A Thief's Story Chapter 9: Initiation, a secret/legend of mana fanfic

THIS IS CURRENTLY MY LONGEST CHAPTER. So get yourself some popcorn and a drink. Enjoy!

A Thief's Story

Chapter 9-Initiation

Hot… it's so… hot…

Hawk was surrounded by flames. He was used to very high temperature, but right now couldn't take the heat. Droplets of sweat rolled down his face like a cascade. Hawk felt the heat going to his head.

So hot…

He felt himself getting dizzy as his vision blurred. He shook his head, straightening his vision. Just when he set his vision, he saw a rather familiar figure in the flames. He squinted his eyes. He saw a face. He then drew his daggers. This was no stranger's face. This has a cut across the whole face, and has that unique smirk to it.

Jack…

Hawk jumped through the first line of flames. He thought he got closer, but the distance between him and Jack didn't even change.

"Jack! What the hell are you doing here?" Hawk yelled out. "I thought I ditched you."

"Thought? Kid, you need to know, not think. Especially right now." Jack eyed his eyes down.

Hawk looked down and was stopped by the sight of what was on the ground. Tiffany and Carlie were lying on the floor, wounds covering their bodies. Hawk was horrified when he saw the big puddles of blood seeping out of their bodies.

"No… you… killed…" Hawk felt his angry boiling inside.

"And guess what? I'm not even done."

Hawk looked up, and almost felt himself being torn apart by what Jack was talking about. Lise was in front of Jack, all tied up, wounded, and on her knees, facing Hawk. She looked up to Hawk, with the face of worry and sadness. Hawk ran toward her, but was stopped by a wall of flames. He ran into it, but fell down by the stopping pains of excruciating burns on his body. Hawk stood up on one knee, panting and groaning from the burns. He looked up, only to see one of the most horrifying moments of his life. Jack, laughing, drew his sword and lifts it up to a stabbing position, into a person's back. Hawk, seeing the terror unfold before him, tried to move toward Lise, but was only stopped by more pain when the flames touched him. He looked up, stretching his arm toward Lise. Lise just smiled and closed her eyes. All Hawk could do was hear his scream.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Blood. Everywhere. On the ground. On Jack's clothes. On Hawk's arm. Hawk felt his heart scream out such pain and torture, becoming hollow and more hollow each second that past. Hawk, once again, felt time slow down, as he saw Lise's chest being pierced by a white, sharp metal. The metal was stained with pure red liquid. The liquid either spilled out from the gap created by the sword, or was dripping from the reflective metal onto the ground. Jack, smirking, pulled out the bloodstained sword. Lise simply fell to the ground, feeling the world for one last second, then stopped breathing. She felt her body go numb for a moment, then felt no more.

Hawk, like magic, fell down after he saw Lise died. He felt his heart died when he saw Lise being stabbed. He then felt his heart disappear when Jack pulled out his sword from Lise. He soon felt nothing when Lise wasn't of this world anymore. He felt like Lise. Hawk… couldn't live without her. When she dies, Hawk dies with her also. Not because of a spell or a cursed necklace, but because of…

His feelings…

His feelings for Lise…

His…

Love…

For…

Lise…

Lise… Lise… I… can't… live… without… you… Lise… Hawk's last words before he was gone.

"WAKE UP! WAKE UP, HAWK! TODAY'S THE DAY!"

Hawk quickly woke up, sitting up fast. He was sweating so badly that he felt like he just got out of a swim with his clothes on, and was breathing so hard he felt woozy a few moments after waking up. He soon felt an object bouncing up and down his stomach. Correction: He felt somebody bouncing up and down his stomach, making it painful and numb. After a moment of adjusting his vision, he saw that it was Carlie.

"CARLIE! GET OFF MY STOMACH!" Hawk yelled out.

Carlie stopped, but didn't get off Hawk's stomach.

"Wow! Hawk looks like a fish taken out of the water."

"Yeah, yeah. Now get out before I really go berserk on you."

Carlie hopped off of Hawk's stomach, then ran out the door.

Goddess, what a dream. Why the hell do I keep on having these dramatic dreams? Me and Lise at the dawn of love, then me dead when she is? I barely get these before them pirates invaded my life. Hawk looked at himself. Shit. Carlie's right. I DO look like a fish. Better take a cleaning. Hope no one's at the springs. Right now, I need some alone time relaxing.

