Four Souls: Captives

Author's note:  Hi!

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            Aethan heard a shriek from the gardens.  He had been on a balcony whittling a flute and keeping an eye on Asnee.  Hearing the yell he dropped the knife and ran out the door, the half finished flute still in hand.  Asnee followed close behind.  They dashed out the palaces back door to see Aletta attempting to free herself from a cloaked man. 

            "You!  Release her!" yelled Aethan, drawing his sword.  As the attacker turned to face them his hood dropped. 
            "Brother!  Take your hands off her now!" yelled Asnee.  Aethan looked shocked, so this was Asnee's older brother, they looked like twins.  The older boy looked just as shocked, but his gaze swiftly shifted. 

            "I'm sorry Asnee, I have orders from Lord Aloran to bring this girl to him."

            "Why are you working for him?  He tricked us Pillan!"  The mage smirked and grabbed Aletta into a tighter hold.

            "Halt!"  A new voice shattered the silence.  Van walked toward the small group, his sword drawn and an angry look on his face.  His eyes were dark and unreadable as he glared at Pillan.  "Where is Merle!"  Pillan grinned.

            "Then Kieran has completed her mission.  Good."  Pillan backed away towards the castle wall.

            "Take your hand off my apprentice!"  Lia's voice rang from the roof she was standing on.  Jeris, behind her, had his sword drawn and ready.  Hitomi, who was behind Van, looked up surprised.  Pillan's silver-gray eyes darkened.  A ball of light was released from his hand and sped towards his pursuers.  It hit a goldish white shield that surrounded Van and his friends.  Pillan looked shocked, then he turned to glare at Asnee.  The same golden-white light collected around the boy. 

            "Brother, I can't let you harm her.  Release Aletta and we'll let you go."  Pillan smirked.

            "Sorry kid, I have orders."  A sliver light collected around the mage.  When the light had gone Pillan, and Aletta, were gone.  Asnee clenched his fist.

            "Damn, teleported!"  He turned to face a furious young king.  Van was angry, very angry. 

            "Asnee, who was that and what's happened to Merle and Aletta?"  Asnee backed away slightly.  A hand touched his shoulder, making him jump.  Lia was watching him expectantly.  Her eyes were gentler, but not by much.

            "Asnee?" she asked.

            "Pillan is my older brother.  He's a mage like me.  As to what happened to Merle and Aletta, they were probably kidnapped.  Kieran is another soldier under Aloran's command.  If they were working together, than she probably captured Merle.

            "So they're both…" Aethan clenched his fist over his sword.  Jeris put his hand on his friend's shoulder.

            "We'll find them, don't worry.  They're both strong girls."  Aethan looked no less worried.

            "They're trapped in there with two mages and god knows what else.  And I couldn't do a thing to stop him."  Jeris led his friend back into the palace.  Van and Hitomi followed shortly after, leaving Lia and Asnee alone in the garden.  Asnee was visibly distressed. 

            "I can't believe I let him get away like that." 

            "There wasn't anything either of us could have done.  That is, unless you're hiding some sort of teleporting ability yourself.   I can't do a thing to stop teleportation, the spell works to fast."  Asnee was surprised to see a master mage so helpless.  "We'd better get back inside.  If Aloran's people can get in here than we're safer there."  Asnee nodded and followed Lia into the palace.

            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            Hitomi followed Van down the deserted hallway.  He was hurting and she knew it.  Whether he hid it from the others or not, she could always tell.  Van stopped in front of a wall and collapsed.  Hitomi caught him slightly and helped him to the ground.  The boy-king was crying.  Hitomi had never seen him like this.  He buried his head in her shoulder and just cried silently.  When he had himself under control a little more, he sat back against the wall and stared at the celing.

            "How could I have let that happen?"  Van nearly broke into tears again.  Hitomi put her arms around him and rocked him like a child. 

            "It'll be alright, we'll get them back.  It's like Jeris said, they're strong, and they can take care of themselves.  We have to believe in them."  Van looked up at her, a hopeful gleam in his eyes.  He cradled her face in his hand.

