Fairy Kiss

Sometime later, Lyle, Rasha, and Migel arrived in the city of Grenoble. Instantly, they began to look around for the man Ainea had told them about. But since they had no idea what he looked like, or how old he was, the group didn't know where to begin.

"This is going to take a long time," stated Rasha, "She should have given us a few more details about who we were looking for. All we know is that the person is male."

"You know that no one is going to come on up to us and say that he has some useful information about Artea. There's a one in a thousand chance of that happening," Lyle reminded her.

Just then, a man asked, "Are you talking about the hero Artea, from Doom Island?"

Lyle nodded. "We heard that someone here knows where he is. Can you help us out in any way? The three of us need his help with something important."

"You're in luck," the man told them, "I just happen to know of an old man who hangs around in the Hunter's Guild all day. He always speaks of his nephew learning under Artea, so maybe he knows something that can be of help to you." Then, the man walked away.

"I guess we managed to beat the odds, eh Lyle?" asked Rasha.

Migel exclaimed, "Then let's go to that Hunter's Guild! I've heard of it, it gives you missions to go on that involve searching for treasure for rewards. I know where it is."

The three took the underground passage that lead to the guild. It cost 50 gold to go in, but Lyle knew that it was important that they go. Besides, they would be able to get their money back and then some from whatever treasure hunt they might go on after heading to the guild.

Inside, they saw an old man sitting at a table, sipping his sake. Lyle walked up to him. "Excuse me sir. Could you perhaps be the one who knows of Artea? My name is Lyle, and I would like to know where the squirrel warrior lives. I am interested in meeting him in person."

"Artea, everyone of my generation knows of Artea," the man replied, "I tell you what. If you can get the Fairy Kiss from the second floor of the Old Cave, I'll tell you what you want to know. Only women can enter the room where it is held, so I can't go myself, but your girl can retrieve it."

"Sure I will. I'll do anything that will help out Lyle," Rasha stated. With that, she began to head on out. But then she had to wait for Migel, who was taking on a job to find a treasure held on the second floor, since they were heading there to find the Fairy Kiss anyway.

* * *

Inside of the cave, they found that many of the treasure boxes were already opened. Migel went the opposite way as his friends, in order to start looking for the Secret Map. Lyle, on the other hand, was accompanying Rasha to the room, so she could save her power for when they arrived.

Once at the room, Rasha stepped forward and told Lyle, "I'll head on in and get the Fairy Kiss. You just wait Lyle, we'll have the information we need soon." With that, she went into the room.

There were many treasures in the room. All of them were women's armor pieces, none that Rasha had any need for. But one at the back of the room contained the legendary Fairy Kiss. She opened the chest, and prepared to head back to meet with Lyle and look for Migel.

Suddenly, a large monster appeared. It was a humanoid dog-like creature called a Kobold. Rasha looked it strait in the eye. She began to charge up the Flash spell - - the easiest Lightning spell to cast. The bolt hit the Kobold, and it died of the shock that followed.

Demonic laughter filled the room, making Rasha cringe. "Well done, little sorceress. Your name is Rasha, right? I think that is what that foolish boy called you when we last met."

"Raider!" she yelled, "Show yourself you coward. Or are you too afraid to fight against someone like me. You did run after I came to help Lyle out while we were in Sheran."

With that, the Sinistrael appeared in the room. His eyes seemed to radiate all of the evil in his body. As he stepped closer to the young woman, she held her ground.

"You're way to strong for your own good. Why don't you come with me? In the past, my allies and I used human servants to do our dirty work. If you decide to join us and serve under us, my brother Rugudorull will spare your pathetic life," he sneered.

Rasha screamed, "Never! I will never desert my best friend for you fiends."

Raider shook his head. "You are a fool. Choosing to die with the boy instead of living as our servant. Just because I'm in a good mood, I'll let you live. But I will show no quarter the next time that we meet, mark my words." With that, he vanished again.

* * *

Rasha left the room, and reunited with the guys. They then headed back to town, where Migel gave the Secret Map to the man at the counter. In return, he was given 200 gold.

"I thank you for your help," the old man stated, "I don't exactly know where Artea is now, but my nephew does. He's training in the tower to the west of here. He doesn't usually want to see people, but he will definitely make an exception if you show him this letter from me." With that, he handed a piece of paper to Lyle. On it, was a letter to the old man's nephew - -Artea's apprentice.

"Thank you for your help," Lyle stated.

The man inquired, "By the way, just why do you want to see Artea anyway?"

Lyle looked at him. "Raider has come back to life. I need his help to defeat him."

"Say no more, I don't need to know what else," the man said, "I don't want a repeat of a hundred years ago. My father was a teenager when it happened, and he remembered it well. If there's any way I can help keep that tragedy from repeating, I will."

"I will make sure that he dies. Before more innocents are hurt," Lyle vowed.

- - - -

Lyle's finally getting on track. Will the apprentice be able to help? See in the next chapter