Mana's Mind
by Duran the Gladiator
Chapter 7: That which lives within
The dragon set them down gently in front of the tree sprout, where they saw a choir of birds singing to the Mana Goddess. She sat, eyes closed, and enjoyed her pastime: as soon as she noticed the Heroes stood in front of her, she waved her musicians away and turned to the six friends she knew so well.
"Hello, my friends, I hope your journey here was comfortable..."
"What's wrong, Goddess? Why did we have to come here?", asked Lise, who had been confused by the sudden appearance of the gigantic father of Flammie. "And why did you send him?"
"Relax, Lise, your questions will be answered in due time. First tell me what you think of the Mana Holyland. It has recovered a whole lot since you defeated the Dark Lich..."
"Yes. It nice again..."
"Yup, Kev's right, it's beautiful!"
"How lush!", said Angela, who had recovered a bit from her queasyness - Flammie's father flew a lot faster than she was used to. "But do tell us why you sent for us. I'm curious..."
"Okay then," said the glowing figure of the Goddess as she floated to her place on a root of the old Mana Tree's trunk, "I sent for you because I want to tell you a story. A story of a world before this one..."
"Before this one?", said Lise, now even more confused.
"I'll explain. Once, long, long before this world was even imagined, there was another world. That world was the base of the present world, but that'll become clear later on. Anyway, long before there were Elementals, or even gods, the Mana Tree stood on that world, high on a mountain, and it could be reached only by a waterfall. A spell shut in a pendant could make the water flow upwards and one could reach the Tree. Wishes could be granted there, and the water flowing from the Tree could purify the world. The water reflected people's hearts, and the darker those became, the muckier the water. War had erupted once for that pendant, and thus it was passed on by a line of females that was bound very closely to the Tree. The emperor of that ancient world, Glaive, sought the power of the Mana Tree to gain control over everything that existed. His wizard Julius had done research and had found the girl with the Pendant. Her name was Mana. But, and that was the reason that world kept on existing, she was found by an escaped slave of Glaive, named Ben, before Julius could track her down. Ben became involved in her fate, and he followed Julius as he captured and enchanted the girl so she would do anything he said. Once Julius had gotten his wish - the ultimate power - Ben found him and fought him. When he slew the evil wizard, the world became purified.
After Ben saved the world, it was placed under the custody of the gods, who changed the world for its own benefit. They saw the world prosper, technology develop, and they were happy with it. But then the world turned sour. The humans got overly confident in their power and started rivaling the gods for control over their world. They built a fortress to invade the heavens and take over there as well as on earth. The Empire, once Glaive's territory, was behind it again. Power-hungry and greedy, the Emperor ignored every warning of the other countries. Lorima had launched missiles at it, and the others had stopped all their associations with it. Still, it continued to search for the ultimate power. It commenced use of the fortress: they called it the Mana Fortress, for it disabled all Mana in its path. Then, the gods reacted. They sent the first of a generation of dragons down to the world. The Beasts - for there were nine at the time - smashed the world and drove the Fortress deep within the crust of the planet. But they also brought something good along. Just to make sure that people would never again forget about Mana, they created the Elementals, one for each Beast. Undine, Salamando, Sylphid, Gnome, Shade, Lumina, Luna, Dryad, and even the creator of all these Elementals, the Elemental of the gods Solar who had lead the attack, got a physical form. But humanity hadn't learned a lesson that remained. After only fifty years, the Mana Fortress was threatened to be used again. Only this time Solar, who controlled the predecessor of the Mana Beast who brought you here, had alienated from the gods and had made from the essence of the Mana Tree a sword more powerful than even the Beast was. Although she had no choice but to send the Beast, she altered the Mana Tree so it produced from it a gender of caretakers and fighters to protect it. This first fighter, Serin, smashed the Fortress and drove the Beast away. His son, Hopper, did the same when the world was endangered by the Fortress fifteen years after his father fought it. He, however, was aided by two allies: a young girl named Nasha and a sprite, a side-race of the dwarves, called Stine. The world was saved as he had damaged the Fortress too much to ever rise again. The Beast was also defeated, but it would return in the form of a child. When the child had grown, Solar had a heavy task ahead of her. The world had grown totally ignorant of Mana once again and its resources had been depleted completely: she had no choice but to destroy the world and re-create it. She took the Mana Sword and destroyed the ancient world, making the essence of it flow freely again. Then she created a new world along with the other Elementals. This time, each of the Elementals got its own kingdom to live in. Lumina got the Kingdom of Wendelia, while Shade got the island kingdom consisting of Bucca, Pedan, Glass Island and Umbria, where the Dark Castle lies. Sylphid got Rolante, Gnome got Forcena, Salamando got the Desert Kingdom of which the name is lost, even by me, and Undine got Altena. Luna got the Kingdom of Beasts and Dryad got Diorre. Solar decided that she would be the Goddess of the world, since the other gods had turned their backs on it, and she placed the new Mana Tree in her kingdom above the clouds..."
"Hey, then this world comes forth from that new world!", shouted Duran.
"Yes, Duran, you're right. Things did not go exactly perfect on this world either, however. The other Mana Beasts, the ones belonging to the Elementals, did perish to give the lands new powers. Their spirits and power were gathered in the Mana Stones, which could be controlled by a spell. You know what happened because of that spell, I trust?"
"Yes, there was a war over the control over that spell, which ended when the Priest of Light put a curse on it, so that whoever casted it would die..."
"Right, Angela, but do you also know that the present state of some of the kingdoms are because of that war? The Desert Kingdom used to be a forest, until the war brought Salamando as far as to raise the heat so much that everything dried out and died, except for the oasis in Deen. The Island of Oblivion was created because of it..."
"Created? How come? And how?", asked Carlie.
