own, so don't worry. I'll be back before you know it Rasha."

"You could have at least stayed for some pie," Rasha stated, "I made it special for you. How about we have some now, it's cooled down by this time."

"You can cook pie anytime. People's lives were at stake. I'm sorry Rasha, but you know how the blood of Maxim gets whenever danger is near," Lyle told her.

Rasha told him, "Well, I guess there's nothing I can say to stop you. Tell you what Lyle, I'll pack the pie in a bag, and you can take it with you to eat on the way. And I'll go with you as well. If those lazy knights aren't willing to come and help you out, I will."

Lyle looked shocked. "Rasha, it's too dangerous. You could be hurt or killed out there, and you make it sound like it's some sort of picnic. I don't want to see you die on me too, Rasha."

"Lyle, I know how you feel," she whispered in a sincere voice, "You feel that it was your fault that Meria died, and you now want to protect me even more. It wasn't your fault Lyle. I know it must hurt, but there are just some things that we mortals can't do. Unfortunately, saving Meria was one of them."

"Thank you Rasha. It's all right. I know that I have to hear that sometimes, or I'll never get out of this limbo I'm in. You've been a true friend to me," Lyle replied.

Rasha asked, "So, can I come along and help you? You might need my magic to fight these monsters, if they turn out to be strong. You know I'll always watch your back."

Lyle looked at his best friend. "Ok, you can come along. But stick close behind me. I don't want to see you get hurt out there. Don't worry, I'll protect you Rasha."

"Then let's get going!" she exclaimed, "There's no time to waste, not with lives at stake."

Rasha walked over to a drawer, and took out a long Wood Rod. This staff helped the young girl concentrate when she used her magic. It was also a good way of boinking monsters over the head if they tried to strike her from the front. Then, the duo was off to Sheran.

* * *

Inside of the caves, Rasha brought up her Light spell. Using that power, they began to search around. A little while into the tunnel, they found a wounded man, lying on the ground.

"What happened to you? And why are you even here in the first place?" inquired Lyle.

The man told them, "My name is Danil, and I come from Chatam Village. My sister, Lilah, works at Sheran Castle. But there's a rumor that monsters attacked, and I headed out to find her. Along the way, I was attacked, and that's how I got to where you see me now."

Rasha began casting her Strong spell on Danil, to heal his wounds. "Well, my friend and I are heading there ourselves, to check up on what is going on. How about we find Lilah for you. You certainly can't go there in this condition, even after I healed you."

"Thank you," Danil said, "Take this key, Lilah uses it in the castle. Luckily she left it home today on accident, or we might never be able to find them, if they've locked themselves into a secret room."

With that, he began to head back to Chatam, to rest up his wound. Lyle and Rasha, on the other hand' pressed on. Neither knew what dangers were lurking in the shadows, waiting for them.

- - - -

We meet the destroyer in the next chapter. Who will it be? Is he as evil as he seems? Or are the wheels of time again spinning, to bring disaster to this world?