Final Fantasy Adventure aka Sword of Mana is not mine they belong to Squaresoft/Enix And Mister Brownie Brown. do not sue me I spent my allowance on your games and have no money.

I often ponder about stupid senseless things like why is the sky blue? Why did God make mosquitoes and flies? What was the point of general Isabella/Biguie's cameo appearance in SOM if the game is a knock off of FFA. Why is Square is so mean to her. Why did Stroud look like a cute boy and his big bro look like an elf with grey hair? Spose if he did have the big ears thing they were probably under the mask. Ah hey you know what it means if a guy has big ears......hmmmm. And the adult humour behind Count Lee – for those of you to young to remember the original "Vampire Hunter" there was a 10,000 year old Count Lee that took women every 50 years for...ummm....you can figure it out : )

Vinquette Hall:

Isabella arose from her chair, her anxiety level boiling; she proceeded down the halls to Mister Lee's room. Lee was there awake. Standing over the coffins, deep in thought. He has been so quiet these days and full of sorrow. Isabella was upset over the strange girl and her idiot friend traveling with her.

"Oh lovely, another woman he has kidnapped"

It made her nervous, for she liked Purim. The beautiful innocent young girl; she was talking to her in her room recently and it was a pleasure. Although the two women were a vast age difference; Isabella immediately felt a sisterly connection to her. Isabella was an ageless immortal, and Purim; also an immortal but a tender age of 17. But it was bothering her to think of Lee's interest in her.

She had loved Lee for a long time but could never seem to change his liking her into love. No matter how hard she tried and hinted at it; he would not look at her in a romantic way. It was driving her crazy. Swishing her thick long tangerine hair aside she sarcastically grinned and began prodding him for answers.

"So Lee, What do you think? How's the new candidate? Does she suit your fancy?"

Lee sighed and shook his head.

"Don't believe the butlers, I am not bride shopping"

Isabella was shocked. Why was he taking all these women?

Lee responded to her upset looks. "Now, now. No need to look suspicious."

Just then the doors opened and Purim came running in. Her face sweating she stopped to catch her breath. She stood firm and spoke to the two of them.

"Isabella!? And you're the count aren't you?"

Lee calmly responded

"Either way I am Lee. I assume you got past the butlers?"

"Sorry, I had no choice" said Purim. "I want to know; What are you people?"

"I am a Mavole, from Mavolia, I haven't been back home in quite awhile. And this is my friend Isabella. I have known her for, oh, how many years? I'm not sure what it would be in human years. I will explain about the guests and myself"

He turned to Isabella and gave her nod meaning he wanted her to leave.

"Isabella do you mind?" he said with a half smile.

Pain shot through her chest at every word he spoke.

"Stalling again, eh, Lee? Today I AM finally going to know your true intentions." she said defiantly.

"I have all the time in the world with you! Can we please do this later?" rebutted Lee.

Isabella awoke. Groggily she opened her eyes and looked around; she could barely remember what happened. Last thing she could think of was Lee yelling something at Purim and her traveling partner. And then there was this horrible sensation pulsing through her body. She felt like she was floating and couldn't move. Like being trapped in a dream and her head pounding like after a night of heavy ale drinking and pipeweed smoking. Colourful lights spun and danced around her. The room went black. And now she was fine again but clueless as to what occurred.

Purim and the boy were gone. The room was cold as if had just been full of ghosts. She turned around and swished her hair back into place. She saw Lee. His eyes full of tears and he would not move. Isabella filled with pity for him. To see someone as great as him crying pierced her heart. She knew whatever he was thinking had to terribly painful if it was enough to reduce him to tears. She thought for a moment about what it could be or at least what would be an educated guess to at least get him talking about it. She thought she had the answer.

"Lee why are you crying? Where you reminded of Medusa again? Let me share your burden of sorrow."

Isabella put a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. She gently ran her fingertips over his neck and through his hair in a sensuous matter; bringing her fingers to his soft face she wiped tears away from under his eyes. She removed his glasses and pressed her thin body against him. She hoped that in this moment of weakness of his, she could take advantage of him. She waited a long time for a moment like this; to be in a situation where she could cross the lines of friendship and open the doors to something more. For a moment it was working. Lee looked her right in the eyes and studied hard. Part of his hair covered his face which shined from the only light in the room. He was so handsome she thought to herself. She slowly moved her hands around his neck and gently pushed back the fallen hair. But he stopped her. Lee grabbed her by the wrists and put them down.

"No" he said quietly. "I can't do this" "Not with you. Not with anyone"

"Why" she whispered. "I don't understand."

"I don't expect you to understand me," He said. "All I can say is that I cannot give you what you want from me."

Isabella started to cry. She felt so foolish standing before him, and dumbfounded. She looked up at him with tears running down her face.

"Why won't you tell me the truth! I am your friend, I care about you, you have been miserable ever since you came to this damned place. Can't you see what this world is doing to you? Mavoles get involved with the cares of this world and the results are nothing but troubles and sorrow!"

"I realize that Isabella....but my promise to my friend Granz still stands" Lee replied.