            "God I've missed you.  I used to stay awake for hours at night, just thinking of you and how we never really got the chance to be…"

            "I know, I missed you so much when I went back.  Hearing you and sometimes seeing you helped, but it wasn't the same.  We were never really…"

            "Together," they spoke in unison.  Van leaned closer to Hitomi.  She stared at him, the floppy ebony hair, the bright red-brown eyes; he hadn't changed much in the past two years.  He was still the boy she'd fallen in love with.  She closed her eyes and leaned nearer to him.  Her lips found his in their warm embrace. (The sappiness here is killing me, what's worse is I wrote it)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            Aethan was taking the situation really hard.  Jeris had led him into the room he shared with Owean where the rest of the young warriors were gathered.  Having them around helped, but not one of them could really understand what he felt, none but Jeris.  The prince had lost his entire family in Aloran's attack.  That was why Aethan had accepted his help.  Maybe he was right, they should trust Aletta and Merle.  But it was hard, really hard to accept the fact that he might have lost his sister for good.

            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            The group met in the throne room the next morning to plan a rescue mission.  Aethan was still having a hard time but had joined them anyway.  Van, who was leading the mission much to his advisors distress, showed almost no emotion at all. 

            "Before we go to all this planning we need to find them," said Jeris, leaning back on his chair.  Van watched him.

            "Do you have any idea where he would hide?"  Jeris looked up.

            "No, he's clever.  He'll pick the best place he can find and stay there for weeks."  Van looked at Lia.

            "Can you find them?"  Lia shook her head.

            "I can't scry to that extent.  If I were to try the most I would pick up is the immediate surroundings of the person I'm looking for.  In this situation that wouldn't help," explained Lia.  Van turned to Hitomi.

            "I wanted to keep you out of this, but you're the only one who can find them."  Hitomi nodded.  Merle was her friend and she had just met Aletta, she was willing to use her powers to save them.  Redeen was still in the castle and had been invited to the conference.

            "Ya know, if you need help I can try to get a message through to the commander.  He'll help if he can."  Van nodded.

            "Thank you Redeen.  We'll get you going as soon as possible."  Owean stepped forward.

            "If you need someone to go with him, I'll go."  Seeing Jeris' look of approval, Van nodded.

            "Then we're counting on you two to get the message to Allen."  Owean and Redeen nodded.

            "Where the main camp is determines our best route of attack.  Hitomi, if you can find them then please do so quickly," said Jeris.  Van glared at his cousin, then saw Hitomi's determined face.  No matter how much he wanted her safe, she was set on helping.  Van sighed and walked over to the cabinet in the corner of the room.  He opened it and pulled out a detailed map of Fanelia.         

            "Aethan, do you have something of Aletta's I could borrow?" asked Hitomi.  Aethan nodded and pulled a small hair clip out of his pocket         

            "Aletta dropped this when she was… taken."  Hitomi nodded and took the clip, then followed Van into a quiet room adjacent to the conference room.  An hour went slowly by without even a small indication of whether Hitomi was succeeding or not.  The people waiting hung around the room or sipped drinks that had been brought in by one of the servants.  The weight of anticipation hung heavy in the air.  Most of them jumped as the door opened.  Hitomi walked out looking exhausted with Van close behind.

            Did you find them?" asked Aethan.  Hitomi collapsed into the nearest chair. 

            "They're camp is near the place where the dragons nest," said Van, watching Hitomi.    

            "A perfect hideaway, no one would think of going there," said Jeris, thinking.  Yaren stopped playing with his dagger and spoke up.

            "Then if Owean and Redeen here get going we can leave as soon as Allen's men arrive."  Mandan nodded at Yaren's comment.

            "They're camped close to the border so it shouldn't take long," he said.  Jeris grinned at his two soldiers.

            "The sooner they're here the sooner we can rescue Aletta and Merle," said Lia.  "You two best get going then."  Owean and Redeen nodded and followed Aethan, Yaren and Mandan out the door.         

            "The boys will help them get ready.  Assuming they get through with no trouble, Allen's crew should be here in no time," said Jeris.  Lia was watching Hitomi.  The girl hadn't said a word since she had found Aloran's location.

            "Hitomi, is something wrong?" she asked.  Van looked up shocked, then looked at Hitomi. 

            "Hitomi?" he asked.  "Are you ok?"  Hitomi shook her head.  Van sat down next to her and put a comforting arm around her shoulder.

            "What did you see?" asked Lia.

            "They… they know we're coming.  They're ready.  Aloran's ready to capture us all."  Lia looked stunned.

            "But, mother said he didn't know!  Why would he want all of us?"  Van regarded the mage with a careful eye.

            "What doesn't he know?"  Lia glared at him.    

            "Don't act like you weren't eavesdropping that night.  Amana told me you heard."  Van looked off to the side and Jeris started whistling.  Hitomi's voice broke through the uncomfortable moment.