Hawk stretched, got out of bed, and searched for a towel.

Where's there a guest room, there's a guest towel.

Hawk finally found it in the bottom drawer of the guest's wardrobe. Hawk was about to take his clothes off, but decided against it.

I don't want to run through the castle wearing nothin' but a towel. Better take off my clothes when I get there.

Hawk, carrying his towel, made his way toward the springs at the back of the castle. This time, however, there were no guards at the entrance, as there was no royalty taking a bath. Hawk quietly walked toward the springs, staying out of sight if there was an Amazoness taking a bath. When Hawk saw a part of the springs, he hid by an eroded wall on his right, and waited for sounds. When he heard no sounds, he slowly took a peek to confirm if no one was there. When he saw nobody bathing at the springs, he made his way to the furthest back where a large spring was. There, Hawk looked around, checking one more time if anybody was around.

Just need some alone time. If I didn't, then I'm welcome to bathe with the Amazonesses that are around here, even if they are perverts.

Hawk stripped off his desert clothes quickly even though he had layers of them. He looked at his desert clothes, and felt their moisture created from the sweat.

Hmm. Maybe a quick wash of these and drying and I'll be fine.

Hawk grabbed his clothes, then jumped into the springs. He couldn't contain his moaning as he felt the coolness of the springs against his body. Dirt, grime, and sweat were replaced by clean, cool water. Hawk, however, snapped to his senses and began washing and rinsing his clothes. When he was done, he squeezed the clothes to drain the water, then dropped them on the ground near him. He relaxed after that. Feeling that all of his body should feel the springs' comfort, he submerged himself underwater for a few seconds, then resurfaced, feeling all cool from the springs. He then really relaxed. He closed his eyes, letting his body (except for his head) submerged underwater, thinking of nothing.

"WAKE UP, TIFFANY! DOES TIFFANY KNOW WHAT TODAY IS?" Carlie shouted out as she jumped on Tiffany's bed up and down.

"Okay, okay. I'm up!" Tiffany sits up slowly, then stretched.

"Don't miss Lise's 'initisiasion'! It's important to her!"

"Mmm… Okay. I'm awake." she opened her eyes and saw Carlie. "Could you please leave while I prepare?"

"Oh, okay."

Carlie, as before, left with no complaints.

Whew! All of a sudden, I'm very hot. Must be my clothes. I knew I should have opened the window. Tiffany looked at the window.

She made sure that everything she experienced so far was not a dream. She touched herself, making sure she was here. She looked for her red cap, and found it near the candle.

Yep. Not a dream. Everything's real… I have to stop doing this and get to the fact that everything's real. I have amnesia. I'm in a castle. I'm with my new friends.

Tiffany laid back into her bed. She closed her eyes, then opened them.

What do they do to keep cool around here, even though it's not supposed to be hot?

"Oh, what should I do… what should I do…?" Lise nervously said to herself.

Lise was running around the room, checking things over and over again. She gone through her room, but couldn't find what she was searching for.

"Where's my brooch? My mother's brooch, where is it?"

Lise was about to grab the drawers out of their places when she heard a knock.

"Who is it?"

"It's Carlie."

"Come in."

Carlie opened the door, surprised to see Lise running around, rummaging through her things.

"Lise's needs somethin'?" Carlie asked.

"Um… um… could you help me find my brooch? I know it's around here somewhere…"

"Well, what it look like?"

"Emerald with a silver ring around it."

"You mean this?"

Lise looked at Carlie. Carlie was pointing at the shelf next to the wardrobe. The brooch was inside, as well as other old things.

"(Laughing sheepishly) Well, I knew I kept it somewhere."

Lise walked over to the shelf, then slide the glass protecting the objects inside. She carefully picked up the brooch, putting it in her hands.

"Thank you, Carlie."

"You welcome." Carlie smiled.

Carlie, seeing her work done, rested on a chair nearby. Lise, however, stared at the brooch. Memories flashed by her head as she continued staring at her late mother's brooch. She remembered when she was young, she was always cared by her mother. Her mother helped her when she needed it, cared for her with love, taught her important things in life. But it all went away when she remembered the terrible day her mother died. Terrible, yet somewhat miraculous. She remembered her mother's last moments giving birth to her brother, Eliott. She looked down at Lise and gave her these words.

