(I'm going to make this chapter longer so I can get to the part of the story that I want to, and you all will probably enjoy. However, it's not Jet and Virginia kissing, so whatever. Oh, and on a side note, whenever I talk in the commentary, I'm talking to you, Teefa, so just wanted to make sure you understood that.)

The Myth of Crystaelius:

Chapter Four: The Second Key

"So I see you've returned," Darius stated as he brushed his hand through his spiky red hair. Zane smiled. "Yes, and fortunately we acquired the key."

Darius closed his black eyes and thought for a moment. The hallway they stood in branched off from the central hall; there were seven hallways in total.

"I've been thinking Zane," he started, "do we really need Jet Enduro?"

Zane glanced at the floor. "Technically, no, we don't need him. However, the activation of Orion is that much assured if his life force used."

Darius nodded. "Yes, I know that, but what about Janus? Couldn't he make a fine substitution?"

Zane stroked his chin. "Yes, the thought crossed my mind as well. His energy is unstable though; not as finely tuned as Jet's."

Darius smiled. "But it could work, and besides, who wants that pretty boy around, anyway? All he wants is power, but we're aiming for a much higher goal."

"So, that's your plan; are you going to go through with it?" Darius shook his head as he began to walk away. "No, not yet at least; we can still use him for some petty work. As for now, I'll take care of the second key. You rest and prepare for Orion's activation. It will be soon, and I'll make sure those Drifters don't come close to stopping us."

He then placed his hood on and walked off, leaving Zane to wonder. "We have our own plans, but who knows what Master Guile is thinking."

Jet sighed as he leaned against the inn near the entrance; he had his arms crossed. He had not seen Aaron since the day before, and now they were all preparing to leave, and he was not sure where they were going.

Virginia then walked outside, glancing around. "I was wondering where you were?" she asked when he was spotted. "Are you ready?"

Jet shrugged. "You all have no idea where you're going; I can't say I'm completely ready." Virginia sighed and leaned against the wall beside him. "I know that, but we can't just let them do whatever they want to do. We fought so hard to restore Filgaia, and now it's slowly regenerating. We can't let all of our work go to waste!"

Jet glanced at her. "I guess, but you still don't know where we're going."

"Then why don't we wait until they call us."

They both turned to see Aaron walk up on the porch. "Where have you been all day?" Virginia asked, scratching her nose. He smiled and responded, "I've just been thinking. We should wait until they look for the key, and then we find them; they're probably awaiting us as well."

Virginia smiled. "Yeah, we might as well stay for an extra day," she stated before walking back in.

Aaron's smile gradually faded as he turned his head to Jet. "I know where the second key is."

Jet turned to him. "Oh really? So where is it?"

"At a place called Crab's Shell, which is a landmark east of here."

"Okay, and how do you know that?" Aaron sighed. "It's hard to tell. From what I remember of a legend my grandfather told me, there was a labyrinth of truth located under the shell of a crab. The landmark was named that because it resembles an actual shell of a crab, and since the oceans of ancient are gone, it's our only lead."

Jet nodded. "But you're not sure about it, right?" Aaron nodded before a small silence occurred. "It must hurt, knowing that your own grandfather is involved in this, doesn't it?" Jet suddenly asked.

Aaron shrugged. "Whatever this Order of Osiris wants, my grandfather is in charge of it, and to tell you the truth, it makes me feel like killing him."

"You don't seem like that type of guy."

"I know, and I normally wouldn't; but the circumstances are different right now, and I'm not in a whole cheery mood."

Jet closed his eye. "You sure have a way of not showing it," he commented. Aaron glared at him from the corner of his eye as he opened the door. "Maybe, but I'd say anger is just a way of expressing what you really feel."

He then walked inside, closing the door. Jet considered going in, but decided on taking a walk instead.

Enrique examined his weapon as he strapped it to his arm. "Quite an interesting selection of horses," he remarked to Virginia as she walked outside. "Sorry, but they were the best I could get on my trip to the Baskar Colony. A friend of mind convinced the elder to lend them to me."

Each of the animals was a light brown color, with a shade of black spotted here and there.

Enrique shrugged and climbed up the one nearest him, only to find it tamed and almost comfortable. "I was expecting them to be moody, but I guess those Baskars know how to raise their horses."

Virginia climbed on hers as well, undoing her ponytail and feeling her hair.

"So, are you certain you need no help?" Zane asked for the third time as Darius placed the Onakasa gem around his neck. "Don't worry so much, our plan will go smoothly as long as we keep it silent. As for right now, I'll venture to the Silver Maze and get the second key, and after that Orion will be active, but the only way we draw the moon to Filgaia is if we charge Orion with the planet's own energy."