"They used Mana to move great masses of land to create a new island. There, the curse was forged. And the only way to get to the Holyland from then one was via that island, or with the help of the Beast's supernatural speed... Anyway, the Beast came very close to going back and destroying the world again. His hot breath caused the sand of the sand on Glass Island to become black glass. And his tail smashed Pedan, ancient worshipping place of Shade, and Wendelia's capital, where Wisp now sits. Unfortunately, the people forgot about the Elementals as well, and their old names were forgotten as well. When you all got aware of the presence of the Elementals again, Lumina was named Wisp, Sylphid became Jinn, and Dryad was named Elemental of Wood. Very weird to see: the war had simply erased parts of the past, or so it seemed.
Wendelia was destroyed, and only its Temple remained. Around it grew a city called Wendel in honor of the ancient kingdom. The relation between the islands turned sour and Shade was restricted to Bucca although his Mana Stone was on another island. The world regained its peaceful character until, for a reason that was unknown even to me until now, three dark figures arose and pulled three humans with them. Koren, Bigieu, and Heath - though Heath was manipulated to do the Masked Mage's bidding. But a strange thing has happened... I predicted to you that the restoration of Mana would take a very long time, remember? Well, it seems that to certain persons, it doesn't take that long to restore. Certain persons that carry Mana in their hearts... who were willing to die protecting it..."
"Us?", asked Kevin.
"Yes, you. Although it is still limited, and now still a mere power of the mind. You will all find, however, that it becomes easier to use and more powerful every year. You are the reasons of Mana's fast rebirth. Your pure minds, your strength of character and most of all your forgiveness towards three certain spirits... who asked for me to bring you here."
"Three?"
"Yes, three humans that got killed because they were on the destructive side..."
"But Heath is alive!", protested Carlie, "How can there be three?!"
"Bigieu, Koren, and a certain former priest that wants to see you. I believe he too goes by the name of Heath... or is it my mistake?"
"It's Keith! Yes, I know you don't recognise me, but I am - was - the masked mage. I have told you before that I turned to the arts of the other side to save a young girl that was dying. Actually, there is a reason to her illness. The Mana Beast started a plague in the capitol of Wendelia, one that affects the mind and turns a person insane while his body fails him. That girl was one of the last victims, and it was my task to take care of her... she was my fiancée. I tried so hard to save her, but I failed. The darkness in my mind grew as the disease had affected me as well. But I had surpassed death before I got the chance to be released from insanity by it. I lived on with a plagued mind... and for that, I ask forgiveness. But please see that I acted out of my nature. Heath would have done the same for you, that is why he was susceptible to my ideas... he too would have rather died himself than to have seen you perish in front of him."
"I... I can forgive you.", said Carlie, and Kevin nodded, letting the spirit know he could go on without torment. The spirit sighed thankfully as he passed on to the afterlife, where the girl he loved would be as well. Another spirit stepped forward - Koren's, which looked awfully vulnerable since his astral form had no flowing cape or impressive robes, just a mere ghost gown.
"Angela, Duran, you've known me as the Crimson Wizard. Angela, you might also have known me as the poor kid that couldn't use magic. But I didn't even had it in me. My mother came from Rolante, a land where Mana was held very high in esteem. My father came from Mintos, and he was used to seeing Mana - it was part of his life. Oh, how they couldn't cope with a son with absolutely no talent at all... my sister could use magic, and she died in a battle with Navarre thieves with the greatest honor one can imagine. She had killed all her opponents before dying of her own wounds. My parents wished for me to die, with or without honor: rather with honor than without. That's why they sent me to learn magic. I failed miserably... that's when the Dragon Emperor came along and offered me what I had never even dreamt of attaining: a power surpassing that of the Queen. I took it eagerly, thereby condemning me... While I tried so hard to avoid what my parents had wanted me to do - die in battle - I did that very thing, and fell honorless. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me for what I've done - and for what I haven't done, but should have?"
"Koren, we've forgiven you a long time ago. It's allright, go in peace", whispered Duran. Koren greeted them before passing on into the afterlife as well, making room for the third spirit to come forth: Bigieu.
"I used to be an inhabitant of Pedan. After the Mana Beast struck our city, we rebuilt it but kept the illusion that it was nothing but ruins to the outside. My profession was archaeologist, and I dug up the strangest thing during an excavation in some palace on an uninhabited island: a coffin. With contents. Jagan scared me when he came out, so much I fainted... When I regained consciousness, he looked a bit relieved. He never told me, but soon I knew why he had looked revived: he had fed on me. But that is not of importance. He offered me something I could not refuse: power. My detest of the present world had grown as I found more and more indications that it had grown from another, and that it had been destroyed for no reason - or so I thought. I didn't know that there was indeed a reason... and I've hurt many along the way... all for nothing, now that I can think about it."
"I can forgive you...", said Lise.
"Me too. I am still upset about the deaths of Eagle, Bill and Ben, but hating you for it is not going to bring those lost lives back. The least I can do is hope that they have found rest as well. No, I can't deny you your rest as well." Bigieu, too, went on. Suddenly, another voice resounded.
"Hurt can't be forgotten, but it can be forgiven. I've lost many friends along my way, and never gave up. I didn't hate him for who he killed, but because he killed. Defeating him gave relief to the world. Yes, you're not the only ones." said the ghost as it approached, the resemblance of a boy aged like Kevin, with brown hair held up by a bandana. "I'm Hopper, child of Serin, protectof of Mana and second wielder of the Mana Sword. My allies have gone on without me, since my spirit is kept close to the Mana Tree should it ever need my protection again. You too will share that fate... but don't worry, it's not that bad", he said as Hawk looked at him shocked. "Anyway, I was also the first one that had the Elementals travelling with him. Though I couldn't use magic, I had them all close by me. I had to seal Mana Seeds, just as you had to secure Mana Stones. I had to use the powers of the Elementals to reach the Mana Fortress, just as you did to get here. And I had to fight the Dark Lich as well - although it was a different person. The Dark Lich in my world was Thanatos, a henchman of the Emperor who betrayed his master and left all his other henchmen to die. He was the reason my world was nearly destroyed..."