            "He doesn't know.  He's after Van and Jeris.  He's going to…" Hitomi buried her head in Van's chest.  Jeris looked unnerved; he started shaking. (Poor guy doesn't like mind spells)     

            "Not again.  I can't let him do that again."  Lia put her hand on his shoulder.                   "As long as I'm around he won't touch you.  Not you and not Van, not any of us.  It'll take sometime, a night at least, but I can create a barrier around you're minds to keep you safe from other mind spells.  If Aloran is after you two he'll probably try to control you're psyche."  Jeris looked at her.

            "What'll happen to you if you do this?" he asked.  Lia smiled.

            "I'll be fine, I won't be able to use most of my powers but I can defend myself in other ways."  Jeris frowned at this.

            "You're swordsmanship is not adequate to protect yourself from Aloran's slayers," he replied.

            "It'll have to do."  Lia looked at Van expectantly.  He nodded.  "The spell takes 12 hours to set up.  I'm going up to my room to prepare."  She left the room.  Jeris started to follow, then decided against it.  He sighed.

            "I can't believe I'm letting her do this."  Van watched his cousin.

            "If she were any one else then I would have disagreed as well, but your girl is stubborn as hell," he said.  Jeris grinned.

            "She's not my girl, not yet anyway."

            "She's yours, if you love her and she loves you back," said Hitomi.  Jeris looked at the pale haired girl.

            "Maybe, but you're right Van, she is stubborn as hell.  You know, you should bring Hitomi back to her room.  She looks exhausted.  I'm going to go torment the boyos.  Owean needs to get straitened out before leaving tomorrow."  Van nodded and grinned at his cousin.  Jeris left the room with a smirk on his face, leaving Van and Hitomi alone together.

            "Come on, let's get you back to your room," said Van.  Hitomi nodded and allowed Van to help her walk from the conference room to the one she was staying in.  Once inside, she collapsed on the bed.  Van walked towards the door.        

            "If you need any thing, just call," he said, and left.

            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            Owean and Mandan left the castle just before daybreak, riding hard for the border.  Aethan watched them go.  He wished he could have gone with, but this was Owean's job.  Aethan needed something to take his mind off of yesterday's nightmare.  He paced around the balcony trying to work off some of the stress. 

            "Hey Aethan?  You bored or something?"  Jeris entered the balcony with his hand on his hip.  Aethan grinned at him.

            "Bored, stressed, freaked out of my skin, what ever you want to call it."  Jeris grinned at him and walked forward.

            "I know what you mean.  Need a sparing partner, that always gets my mind off things."  Aethan grinned again, nodded and drew his sword.

            "Works for me, maybe I'll beat you this time."  Jeris looked at him grinning.

            "Beat me, never."  Aethan began circling his friend.  Jeris stood, his sword still in its sheath, as if nothing was coming.  Aethan shifted his feet and lunged.  Jeris' sword came out of nowhere to parry the blow.  Aethan pulled back and lunged again.  Jeris dodged and slashed at Aethan's head.  Aethan's sword swung to block.  The boys went on like this for some time, neither getting the better of the other, until Jeris managed to twist his sword under Aethan's and nock it away.  Both of them staggered back panting. 

            "Woo, you're getting good Aethan.  I actually had to try that time."  Aethan leaned against the wall.

            "Nah, I saw you break a sweat last time."  Jeris laughed.

            "You wish."  He turned towards the stairs.  "Looks like we've got a guest."  Lia was sitting on the wall watching them.  On her lap was her cat Amana.  Jeris sheathed his sword and walked over to her.  "You ok, after last night I mean?"  Lia nodded.

            "A little tired, that's all."  Jeris lifted her head.

            "Take care of yourself alright.  That spell wore you out.  You need to rest."  Lia glared at him.

            "I'm fine!  I've had enough rest for a century these past few days."

            "Lia, I don't want you hurt for my sake.  Especially when it can be prevented."  Aethan walked over and started heading down the stairs.

            "I'll leave you two alone for now," he said with a wink.  Jeris grinned at him.  Turning back to Lia he sat down on the wall next to her.  Amana stood and jumped off Lia's lap.  She meowed at the two, and then followed Aethan down the stairs.  Lia turned away from him.

            "I know what you're going to say.  Now that I'm a princess we can be together with out a problem."  Jeris turned her face towards him.

