It has been two days since Rue was asleep upstairs, with Elena taking care of him nearby. And because of this it fell on Mint's and Klaus' shoulders to solve the mystery on their own, worried that Valen had once again plans mischief for his own personal gain. Mira left early that morning to send news about Rue's health to his family, as she said to both her husband and Mint that they have every right to know on what has happened, despite what it might lead to.

Klaus also spent those days poring over the box Rue found. Unfortunately, it was badly damaged during the fight, so whatever data stored within was most likely lost. Mint's parchment wasn't encouraging either, as Klaus, for once, was clueless on what was written about. Apparently it was a language written by the Aeons themselves, something that didn't survived in the present days nor in the history books.

For Mint, those two days had been the most boring days of her life. She was worried and tired as everyone else, of course, but a small part of her was nagging that she had forgotten something important. This occurs whenever she's stuck in a middle of solving an intricate puzzle she used to play as a child, and this mystery was no different. Her shoulder where the dog bit her still ached, though, but paid it little heed as she absentmindedly cast her minor healing spell… she'd been hurt much worse than that.

Mint wasn't the only person restless by the solemnity of the household. As something was tugging at the edge of her skirt, the girl found herself glaring at Prima Doll for the unwanted intrusion.

"Elena said she can't leave Rue even though she promised me we'll have walks today." He explained, rather awkwardly, which made Mint realized that Prima wasn't in his highest of spirits either… usually he goes his way insulting her.

Mint visited the Hero's Plaza first thing as the… holo---hallow---hono---thing of a jig(*)… instructed her to. Unfortunately it never said anything exactly on what to search FOR, so she found herself looking and prodding at the statue vainly for anything unusual. It didn't yield any desired results she expected. She gave up as soon as she noticed the suspicious looks from the local vendors, thinking she must be an aspiring vandal.

Anyway, before she knew it, Prima and herself are walking in the busy streets of the city. The latter not thrilled to be with the former, considering last time. How did I ever get into this?

But Prima, for once, was actually well behaved for her sake. He didn't wander off to the stalls, and waited for Mint to catch up with him whenever he finds her lagging behind. But after a few minutes the small walks has done some good for them after all. Soon, the two of them were racing on the crowded streets, which may have annoyed some of the locals.

Before long, Mint and Prima found themselves at the Hero Plaza, admiring the statue again. The setting sun casting its last rays on their backs. Most of the market stalls were empty. The vendors left for their homes.

"Hey, wanna see something cool?" Prima suddenly said, "Elena and I recently discovered this when you guys ran off to the atalier."

Mint shrugged, willing to let the boy humor her. Prima raised his lucky charm (a necklace that Mint borrowed a year ago) against the sunlight, in which it reflected a perfect gold sphere at the statue.

Immediately, Mint looked at the statue with new interest. When she was looking over it two days ago, she noticed the Hero was wearing a sphere like necklace, the New Ephlesia's symbol of friendship and unity ("which makes good souvenirs!" Elena added). "Prima, can you aim that light to the Hero's pendant?" the small doll looked at Mint in surprise, but quickly complied. The light strike the sphere, giving the impression of something glowing…

Then the Hero's sword fell with a crash, its pieces of rock flying everywhere. Immediately Prima dropped his necklace, fearing that the townspeople will not look at this fondly for desecrating their beloved Hero. But Mint was too busy sifting through the rubble than worrying about breaking public property. "What are you doing?"

"Something to help us find what we're looking for." She replied, pulling out a small shining object and placing it on Prima's hand for him to look at it more carefully.

Despite that Prima was "new" to the world, he recognized that item anywhere. "A [Relic]!"

"A minor one at that." Mint agreed, giving the item a small assessment. "I wonder what it's used for?"

"You don't have to know that." A sinister voice said harshly in the air. Mint and Prima quickly stood up and stared at the newcomer who was actually standing a few feet away from them.

"I believe we never met." The dark figure said quietly.

"Nope, but I've heard of you harassing a friend of mine a couple of times. Shadow, isn't it?"

A faint smile crossed his lips, "Very good. It's an honor being remembered," there was a sarcastic tone in his voice. Mint wondered why, though. "But I'm afraid you two will have to come with me."

"Not in your life." Mint replied, readying her rings. "You didn't say please."