"What have you come to tell us, Hopper?", asked Angela, who felt sympathy towards the boy.
"Well, I've come to tell you that your world is in danger too. My world didn't exist for long after I saved it. Your world probably will not, either... unless you change that fate."
"Huh? But then... you saved your world in vain! And so have we!"
"No, that's not true. When I say "not long", I mean that it had existed longer before than after me. And since it has existed only a hundred thousand years before you came, it means it will probably not make another fifty thousand... However, you can change that fate. Make your children aware of Mana. Learn them how to use it. Learn the rest of the world how to use it once it returns. And never let them forget. Give your great-great-great-grandchildren the memory of being descendants of the Mana Heroes. Never let the world forget about you. It was my mistake to let them forget. I didn't want to be remembered... and I didn't realise I was wrong until I saw they had forgotten Mana, even my children."
"You had children? But you still look young!", remarked Hawk.
"Err, yes. A while after we had parted, I met Nasha again - short for Natasha - and from that meeting grew a relationship, and a marriage, and kids too. Nasha looks a whole lot like you," said the spirit as he pointed to Lise, "and she was the strongest woman I've ever met. Our children were very strong as well, and their children too - although a bit less by then. But we never told them, and they grew up ignorant. Of course, they knew Mana, but only very vague, as a power on the background... and so, the knowledge diminished. Mana was forgotten, me and Nasha and Stine were forgotten, the Empire was forgotten... all the later generations thought about was money, wealth and power. But not over the gods, over the world. The world was depleted and then destroyed. Poor Solar...", he said as he patted the Mana Goddess on the shoulder as she smiled. "She couldn't look at it much longer: it was chaos reigning over chaos. And she came, unraveled the chaos to the pure essence, and made order again. Gnome made the land, Undine the water, Salamando the desert and sun, Sylphid the skies, Lumina the light and the stars, Shade the night and the shadows, Luna the moon, and Dryad recreated all life as it had been."
"Tell us more, I'm curious! When did you meet Solar? And did you know about Ben, and that we would come as well?", said Angela, catching the former Hero off guard as he jumped.
"Hey, hey, easy! I can easily recognise a part of my mind in yours. Eager, but still rational... Anyway, I didn't know of Solar's existance when I smashed the Fortress and killed the first Mana Beast. It was only when fate called me and my friends back to the Water Palace, where Undine lived, that I learnt about her. An enemy of ours had survived the battle, namely a henchman of the Emperor: Geshtar. He suffered amnesia and wanted to learn what he had done when he was with the Empire. Naturally, my friends had met him as well, and they had found out first-hand that he wasn't evil: but I had no idea and still saw him as a threat. Anyway, when I arrived at the Water Palace, I witnessed a close friend of mine, Flammie, turn into a Mana Beast. Geshtar risked his life to save her. And he was a friend of Flammie as well, so I was convinced. ...No, it's not the same Flammie," he said as he looked at the small white dragon, and instead pointed to the bigger version, "I think this one is a descendant of her, but I'm not sure. Flammie was an ordinary white dragon... but she did change back then... Ah, mind's wandering, back to the story! I met Solar there, and she was beautiful. She had golden hair, a white gown and these beautiful light blue wings that flapped as she floated. She had such a soothing visage that it eased all hostility towards Geshtar away from me. She changed a bit after the world had ended, into something more goddess-like, but... Ah, now, about what I know...
About Ben, I didn't know anything... but about you, I did know. I knew that three people pure of blood would arise and take the Mana Sword up again to cleanse the world of evil. But when Solar told me that, instead of just three, fate had chosen six Mana Heroes, I was fairly surprised. Especially since they would have to have the same characteristics... Well, that seems to be okay, I see. One pair engaged, one pair in love, and the two others friends beyond life. You belong together as friends. Don't forget my advice!", he shouted as he was called back to where he came from, apparently - he vanished after he said the latter. The Goddess sighed and turned to the Heroes again.
"He's right - you shouldn't let the world forget. You'd be surprised how easily such things are forgotten. Your lives seemed to go along quite calmly, and you seemed to have forgotten yourselves - that's why I sent you a little excitement. No, I didn't make the Elementals ill, but I did withdraw their barrier a bit. You should never forget. You, and your descendants after you, are the only thing this world has!"
"We understand," said Kevin, voicing the opinion of the whole group, "but we wanna go back now. Can we?"
"Sure. Remember, though, what has been told to you. And come up here sometimes. Bring your children with you... they had better get to know Flammie and Booskaboo as well. Only those with your blood can enter here. A good trip back to the Beast Kingdom! ...Yes, I know you want to talk and catch up some more. I suggest you finish that Peace Summit you've started." She then turned around and went back to her place on the trunk, as the birds came flying in again and resumed their concerto. Suddenly - and this gesture amazed both the rest of the group and the Goddess - Kevin motioned for them to sit down and listen to the concerto as well. They all obeyed as they were enchanted by the unearthly melody and the beauty of the scene. The theme was a song about the world, about the splendor of Diorre and how it contrasted to the rest of the world. It sung about the strength of the Beastmen, the sturdy warriors of Forcena, the elite of Altena and the weapon art of Rolante. It sung of the heat of the desert and of the beauty of the thief princesses. It contained all the glory of Wendel's Temple of Light and of mysterious Pedan, and it sung of a Goddess more beautiful than any other that watched above it all. And when it was over, they all rose to their feet again and clapped. Angela even had tears in her eyes.
"Now, I know that you are truly the Heroes of Mana. Not only strong and intelligent, but sensitive and kind-hearted...", whispered the Goddess that Solar had become as she saw her friends fly back to the world they were set on saving from the moment they met.
