Raining on the Parade

Sierra didn't tell anyone about her strange dream, chalked it up to fatigue and nothing more. She didn't want Kyoku to start freaking out, or Lyle to get into his big brother act. The only thing she needed was to see what she could at the festival, make sure her foster father hadn't come here, and then move on to the next destination, just as it had always been since the day she left home two years ago.

There was just too much to take in. Magic from every century that could be found was there. Some people were even performing tricks with different spells, like juggling fire, or being levitated by a bubble of water. Jacob was very much interested by that part of the festival, so he stayed to watch. In the meantime, Lyle and Sierra were both looking around at the artifacts, as they were accustomed to ruins and deciphering what ancient things were for. Not that they had gone together, they looked at different artifacts at different times. It was almost as if they didn't know each other.

"Sierra," Kyoku admitted, "I feel a dark presence in the air. Do you remember the last time I felt something like that? It wasn't too much longer before the earth opened, and we were swallowed up by it. Remember, it's only been two years since that adventure, the one that started it all."

Sierra remembered alright. It stung at her heart to think about the time when she learned that her father wasn't her real father, that he had found her only to abandon her once more. Why had he even bothered to write in that journal that he wanted a daughter, when he threw her out at the next town. If he had told the saloon's mistress that he found her abandoned, and couldn't take care of her himself, then she could have forgave him. But to tell the woman that she was his daughter, and THEN leave her, it was something Sierra considered cruel and unusual punishment. But punishment for what?

Kyoku's words stuck with her, though. Every time the Wind Mouse got feelings like that, it spelled trouble for the duo. Now, Sierra was sure that something bad would happen, the sky was getting darker by the minute. She was sure the people of Adlehyde realized it too, they weren't fools. It was just too freaky to be natural. Just in case, Sierra made sure her ARMs were fully loaded.

Suddenly, thunder cracked in the air. Monsters appeared all over town, and began to fight its populace. It reminded some of the legendary battle that took place in the original Adlehyde over two thousand years ago, the one that started the holy ancestors of the royal family on their journey. But this time things were different. Everyone in the city knew magic, and they were all fighting back.

"Sierra! Kyoku! Let's go find Jacob, we've got to unite all our power and strength to help deal with this threat," Lyle called. Sierra ran to where he was standing, ready to help out in any way she could. The two then returned to where the shows were going on, in order to find Jacob.

The young priest was already fighting back with his Lores. He then did something amazing, which the others couldn't define. By screaming out the word, "Summon," and expending 50 Force Points, he called forth the entity from within the Medium of Schturdark - - which Sasha had returned before leaving the others. The great turtle appeared before them, and soaked the demons with his powers of water.

Jacob looked at the others, relieved to see they were alright. "I can't believe I was actually able to summon a Guardian. It's said to be one of the hardest tests to becoming a full-fledged priest. That's why my brother needs the Mediums back, he has to summon a Guardian to finish the initiation."


"Well, let's get going," Sierra said, "I see the demons are all heading for the castle for some odd reason. Maybe we can find out what they want if we go there as well. What have we got to lose?" The dream had apparently affected her in ways she didn't know, she felt an eagerness to kill rising up inside of her. Sierra was worried at what these new changes might bring to her body and mind.

They took off at top speed, towards the Vanderbuilt Palace. Demons tried to block their way at every turn, but Sierra and the others just blew on through, barely being hit at all. Soon, they arrived, and saw the wreckage before them that had once been the kingdom's proud center.

* * *

Although still standing, the castle was blackened by flames and bodies lay everywhere. Sierra looked at them, and remembered her dream again. It brought on a rather unpleasant feeling. Why would she want to kill like this, she'd never desired death and carnage before? If only she could confide in someone, but Kyoku and Lyle overreacted to these situations, and Jacob had enough to worry about without having to think about some crazy dream that could or could not be affecting her.

Soon, they found the throne room. King Vanderbuilt was sitting on his throne, with a pike in his side. Sierra walked forward, her desire for carnage forgotten at the sight of the wounded monarch. She pulled the pike out, and began to apply Heal Berries to the wound. Soon, he was completely recovered. It was a relief, now she and the others could get some information out of him.

"The demons came to take our mystical treasure, the Teardrop. I refused to give it to them, so they kidnapped my only child. Please, kindly Silver Wolves, please help me to hunt these monsters and return my beloved daughter to me," begged the king, nearly pulling Sierra's shirt down in the process.

Sierra asked, "How much are you going to pay? I can't stand to see demons kidnapping people, but I don't work for free. So, let's just talk about payment before we begin."


The king looked at her, she seemed both honorable and money hungry. Two personalities that rarely came together in one person. "I'll pay you a full three thousand each if you are able to return her to this kingdom. She's all I've got, I can never forgive myself if something happens."

Sierra agreed to the terms, and they began to head on out. The team purchased more Heal Berries for the journey before leaving. Fredrico stopped them, and loaned them the map, so they could find the demon's hideout. Then, the trio left in order to rescue the princess.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

For humor, they don't know this is Sasha they're saving. Remember, she told them her name was Sasha Inverse, and made no mention to being a princess at all. That's the reason they don't suspect a thing. As to where the Teardrop is, she put it in a vault before being kidnapped, so they couldn't find it at all.