The Underground Caves. On the Way to Sairaag

"So, you are Mina Felicia and Sandi Lexford," Victoria stated, "My name is Victoria Majikku, the twin sister of Victor. I thank you for helping me; albeit I didn't need any rescue in the first place. Can you tell me one thing though? Why are you going to Sairaag? Visiting old the friend of your mentors?"

"Prince Noel de Greywers Seyruun has been kidnapped. I am on a quest to save him. But we have no idea on where to go next. So we think that we can ask Sylphiel for help in tracking them down. She was once a Shrine Maiden so she has that kind of power. Heck, it was either that or go to Filia's shop in the Outer World. That would most likely take too long and endanger Noel all the more," Mina told her.

Sandi said, "We are not the type to let our friend be placed in danger like that. Besides, for five years, something has bothered the both of us. After a near kidnapping in the woods, this man spoke of Noel being a "key" to something. However, I have no idea what that means, and it could be dangerous."

Victor rubbed his chin. "Key eh? Well, there is an old legend about the Chaos Keys that Master Lina spoke of. It is said, that during the ancient war, many humans were employed as mercenaries by both Cephied and Shabranigdo. There was a sorceress named Lucrecia who worked for the Mazoku. One day, she ran into Gabriel; one of Cephied's Holy Swordsmen who utilized White Magic as well as the sword. In that instant, instead of killing one another, they fell in love. Both decided to leave the war behind to live out their lives in peace. However, Shabranigdo didn't take kindly to any of his human sorcerers turning on him even to just stop fighting. He hunted the lovers down in a lull in the fighting and personally killed them; feeling pleasure in their deaths. But their lives were not yet over. L-Sama felt a small pang of compassion for the two and transformed their bodies into a pair of star shaped stones; Onix for Lucrecia, Moonstone for Gabriel. They contained the power of not only the two lovers, but the power of creation and destruction."

"That's an interesting story," commented Mina, "But how can that connect to Noel's capture? The two keys were turned to stone. Even if someone could discover their whereabouts, humans have no way to become the keys. After all, I don't think that Zelgadis transferred the energy of such a thing into his son."

"Well, I don't know about that. But what I do know is that story. Perhaps it is not connected at all. It may be only a pretty legend spoken on the lips of sorcerers who search for the keys. Or it could be some tragic tale of love and loss. Noel being a key more likely points to Seyruun's Royal Family," Victor replied.

S...S

After the talk, the twins showed the secret passage they found to Mina and Sandi. Realizing it was a faster way than going around Red Robin's Barn, they agreed to take it. So that was how the four jumped down the hole and wandered underground. Mina held out a Light Spell so they could see where they were going. Sandi and Victoria went next, with Victor in the back. He claimed it was to protect the three ladies.

Victoria informed him, "Brother, one of these days your flirtatious ways are going to get the best of you. Need I remind you of the stories of the Princess of Zoana, Martina, who got herself into problem after problem over her many crushes. She fell for Zelgadis until he betrayed her, then she fell for Gourry until she found out that he wasn't bright, then Xellos until she found out he was a Mazoku…catch my drift? The point is that you can let your heart get broken easily if you rush in too quickly. So slow down with these girls."

Mina wondered what awaited them in Sairaag. But just then, she heard a low growl. Running to inspect what was going on, she found a hissing white cat backed up against the wall by a large wolf. It was no ordinary wolf though. The creature appeared to be a Demon of sorts that took the form of a forest animal in order to make it easier to hunt its prey. Not a Werewolf though; those creatures were all humanoids.

Victor and Victoria looked at one another, nodding. In unison, they cast Rune Flare on the beast. But it wasn't enough to kill it, only to make the creature spring at them next. Victoria ended up thrown into her brother's arms and Victor hit the side of the cavern. Then, it turned its intentions towards Sandi.

The girl brought up Wing Blade. "You come one step closer and I'll destroy you with this sword." But the creature didn't take the threat of one girl seriously. As she ran at it, the wolf jumped. Sandi's blade hit the beast's side, scratching it. However, its claws managed to knock the young girl down to the ground.

You're the only one left,- a wicked voice spoke to Mina telepathically, -Will you surrender and let me kill you quick and painlessly? Or will you continue fighting and prolong your suffering? It doesn't matter to me either way. Just as long as I can devour the sweet flesh of humans afterwards. Yes, you feel to be the best of the lot. I will make you the first one to enter my belly and become a part of me.- The creature licked its lips in anticipation of its meal. This human would be no match for it, she would die shortly.

'What can I do? Two sorcerers casting the most powerful single target spell in Fire Shamanism were unable to even make a dent in that beast. They were the promising students of the greatest sorceress of the last generation. If I'm to win and rescue everybody, I need a good plan,' mused a nervous Mina.

Suddenly, she felt words come to her mind out of nowhere. The voice was female, and somewhat impatient. She told the girl, -You fool, if you want to die you can stay here. I don't think you do. But if you are the one to inherit my power after all these years, you should know that I don't tolerate such cowardice.-

Mina had no idea who that was, nor did she care. She would listen to the voice and fight onwards. As the spell came to her she held out her hand. It was one that Zelgadis and Amelia hadn't quite gotten around to teaching her yet, and she'd never bothered to look it up on her own either. "Source of all power, crimson fire burning bright! Gather together in my hand and become an Inferno. BURST FLARE!"

A large blast of fiery energy filled the room. It was a wonder that nobody in the team got hurt from the attack. However, the wolf wasn't so lucky. Her attack made contact with it, killing it in a flash of light.

S...S

"That was close," commented Sandi, "It was lucky that Mina goes off to learn magic on her own when Amelia and Zel say that she's still too young to learn the spell. Her determination to become a master of the magical arts is what saved our lives here. Congrats girl, we'll see much more of this I know."

Before Mina could tell them that she did not look it up in a book, that she had learned it from this voice that spoke to her telepathically, they heard a grateful meow. The white cat came walking up to the sorceress and yowled happily at her rescuer. Mina began to pet her head as she felt her fears melt away.

"I thank you, human. It was you who rescued me from the agent of my enemy. But we must hurry if we are to save your friend from her wicked plot. Your prince's very life hangs in the balance and only you can make sure he gets free and returns home to Seyruun," the cat stated. All four of them jumped at the speech. Nobody in the group had ever heard a cat speak before. It must not have been a cat at all.

Teefa's Last Words...

Yes, she's getting a white cat as her familiar. I know it's not traditional, but there's a good reason. The voices will come into play a lot later; you'll find out who spoke to Mina and why.