"What should we do?", said Kevin as they touched solid ground in front of the Beast Kingdom's castle again. He was a bit confused as to how to go on now. Everything seemed different. Even his Charlotte seemed to be. Suddenly, he realised she had changed. Her face had become a bit less round, less child-like, and she smiled sincerely. "Charl, you first...", he said as he opened the heavy castle doors for her.
"Well, Kev, if you feel up to it, and you let me talk to your cooks a bit, maybe we can have another party tonight!", said Lise. Duran and Angela agreed on it, as did Hawk. Carlie nodded as well before heading out again, followed by Kevin. Duran looked a bit amazed as he saw the clear intimacy between the two.
"Say...", he started, but was cut off by Hawk's statement.
"You guys do realise that they're engaged? Because you didn't seem to notice Carlie walking around with the Moonlight Tiara on her head."
"No way! Engaged?", exclaimed Angela. She had secretly hoped that she and Duran would get engaged as well, but he hadn't even thought of it by the looks of it. "How nice!"
"Yeah... how nice...", stammered Duran. It made him think about him and Angela. Well, he thought, I s'pose it's about time I ask her as well... after all, I did keep that ring the Sahagin give me for a reason...
Everyone's thoughts were cut short as Lise returned from the kitchen.
"Hey, you guys, everything's in order for that party! I told the cook we'd be eating supper earlier so he had enough time to make us some nice snacks for later on the evening... hey, where are Kev and Carlie?" She smiled as Hawk pointed towards the corridor they had disappeared into. "What are you all worked up about? He's just taken her for meditation! That's where the garden is... think I'm gonna join them. You seem a bit tired, go take a nap!", she said before going to the garden. Duran yawned as he set off to the guest room he had been put in, but stopped short as he heard Hawk call after him.
"Hey, Duran! I wanted to say something to you..."
"Yeah?", he said while turning around.
"Well, it's just that... I've heard something weird blowing on the wind the other day. Is it true that King Richard sees you as a son?"
"Oh, I see him as the father I never had, and he sees me as a child of his, so... I guess so, yes."
"Nothing serious, but I heard blowing on the wind that King Richard is... ah, nevermind. He's a strong man, isn't he? That wound wouldn't bring him down."
"Huh? Is there something wrong with him?!"
"No, not at all, but the winds told me "King Richard of Forcena will not reign too long anymore" and well, you know, the winds never lie..."
"Eh, but they're wrong. Why wouldn't he reign long after today?" And with that, the warrior turned around and went off, leaving Hawk behind. But Hawk knew better than to pursue him. He knew that his friend worried for the King, even though he wasn't in danger by now anymore, and that it was best to leave the matter be.
The party was very nice as the Heroes had all dressed up again. Carlie had put on yet another dress, one that made her look extra charming. Kevin was stuck to her all night. Hawk got Carlie to dance with him once, and Lise took the opportunity to go dance with Kevin and give him her congratulations - something she said made Kevin blush, and Carlie giggled as she saw it. Duran and Angela, on the other hand, had decided to call it a night a bit earlier and went to their rooms. Angela sighed as she saw her boyfriend disappear into his room without saying goodnight, and went into her own room to change into her pyjama. She hadn't suspected anyone to come by, so the knock on the door startled her.
"Yes? I'm kinda standing here naked...", she said, a bit irritated by the interruption.
"Oh, I'll wait a bit then...", sounded Duran's voice. He sounded different to her, a bit nervous even, so she quickly put on her nightgown and opened the door.
"Hey... didn't think you'd come by, I'd chosen something nicer if I did..."
"Nah, it's okay. Angela...", he said as she patted the mattress and let him sit down, "I don't quite know how to say this properly, but - what the heck, to hell with formality and anything bothersome! Angela, I love you, and I know you love me. Will you marry me?" This came as a total surprise to the poor girl, and she swooned. Duran caught her before she could even fall, and she nearly landed on top of him. He blushed furiously as she opened her eyes again, and showed her the ring he had kept for her.
"Duran - oh, it's pretty! Where did you get this?!"
"Altena has more treasures than this one princess. But none can surpass you, and you know that. So, will you?"
"You know, silly!", she said as she hugged him and let him slip the ring on her finger. "I don't care if I have to move heaven and earth to convince Mother, but I will marry you!"
"Huh? Convince Queen Valda? How come?"
"Well, the whole "political marriage" thing. She still wants me to marry someone of royalty, but I only want you..."
"Damn right you do", he said as he pulled her closer.
Kevin passed by Duran's room to ask why he had left early, but there was no one there.
"Gah, Angela again? Those two don't have better things to do?!", he muttered as he walked back to his own room. Carlie stood in front of the door, pondering oblivious of her surroundings. "Hey Carlie, what up?"
"Oh, nothing, I was hoping I'd see you again. Wanted to say goodnight..." Kevin got the hint, leaned over to her and kissed her. "Goodnight...", she said as he opened the door.
"Goodnight." He was about to go inside when she stopped him.
"Hey!", she said as she put her hand on his shoulder. "Don't part without saying "I love you"."
"Why that?", said Kevin amused. He would say it a thousand times to her, but he wanted to tease her a bit.
"Just because I want to hear it a million times in my life from you. I love you, Kev."
"Love you, Carlie of mine... Now, go and sleep..." She nodded, gave him a quick peck on the cheek and ran off to her own room, still cherishing the simple words that yet meant so much to her.
*AN: Aaaaagh... only one chap (and a few additions I feel I should make...) My dear faithful readers, your surprise will come! But for now, review. Oh, and be sure to ask me questions about anything that seems a bit unclear to you. Anything at all. Oh, BTW, I seriously recommend "Another Witchmaker" by Sinnatious. Has a good thing going there. Well, have fun, read and be sure to drop me a review! Seeya!*
by Duran the Gladiator
Chapter 7: That which lives within
The dragon set them down gently in front of the tree sprout, where they saw a choir of birds singing to the Mana Goddess. She sat, eyes closed, and enjoyed her pastime: as soon as she noticed the Heroes stood in front of her, she waved her musicians away and turned to the six friends she knew so well.