"Watch over Eliott… like I would… Lise…"

Her mother's last moments exchanged for Eliott's first. Somehow, it was all ironic to Lise. Her mother died. Eliott was born. Lise became a sort of a mother to Eliott, after being mothered herself. Lise accepted this responsibility, painfully, while crying on the cliff. Then Eliott became an independent person. Her duty as a mother was done after Eliott wanted to help instead of being helped, like Lise after her mother passed away. It's all ironic. Now, her responsibility to Eliott was as a sister. Eliott knew this day would come. He didn't want Lise to have any more burdens after she became queen. So he wanted to help Lise instead of her doing the same. To… give Lise a better life. A gift of untold value, given by her younger brother.

Mother… thank you… I'll always love you…

Lise hung her head down, then up.

I'm finally going to be Queen of Rolante… I'm going to take up after you, Mother… Please, give me strength…

Nothing, I mean NOTHING, can even have the honor of being compared to these springs!

Hawk felt like he really did died and gone to Heaven. He just loved the crisp, clean, cool water caressing against his skin.

I could be here forever… It really doesn't matter if I miss out on the great things in the world… These springs are what I really want in life…

Hawk really doesn't matter if an Amazoness walked in and want to bath. He wouldn't look. He was, behind his closed eyes, in his own parallel world of relaxation. He felt nothing could ruin this moment. Nothing…

Thud.

Hawk quickly opened his eyes and was startled by the sight of what he saw.

"… Uh… hey… Tiffany…"

Tiffany stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Hawk in the spring. She wanted to try the springs herself with the other Amazonesses. She wanted to cool off, so she asked an Amazoness where the springs where. This is what she found. Hawk in the springs. Sure, maybe she could bathe with the other Amazonesses, but with Hawk?

"… Hi… Hawk…"

"You just really need these springs as badly as I do, huh?"

Tiffany nodded.

Hawk hesitated for a moment, then took action of maturity.

"You don't… have to bathe yet."

"But… I really wanted to try them…"

"(Sighs) Tell you what. You can take one of the springs around here. I'll turn around while you take off your clothes. I won't peek; I swear my word on it."

"Umm… I don't know… if I can trust you…"

"I told you, I'll give you my word."

"Well, give it right now."

"All right. I'm giving you my word. I'm going to turn around now. Hurry up, I want to enjoy these springs."

Hawk turned around, closed his eyes, then put his hands over them for extra security. Tiffany, still having some doubt about Hawk's word, started to stripped off her clothes quickly, while maintaining an eye on Hawk. When she was done, she jumped into the pool that was on her far right. Hawk, even though he heard that, wouldn't turn around until Tiffany says she's done. Tiffany, resurfacing, felt relieved by the cool water, chasing the heat away. She relaxed her body by submerging it no more than to her neck. She was surprised that Hawk hasn't turn around yet.

"Okay, you can turn around."

Hawk turned around and opened his eyes, feeling nothing since he turned away from Tiffany while she was taking her clothes off.

"See? I don't lie. They say thieves lie in the beginning, but as a master thief, there's no reason to lie. When I say the truth, I say the truth."

"Well, it was a good thing I trusted you."

"Thanks. So, how's your spring?"

"Amazing. It's cooling me down already."

"So, you came here to beat the heat."

"What about you?"

"Clean myself."

"Oh."

(Silence)

"Why aren't there any Amazonesses here?" Tiffany wondered.

"I guess the castle is all acting up because of the initiation. All the Amazonesses are attending to their work. They probably don't have time to bathe."

"Make sense."

"(Deep breath) Gotta love these springs." Hawk closed his eyes.

"Just have to adore them…" Tiffany closed her eyes, too.

Moments pass…

Okay, maybe Tiffany's here, so what? Nothing can ruin this moment…

Hawk sighed. Again, he felt nothing could ruin this moment. Nothing…

Thud.

Hawk and Tiffany, responding to the noise, opened their eyes and was really startled by who was here.

Oh, crap… Could this not get any worse? Hawk thought without movement.

"Hi… Lise…" Tiffany nervously greeted.

"Hey, Lise…" Hawk greeted, too.

