A/N: Here I am again. I am so, so, so SORRY for being late, but first the computer broke down. Then it was affected by a virus and wouldn't function like it should. And I have also started at university and haven't gotten much time to write. But I'm doing my best to give it time!

Anyway, here is the next chapter.

… Hrm, the next chapter…

…#¤& computer!! Take this and this, you "¤"&# piece of metal! Hah, hah, hah… Hmpf.

Now HERE comes chapter 5!

xxxx

Chapter 5: The Right Thing to Do

Virginia watched as the horses ran out from the burning village, losing her concentration for a second. The man that laid to close to the fires groaned, trying to move away from the fire. Clive woke up from his frozen state first, bending down next to the man and grasping his arm. Jet followed his example and together they dragged the man out of the way from the licking fire. Once in a slighter safer distance, Virginia bent down next to him.

"Are you alright?" She asked. The man turned his gaze at her.

"You're…Gallows' friends?" He asked. Virginia nodded in reply.

"Yes, we're here to help. Please don't worry."

"Great… maybe… we stand… a c-chance… against them…"

"Them? Who did this? Where is Halle and Shane?" But he sighed and passed out before he could answer. Virginia shook her head.

"This is bad..." Jet grunted, looking around and back down at Virginia.

"The safest place at the moment would be at the altar. I believe Shane and Halle might have sought refuge in there." Clive said, while adjusting his glasses.

"All right, we have to help the villagers! Everyone spread out and try to help as many as you can away from the fires! We'll meet in the altar!"

"What about Gallows?" Jet asked. Virginia went silent. The team looked around in the village, but didn't se any signs of him. He had disappeared.

"I'm sure we'll find Halle and Shane somewhere. And whoever sees Gallows, tell him to meet us in the altar. Try to get as many into the altar as possible." Virginia finally said.

Everyone nodded and they spread out. Clive picked up the man laying before him, heaving him over his back and set course for the altar, while looking for his comrades. He noticed a couple a few meters away from them, and waved a hand at their direction. Virginia looked at their direction and set course for them.

Virginia saw the man trying desperately to get the woman back on her feet, but he was too weakened to succeed. The fire was getting out of control; soon it would be too dangerous to be outside.

"You must get into safety in the altar, quick!" The man turned his head. It was Cordell, a young Baskar. His face was black from soot, and red stripes ran down his forehead. He was shaking from exhaustion, and blood loss.

"But Laraine was attacked by those beasts and got injured. She can't walk!" He exclaimed and tried once again to pull her back up on her legs. She moaned, grabbing her bleeding leg.

"I'll help you!" Cordell and Virginia grabbed each of the woman's arms and with their combined powers lifted her up from the ground. They turned around and headed for the altar, where Clive was waiting.

Jet looked around him. He saw Clive, Virginia and two Baskar villagers head for the altar.

(Well, should be everyone.) He thought.

He was about to turn around and follow them when he heard a wheezing sound. A Baskar woman with her black hair standing out on each side of her head in ponytails threw a bucket of water on the fire on the house closest the entrance of the village, extinguishing a little part but not enough to stop it. He ran to her, grabbing her arm when he reached her.

"The hell are you doing!? It's too late! Head for the altar, NOW!" her eyes looked terrified. She was in a state of shock and didn't seem to hear him, her body was shaking, and her face was pale. Jet shook his head. This was no time to be panicking. He pulled her arm again, harder.

"We have to get going, now!" She took one step forward. Jet kept pulling her arm and finally, she snapped out of it. She threw away the bucket and together they ran for the others, who were approaching the altar. The others disappeared into the opening of the altar; Jet turned his head while running. The fire was approaching them, fast. He turned back forward. They were running out of time. Suddenly a pillar of fire rose up before them and they had to stop dead in their tracks. A low, feminine laughter was heard in the air.

"The Filgaia Sample must be disposed of…" She said softly.

"Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh!" The woman shrieked, as she saw they were being surrounded by the fire. Jet pulled out his Airget Lamh. He felt a burning stench, noticing his scarf was burning on the end. It appeared his fire medium couldn't protect him from the magical fire. He pulled his scarf close to him.

"Who is there!?" Jet growled. He didn't see anybody, only the fire before him. He heard someone call for him, it sounded like Virginia.

"JET!" He tried to charge through the fire, but the heat forced him back. They were trapped.

"Goodbye, Adam Kadmon…" the voice echoed. Jet was sweating, the woman whimpered. But suddenly, he felt a chilly wind swirling around them, the fire before them became frozen solid before it shattered with a gunshot. Gallows appeared in the newly made hole. He didn't admit it, but Jet was glad to see him.

"This way!" Gallows waved and ran for the altar; Jet and the woman ran after the Baskar priest. The fire was closing in on them, fast. Together they ran leaped the opening, leaving the village to burn behind them. Jet thought he heard a yell of anger sound out. Jet smiled. She had failed again.

Gallows, Jet and the woman landed on their stomachs, and coughed as dust filled their noses. The woman rose up, brushed of her dress, and looked down on Jet.

"Thank you so much young, man." And then she turned to Gallows. "And you too, Gallows. You saved my life. It seems I was wrong about you, you have grown up after all" The woman said relieved. Both of the Drifters rose up and brushed of their clothes from dirt. It was completely dark in the altar, only the light from the fire shone through the dark. The two torches that were used to light up the altar had been lit out. Their comrades stood around them, and Virginia was relieved to see them both safe.

"Ellen, have you seen Shane and Granny?" Gallows asked.

"The last I saw of them, was as Halle led Shane in here. I don't know anything else. I'm sorry, Gallows." Ellen went further into the altar and vanished in the dark.

"Are you okay?" Virginia asked.

"Yeah, whatever." Jet replied.

