Find the Sword

"Well, we've finally arrived in Elfrea," stated Lyle, "Let's go and meet with Artea. I only hope he has some information that could be of any use to us. It's our only hope to win."

"Don't worry Lyle. I'm sure a great hero like Artea can help us out," replied Rasha.

When they entered the village, the group already felt like outcasts. Everyone around them was staring at the four humans and one half-breed as if they were lepers. Rumors were flying in hushed whispers, that another war with humans was going to occur, and these travelers were bringing doom to the squirrel race. But Lyle just let it all slide, knowing that these people had the right to be afraid after what happened all those years ago. He whispered for Rasha to hold her tongue until they had left.

Fam asked one woman, "Excuse me miss, do you know where we might be able to find Artea? My friends and I have traveled long and hard to meet with him. Some came from as far as Alekia."

The woman looked at her. "How could you lead humans into our town? After all that happened all those years ago. It's because of them that Maki left Elfrea all of those years ago, that witch tricked him into bearing her child. Then, they tried to kill us off and so many squirrels died in combat."

"Hush Fallin," another woman ordered, "Just because your son fell in love with a human, there is no need to blame the human race for his death. You know as well as I do that a misunderstanding between a pair of merchants is what started the war. Can't you see, this little girl is only half-squirrel? She must be Maki's daughter. The pendant is proof of that, it's the same one you gave him."

"I cannot trust her, she was raised as a human thanks to that wretched mother of hers. There is nothing more to talk about here," Fallin said. She then turned around, and returned to her house.

Poor Fam started to cry. She had finally found someone she could call family, only to have her not even admit it. The second squirrel wiped away her tear, trying to make her feel better.

Fam whispered, "Why, why did it have to end up this way?"

The other woman looked at her. "It will all be ok. Fallin thinks she's the only one who has lost a loved one. She's not even old enough to remember the old war, and what the Sinistraels did back then, because she was born a few years after it had come to an end. I, on the other hand, remember when my mother sacrificed herself in order to fight off Ramion, and to open a door that would give Maxim and his allies more power. Gather your friends here and come with me, I will introduce you all to Artea."

* * *

The woman took them to a house in the north of town. Inside, a squirrel was sitting on a chair, eating some apple pie. He had purple hair, and eyes covered with dark glasses. A cane was sitting in the corner of the room. Although he seemed quite young by squirrel standards, he was obviously blind. But the second the young woman and the five warriors entered the room, he took notice instantly.

"Mirka," he inquired, "Who are these people that you have brought with you to see me?"

"These youths have come from the human lands to seek your wisdom. Artea, would you be so kind as to oblige them, they seem like good people," she answered.

Artea took one glance in their direction, and exclaimed, "Maxim! Is it really you!? I thought you had died all of those years ago after being trapped with Selan."

Lyle shook his head. "No, I am not Maxim. Guy made the same mistake though. It is no surprise that my energy pattern is so familiar, I am Maxim's descendant, Lyle."

"Well then," Artea began, "Why have you come to see me? You don't seem to be here for a social gathering of some sort, a reunion, or to learn about you ancestor."

"Artea, Raider has come back to life. And his minions are already planning to revive the other three Sinistraels as well. We need your help to fight them," Lyle blurted out.

Artea replied, "I wish I could, but I can't. I hurt my eye in the final battle, and eventually went blind from it. So I cannot fight alongside you against the Sinsitraels."

Rasha stepped forward. "Then can you give us any advice? If we could find a secret to defeating the Sinistraels, it would greatly help us in our endeavors."

"You should go and find Sargus," Artea stated, "The power of the Spirit Sword is the only thing that can disrupt the Sinistraels' energy patterns. Without that, even Maxim would fall."

"Where would we find this sword? Wasn't it lost after the final battle?" asked Ihrie.

Artea answered, "That's a simple answer. It would be in the ruins of the Fortress of Doom. But you would have to travel underwater in order to get there."

Migel slapped his head. "But that's impossible old man. No ship can go under the waves, unless it is sinking. And none of us can swim that deep, let alone get back up again."

"Did I say anything about swimming?" inquired Artea, "You will go to the city of Odel. There, you should talk to Professor Galuff Shaia. His ancestor, Lexis Shaia, created the ship that Maxim used to use to go underwater and to fly in the sky. Perhaps those plans still exist."

'Where have I heard the name Galuff before?' wondered Rasha.

Lyle said, "I thank you Artea. Don't worry, we'll find Sargus and defeat the Sinistraels."

Artea nodded. "I know, you can do it. I'm leaving the future of our world in your hands. Lyle, never give up. Stick to it, and you will eventually win."

- - - -

Well, we know where we must go next. Poor Fam, she doesn't deserve all she gets. I just couldn't find a better way to explain her past, as the game doesn't do it.