Lise stood there, first with the same feeling that Tiffany had before, then a feeling of Hawk and Tiffany bathing sort of together. Lise has to clean herself before her initiation to be perfectly 'pure'. But there were three problems presented before her. First, she has to be in the spring with a guy, both naked. Second, in order to be 'pure', she must bathe and not be seen in the nude by a male. Third, Hawk is in the springs with Tiffany. Yep, this is definitely going down in Lise's book of rare situations.

"Umm… would it help to say that we are in separate pools, that we haven't seen each other in anyway whatsoever in the nude, that you don't have to be in the same pool as I'm in, and that I won't look at you while you take off your clothes?" Hawk tries to weaken the situation.

"He's telling the truth, Lise. We haven't done anything that you are thinking of when you got here." Tiffany nervously said.

"Well, that's very hard to believe if you're looking from my point of view." Lise said with a little bit of surprise.

"We're telling the truth, Lise. We haven't done anything funny or anything of the sort." Hawk said.

"Wha… how can I believe you, huh?"

"Lise, we traveled together for a long time. I never lied to you. You trusted me, and I never broken your trust."

"Well, I'm not sure now if I can trust you or not."

"Lise, have I done anything back then or even here that's broken your trust?"

"No…"

"See? Goddess, is it so hard to trust me because of my personality and that I'm a thief? I swear, nobody's ever heard of 'Never Judge A Book By Its Cover'."

Lise, still having doubts about Hawk's words, took a deep breath.

"Okay. I'm going to take your word." Lise said.

"Thanks." Hawk turned around yet again.

Lise, like Tiffany, took off her clothes, keeping an eye on Hawk. Tiffany, seeing Lise's body, blushed a bit and looked down on hers in the water.

"Tiffany, what's wrong?" Lise asked while she carefully placed her clothes next to the far left pool.

"Nothing… just nothing…" Tiffany closed her eyes.

"What do you mean…?" Lise looked down on herself, then understood. "Oh… you don't have to be embarrassed… You're a lady like I am… and I'm pretty sure your body's perfect the way it is, too…"

Tiffany looked up, without her blush.

"Thanks." Tiffany smiled. "I shouldn't be comparing on physical appearance. We're friends."

"If it makes you feel any better, you can stand up and show me your body and get it over with." Lise suggested.

And here I am not watching this? All of this forbidden because of what I believe in? (Shouting out mentally all the profanity words he can think of). Hawk was close to going back on his word. This is serious torture, fate! SERIOUS TORTURE!

"O-Okay…" Tiffany stood up, revealing her body.

"See? Your body is as great looking as mine… hmm, maybe smaller size on your… well, your body is still very good, coming from a lady-to-lady conversation…"

"Thank… you… for your… compliments…"

"Don't worry about it. When you need somebody to deal with these things, you can always count on me." Lise said before dipping herself into the far left pool.

Tiffany slowly sank her body into the pool. She then took a deep breath. Both of the girls sigh when they submitted to the springs. Keeping nothing but their heads above water level, the two closed their eyes.

I… can't… take… it… no… more… Hawk groaned a bit.

"Oh, Hawk! Sorry about the long wait." Lise laughed. "You can turn around now."

Hawk turned around.

"You know how hard it is for me not to turn around? Y'all looking at each other's bodies. Goddess, I was about to go insane in my head not looking."

"She needed some confidence about herself. You know that I help out any girls who aren't sure about their feminine side."

"Yeah, yeah. Being a sorta big sister to them, I know." Hawk relaxed his whole body and closed his eyes.

Lise, knowing that Hawk wanted to relaxed, sighed.

Maybe I shouldn't. Ever since Eliott wanted to depend on himself, I guess my 'mother' side slipped to other people. Maybe I should tone down on it… maybe… discarding it forever… Lise thought.

Lise closed her eyes, and let the springs take her away.

After some complications getting out of the springs (Hawk again making sure he doesn't see the girls getting out and putting clothes on and vice versa, and not being seen together coming from the springs while in the castle until sure of things being taken care of), Lise entered her room to prepare herself.

"Tiffany, you stay here. Hawk, see if you can get the castle ready for the initiation." Lise ordered before going into her room.

"What…" Hawk walked toward the right stairs, mumbling. "They coulda prepared everything yesterday. But no, they wanted 'freshness'…"

Hawk, reaching the main hall, looked around for any Amazoness that could give him a job to do. He saw one running toward the throne. He walked up, seeing her panicked state.