            "Lia, I love you.  I want us to be together.  Do you think I would have left you if I'd never known?  When I met you, you were a young farm girl lost at a horse fair.  I never knew you were who you are till two nights ago."  Lia looked up at him.

            "But we'd met before, didn't you recognize me?"  Jeris shook his head.

            "No, I think your mother made sure no one who had known you would recognize you.  You didn't even remind me of the Lia-ani I had known as a child until I knew for sure.  I had my suspicions of course.  Your name isn't exactly common.  I didn't know for sure until that night."  Lia leaned into him, allowing him to put his strong arms around her. 

            "Even when you found out I was a mage, you still stuck by me.  You've always been there, even before the day we met.  You gave me my life."  Jeris hugged her tighter.

            "You remembered that day?"  Lia nodded against his chest.

            "You came and warned us.  If you hadn't I'd be dead now.  You're always around when I need help."  Jeris sighed.

            "Not always.  There've been times when I wasn't there to help you."  Lia looked up at him.      

            "But you were, I could feel you're spirit with me.  You always gave me hope."  Jeris leaned closer to her.         

            "Lia…" Lia closed her eyes as they kissed.

            "Yes," she whispered as they broke off.  Jeris looked at her, confused.

            "Yes what?"  Lia hugged him.

            "My answer.  Yes I'll marry you."  Jeris hugged her tight.

            "Even if it means you'll have to act like a noble?"

            "I'm stuck doing that anyway aren't I?  At least we can be together now."  Jeris gazed up at the sky above them.

            "Yes, finally."  Watching them from another rooftop, Amana meowed her approval.

            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            Owean and Redeen's ride took them across the border before noon.  They had run into no trouble, and it was starting to worry both of them.  It seemed like the shadows of the forest themselves were watching them.  They crossed the border about three miles from the camp and rested their horses.  If they were quick, they'd make it to camp in less then an hour.  Mounting their somewhat rested horses; they took off in the direction of the camp with Redeen leading the way.  As they neared the clearing, they heard sounds of fighting. 

Owean drew his sword as they came closer.  Redeen did the same.  They entered the clearing to find a group of men dressed in all black attacking the crusade's crew.  Owean immediately picked out Dilandau from the loud maniacal laugh that rose over the sounds of fighting.  He spurred his mount into the fray, heading for Dilandau and Miguel, who were in the thick of the battle.  Redeen in turn headed for where Allen and Gaddes were fending off a large number of men.

            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            Miguel parried another thrust and lunged for his attacker.  This battle was getting long and pointless.  At this rate the enemy would break through with out much trouble.  Dilandau, who was beside him, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.  His insane laugh made many of their assailants nervous and easy to kill.  Miguel was worried.  He'd seen lately how his former commander had been switching back and forth between his and Celena's personalities.  If Dilandau were to change in the middle of a battle he would almost defiantly be killed.  Miguel parried another attack, trying not to think about it.  Two enemies lunged at him together.  Miguel ducked and tried to dodge, both men fell to the ground before the before the blows reached him, one with a dagger in his back and the other run through with a sword.  Miguel looked up to see Owean, his sword soaked in blood, next to him.

            "Owean!  When did you get here?" he asked.  Owean stared at the men edging towards them.

            "Later," he said, and swung at the nearest foe.  As he went down, the black clad attackers began to fall back and vanish.  Miguel sighed, exhausted, and wiped his sword on the grass.  Allen ran over to them.

            "Are you alright?"  Owean nodded as Miguel answered.

            "Alive," he said.  Dilandau's voice rose above the now quiet atmosphere.

            "Damn, over to soon."  Owean glanced at the albino boy and shook his head.

            "God he's crazy."  Miguel looked at Dilandau and, satisfied that he wasn't watching, nodded.  The still standing crew began milling around the battleground looking for the wounded.  Owean stood up and walked over to Allen, who had moved on to talk to the rest of his crew.           

            "Allen, King Van sent us here with a message for you," he said.

            "So Redeen made it through?  Good, what's the message?"

            "The situation in Fanelia is getting worse, both Merle and Aethan's sister Aletta have been kidnapped.  Van has requested that you join them to search for the two."  Allen looked stunned.

            "Merle was kidnapped?  What's happened in Fanelia?"  Owean sat down next to him and began to relate the events of the past few days.  The crew began gathering around to listen to the story.  When Owean had finished, he sighed.    

            "So Aloran is after Van and Jeris now and he's kidnapped Merle and Aletta.  Does Van know it's a trap?"  Owean nodded.