Isabella looked at him puzzled.

"I want to know the truth Lee. Cards on the table; tell me what is going on!"

"Very well" he said.

Lee wiped his eyes, swallowed and put his glasses back on. He leaned on the alter and looked to the ceiling for a moment. He wanted to tell her but he knew he couldn't tell her the whole truth. She wouldn't understand and she does, after all, have a big mouth and a way of getting into trouble when she feels loyal to someone. It would not be the first time she has overreacted in order to protect or avenge someone.

"I loved Medusa since childhood, even though she was unsure about me, you know that...I will always love her. It was my love for her that got me in trouble." Lee began.

Isabella interrupted when he paused.

"I don't understand Lee..I thought that....."

"Be silent for once and listen to me" Lee insisted.

Lee continued his story.

"Medusa's family disapproved of me, they were very particular about who was appropriate for her to marry, it made her so angry. When we were young there were many times we would meet in secret and talk about running away, how we would make a living, enjoy life away from the Mavole hierarchy nonsense way of living. She liked to talk about those things but back then she just couldn't find the courage to get up and do it. Anyways, you don't need the details, but the truth is Medusa became pregnant....by me. She was so distraught and didn't know what to do. She knew the shame that she had brought upon herself spelled out. She didn't come to me, it deeply wounds me that she did not come to me first, Goddess knows I would have taken care of her. Medusa ran away, to the human world. I followed her but by the time I found her it was to late."

Isabella looked to the floor; she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Medusa was about her age; there was a time that they were sort of close. Casual friends at best, but her father wouldn't let it be more than that. Lee was right; they were pretty bent on status and who was "proper". She felt sorry for Medusa back then, her family kept her sheltered in hopes that she would be the pure bride prize to some noble and bring in a huge fortune with it. An unfortunate life for a primate princess.

"What did you mean by too late, Lee?" she asked.

"Medusa went to the town of Jadd, there were many people there celebrating the recent victory against Vandole. There were many minstrels in town. Medusa loved minstrels. She did occasionally risk punishment by sneaking into Jadd just to hear the music. One particular man got her attention. It was Granz. He saw her sorrow and panic and used his magical voice talents to sooth her. They immediately fell deep in love. They eventually pledged love to each other and bonded. She knew precisely what this meant for her. She knew she was resigning herself to fate. I suppose in a way, bonding to a human, a creature that Mavoles dislike to begin with, was her way of protecting me. The Mavole royals aren't going to waste their time punishing a human. But if they knew it were me who fathered the child they would be out to get me for sure." Lee paused, caught his breath and continued.

"This is why I owe my all to Granz, why I am so close to him in friendship. Granz wanted me to remain his close friend; he wanted me to be a part of my child's life. But I refused. It was better if the child did not know. I wanted my child to be his child." Lee paused again and tears formed in his eyes.

Isabella breathed deeply,

The Mana clan, the humans, even the Mavole healers refused to care for her, they all called it rightful punishment for her sin. You brought Medusa home when her body had become stricken with so many human diseases and ailments. Prince Gurnda, Her son cared for her. But when she awake and began to have memories of Granz she ran away again and Gurnda followed her. Last I heard they both lived in Jadd and she refused to live anywhere else despite the fact that the human world is detrimental to her health. I thought I heard talk that she is dead now and so is Granz. The Mavole Prince is YOUR son, do you know what this means?" she said.

"No Isabella, he is Granz' son now. I don't know why I am telling you all this and I hope you do know better than to expose my secrets I have shared."

"Lee you are still holding back, I know there is more just by the look on your face, tell me please. And what does all this have to do with us, why can't you come home with me?" She demanded.

"I have told you too much as it is, I say no more, for the fact remains. I vowed never to love again, the pain I have felt all these years is too much and I will not ever have room for another woman in my life again. I am sorry Isabella."

"Then I guess" she said reluctantly, "I have no more to say to you. I am leaving this place."

"And just where do you think you are going?" he asked angrily.

"Out into the world of course!" she snapped.

"Don't be a fool Isabella, there is nothing out there for you. You are better off in Mavolia where it is safe."

"No Lee, I am not done in this world, I want to see what it is all about, I want to see for MYSELF why Mavoles say this world is so bad." She said with a smile and did her trademark hair swish at him.

"Very well" Lee said, "I can't stop you from going but mark my words, if you survive your little journey you will come home with a broken heart I assure you."

"Whatever" she grumbled.

She packed her few belongings and made her way to the front door. The night air was cold but the full moon and the light of a nearby neighboring planet shined brightly and lit the way. She started down the front walkway but stopped. Lee and the butlers were standing at the doorway.

"Any chance I might change your mind dear friend?" Lee questioned.

"Nope" she responded quickly and did her best to hide her doubts from him. In truth she was not to sure about what she was doing or where she would go but she was not about to let him onto that. Lee nodded at her with a half smile and distress in his eyes, he really did not want her to go.

"Good-bye Lee, I shall see you again I assure you" she said taking one last look at him.

She made her way into the night, saying to herself...

"Fate will take me where I need to go....."