"Can I help you with anything?" Hawk asked.

"Um, well, here…" the Amazoness gave him a bucket of water and a mop.

"What do you… oh, wait… you want me to..."

"Clean the first floor, Sir Hawk."

"The whole first floor! But that will take…" Hawk thought about it, "More than forever!"

"Could you please do it, Sir Hawk? I have other things to take care of."

The Amazoness ran off toward the right stairs. Hawk, groaning, looked around the main hall. The main hall was so large, he could barely see the stairs and the opening to the balcony on the other side.

Not the end of my life… not next week… not tomorrow… I want to die now!

Carlie was wandering the corridors until she stumbled onto Tiffany, waiting outside Lise's room.

"Carlie! You better watch where you're going." Tiffany said after she looked down on Carlie.

"Sorry, Tiffany. Carlie bored."

"Well, why don't you wait here? Lise is dressing up and she'll be out soon."

"Okay."

After several minutes, Lise opened the door and made the two outside gasped. Lise was wearing the dress that Tiffany helped choose. It was a light shade of blue, shining with deepness as if it were made of velvet. Her mother's brooch was on her chest, restored to its former luster, as it did when her mother wore it as Queen back then. Unlike other dresses, though, it was cut off from the bottom a little short to reveal Lise's white slippers and her ankles. It was almost sleeveless, too, ending at a small ruffle at each end of her shoulders. This revealed her sleek and shiny arms in such a way that somehow, it was more proper showing than covering them up. She wore long white gloves, with designed ends that hide her hands and most of her lower arms. Finally, her long blonde hair (including the 'ponytail'), glimmering with shininess, was put in the front, caressing her chest. All of this, plus her favorite feather-like coronal pointing upward, gave Lise the look of the Queen of Rolante at a young age.

"Wo… wow!… Carlie likes!" Carlie stood there, dazed.

"I… I… I can't explain it in words!…" Tiffany barely said.

"Thanks." Lise blushed. "But, it's all too royal for my liking. I just hope that I only wear this for today."

Lise sighed, then looked down.

"I… I'm not sure… if I'm ready to become queen yet…" Lise said worryingly.

"Lise'll be fine! Carlie knows it!" Carlie tried to inspire confidence.

"You don't have to… You can just say no…" Tiffany suggested.

"I can't. Everybody's depending on me to become queen… I don't know what I should decide." Lise walked back in her room.

"Wait!" Tiffany followed her inside.

"Carlie knows Lise can be queen!" Carlie yelled out.

"Carlie… can you leave us be? Lise needs support."

"But…"

"Please?"

Carlie looked down, then took a deep breath.

"Okay." Carlie said with a sad tone. "Carlie will just pick some flowers."

Carlie kept her head down, turned around, and slowly walked away. Tiffany wishes she hasn't done that, but she knew Carlie wouldn't understand.

Hawk, managing to mop every room on the first floor (except the main hall), was almost half way through the main hall.

Working, working, working, always working. I'm a thief, for crying out loud! I steal from the dumb, rich, greedy pigs! I give the Lucs to the poor! I serve the good! I deserve better than this! Hawk thought as he dumped the mop back into the bucket, then squeezed the water out of the mop as he pulled it up.

The same Amazoness who gave Hawk the job was at the head of the right stairs.

"Please, hurry with the cleaning, Sir Hawk! The guests will be arriving soon!" she yelled out before heading down the stairs again.

Who the hell cares how clean the floor is? It's not like an object of wonderfulness that you can stare at forever. Hawk looks at the floor.

(Sighs) What the hell… gotta do it for Lise, 'cause she's a friend. Why can't I admit my true feelings? It's not like she'll never figure it out… will she? What if she doesn't? What if she too thinks I'm just a friend who helped her saved the world? She'll just choose a suitor and BAM!... all my hopes of her are gone. I got to tell her, but… I can't… Why?

"Hawk? Why does Hawk look worried?" a voice spoke out.

"Oh! Carlie. Shoot, don't sneak up and pester me while I'm thinking." Hawk looked down to Carlie.

"Sorry. Carlie's just sad."

"Really?"

"Lise is having a problem and I can't help her. Tiffany asked me to leave her and Lise alone."

"Oh. Well, I guess I'm feeling sad, too."

