A Kidnapping! The Mysterious Spirits

"What!" exclaimed Mina, "Noel's not with your? He said he was going to stay with you since I was busy trying to learn the dragon slave; and blowing up the wall of the guild on accident. So where could that boy have gotten to?" She was getting worried. Noel never showed up to meet Sandi in her hotel room.

"No, I thought he was still at the guild with you either watching you or trying his hand at some of the more advanced White and Shamanic spells he could find. There's got to be a reasonable explanation for this. We'd better scour the entire town and search for the prince. We are so dead if something happens to him on this journey. He should have stuck with you or come right to me afterwards," Sandi said in a panic.

The girls ran out of the hotel, and began searching for their friend. Mina was reminded of what had happened in the woods five years ago, how he'd been kidnapped by that spirit for some odd reason. She'd forgotten about it before, thinking it was an isolated incident, but now she could clearly think of what the enemy had said right before he died. He'd mentioned failing his mistress. So that meant that others could be out there trying to do harm to the prince over some mysterious key that she had no idea of what it was.

Suddenly, she felt a pang of danger go through her head. Her spirits were telling her of trouble on the outskirts of the town. Mina ran as fast as she could towards the gate. A short way into the woods, she finally saw Noel. He was surrounded by glowing lights, and fighting off a Lesser Demon with the small knife he carried. Casting Astral Vine on it, he managed to enhance its capabilities and slay the beast easily.

A female voice suddenly said, "Well, that was a good show. It should be expected over one of the keys. Now boy, you will come with me whether you like it or not." The sound of fingers snapping was heard in the distance, yet it was still loud, and then a strange rope of energy surrounded Noel. Mina ran towards her friend to save him, but then he simply vanished and she fell to the ground. She got up and slammed her hand onto the ground in anger. How could she fail Noel? He was her best friend; almost her little brother.

S...S

Sandi looked at Mina with sympathy. Imagine watching a friend in danger and not being able to do anything about it. She told the entire story to Sandi, from her strange sensation all the way to Noel and the spirits vanishing. Those spirits held the same energy as the one from five years ago. Only they hadn't taken a corporeal form for whatever reason. "I have to go back to Seyruun to inform Zelgadis and Amelia of this development. When I get back, we're going to go search for him. I regret not being able to see you in the tournament, but this is what has to be done. So, lets get ourselves ready for this new adventure now."

The girl left the hotel room without hearing Sandi's reply. Then, she ran all the way back to the city of White Magic. It surprised the guards to see a panicked Mina tearing towards the city and heading for the palace. Everyone had two worries on their mind; knowing about Mina's hidden powers and all. One, there was another assassination plot afoot that she was warning her parents about. Two, Noel was in trouble.

"Aunt Amelia! Uncle Zelgadis! Grandpa Phil!" screamed the girl as she ran through the many rooms of the palace, "We've got trouble! Some strange spirits with connections to the one from five years ago grabbed Noel and vanished right before my eyes!" Upon hearing this, they all ran to comfort Mina.

"How unjust of them! Not even standing up and fighting, just an underhanded plot to kidnap my son. This evil will have to be countered with a Hammer of Justice! When we find those wicked beings that took Noel, they will all have to face the wrath of the Justice of the Seyruun Royal Family," Amelia preached.

Mina told her, "Aunt Amelia, allow me the honor of bringing your Hammer of Justice to them. It was my oversight that allowed Noel to be captured. He was running to meet with Sandi while I studied at the Guild, but somehow ended up outside of the city. If I had kept with him at all times, he wouldn't have been in trouble like that. I'm not afraid of battle, and now I can cast the Dragon Slave. It will help me greatly in my quest. Just as Lina Inverse blew up her enemies with it, I too can strike down all that oppose me."

Zel looked at the girl, so full of determination, and sighed. "Mina, I remember when I first met Lina. She was fifteen, just as you are now, and more than capable of defeating anyone who opposed her. It is the only way to save my son. I will leave the rescue of Noel in your capable hands. Amelia, Phil, and I should stay here and keep there from being panic in the city. If the entire Royal Family goes off it could alarm the citizens. I trust you. Now, we'll pack an extra large lunch for you; since you always eat a large meal."

Mina had known her foster father was understanding of her, and smiled. So she waited for him to bring back the provisions he promised her. The girl gave both Amelia and Phil a large hug to comfort them. Leaving on a long journey was hard for her as well. It was for the best though; only she could save Noel.

S...S

After getting stocked up, Mina returned to Inion to pick up Sandi. By that time, the tournament was already over. The young swordswoman had come in third place; which wasn't bad for a girl trainee in her very first tournament. Upon telling her what was going on, they sat down to plan where to search first.

"Well, we can go to the small village of Sairaag," Mina suggested, "It was rebuilt from the old town that was destroyed in the incident with Kopii Rezo, and then after the Phibrizzo takeover. But it still has not become a grand city again. Most of the population was killed either by Kopii or Phibrizzo. Those who were on journeys of discovery, visiting relatives, as well as the hapless Sylphiel ended up rebuilding and making the town a small commerce center. But the reason to go would most likely be to see Aunt Sylphiel and ask her if she could delve into the location of the enemy. That way, we can find Noel easier than searching."

"That sounds like a plan. So, then we're going right away to meet with Sylphiel. We have to move fast though. That spirit five years ago didn't seem to have good tidings for Noel. Who knows what the other spirits in this gang want. I don't know about you but I'm all for a really big fight about now," stated Sandi.

The two planned the rout they would take as they ate some of the food that Zel had provided. He did give some perishable goods that would last for about a week because he knew Mina would finish them in the span of a day. She could probably out eat Amelia; and maybe be on par with both Lina and Gourry. It was late when they finished, so they decided to stay the night. It took awhile for the girls to fall asleep after all the excitement though. Mina found herself thinking of her old dreams, and felt a pang of fear in her heart.

Teefa's Last Words...

Plots getting put in place. Mina and Sandi are about to meet a few new allies who are more than willing to help them rescue the missing prince. And one in particular is connected to a peculiar destiny...