Four Knights

On top of the mountains, they saw a building. It turned out to be an underground tunnel to the other continent. And waiting for them inside were three armored warriors. One had red armor, the second white, and the third was blue. For some reason, they felt that they had to attack the four Drifters. The trio wasn't half bad either. If Gallows used Extension/Shield on the party, one of them would counter by canceling it out. Another had the skills to stun a person for a short while, one turn long. Our third friend had some skills of great power on his side. Virginia smiled grimly, these men weren't half bad. But she wouldn't give up.

With enough power built up, she used Gatling, and so did Jet. Both shots hit their targets, beating up red and white. Gallows didn't have enough power on his own to take out blue, but with Clive's help the final enemy was on the ground. Then, the men who called themselves the Huskarls made their escape. A sigh of relief escaped the lips of each member of the team. It wasn't a battle they wanted to live ever again.

* * *

But wishes seldom come true. For it wasn't too far down the road that they encountered the three once again. And this time, there was a green one with them. Gallows was feeling a little annoyed. "Hey, what's with all of the weirdoes in armor? I didn't think that the medieval fair was held in a tunnel. So where did these guys come from?" Jet began to think that he had to be the stupidest person who ever lived.

"They're clearly our enemies," he told Gallows, "So, the only solution is to fight. You better not get yourself killed, cuz I'm not racing to your rescue. If it wasn't for that stupid Planet Guardian's vision, I would have never even joined up with the rest of you." He then gave a look to Virginia, telling her that she wasn't part of his rant. But she knew that already, even when he talked tough she knew what he really was like.

"Huskarls, we must defeat these vile enemies who is against our master. Now then, all of us will charge the lot of them immediately, and may glory visit us on this day," ordered the green one. With that, each one of them attacked someone on the team. Blue ran towards Virginia, white was attacking Jet, the red one had rushed at Gallows, and green decided to fight Clive. The whole group was being separated!

Virginia noticed she was being pushed away from Jet. She shot her opponent, and began to make her way towards him. The blue enemy wasn't giving up, dogging her every step of the way. But by the time she finally arrived at her companion's side, he was down. As was white and green. Since Gallows had less power in his strike than his allies, he was having a much harder time killing his opponent. But eventually, he too was victorious. This time, however, they were down for good and didn't retreat again. So the team could go onwards in the dungeon, with no worries of fighting them again. And that surely was a great blessing.

* * *

Some time later, they arrived at the exit to the dungeon. Virginia was so happy to see light, that she began to run towards the open door. But suddenly, three forms appeared before them. Two of them were very familiar, the man and woman from the other two dungeons, but the third was a new face. He had a pale bluish tint to his skin, dark brown eyes, and raven black hair. A perpetual scowl was on his face as well, just like her father's old rival. Now, Virginia's suspicions were beginning to feel a little more reinforced.

The black haired one stated, "I see that these are the ones that Janus told us about before. And they are strong enough to defeat the Huskarls. Very commendable. But we have no intention to fight, or even harm you. You see, we are the Prophets, sent to deliver the message of the gods and save Filgaia from this desolation. To do that, we need all the help we can get. How about it, would you like to join us too. Your old bodies will be destroyed, and like us you will evolve into more powerful ones. Then, once our terraforming of Filgaia is complete, we will rule over the creatures of the world, in our superior bodies. For they will not get the full blessing of evolution, only what the terraforming can bring about without equipment."

Virginia looked at him. "Never! I saw the demonic powers you used, that's not going to save the world! You are using the life force of the Guardians, taking what is there's by right for your own schemes. And the weapons of the Demons, I would never support anyone who will destroy the world to save it."

"What energy you have, girl," the man in charge stated, "You must tell me your name. I would like to remember the one who could defy us with so much vigor in her." He stared at her with his cold eyes, and Virginia began to shiver. She backed up into Jet's arms, to feel his warmth against the wicked man's cold.

"My name is Virginia, and I never give out my last name to anyone. Let alone scum like you. So, what do they call you, oh master of everything that is evil in this world?" She hoped that by teasing him, she would be able to get him to drop his guard. Then, he'd be easier to stop. It was a risky gamble.

He replied, "Leehalt, and my associates here are Melody and Malik. Virginia eh, I once knew a girl with that name. But she died a long time ago. And the wretch deserved it too. She was a memory of the loss I endured in the past, of a girl who didn't love me the way I loved her. To know that the child was in the land of the dead, it was just the best news I could ever have. But I have no more time for silly talk, Janus, come here and play with these three. You may do whatever you want, but try to take them alive for study."

With that, the Prophets vanished and Janus appeared. The four tried their best to fight him, but he suddenly had a surge of power to his body. Janus claimed it was because he'd synchronized with his new form at last. When that happened, he cast a spell called Negative Rainbow, and knocked the four out.

* * *

Virginia woke up some time later. She was chilled, but calmed because she found they were in the same spots they had been knocked out in. Janus hadn't taken them away like Leehalt wanted, they could escape and plan a new strategy. In thinking about Leehalt and the others, she remembered what she was going to do when her theory was confirmed. "Jet, Jet wake up! I've got to talk to you about what happened."

"What?" asked Jet, "Is it something to do with those people? You were shocked to see them."

"Leehalt Alchest, Melody Vilente, and Malik Bendict, three members of the Council of Seven. I was the girl he was talking about, there was this love triangle between Leehalt and Daddy when they were young. Listen, we've got to get to the next shrine immediately. Who knows what they'll do now," Virginia stated.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

Finally, the Prophets have revealed their true identities to Virginia. You know, I never got why Janus wasn't in trouble for not kidnapping the Drifters. I know he probably didn't because he wanted to use them, but wouldn't Leehalt be mad since whatever project he wanted to use them for didn't get underway? Just my own thought.