            "He knows and he's going anyway."  Allen shook his head.

            "When will he learn not to be so reckless?"  Gaddes chuckled.

            "Probably never.  So are we going to help them or not?"  Allen nodded. 

            "We're going.  We can't let him do this on his own."

            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            The next morning the crusade landed in Fanelia.  They were met by Van, Aethan and Hitomi.  Van led Allen and Gaddes into a small room to talk.  Hitomi and Aethan led the rest of the crew into the castle.  There, Hitomi split off from the group to go find Lia.  She found her on a balcony over looking the gardens.  Lia turned as she entered. 

            "Are they here?" she asked.  Hitomi nodded.  Lia seemed distant.  She gazed off over the gardens as if in a dream. 

            "Lia, is something wrong?"  Lia smiled.

            "No, not yet.  But something's coming, we may not get through this mission safely."  Hitomi watched Lia.          

            "Lia?  Can you tell what's coming?  Is everyone going to be ok?"

            "I don't know, but can't you feel it?  That presence?  It's like it's known us forever.  It's coming, we'll meet it soon, and with it we may meet our destiny."  Hitomi stood there, shocked.

            "Lia, what are you talking about."  Lia blinked and looked up in surprise. 

            "Huh?  Hitomi?  Did I miss something?"  Hitomi blinked, confused.  She doesn't know what she just said?  Was she in a trance?  She did seem distant.  Maybe I shouldn't tell her…she thought.

            "I just came to tell you that Allen and his crew just arrived."  Lia smiled and stood up.

            "Thanks!  Lets go find them.  I want to talk to Dilandau."  Lia walked towards Hitomi.  "You coming?"  Hitomi nodded and followed.  As they sauntered down the hallway, Hitomi asked,

            "Lia, why do you want to talk to Dilandau?" 

            "He knows more about the old Zaibach Empire than anyone here.  Plus, I have a little bribe that might get some good information out of him."   

            "What's that?"  Lia laughed.

            "He hates that scar right?  I can use my healing power to fix it in return for some good information."  Hitomi looked worried.

            "But what about the spell you have on Van and Jeris.  You said you would be weaker than normal.  That could be dangerous."  Lia shook her head.

            "The wound's already closed.  A scar is easy to heal."  Hitomi frowned and followed Lia without a word.

            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            Van, Allen, Gaddes, Jeris and the four former slayers had all met in a small room adjacent to the throne room.  Plans of rescue were not going well.  The area Aloran had camped in was extremely dangerous even in the best of times.  To get there safely they would have to go on foot because of scouts, making the venture even more dangerous.  They had little time, a few days at best, before Aloran decided to take advantage of the standstill and attack the capital more forcefully.  They would leave on the 'morrow. 

            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            Yaren found Lia and Hitomi making their way down to the main floor of the large castle.  Stopping them, he relayed the information from Van's meeting.  Lia nodded to him and continued her journey, a determined look on her face.  Hitomi followed, concerned as to her companion's attitude.  Lia turned sharply near the stairs and knocked on the nearest room's wooden door.  She was answered with an annoyed shout and a forceful jerk on the door handle.  Dilandau poked his head out.

            "What do you want?" he asked, exasperated.  Lia calmly pushed the door open a little more.  Dilandau's face gave an odd contorted glare, but he kept quiet.

            "I need to have a little talk with you," she said determinedly.  Dilandau cocked an eyebrow and stepped away from the door, letting them in.

            "Make it quick," he said.  Lia entered the room followed by Hitomi, who still wore a worried expression.  Without sitting down, Lia began.

            "I need to know more about Aloran, as we're leaving to find him tomorrow.  You know the most about Zaibach of anyone here.  I came to ask you a few questions about him in particular."  Dilandau still looked annoyed.

            "Why not ask you're boy-friend?  He worked under the guy."  Lia sighed in response.

            "Because he doesn't remember enough from his time there to be of any use.  You know at least something about what Aloran was like before Zaibach fell.  That knowledge could help us discern what he'll do next."  Dilandau slumped down in a near-by chair and regarded Lia with a slightly amused, slightly comprehensive eye. 

            "What do I get in return?" he asked with a smug gleam added to his already complicated expression.  Lia grinned; she had expected such a reaction from someone like him. 