"Why?"

"My own reasons. What problem is Lise going through?"

"Lise thinks she's not ready to be queen."

"Not ready to become queen? Why in… wait… oh, I understand…"

"Why won't Lise be queen?"

"A lot of things happened to her that gives her pressure of becoming a queen. Her parents gone, her responsibility of becoming the Queen of the powerful Amazoness army."

"But doesn't everybody want to be famous?"

"Sure they do. But to become famous, you got to work hard and make sacrifices that not everyone's willing to do, like Lise here."

"Okay. Carlie thinks she understands." Carlie was scratching her head.

"Maybe… hold up." Hawk did some thinking. "I don't know, maybe 20, 50 years from now you'll understand, if I did elf year right."

"Aww, but that's a long time!"

"Well, Carlie, in some cases, you'll have all the time you need." Hawk then hung his head.

In others, you'll only have a small amount of time. Hawk thought for a while after his last sentence.

"Hawk? You're… how do you say it… 'wondorin' again." Carlie cocked her head sideways.

"'Wandering', Carlie. I know I am. It's just that… (Sighs)… ever since I left the desert for the first time… you're too young to be listening to this, Carlie."

"Why is Carlie ALWAYS too young to listen or talk about what all of you do or think of?" Carlie was so angry and confused that she ran away.

Hawk, not noticing Carlie running off, kept brooding on his thoughts while he continued mopping.

"I don't know… I… I just don't know…" Lise kept repeating.

Lise's head was down, while she was standing next to her window. Tiffany was sitting in bed, trying to make Lise calm down.

"You'll be fine if you went with your decision of being a queen. If you really don't feel like you're ready, you can just say no. You have more power in you than you imagine." Tiffany said.

"But what if I say no? Will my people think I'm not worthy? Even think that I'm a… coward?"

"It's not what they think that makes you strong, but what you think."

Is this true? What I think is what makes me a strong person? Not what my people think of me? Lise pondered to herself. Maybe. Maybe this is what happened to me when I thought of going after Eliott even when my people and army pressured me to stay back in the kingdom. After I made up my mind to go after Eliott, they supported me even more… I guess what I think really is important. If it wasn't for that, I guess my hope of finding Eliott would have dwindled to nothing, and I would never have him back.

"Thanks, Tiffany." Lise turned around, smiling at Tiffany. "(Giggles) Here I am, taking your advice when I was the one that gave you advice earlier."

"I guess we both can help each other!" Tiffany smiled, too.

They both laughed.

"So, what do you want to be?" Tiffany tried to draw Lise's conclusion.

"I guess I… want to be queen. I have a responsibility. I have to fulfill it, even if I have to do things I don't want to do."

"I was hoping you say that. Having a friend who's a queen. How lucky can a person be?"

"A lot, if you're a friend of Hawk."

Not before long, guests from many nations started to arrive. King Richard of the Grassland Country Forcena was the first to arrive, accompanied by the world famous Knights of Gold. Among them was a rather young fellow (youngest of the Knights of Gold), with red hair, light gray armor, and a look of toughness, who goes by the name of Duran, son of Loki, a former knight who saved the world with King Richard from the Dragon Emperor. He looked up at the castle gate, amazed by how such a castle can be up on an almost non-climbable mountain.

Rolante, huh? Home to the world's powerful Amazoness army. Duran then looked smug. Can't compare to us, the Knights of Gold. Who was going to be queen?… Lise, wasn't it? She was one of those people who helped hold back the Altenan invasion. And now she's going to be queen. Duran shrugged. Might as well visit one of them.

The castle gates started to pull up after a soldier confirmed the guards that they were the guests from Forcena. Duran snapped out of his thoughts and puts himself into the stance of the knights as he and the others marched inside the castle gates. He wasn't going to let his slackness ruin the reputation of his rank and the Knights of Gold in front of the Amazonesses army.

Two Amazonesses directed them to the main hall and reserved them the far left table. Amazingly, every guest managed to fill in the 30 seats. The king was seated on the short side of the table, his left side of his back against the throne. Duran was sitting four chairs away from the king, on the left side from the view of the main door. He looked around, amazed by the elegant beauty that covered the room. Flowers, streamers, and such light decorations covered the ceiling and the walls, enriching everything with bright colors. The room has a pungent smell of fresh flowers that were picked up in the morning with dew still on them. Such scenery sets the scene of the Spring Equinox, perfect for a queen-to-be. The other knights seem to be amazed by this, too. Duran, however, has a thought that rang throughout his head, drowning out all other thoughts. He almost acted this thought have it not for his second nature of a knight that set him still. It still, however, controlled his mind with its words:

I'm hungry.