Darius smiled slightly as the gem glowed and he warped out of the room.

"How daring of you two." Zane turned his head slightly to the voice. "So, I suppose you heard Darius's little scheme?"

"You're not involved?" the man inquired. "I don't really mind, and he was the one who came up with it; are you willing to publicize it?"

The man shook his head as he removed his hood. "On the contrary, Zane, that plan is quite intriguing. You've caught my interest, and besides, Darius is going to get the second key for us by himself, which is very good for us. I have to say though, Janus is a threat, considering we can't kill or destroy him."
Zane shrugged. "Darius should have thought about that, but his intellect can only go so far."

"I agree; he might just be as expendable as Janus." Zane turned to him. "You're not serious about that, are you William? Darius is quite an asset to our cause. He is stronger than both of us."

William smiled. "Perhaps, but Master Guile might just have his own agenda for us after Orion is powered, and besides, there is also Ileana."

"She is completely loyal to him, he is her grandfather after all, and she could quite possibly defeat us in combat."

William nodded. "Yes, but if we use our Drifter friends to our advantage, that could all change."

"What do you mean?"

"Her brother is part of their team."

Todd had grasped onto Jet's shirt for balance as the horse was traveling quite quickly. "Are you sure you know where we're going?" Virginia asked Aaron as they rode.

He nodded. "If I'm correct, we should be there in about twenty minutes."

"Jeez, I've never even heard of this Crab's Shell and you're talking like it's the most common thing in the world."

Aaron chuckled. "When I was a child, it was quite the talk around town. The town's mayor had found it on one of his rounds, so it became well known. It had already been named though, and it's located on a few maps, but not many."

The rest of the ride was spent in silence, and before long, Aaron ordered them to stop.

"This should be it," he announced while dismounting the horse and walking over to a great boulder resting on a somewhat large monolith. There was a small wooden sign located to the left of it.

The others quickly dismounted and joined him as he inspected the boulder. "It seems to me that they beat us to it again, but we should be able to catch up this time."

He crouched down and noticed a crack large enough for a grown man to slip through. Aaron signaled to them and slid down, followed by Virginia, Jet, Todd, and finally Enrique.

"What is this place?" Virginia asked in awe of her surroundings. Jet merely scanned it while Todd and Enrique walked around.

"It's a maze; a labyrinth, just like in the legend. It's built completely out of marble and silver, and I'm pretty sure this key they're after is at the center of it."

"Then I suggest we split into groups, what do you think Aaron?" Virginia asked as he nodded. "Yes, but if you don't mind, I'll go by myself."

Todd thought for a moment. "All right, and I'll go with Enrique," he stated, earning a glare from the black- haired Drifter.

"Great, now I'm stuck with the squirt," he thought, which in truth left Jet and Virginia as the final team.

"That Todd, he set me up with her for a reason. Doesn't he know when to just give up!" Jet thought as Virginia glanced at him.

"Okay; Enrique, Todd, you two take the left path; Virginia and Jet, you guys go with the right, and I'll go through the middle one."

They all nodded and when their separate ways.

"Don't you think it's beautiful Jet; the way it shines with the water flowing through the floor and all?" Jet shrugged, replying, "Whatever."

Virginia frowned as puddles of black began to form along the walls and floor. Jet grasped his Airget- Lambh as Scryers appeared and prepared to attack. Virginia grabbed her ARMs and avoided a strike while firing back.

The path Enrique and Todd took seemed to be a straight one, hitting a stairwell, which lead to a bottom floor. "Huh, should we take it?" he asked while Todd stared down it. "It's the only path, so I suppose so."

He quickly began to descend it as Enrique hesitantly followed. After a few minutes, the two found themselves standing on a circular platform with water flowing around it. There was a large glass tube which stood through the middle, presumably heading lower, and a door at the opposite side of the room.

"Hmm, I guess we go through there," Enrique stated, beginning to walk towards it, but an invisible force knocked him back as the stairwell suddenly lifted and merged with the ceiling, destroying the only available exit.

"Guess you do," stated a voice as its owner appeared. He was wearing the same type of cloak as worn by Zane and Guile, and was holding a small bronze mechanism in his hand and a silver card in the other.

He then held them up, stating, "They second key, and the activation device; both found in one ruin; how convenient."

"Who the heck are you!" Enrique exclaimed as he stood up from the blow, dusting himself off.

"I am the fourth member of the Order of Osiris, Darius. It's nice to meet you two," he explained while sliding a hand through his spiky red hair.