I don't own the CV license, which you knew already.

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When I awoke, Rinaldo was gone, completely and utterly. I was not bothered; he could not have helped me anyway. I floated out of the cabin, still a little weak, and hungry, but I figured I could take care of that in the castle.

I made the Anti-Soul Mysteries Lab my first destination, as I vaguely remember that it was the easiest area. The door to the Pagoda was still sealed, and Walter hadn't come out to greet me, so he didn't know I was coming. He probably thought the hunter had killed me. As I went through the Lab, I combed every corner of the dusty hallways, hoping to find items that could aid me.

As I had hoped, I found various alchemical crystals, which I could use to increase my health and magic. Greatly cheered, I continued hunting until I found a room filled with shattered stone. As I approached, the rubble pulled together to form a stone golem. I remembered Walter building this thing, and used that knowledge to demolish it. When I was finished, what was left could not even be called rubble.

Next on my mental list was the House of Sacred Remains. I was basing the order from what little the various hunters had said. I'm not sure what the monster I fought for the blue orb was. It appeared to be… well, it didn't look like much at all, really, but it died as easily as the golem.

The Garden Forgotten by Time and the Ghostly Theater were nearly as easy. I was immune to Medusa's stone gaze, and the Succubus had no illusions with which to tempt me. With four orbs in my possession, I entered the Dark Palace of Waterfalls, resolutely reminding myself that I would not become trapped.

I could not measure how my strength had grown, but as I shredded the mer-folk that opposed me I saw that it had indeed increased. Then, in a large square room, I faced a doppelganger of the hunter who had defeated me. Fear alone lowered my skill for crucial long moments. I recoiled in pain as its attack hit, but the pain was not the sweeping agony I feared. I smiled wickedly and fought back, confidence restored. I failed to destroy the doppelganger, however. It ran and escaped into the sewers. I didn't bother to pursue it, having other concerns on my mind. The doppelganger had not dropped the green stone, and without it I could not reach Walter.

I continued on through the Palace, finally approaching the room that had been my prison. I paused a moment, lightly stroking the door, then I sighed and pushed it open. It didn't matter if this was a trap or not; I had to proceed. I glided into the room and found myself facing…myself.

I had known I was difficult to fight, but it was only now that I could realize how powerful I was. I had an advantage, however, as I already knew about the shield, and how to circumvent it. I wasted no time on my double, first taking out the power orbs and shattering his shield. When he was vulnerable, I used my strongest spell, blasting the power my swords gave me at my enemy.

When at last my double fell, I watched blankly. He had said no word, and died in silence. I tried to analyze my feelings, at last deciding that I felt troubled. It was odd, seeing myself die. The thing faded away, and the green orb appeared. I gladly took it and left that place, hoping never to return.

xxxxxxx

Well, we're almost to the end here...

Kitala: Have I mentioned I love your name? I'm not sure when my other CV fic will be finished, but I have other fics up, if you want to look. Thanks for the compliment.

Aztec Goddess: You hate the sun, but are an AZTEC Goddess... right... Well, here's the next chapter!