"You see, Mother? Isn't this much better than living in that frozen, barren wasteland?"

"Yes, I agree. Even my reasons point that this is a better place to live."

The guests of the Magic Kingdom Altena arrived about a half hour later after Forcenan guests have settled down in their reserved spots. Female Magicians lined up in rows surrounding Valda, the Queen of Reason; and her obnoxious, yet with raw beauty, young daughter, Angela. A purpled-haired girl, wearing a red-orange leotard that defines her personality, with a choice of light blue as the color of her clothing accessories. She had a look of envy, jealous that the queen-to-be was going to rule in such a 'more than suitable' environment.

"I want to live in a place like this! A mountain, where I can see everything from above, where it's hard for enemies to attack, where it'll look nice as a place to rule." Angela listed.

"I know. But our ancestors chose the Sub-Zero Snowfield as a place to live. We cannot live in a place that somebody else chose as their home." the Queen of Reason implored.

"Why can't we have invaded Rolante instead of Forcena…?" Angela mumbled to herself.

As soon as the Altenans arrived into the main hall, a bit of tension appeared between some Knights of Forcena and the Magicians of Altena. It was easy to see since the same two Amazonesses place the Altenan guests at the second table from the left, next to the Forcena.

"Please, please. Let us put aside our past and enjoy the celebration." King Richard stood up and declared.

"The King of Forcena is right. Remember that it was the Dragon Emperor that did this, not us." The Queen of Reason, who stood up, supported King Richard.

King Richard, surprised by Queen Valda's unusual outburst of peace, nodded at her. Queen Valda, seeing this, sneaked a small smile at him. Seeing each other's acknowledgement, they both sat down.

"I saw that, Mother." Angela said a little teasingly after her mother sat down. Angela was sitting one seat away from her mother, on the right from the main door's view, with her teacher Jose on the other side, and Victor next to her. Valda herself sat at the end where the short side was, like King Richard, the right back against the throne.

"Now, Angela. I'm a queen, and queens do not mettle with such trivialities." Queen Valda said with a hard tone. "Although… I will admit that I made a facial gesture at King Richard."

Angela, hearing her mother softens her tone on the last sentence, smiled. She never in her life saw her mother soften up to both her and another person.

"Your Majesty, I did not believe my eyes when I believe I saw… the Queen of Reason… smile." Duran remarked. The Knights near King Richard all turned toward the king.

"Yes, she did smile, Duran." King Richard answered back. "I hardly ever see her smile ever since she ascended as the Queen of Reason. Her reasoning desolated her from such great things."

"Do you wish, Your Majesty, that she would accept those 'great things'?"

"… Yes. She was a beautiful woman who appreciated those things before. I believe that she herself wishes she would accept such things, even now. But for the present, this is as close as she is ever going to grasp those things."

Duran glanced at Queen Valda again, knowing that this could be the only smile he would ever see from the Queen of Reason. His eye, however, caught another purpled-haired person sitting near her. He veered his vision to the right to see behind an old man, and saw a young lady with a beauty that is the same as the Queen if the Queen was younger. However, Duran was dumbfounded and a little shocked when he saw that this young lady was wearing a leotard and almost nothing else, excluding the accessories.

"Um, Your Majesty, who is that young look-alike that is sitting next to the Queen of Reason?" Duran asked.

"Hmm. I believe that is Valda's long unknown daughter, Angela." King Richard explained after examining. "Valda raised her secretly, but recently announced her daughter's existence to the world. Many people said Angela is a 'spitting' image of young Valda. A beautiful 'fountain of youth' as people called Angela."

"Angela, huh. Must be great to finally be recognized by the world." Duran shrugged and went back to the main conversation at hand.

"Ahh, Rolante. How long have I lay eyes on 'The Castle That Never Fell'." the Priest of Light said.

"I hope that the Mana Heroes are safe inside." Heath wondered.