"You'll fight me, despite the law not to use magic?"

"In this case, I'm sure self-defense need not apply."

"Good logic. But I'm afraid I won't let you do that." As soon as he said that, Mint's shoulder began to throb painfully in her flesh. With a cry of pain, she fell to her knees, clutching it.

"Wh… what…?!" Mint gasped out, realization coming to her way too late. She suddenly regretted not visiting a healer like Klaus suggested.

"Mint!" Prima cried in alarm. But hesitated when Shadow began to slowly walk towards them.

"Prima, run!" Mint managed to scream despite the unbearable burning sensation in her wound.

"But…!"

"I said run, or I'll make sure you're going to regret it later!!! Now GO!" The harshness in her tone was enough for Prima to run to the other side of the Plaza as fast as his legs would let him. Shadow made no move to give chase, but a second later a creature appeared on his side, waiting patiently. Mint realized it was the same dog that attacked her a few days before.

"Don't let the puppet escape." Was Shadow's simple request. The dog growled, then swiftly bounded after the fleeing Prima.

Mint was half-expecting Shadow to strike at her in her defenseless state. But the latter seemed to be distracted than doing something violent… he was looking at the statue, with a look of sadness on his face. Suddenly, he looked at Mint oddly, as if he didn't recently done anything antagonistic. "Are you in pain?"

"Is that a trick question, or are you being sarcastic?" Mint replied nastily, clutching her shoulder for emphasis.

"The pain you and I feel is nothing compared to hers. She sacrificed herself far too much for others until there was nothing left for her. She is only a shadow of a memory, becoming the thing she most feared. As an Aeon, she deserves more than this, to be identified as one of 'them'. But now, she is all but forgotten… like a mortal."

Mint thought that nothing can surprise her lately. She was sadly mistaken. "The Hero is an Aeon?!"

"Perhaps. You will know more, if you want, and I will tell." Shadow continued, as if Mint didn't answer. "After all, that was my original purpose in life. Sleep, and all will be well."

Despite the pain, despite her desire NOT to, Mint drifted off to sleep, slumped against the statue of a former Aeon.

*****

We made the stars glow, the mountains move. But in the end we will be forgotten.

Such is fate.

I do not want to be a lost memory… a legend…

That is why we need them. They are our testimony of our existence.

Do you understand now?

---Claire?…

We are more than what you think. You are more than what you thought you are.

---But you are not my sister. Who?…

You are not made to be slaves for Valen. In that perspective you are correct. But that does not explain why he created so many. Surely one or two physical vessels are enough. But why so many others…?

---Now, I remember. In that cave. You are the girl I saw in my dream.

Because you are the markers of the things we've done. Of who we are. But…

---But why? Why am I trying to kill you?

Why? Why are they denied of life? Simply because they cannot grow, like they are? They are living things too… Do not abandon them!!!

--- Only a few feet more, and surely I get to see her…

--You have no right to see her face. Get out!--

Immediately, Rue's eyes snapped open, staring at the ceiling in confusion. He realized that the memory of the dream remained, unlike the past ones before it. For once, he wished it didn't remain, so that the horror of the dream would quickly disappear… he felt sick.

"Polly." Elena's gentle voice had somehow calmed his racing heart. And Rue knew that, for now, he was among friends. He tried to sit up, but felt his head spin.

"Ughhh…"

"Don't force yourself, Polly." Elena instructed. "Just lie down. I'll call Dad."

Rue, too disoriented to make an argument, complied as he settled his head on the pillows, staring at the ceiling. He wondered how long he was incapacitated when he heard the Doctor entering the room, carrying a bottle of medicine. He helped the patient to force some of the bitter liquid to his throat, and almost immediately Rue's headache disappeared.

"Maybe you should lie still," Klaus began, but Rue insisted that he would much prefer sitting in a conversation. The doctor updated him on the current events.

"So I was out for two days." Rue said.

"Yes. My wife left to give news to your family. We were hoping they would know what's wrong with you."

Rue shook his head. "I also got this recently. I doubt they have any idea of this as well."

"Well, it's a start. We need any helpful insight we could get. By the way, how are you feeling?"

"I feel… odd… as if I'm barely scratching something in the surface. But I do have some strange thoughts growing in my head lately.

"Strange thoughts?"

