Nash looked in shock at the piece of paper in his hand. He turned his eyes back up to Laike.

"You?"

Laike shook his head angrily. "No! Can't you read the paper! It says 'Dyne'!, not 'Laike!'"

Nash's jaw dropped open. "You have some serious issues...."

"Listen to me, the point is that Mia's father died. I have found it best over the years to completely seperate the two lives along with the two names. The amount of emotion that has been left brewing in the life of Dyne would be too much for me too handle at this point in my life."

Nash nodded. Perhaps this old coot wasn't as crazy as he had thought. "But... what does this have to do with me?"

"You know, your friends are waiting for us....."

"And....?"

Laike raised an eyebrow. "My, aren't you impatient. Very well. Im trying to show you something very important about your mentor. Have you ever considered what made him change his life from that of Ghaleon to that of the Magic Emperor?"

Nash thought for a moment." Well.... didn't he feel that the world needed Althena, and he had decided to bring her back?"

"Aye, that is part of it. But you're missing the whole picture laddie."

Nash sat quietly for a moment, but nothing came to mind. He looked over at the former hero inquisitivly.

"Althena has a special bond with her Dragonmasters. A bond of the soul tends to leave certain afteraffects, if you catch my meaning...."

"But, I thought you were with Lemia?"

"Aye! 'tis the point I'm trying to make here!"

"Ummm.... I've been meaing to say this for a while..... you do know that there is no Scotland on Lunar, don't you?"

Laike gave Nash a puzzled stare.

"Well... I mean, where are you from exactly, if you have a Scottish accent?" Nash's eyes suddenly crossed, and both men stood still in a temporary daze. After several seconds, they snapped out of it, recalling the last few lines of conversation with extreme confusion.

Nash spoke first. ".....What were we talking about?"

"I was getting to the point of my story. You're a smart lad. If Althena was bonded to her Dragonmaster, and Ghaleon was in love with Althena, where would that leave him?"

A light dawned on Nash's face. ""That's why Ghaleon was so dead set on being Dragonmaster! And she picked you......"

"Exactly. Jealousy can be an ugly thing."

Nash stood still, completely speechless. Laike walked over to him and patted his shoulder. "He.... he did it all for love?" Nash mumbled.

Laike nodded." Don't worry, you did the right thing by stopping him. My point is that I don't want to see history repeat. Just a friendly warning. Oh! And by the way, I've got one more thing for you!"

"Wow, aren't you just full of suprises?"

"I've got a whole bag of 'em.You should take a vacation. Maybe head to Meryod. There's an address on this paper. Might do you some good."

Nash looked at the address. "Who lives here?"

"Someone from a long time ago. I figure seeing him ought to shake you up a bit. Plus it's always nice to tie up loose ends. Especially ends from so long ago."

"But how did you know this?"

"What? Did you think I only knew the four heroes?! I was a Dragonmaster for crying out loud! I did get out, you know! You guys aren't the only ones to travel the world in quest."

"Umm... thank you Laike."

"Anytime, Nash. Good luck, and just remember where letting the pain take over can get you." And with that, Laike left Nash with his silence.

AN: Ok, I know this isnt easy to just get back into and read, but believe me, it's even harder to just get back into and write. There will be a brief transitional period in which things might not be at their best, but bear with me. Please respond, even just a little bit. I'm a bit shaky with this fanfiction thing, haven't done it in years, so if someone would find it in their heart to reread the story and give me some feedback, please do so. Just please, be gentle. It's been a while.

Klyde