"Hey, I saved your butt back there! A thank you would have been nice, but since it's you, I'll let it slide for now. I just hope Shane and Granny are still in here." Gallows said, looking around for any signs of his brother. Somebody approached them from the dark. They whirled around, seeing Shane holding a torch in his hand. He looked fine, although a bit exhausted.

"Brother?" Gallows's face became brighter, at the same time as Shane's.

"I was worried about you, little brother." Shane rushed to him, embracing him in a big hug, almost knocking Gallows over. Gallows returned the hug.

"Why didn't you answer me when I called out?" He asked. Shane let go him, looking Gallows in the eyes.

"I'm sorry, brother. I didn't hear you. I was helping grandmother with the wounded."

"Is she here?" An elderly woman approached them, leaning on her staff for balance and limping slowly forward.

"Of course I am." She said with a tired voice. She saw Gallows; a frail smile grew across her face. Gallows had not seen her smile that often, mostly she had just scolded him. He couldn't help but think it suited her.

"So, this is what your rush was all about. My incompetent grandson found his way home, anyway. That surprises me." She continued, while walking over to Gallows.

"Well, I'm glad too see you too Granny." Gallows replied. Halle cast a glance over to the rest of the group.

"You're all here, that's good. Come with me, I'll explain everything and I also have something I want to discuss with you. This way."

Halle turned around, going back into the darkness. The rest followed her; Shane went beside the team to provide them some light. The Baskar Colony's villagers leaned against the walls on each side on the hallway. Ellen and Cordell were the only ones still standing. They went to each person, tending to their wounds the best they could. Virginia felt like her heart was going to stop. She swallowed silently, but hard, her eyes almost watered up. Gallows was silent, but she noticed how he became more and more tensed, and his rage was building up. When they reached the end, Halle signed for the group to sit down. They sat down in a circle in front of her. Shane took place next to her, staring down at the floor.

"We were attacked by two reptile-like monsters early in the morning. They attacked the villagers in their houses, when they were sleeping. People that tried to seek shelter in here were attacked and struck down, our houses were destroyed, and they set the village on fire before they left for the mountain path north of the village. We put the fires out in here, so we could hide the wounded from them." Gallows face turned red. He raised a fist in the air, it was shaking from anger.

"They'll pay for this…" He growled. The team saw the fires of hell burning in his eyes, something they had never seen before. Virginia thought she needed to change the subject, before Gallows would do anything rashly.

"…Halle, you said you had something you wanted to discuss with us. What is that?" Virginia asked. Halle turned to her.

"That's right. As I told you, they disappeared on the mountain path north of here. Everyone here is frightened that they will return, and so am I. I don't want to dispatch any of my villagers after them, as everyone is too wounded, and we have no means to fight them. It's much to ask from you, but I would like you too find and eradicate these monsters for us." Jet and Clive turned to Virginia, who sat silent.

"…This is something I can't decide for myself. What do you guys think?" She turned to face her comrades. They looked at each other, silent.

"…As long as the price money is worth the risk, I'm in." Jet answered.

"Of course I'm in! I'll teach them not to mess with my village!" Gallows replied, finally putting his hand down. Clive adjusted his glasses.

"This is indeed a great task we have been presented. We would need more information on these monsters, so we know how to prepare properly and what to expect. The decision however, is up to the leader to make." He said. Virginia nodded.

"Can you tell us more about them? And what would be our reward if we accepted the mission?" Virginia asked Halle. Halle bent down her head, searching her memory for vital information on the monsters.

"All I know is that they are very agile, and their attack pattern showed that they don't think like other monsters. It was close to human thinking." Halle replied.

"What makes you say that?" Clive asked while adjusting his glasses.

"One of them stood guard in front of the altar, as to prevent us from entering, and trapping us between them. I had to use Arcana spell to drive it away. And any damage I dealt one of them, it got instantly healed by the other. A normal monster wouldn't think, and do something like that." Clive nodded. It did indeed sound strange.

"And how much would you pay us... What?" Jet noticed Gallows glare at him. He cast the priest a glance and turned away his head.

"I believe 8 000 Gella would be enough. From what I have heard about the Ark of Destiny Order, you're gonna need it, and it's all I can offer at the moment." Gallows wanted to protest, but Halle silenced him with a stare.

Virginia remained silent, then nodded.

"We accept your mission. But we will only accept the reward money upon our return." Virginia answered. Halle looked pleased.

"Very good. But you do look tired, so feel free to stay here tonight. I doubt they will return so shortly, but I will place out Cordell and Ellen to guard the altar just in case. I could also use my grandson's help to heal the wounded." Halle said.

"Does the village have any supplies left?" Clive asked her.

"We store away food in a side cave east of the village, for emergencies just like this. It will be enough until we get the village back to normal. But we don't have any beds to offer, so I'm afraid you have to sleep on the ground. Can I ask you to go get the supplies once the fires are gone?" Virginia was relieved. Even if they went after the monsters now, they would have been too tired to fight them. The lack of sleep started to show up. The rest of the team seemed tired as well. Especially Clive. Outside, the fires started to die out.

"Okay, then. Thank you." Virginia implied.

xx

The woman walked back and forth in the room of Yggdrasil, agitated. She turned her gaze to the monitor before her, watching the Drifters as they were talking to the Baskars in altar, alive and well.

"The Filgaia Sample is still alive." She muttered.

(Yes, he escaped for now, but that just leaves more fun to our pets and us. They will get rid of the Filgaia Sample and the rest of them for us. Tomorrow will be fun…) the girl voice spoke up inside her head again. The woman smiled, her green eyes tightened together.

"Tomorrow…"

xxxx

I know what I said in the last chapter, but I figured this chapter would be too long if I added Clive's past now. So it will be some other time. Sorry. If you want it, please R&R and tell me!