"I've never given much thought of this before, and the only thing that got me going was Claire… probably why I wasn't so confused facing Valen a year ago, when everyone else was pointing at me proclaiming my greatest 'destiny' to serve him. I know I've lost so much of my memory, making everything so difficult… but one thing bothers me." He looked at Klaus, and his friend nodded. "It's just that I find it strange my brothers remembered who they are so strongly. Ruecian… Ruenis… that they are dolls dedicated to serve Valen, and as thus the reason of their existence. But why can't I?"

"Well, maybe because deep down you never believed it." Klaus said gently. "That you are not a doll, nor a puppet for someone else to control."

"Maybe." He also said those same words a year ago, at that time he had sincerely believed it, but now, at the light of recent events, Rue was beginning to doubt. Then he noticed someone missing. "Where's Mint?"

"She accompanied Prima Doll in the city. My son was rather restless just sitting in one spot for two days. I asked her a favor to go look after him."

"Oh." Rue almost sound disappointed.

"I'm sure she'd want to see you on your feet again." Klaus said, smiling. "She kept complaining she's the one doing most of the work."

Rue chuckled at those words. "And the Atalier?"

"From what I've heard from Belle, there wasn't much left to see. Someone else looted it dry before anyone else, namely us, got there." Klaus wasn't willing to give information about the paper, not knowing how it will affect Rue.

Rue was about to say something when Elena's frantic shout "DAD!!! DAD!!!" made the two of them jump up in alarm. Her voice came from the outside and Rue immediately realized that something had gone horribly wrong.

"RUE! WAIT!!!" Klaus cried out as the boy bounded from the bed, grabbed the Arc Edge propped against the wall and ran outside as fast as he could.

-----

Elena, with her terrified younger brother clutching tightly at her waist, backed away slowly from the huge growling dog until they were cornered to a wall of the inn.

She was eagerly waiting for Prima and Mint at the door to tell them the good news on Rue's recovery when Prima himself ran to her arms. Her brother was screaming hysterically "Don't let it get me!" over and over again. She found it strange that Mint was not with him as she supposed to…

Before Elena could calm him down and ask what was going on, the dog itself appeared, and basically explained everything for her in an instant (**). Immediately Prima clung to Elena as if his life depended on it, his head buried on her apron. The dog stalked at the siblings with a ravenous stare.

The dog was in the position to pounce, and jumped away from its spot when the Arc Edge embedded on the ground where its head should have been.

"Polly!" Elena cried out in relief and a moment later her expression turn into one of concern. "Aren't you supposed to be in bed?"

Rue almost facefault, hearing Elena's rather inappropriate words pronounced so matter of factly. Fortunately he kept his composure and was observing his nemesis warily instead, waiting for its next move.

Surprisingly upon seeing the newcomer, the dog had lost interest with its hunt. As the trio watched, the dog slowly dissipated before their eyes, the black mists that formed its limbs slowly vanished, as if blown away by the wind. In a span of two seconds, there was nothing at all. If Elena and Rue had not been present to witness it, the dog could have been easily dismissed as one of Prima's lively imagination.

Rue scouted the area, making sure there were no other threats, before he approached Elena. Around this time, Klaus was there helping his children to stand, but Prima was still clinging to Elena, unaware that his pursuer was now long gone "How is he?" Rue asked.

"He's terrified." Klaus said grimly. "I can't get to move him away from Elena."

Elena, was soothing her little brother as much as she could by rubbing his back gently, not minding his death grip at all "It's going to be alright. You're safe now."

But Prima couldn't stop shaking, and he was saying something to his father over Elena's shoulder to which Rue couldn't hear from where he was standing. He immediately noticed that Klaus turned pale. The doctor looked at him and relayed the message. "Shadow is at the Hero Plaza, he attacked Mint and Prima Doll there. Prima managed to run away, but Mint…"

A great fear overwhelmed Rue and he ran to the main street before Klaus could finish his sentence. To the Ephlesia Plaza…

It only took a few minutes, simply because he was more familiar with the road now and it was less occupied in this time of day, but for the boy it felt like he was running in this route for hours. Rue was angry at himself for not having the insight on Shadow's plans and feared his friend will pay the price for that.

Out of breath, he burst into the Plaza, weapon ready, expecting Shadow to strike him from out of nowhere like before… only to find out that it will not be the case, after all.