            "That depends on what information you can give me.  If you provide suitably accurate and useful information, I may be able to make something you hate disappear, though you won't know what until I hear a satisfactory answer."  Lia's smug look made Dilandau's eye twitch in annoyance.  Hitomi, had she not known Lia's plan, would have gasped at the young woman's nerve.  Dilandau leaned his cheek on his hand in a bored expression. 

            "What do you want to know?" he asked.  Lia found it hard to not break into a huge grin.  The pyromaniac had taken the bait.

            "I want to know what Aloran was like while he was still with Zaibach."  Dilandau considered for a moment.

            "I never met him, but I heard stories from Folken.  He was a low ranked sorcerer on the verge of a high promotion.  Folken sometimes told me how annoyingly ambitious he was.  I of course just dismissed it as Folken being worried about his own position.  Aloran was supposedly a brilliant man who worked with the fate alteration experiments.  I found out last year that the bastard's first successful experiment was mine.  He was the one directing the research they used to create me.  If I ever get my hands on him…" Dilandau's face was overcome with a frighteningly sadistic expression.  (Ooh, now we know why Dilandau hasn't run off to kill someone yetJ)  Lia winced, almost feeling sorry for the man, almost.

            "Go on," she prompted.  The insane glint in Dilandau's eyes faded slightly.  He cleared his throat.

            "Aloran's last mission before Zaibach fell was to retrieve some artifact from a remote country.  Folken said something about him being promoted to the first circle of sorcerers if he succeeded.  He wasn't heard from for about a month after he was sent."  Lia's interruption caused Dilandau's eye to start twitching again.

            "Do you know what he was sent to find?" she asked.  Dilandau glared at her, then answered…

            "Not exactly, he was sent to find some great power source.  The details were kept confidential even from Folken."  Lia clutched her dragon pendant tightly.

            "I think we've heard enough.  Thank you Dilandau."  Dilandau looked shocked for a moment, and then acquired an annoyed and somewhat smug expression. 

            "What about your promise?  You said if I helped you'd make something I hate disappear," he said.  Lia fought to hold back a burst of laughter.  That boy never gave up! 

            "I did say that didn't I.  Very well, I'll keep that promise."  She moved closer to him, close enough to touch his face and extended her arm.  Her hand came to a rest over Dilandau's scar.  Dilandau looked apprehensive, as if he were about to jump away.  "Calm down, this'll only take a minute," said Lia.  Dilandau's expression became more confused then hesitant as Lia's healing power flooded through him.  After what seemed like an eternity, Lia removed her hand.  Dilandau's fingers snapped instantly to where his scar had been.

            "What did you…" Dilandau's face held a mixed look of astonishment, curiosity, and happiness, a rare expression on the normally psychotic boy's face.  He jumped up and ran over to the mirror.  Lia, wearing a smug, but somewhat tired face, ushered Hitomi out of the room with a wink.  As they walked down the hall, Hitomi noticed Lia's smug expression turn to one of deep thought and partial worry. 

            "So Dilandau has a personal score to settle with Aloran," she muttered, more to herself than Hitomi, who was still following her with a worried expression vivid on her pale face.  "They were after the Dragon Crystal, that had to be it… why else would Aloran turn up in Lavia?  And now that the crystal's cracked he'll be searching for the shard.  If he's as ambitious as I've heard, he'll try to gain power by using the Crystal's magic.  Tomorrow, tomorrow we'll begin the journey to put an end to this.  Soon, this will all end soon."  Hitomi couldn't mistake the failing hope in Lia's voice.  Lia was trying to convince herself this would be over soon but Hitomi knew better.  This wouldn't be over until Gaea herself felt the blow.  That was how it always went.  In the darkness behind them, Hitomi heard a soft voice utter poetic words of prophesy,

'Four souls thrice sealed;

Dragon, Mage, Warrior and Eye;

Destiny tied by four held;

A promise a secret, a plan and a lie;

Break the first seal;

Four souls meet;

As lives go by;

By friendship's heat,

Split by a lie;

Break the second seal;

Two sets of lovers;

Together yet apart;

A curse is sworn;

It breaks a heart;

Break the third seal;

With the curse, a plague is spread;

War, strife and hardship move across the land;

Hope lies yonder on four sleeping souls;

Should the lovers unite, in Gaea's future happiness unfold.'  She turned to find the voice's owner, but could see no one.  It must have been my imagination, she thought as she dismissed the voice.

            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Author's note:  Yes the poem above does have some meaning to the story… you'll find out more about it later.  Well, I'm leaving for now, see ya laterJ