"Hello, my friends, I hope your journey here was comfortable..."
"What's wrong, Goddess? Why did we have to come here?", asked Lise, who had been confused by the sudden appearance of the gigantic father of Flammie. "And why did you send him?"
"Relax, Lise, your questions will be answered in due time. First tell me what you think of the Mana Holyland. It has recovered a whole lot since you defeated the Dark Lich..."
"Yes. It nice again..."
"Yup, Kev's right, it's beautiful!"
"How lush!", said Angela, who had recovered a bit from her queasyness - Flammie's father flew a lot faster than she was used to. "But do tell us why you sent for us. I'm curious..."
"Okay then," said the glowing figure of the Goddess as she floated to her place on a root of the old Mana Tree's trunk, "I sent for you because I want to tell you a story. A story of a world before this one..."
"Before this one?", said Lise, now even more confused.
"I'll explain. Once, long, long before this world was even imagined, there was another world. That world was the base of the present world, but that'll become clear later on. Anyway, long before there were Elementals, or even gods, the Mana Tree stood on that world, high on a mountain, and it could be reached only by a waterfall. A spell shut in a pendant could make the water flow upwards and one could reach the Tree. Wishes could be granted there, and the water flowing from the Tree could purify the world. The water reflected people's hearts, and the darker those became, the muckier the water. War had erupted once for that pendant, and thus it was passed on by a line of females that was bound very closely to the Tree. The emperor of that ancient world, Glaive, sought the power of the Mana Tree to gain control over everything that existed. His wizard Julius had done research and had found the girl with the Pendant. Her name was Mana. But, and that was the reason that world kept on existing, she was found by an escaped slave of Glaive, named Ben, before Julius could track her down. Ben became involved in her fate, and he followed Julius as he captured and enchanted the girl so she would do anything he said. Once Julius had gotten his wish - the ultimate power - Ben found him and fought him. When he slew the evil wizard, the world became purified.
After Ben saved the world, it was placed under the custody of the gods, who changed the world for its own benefit. They saw the world prosper, technology develop, and they were happy with it. But then the world turned sour. The humans got overly confident in their power and started rivaling the gods for control over their world. They built a fortress to invade the heavens and take over there as well as on earth. The Empire, once Glaive's territory, was behind it again. Power-hungry and greedy, the Emperor ignored every warning of the other countries. Lorima had launched missiles at it, and the others had stopped all their associations with it. Still, it continued to search for the ultimate power. It commenced use of the fortress: they called it the Mana Fortress, for it disabled all Mana in its path. Then, the gods reacted. They sent the first of a generation of dragons down to the world. The Beasts - for there were nine at the time - smashed the world and drove the Fortress deep within the crust of the planet. But they also brought something good along. Just to make sure that people would never again forget about Mana, they created the Elementals, one for each Beast. Undine, Salamando, Sylphid, Gnome, Shade, Lumina, Luna, Dryad, and even the creator of all these Elementals, the Elemental of the gods Solar who had lead the attack, got a physical form. But humanity hadn't learned a lesson that remained. After only fifty years, the Mana Fortress was threatened to be used again. Only this time Solar, who controlled the predecessor of the Mana Beast who brought you here, had alienated from the gods and had made from the essence of the Mana Tree a sword more powerful than even the Beast was. Although she had no choice but to send the Beast, she altered the Mana Tree so it produced from it a gender of caretakers and fighters to protect it. This first fighter, Serin, smashed the Fortress and drove the Beast away. His son, Hopper, did the same when the world was endangered by the Fortress fifteen years after his father fought it. He, however, was aided by two allies: a young girl named Nasha and a sprite, a side-race of the dwarves, called Stine. The world was saved as he had damaged the Fortress too much to ever rise again. The Beast was also defeated, but it would return in the form of a child. When the child had grown, Solar had a heavy task ahead of her. The world had grown totally ignorant of Mana once again and its resources had been depleted completely: she had no choice but to destroy the world and re-create it. She took the Mana Sword and destroyed the ancient world, making the essence of it flow freely again. Then she created a new world along with the other Elementals. This time, each of the Elementals got its own kingdom to live in. Lumina got the Kingdom of Wendelia, while Shade got the island kingdom consisting of Bucca, Pedan, Glass Island and Umbria, where the Dark Castle lies. Sylphid got Rolante, Gnome got Forcena, Salamando got the Desert Kingdom of which the name is lost, even by me, and Undine got Altena. Luna got the Kingdom of Beasts and Dryad got Diorre. Solar decided that she would be the Goddess of the world, since the other gods had turned their backs on it, and she placed the new Mana Tree in her kingdom above the clouds..."
"Hey, then this world comes forth from that new world!", shouted Duran.
"Yes, Duran, you're right. Things did not go exactly perfect on this world either, however. The other Mana Beasts, the ones belonging to the Elementals, did perish to give the lands new powers. Their spirits and power were gathered in the Mana Stones, which could be controlled by a spell. You know what happened because of that spell, I trust?"
"Yes, there was a war over the control over that spell, which ended when the Priest of Light put a curse on it, so that whoever casted it would die..."
"Right, Angela, but do you also know that the present state of some of the kingdoms are because of that war? The Desert Kingdom used to be a forest, until the war brought Salamando as far as to raise the heat so much that everything dried out and died, except for the oasis in Deen. The Island of Oblivion was created because of it..."
"Created? How come? And how?", asked Carlie.