If Shadow was hanging around in the Plaza before, he was gone now and most likely had taken Mint with him. All that remained there for him to see was the Hero, her sword broken and shattered on the ground, the setting sun's light on the monument gave an impression that the figure is bathed in blood. And an eerie silence of foreboding permeated the air.

Rue took a couple of more sweeps on the lonely plaza, searching for any vital clues that could help him on Shadow's whereabouts. As well as a growing suspicion that Mint's corpse could just be hidden away for him to find somewhere…

Fortunately, it was not the case. The Plaza was indeed silent and abandoned. Heavy-hearted the boy strapped the Arc Edge on his back, realizing he won't need it soon. He dreaded returning to the inn to tell everyone the bad news.

-----

Next from being kept in the dark (literally and figuratively), Mint hated being left behind in discomfort. It was bad enough Shadow had to confiscate her rings, but having her arms tied uncomfortably behind her back, gagged and stuck in a dark, damp dungeon of some forsaken place surely didn't made her mood any lighter.

If I ever get my hands on that lousy jerk… she was thinking grimly as she tried to break free from her bonds. She was beginning to feel like a sausage, had he tied her any tighter, she'd suffer from acute asphyxiation.

But while trying to bypass a certain knot, Mint fell sideward with a crash. She was mentally cursing everything… from her lousy luck to the stupid rope… when she noticed that she was staring at an odd-looking shape lying on the floor. Her eyes finally accustomed in the dim light of her prison…

Then jerked suddenly back in horror, hitting the back of her skull against the stonewall. The pain in her head and the gag in her mouth prevented her from screaming at the top of her lungs in total abandon. For object turned out to be the remains of a human like head. Rue's head…

It took quite awhile for her to gather her wits and reluctantly examine the remains again closely and tentatively. She realized that she was mistaken… it wasn't Rue's head… his hairstyle was distinctively different from Rue's own, and its headgear was similar to the Ephlesian locals' outfit.

This was the body of the Valen doll. The missing brother Rue was searching for. Her gaze swept the entire room, and realized that it wasn't the only one. Dismembered heads, arms and legs scattered carelessly around the room, seeing the morbid end product of all this, she seriously doubted if a thought ever occurred in Shadow's head to spare the other dolls sleeping here. The nearest head was looking at her lifelessly with an expression of curiosity rather than fear, and the girl wondered if he even knew what hit him. But one odd detail she noticed. The gem on his forehead was missing…

If Shadow had given her the willies from Rue's story, this scene had instantly evolved this feeling into full-blown terror.

Just what kind of a monster is he? She thought fervently as she renewed her efforts to get free. She had to get out of this place. And fast…

------

"What I really don't understand is why would he kidnap Mint, when he made it so clear that you're the one he's really after?" Klaus asked, scratching his head, sincerely perplexed. "It just doesn't make any sense."

They were both now in a room… a guest room that turned into a library when Klaus began borrowing books and records from the local library.

"To be frank, I have no idea." Rue hesitated. "I may only met him twice, but I got the distinct feeling that he's rather insane… and very unpredictable."

"Rather is an understatement." Klaus agreed, then he noticed Rue was heading for the shack where they kept their dry rations and equipment. "Er, where are you going?"

"I have to go look for him. This stupid game of his has got to stop. If he wants to kill me, I'd prefer to let it happen in the middle of the desert than let you all get hurt for my sake."

"Now hold on! You don't even know where he is." Klaus said, placing a rather strong restraining grip on his friend's arm.

"Mint could be dead, and it's all my fault."

"You don't know that!" Elena called out from the door, holding a platter of food on her hands, overhearing the last part of their conversation. Rue was rather surprised to see her reaction like this. It was the first, and only, time he saw her so, well, indignant "You may never have notice it, but Mint is strong. She won't let herself die, no matter what that bad person will throw at her. She won't let him."

"But…"

"Please listen to Dad, Polly. I'm sure he has a plan. He won't let her down." For emphasis, Elena looked at her father. "Right, Dad?"

Klaus sighed. "Not sure how, but I'll help in any way I can. Even if I have to dig around New Ephlesia itself to find one."

"I think you don't have to do that, Dad." Elena replied seriously, thinking her father meant that last sentence literally. "Prima told me that he and Mint found it from the Hero."

