Many people find it quite fascinating that so much can happen in so little time. When the four arrived in the city, things had changed drastically since Vaiss and Coro had left. Everyone was panicking, running about the streets in despair. Carefully, they made their way to the monster control agency.

As soon as they stepped in, the owner himself was sweating stressfully, but nonetheless greeted them.

"Ah, Mr. Ulrich, I heard about your trouble in the forest. You are in fair condition, I presume?"

Vaiss was a regular in this place. It seemed every day he would have more reports of slain monsters. "Yes, we are in good hands." He paused to gesture back to Alanis, who, in an embarrassed manner, acknowledged the owner.

"Good, good! Now…I have 4000 gold pieces for your trouble." He handed Vaiss the money. Gratefully, he accepted it. But then the man continued. "Since you have been out hunting monsters, I suppose you did not hear about the recent issue in the castle…"

"What happened?"

"Apparently Garland has betrayed Cornelia, and just to spite us, he has kidnapped Princess Sara."

"He WHAT!"

"The entire city is in an uproar, and the royal family are beside themselves with extreme distress."

It was about then that Vaiss felt an intense source of warmth on his chest. Try as he might, he could not ignore it. Glancing over at his newly met companions, he noticed Coro skulking around, yet strangely jamming his hand deep in his pocket.

"I'm sorry to cut a visit short, but we must be going now," said Vaiss apologetically.

"Quite alright, really. Take care!"

Immediately after stepping outside, Vaiss jerked on a cord leading under his armor. On the end was a fiery red crystal, very dimly glowing like the crystal of Alanis and Merino. Coro saw this and pulled the crystal pendant out of his pocket, his being a dim, dark green. The mages saw this and exposed theirs as well. Devoid of words, they stared at each other in shock.

Suddenly, they noticed two Cornelian guards approaching them. "You…are you…the Light Warriors?" In a matter of seconds, they found themselves being escorted into Castle Cornelia.


Before they knew it, they realized they were in the throne room. About five seconds after noticing that, they immediately dropped into a bow to the king. Grimly smiling, the somewhat aged monarch extended his scepter as permission to stand up.

"I realize that you four are in possession of crystal orbs. It is just as prophesied." He stopped to clear his throat, then continued. "I have reports that the earth is slowly rotting in the West. The seas everywhere have become infested, and Northern seas have become impossible to navigate. Mt. Gurgu in the East is spewing fire. And violent winds are plaguing the North.

"Lukahn has left us to confer with the Sages of Crescent Lake, but before he departed, he told me of the trouble to come and the warriors that would emerge to save the world. I did not believe him at first. Not until Garland…He was our finest knight, the best one could ask for. And yet, in a trice, he turned against us and made off with my oldest daughter, Sara.

"Thus, I ask of you four Warriors of Light: Will you rescue my daughter?"

The four looked at each other, then Vaiss spoke for them all. "Your Highness, we shall rescue your daughter."


Later, outside the castle gates, the four walked back into the city. Rather abruptly, Vaiss stopped. The others followed suit.

"What's the problem, Mr. Vaiss?" Coro asked. He slowly edged closer to the warrior in hopes of snatching his reward for the monsters, but remembered right then what he had threatened to do to him if he were to attempt a theft again. Mentally cursing his luck, he stood where he had stopped.

"About this money…I think you all deserve an equal share of it. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have returned to receive the reward."

Immediately, Alanis stopped him. "Please, keep my share, for it is your money." But he insisted. So, just as he promised, he gave the other three 1000 gold pieces each.

"I do believe we will have to better equip ourselves if we are to rescue the princess."