"They used Mana to move great masses of land to create a new island. There, the curse was forged. And the only way to get to the Holyland from then one was via that island, or with the help of the Beast's supernatural speed... Anyway, the Beast came very close to going back and destroying the world again. His hot breath caused the sand of the sand on Glass Island to become black glass. And his tail smashed Pedan, ancient worshipping place of Shade, and Wendelia's capital, where Wisp now sits. Unfortunately, the people forgot about the Elementals as well, and their old names were forgotten as well. When you all got aware of the presence of the Elementals again, Lumina was named Wisp, Sylphid became Jinn, and Dryad was named Elemental of Wood. Very weird to see: the war had simply erased parts of the past, or so it seemed.
Wendelia was destroyed, and only its Temple remained. Around it grew a city called Wendel in honor of the ancient kingdom. The relation between the islands turned sour and Shade was restricted to Bucca although his Mana Stone was on another island. The world regained its peaceful character until, for a reason that was unknown even to me until now, three dark figures arose and pulled three humans with them. Koren, Bigieu, and Heath - though Heath was manipulated to do the Masked Mage's bidding. But a strange thing has happened... I predicted to you that the restoration of Mana would take a very long time, remember? Well, it seems that to certain persons, it doesn't take that long to restore. Certain persons that carry Mana in their hearts... who were willing to die protecting it..."
"Us?", asked Kevin.
"Yes, you. Although it is still limited, and now still a mere power of the mind. You will all find, however, that it becomes easier to use and more powerful every year. You are the reasons of Mana's fast rebirth. Your pure minds, your strength of character and most of all your forgiveness towards three certain spirits... who asked for me to bring you here."
"Three?"
"Yes, three humans that got killed because they were on the destructive side..."
"But Heath is alive!", protested Carlie, "How can there be three?!"
"Bigieu, Koren, and a certain former priest that wants to see you. I believe he too goes by the name of Heath... or is it my mistake?"
"It's Keith! Yes, I know you don't recognise me, but I am - was - the masked mage. I have told you before that I turned to the arts of the other side to save a young girl that was dying. Actually, there is a reason to her illness. The Mana Beast started a plague in the capitol of Wendelia, one that affects the mind and turns a person insane while his body fails him. That girl was one of the last victims, and it was my task to take care of her... she was my fiancée. I tried so hard to save her, but I failed. The darkness in my mind grew as the disease had affected me as well. But I had surpassed death before I got the chance to be released from insanity by it. I lived on with a plagued mind... and for that, I ask forgiveness. But please see that I acted out of my nature. Heath would have done the same for you, that is why he was susceptible to my ideas... he too would have rather died himself than to have seen you perish in front of him."
"I... I can forgive you.", said Carlie, and Kevin nodded, letting the spirit know he could go on without torment. The spirit sighed thankfully as he passed on to the afterlife, where the girl he loved would be as well. Another spirit stepped forward - Koren's, which looked awfully vulnerable since his astral form had no flowing cape or impressive robes, just a mere ghost gown.
"Angela, Duran, you've known me as the Crimson Wizard. Angela, you might also have known me as the poor kid that couldn't use magic. But I didn't even had it in me. My mother came from Rolante, a land where Mana was held very high in esteem. My father came from Mintos, and he was used to seeing Mana - it was part of his life. Oh, how they couldn't cope with a son with absolutely no talent at all... my sister could use magic, and she died in a battle with Navarre thieves with the greatest honor one can imagine. She had killed all her opponents before dying of her own wounds. My parents wished for me to die, with or without honor: rather with honor than without. That's why they sent me to learn magic. I failed miserably... that's when the Dragon Emperor came along and offered me what I had never even dreamt of attaining: a power surpassing that of the Queen. I took it eagerly, thereby condemning me... While I tried so hard to avoid what my parents had wanted me to do - die in battle - I did that very thing, and fell honorless. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me for what I've done - and for what I haven't done, but should have?"
"Koren, we've forgiven you a long time ago. It's allright, go in peace", whispered Duran. Koren greeted them before passing on into the afterlife as well, making room for the third spirit to come forth: Bigieu.
"I used to be an inhabitant of Pedan. After the Mana Beast struck our city, we rebuilt it but kept the illusion that it was nothing but ruins to the outside. My profession was archaeologist, and I dug up the strangest thing during an excavation in some palace on an uninhabited island: a coffin. With contents. Jagan scared me when he came out, so much I fainted... When I regained consciousness, he looked a bit relieved. He never told me, but soon I knew why he had looked revived: he had fed on me. But that is not of importance. He offered me something I could not refuse: power. My detest of the present world had grown as I found more and more indications that it had grown from another, and that it had been destroyed for no reason - or so I thought. I didn't know that there was indeed a reason... and I've hurt many along the way... all for nothing, now that I can think about it."
"I can forgive you...", said Lise.
"Me too. I am still upset about the deaths of Eagle, Bill and Ben, but hating you for it is not going to bring those lost lives back. The least I can do is hope that they have found rest as well. No, I can't deny you your rest as well." Bigieu, too, went on. Suddenly, another voice resounded.
"Hurt can't be forgotten, but it can be forgiven. I've lost many friends along my way, and never gave up. I didn't hate him for who he killed, but because he killed. Defeating him gave relief to the world. Yes, you're not the only ones." said the ghost as it approached, the resemblance of a boy aged like Kevin, with brown hair held up by a bandana. "I'm Hopper, child of Serin, protectof of Mana and second wielder of the Mana Sword. My allies have gone on without me, since my spirit is kept close to the Mana Tree should it ever need my protection again. You too will share that fate... but don't worry, it's not that bad", he said as Hawk looked at him shocked. "Anyway, I was also the first one that had the Elementals travelling with him. Though I couldn't use magic, I had them all close by me. I had to seal Mana Seeds, just as you had to secure Mana Stones. I had to use the powers of the Elementals to reach the Mana Fortress, just as you did to get here. And I had to fight the Dark Lich as well - although it was a different person. The Dark Lich in my world was Thanatos, a henchman of the Emperor who betrayed his master and left all his other henchmen to die. He was the reason my world was nearly destroyed..."