There, smaller than Elena's palm, was a roundlike--- roundlike, for upon closer inspection on it was actually a smooth multi-faceted crystal cutted and polished neatly that gave the illusion of its round shape--- silver object. Klaus gently took the stone and studied it carefully.

"A [Relic]." Klaus said grimly. "Unfortunately, I have no way of knowing what this does."

"I think Rod's friend can help." Mira's voice surprised the trio as she strode into the room, her usually cheerful face was now grim. "Kasim told me everything what happened. Is everyone alright?"

"Prima's still shaky, but other than that we're all fine," Klaus said, giving a sidelong glance to Rue not to tell her about Mint's disappearance for now. "I sent Mint ahead to look something for me in the library. I'm supposed to go meet her now."

"I'm glad, then. How are you, Rue?" Mira asked, turning at the boy.

"I'm feeling better, I think. Did you manage to send a message to Claire?"

"I'm afraid that will have to wait for another day, if the sky improves, that is." Mira shook her head in disbelief. "The clouds this afternoon looked terrible. And the weather's getting worse by the minute, making those scrying devices so difficult to send (*). A storm must be coming."

"And you were saying Rod's friend can help us." Klaus said, trying to ignore that ominous last sentence. And brining the conversation back on track.

"Lucine's father is an antique collector. I heard from Rod that Duke tells him the things they would bring for him. Unfortunately…" hearing Lucine's name Klaus immediately looked surprised, Mira hesitated.

"Unfortunately?" Rue asked.

"Rod is not on his highest spirits today, I'm not into the details, mind you. But I don't think her father approved of him."

"So Rod finally court her in formality." Klaus mused. His attention back on the small [Relic].

"He did. I heard the local grapevine. I'm surprised he never told anything to me about that," Mira sighed. "Unfortunately Marion is not fond of adventurers, or at the very least, aspiring weapon builders. He hasn't changed a bit."

"You know him."

"Oh yes. He's the reason I became an adventurer in the first place." Mira answered matter-of-factly. Seeing Rue's surprised look, Klaus decided to chip in. "Mira worked for him as a sell sword in the past when she settled down in New Ephlesia for a few months. She needed the travelling money after the competition."

"Aah," Rue remembered Mira told him once that she was the local champion there.

"Marion has this odd logic of his towards adventurers in particular; why, he was hoping I should settle down with him." Mira said with an uncharacteristic sniff. "Needless to say, on the night he gave me my wages and a proposal, I left to find a nearby caravan… where I met Klaus again… who recently graduated from his excavation studies."

"I wouldn't call it graduate, dear." Klaus looked sheepish, almost embarrassed. Rue also recalled his friend's confession about the mishap in his youth about the tournament to impress Mira a few days ago. He wondered what Mira thought about this later, after all these years. But it seemed that both of them were not willing to give more detail in that part of the story. "We did invite him to our wedding though. He is rather distant person ever since, but he pride himself as a gentleman, so there wasn't any complications. And Belle confirmed me that he developed a fondness for antiques."

"I meet him on occasion. Lately he's too busy with that to notice what's going on around here." Mira said. "So it must have been a terrible shock for him to found out that Rod is after his daughter."

Rue shook his head. It seemed everything else was getting worse by the minute.

-----

(*) A Hologram, Mint! A HOLOGRAM!!!

(**) Which that, in itself, is surprising. Considering that this is Elena I'm talking about.

(***) I believe there were devices like that in ToF. I mean, how come Klaus can receive those messages/instructions from Fancy Mel so quickly (without actually going to her Atalier) and relay said messages to the player (my other theory would be the midgets, who played those annoying mini games with you. Since Mel mentioned that they do the shopping for her… although Carona doesn't seem to have a toy store)? …

[Anti-R sees Klaus' personal homepage about the findings of ancient Aeon artifacts from the internet] Oh…

NOTES: This isn't an update per se. I just merged a chapter and its 1.5 counterpart and made some changes. It's a small start, I know. But I'm typing chapter a much better chapter 8 even as I,uh, type these words right now. I'm also fixing my "Omega" and "Journey" fics while I'm at it. Sigh.

Again many, many thanks to you insightful readers. Without you, this story would not have made it this far :p