"What have you come to tell us, Hopper?", asked Angela, who felt sympathy towards the boy.
"Well, I've come to tell you that your world is in danger too. My world didn't exist for long after I saved it. Your world probably will not, either... unless you change that fate."
"Huh? But then... you saved your world in vain! And so have we!"
"No, that's not true. When I say "not long", I mean that it had existed longer before than after me. And since it has existed only a hundred thousand years before you came, it means it will probably not make another fifty thousand... However, you can change that fate. Make your children aware of Mana. Learn them how to use it. Learn the rest of the world how to use it once it returns. And never let them forget. Give your great-great-great-grandchildren the memory of being descendants of the Mana Heroes. Never let the world forget about you. It was my mistake to let them forget. I didn't want to be remembered... and I didn't realise I was wrong until I saw they had forgotten Mana, even my children."
"You had children? But you still look young!", remarked Hawk.
"Err, yes. A while after we had parted, I met Nasha again - short for Natasha - and from that meeting grew a relationship, and a marriage, and kids too. Nasha looks a whole lot like you," said the spirit as he pointed to Lise, "and she was the strongest woman I've ever met. Our children were very strong as well, and their children too - although a bit less by then. But we never told them, and they grew up ignorant. Of course, they knew Mana, but only very vague, as a power on the background... and so, the knowledge diminished. Mana was forgotten, me and Nasha and Stine were forgotten, the Empire was forgotten... all the later generations thought about was money, wealth and power. But not over the gods, over the world. The world was depleted and then destroyed. Poor Solar...", he said as he patted the Mana Goddess on the shoulder as she smiled. "She couldn't look at it much longer: it was chaos reigning over chaos. And she came, unraveled the chaos to the pure essence, and made order again. Gnome made the land, Undine the water, Salamando the desert and sun, Sylphid the skies, Lumina the light and the stars, Shade the night and the shadows, Luna the moon, and Dryad recreated all life as it had been."
"Tell us more, I'm curious! When did you meet Solar? And did you know about Ben, and that we would come as well?", said Angela, catching the former Hero off guard as he jumped.
"Hey, hey, easy! I can easily recognise a part of my mind in yours. Eager, but still rational... Anyway, I didn't know of Solar's existance when I smashed the Fortress and killed the first Mana Beast. It was only when fate called me and my friends back to the Water Palace, where Undine lived, that I learnt about her. An enemy of ours had survived the battle, namely a henchman of the Emperor: Geshtar. He suffered amnesia and wanted to learn what he had done when he was with the Empire. Naturally, my friends had met him as well, and they had found out first-hand that he wasn't evil: but I had no idea and still saw him as a threat. Anyway, when I arrived at the Water Palace, I witnessed a close friend of mine, Flammie, turn into a Mana Beast. Geshtar risked his life to save her. And he was a friend of Flammie as well, so I was convinced. ...No, it's not the same Flammie," he said as he looked at the small white dragon, and instead pointed to the bigger version, "I think this one is a descendant of her, but I'm not sure. Flammie was an ordinary white dragon... but she did change back then... Ah, mind's wandering, back to the story! I met Solar there, and she was beautiful. She had golden hair, a white gown and these beautiful light blue wings that flapped as she floated. She had such a soothing visage that it eased all hostility towards Geshtar away from me. She changed a bit after the world had ended, into something more goddess-like, but... Ah, now, about what I know...
About Ben, I didn't know anything... but about you, I did know. I knew that three people pure of blood would arise and take the Mana Sword up again to cleanse the world of evil. But when Solar told me that, instead of just three, fate had chosen six Mana Heroes, I was fairly surprised. Especially since they would have to have the same characteristics... Well, that seems to be okay, I see. One pair engaged, one pair in love, and the two others friends beyond life. You belong together as friends. Don't forget my advice!", he shouted as he was called back to where he came from, apparently - he vanished after he said the latter. The Goddess sighed and turned to the Heroes again.
"He's right - you shouldn't let the world forget. You'd be surprised how easily such things are forgotten. Your lives seemed to go along quite calmly, and you seemed to have forgotten yourselves - that's why I sent you a little excitement. No, I didn't make the Elementals ill, but I did withdraw their barrier a bit. You should never forget. You, and your descendants after you, are the only thing this world has!"
"We understand," said Kevin, voicing the opinion of the whole group, "but we wanna go back now. Can we?"
"Sure. Remember, though, what has been told to you. And come up here sometimes. Bring your children with you... they had better get to know Flammie and Booskaboo as well. Only those with your blood can enter here. A good trip back to the Beast Kingdom! ...Yes, I know you want to talk and catch up some more. I suggest you finish that Peace Summit you've started." She then turned around and went back to her place on the trunk, as the birds came flying in again and resumed their concerto. Suddenly - and this gesture amazed both the rest of the group and the Goddess - Kevin motioned for them to sit down and listen to the concerto as well. They all obeyed as they were enchanted by the unearthly melody and the beauty of the scene. The theme was a song about the world, about the splendor of Diorre and how it contrasted to the rest of the world. It sung about the strength of the Beastmen, the sturdy warriors of Forcena, the elite of Altena and the weapon art of Rolante. It sung of the heat of the desert and of the beauty of the thief princesses. It contained all the glory of Wendel's Temple of Light and of mysterious Pedan, and it sung of a Goddess more beautiful than any other that watched above it all. And when it was over, they all rose to their feet again and clapped. Angela even had tears in her eyes.
"Now, I know that you are truly the Heroes of Mana. Not only strong and intelligent, but sensitive and kind-hearted...", whispered the Goddess that Solar had become as she saw her friends fly back to the world they were set on saving from the moment they met.
"What should we do?", said Kevin as they touched solid ground in front of the Beast Kingdom's castle again. He was a bit confused as to how to go on now. Everything seemed different. Even his Charlotte seemed to be. Suddenly, he realised she had changed. Her face had become a bit less round, less child-like, and she smiled sincerely. "Charl, you first...", he said as he opened the heavy castle doors for her.
"Well, Kev, if you feel up to it, and you let me talk to your cooks a bit, maybe we can have another party tonight!", said Lise. Duran and Angela agreed on it, as did Hawk. Carlie nodded as well before heading out again, followed by Kevin. Duran looked a bit amazed as he saw the clear intimacy between the two.
"Say...", he started, but was cut off by Hawk's statement.
"You guys do realise that they're engaged? Because you didn't seem to notice Carlie walking around with the Moonlight Tiara on her head."
"No way! Engaged?", exclaimed Angela. She had secretly hoped that she and Duran would get engaged as well, but he hadn't even thought of it by the looks of it. "How nice!"
"Yeah... how nice...", stammered Duran. It made him think about him and Angela. Well, he thought, I s'pose it's about time I ask her as well... after all, I did keep that ring the Sahagin give me for a reason...
Everyone's thoughts were cut short as Lise returned from the kitchen.
"Hey, you guys, everything's in order for that party! I told the cook we'd be eating supper earlier so he had enough time to make us some nice snacks for later on the evening... hey, where are Kev and Carlie?" She smiled as Hawk pointed towards the corridor they had disappeared into. "What are you all worked up about? He's just taken her for meditation! That's where the garden is... think I'm gonna join them. You seem a bit tired, go take a nap!", she said before going to the garden. Duran yawned as he set off to the guest room he had been put in, but stopped short as he heard Hawk call after him.
"Hey, Duran! I wanted to say something to you..."
"Yeah?", he said while turning around.
"Well, it's just that... I've heard something weird blowing on the wind the other day. Is it true that King Richard sees you as a son?"
"Oh, I see him as the father I never had, and he sees me as a child of his, so... I guess so, yes."
"Nothing serious, but I heard blowing on the wind that King Richard is... ah, nevermind. He's a strong man, isn't he? That wound wouldn't bring him down."
"Huh? Is there something wrong with him?!"
"No, not at all, but the winds told me "King Richard of Forcena will not reign too long anymore" and well, you know, the winds never lie..."
"Eh, but they're wrong. Why wouldn't he reign long after today?" And with that, the warrior turned around and went off, leaving Hawk behind. But Hawk knew better than to pursue him. He knew that his friend worried for the King, even though he wasn't in danger by now anymore, and that it was best to leave the matter be.
The party was very nice as the Heroes had all dressed up again. Carlie had put on yet another dress, one that made her look extra charming. Kevin was stuck to her all night. Hawk got Carlie to dance with him once, and Lise took the opportunity to go dance with Kevin and give him her congratulations - something she said made Kevin blush, and Carlie giggled as she saw it. Duran and Angela, on the other hand, had decided to call it a night a bit earlier and went to their rooms. Angela sighed as she saw her boyfriend disappear into his room without saying goodnight, and went into her own room to change into her pyjama. She hadn't suspected anyone to come by, so the knock on the door startled her.
"Yes? I'm kinda standing here naked...", she said, a bit irritated by the interruption.
"Oh, I'll wait a bit then...", sounded Duran's voice. He sounded different to her, a bit nervous even, so she quickly put on her nightgown and opened the door.
"Hey... didn't think you'd come by, I'd chosen something nicer if I did..."
"Nah, it's okay. Angela...", he said as she patted the mattress and let him sit down, "I don't quite know how to say this properly, but - what the heck, to hell with formality and anything bothersome! Angela, I love you, and I know you love me. Will you marry me?" This came as a total surprise to the poor girl, and she swooned. Duran caught her before she could even fall, and she nearly landed on top of him. He blushed furiously as she opened her eyes again, and showed her the ring he had kept for her.
"Duran - oh, it's pretty! Where did you get this?!"
"Altena has more treasures than this one princess. But none can surpass you, and you know that. So, will you?"
"You know, silly!", she said as she hugged him and let him slip the ring on her finger. "I don't care if I have to move heaven and earth to convince Mother, but I will marry you!"
"Huh? Convince Queen Valda? How come?"
"Well, the whole "political marriage" thing. She still wants me to marry someone of royalty, but I only want you..."
"Damn right you do", he said as he pulled her closer.
Kevin passed by Duran's room to ask why he had left early, but there was no one there.
"Gah, Angela again? Those two don't have better things to do?!", he muttered as he walked back to his own room. Carlie stood in front of the door, pondering oblivious of her surroundings. "Hey Carlie, what up?"
"Oh, nothing, I was hoping I'd see you again. Wanted to say goodnight..." Kevin got the hint, leaned over to her and kissed her. "Goodnight...", she said as he opened the door.
"Goodnight." He was about to go inside when she stopped him.
"Hey!", she said as she put her hand on his shoulder. "Don't part without saying "I love you"."
"Why that?", said Kevin amused. He would say it a thousand times to her, but he wanted to tease her a bit.
"Just because I want to hear it a million times in my life from you. I love you, Kev."
"Love you, Carlie of mine... Now, go and sleep..." She nodded, gave him a quick peck on the cheek and ran off to her own room, still cherishing the simple words that yet meant so much to her.
*AN: Aaaaagh... only one chap (and a few additions I feel I should make...) My dear faithful readers, your surprise will come! But for now, review. Oh, and be sure to ask me questions about anything that seems a bit unclear to you. Anything at all. Oh, BTW, I seriously recommend "Another Witchmaker" by Sinnatious. Has a good thing going there. Well, have fun, read and be sure to drop me a review! Seeya!*