"Messengers gave me news that Hawk, Carlie, and Tiffany are staying there for the initiation of Lise. They will leave tomorrow after the celebration."

"Do you have a feeling that something… wrong will happen at the celebration?"

"Yes. But I believe that we can overcome it. We can battle the danger and be victorious."

"Especially with the combined nations' powerful army at the celebration. But I feel that somehow this will not frighten the danger in any way."

"Yes. We must be careful. Something will happen. I hope that the danger will pass quickly and nonviolently."

Not much commotion happens like before. Acknowledgement were exchanged when the Wendel guests entered the main hall, then they sat at the second from the right table. Things continued afterwards.

Again, the doors to the main hall opened. This time, tall people with pointy ears walked through the doors. People silenced as these guests came into the main hall. A man dressed in royalty glanced around, then at the Priest of Light.

"Priest of Light." he said.

"Faerie King." Priest of Light said back.

The Faerie King was the royalty of the Elves that lived in the Flowergarden Land Diorre, secluded from the world. The other grandfather of Carlie (from her Elf mother, Shayla), he was an in-law to the Priest of Light. Even since he somehow received an invitation to Lise's initiation (he founded it on his window still, not knowing who sent the invitation. Chances are it was probably a good messenger from Rolante), he was wary of what will happen. He wanted peace with humans ever since the struggle for Mana ended, but wasn't expected to do so in a sudden. But he decided that anything will do, so he convinced his people to make peace with them and become more 'open' with humans. With his most trusted Elves, he traveled to Rolante to see if he can patch up the gap between Humans and Elves.

"I see that maybe I and my people shouldn't have come here." the Faerie King said.

"Do not be discouraged. We do not have any means to persecute you and the Elves." the Priest of Light proclaimed. "We all want peace, even if we do not look the same. Please, stay and enjoy the celebration. I promise you that no persecution will happen. You need worry not, my brother-in-law."

"… Thank you."

Again, the same two Amazonesses, with no worries, sat the Diorre guests at the right middle table. Some people were confused when the Priest said 'brother-in-law'. Once explained, they were even more confused, but continued on with their usual business.

With Forcena, Altena, Wendel, and Diorre guests at the table, a quarter of an hour past before the next nation's guest came in. Everybody once again silenced as the ruler walked past the opened doors. Nobody made a move after that.

"We come in peace, not war. We were invited to have peace between… Beastmen and Humans."

Nobody at the tables said anything. The same Beastman was about to yell to everybody again, but was stopped by the ruler.

"Kevin, stop. I'm starting to believe that nothing has changed since the time of war." the ruler stopped him.

The group of Beastmen stood inside the main hall, murmuring among themselves. Kevin, the 'bridge between Humans and Beastmen' and the Beast King's son, stood next to him. Kevin, wearing a Grappler's robe and a cap and nothing else, was half-Human, half-Beastman, whose Human mother died. Having the Beast King as his only support, he was the Beastman that was to make a difference by erasing the war between them and the Humans. The Beast King, all dressed in the Beastmen's 'royalty clothes', was a strong being that led his people. Recently, he announced to his people that they should make peace to Humans. The first step was to attend the initiation of Princess Lise. Although heavy disagreement occurred, the Beastmen reluctantly accepted. The struggle for control of Mana has since left the Beastmen weary, as to every Human. This made both sides have chances of making peace with each other.

Kevin shook his head, then tried again.

"We Beastmen trying to rid grudge of Humans. We hope Humans forget persecution." Kevin once again announced out loud.

It seen almost forever since that sentence came out of Kevin's mouth. The Beast King was about to walk out when the Priest of Light stood up.

"Wait."

The Beast King turned around, surprised that the man whose city they tried to destroy earlier stood up.

"There maybe some people that may not ever stop their persecution against all of you, but by the river in which Mana flows, I never had persecution against all of you, even after the invasion of the holy city by your people. I forgive all, as the former Goddess of Mana has taught, even if the price is destruction. I believe that everybody was born equal, whether Human, Beastman, or Elf. Nobody deserves persecution. I believe that others around here have their say, too."

"I do." King Forcena stood up. "I may have some persecution among you, but was cleared of that when I accepted eternal peace for all. I am now equal toward all, whether they are as different as what species they are, to who they pledge their loyalty to."

He sat down after his saying. Queen Valda closed her eyes, then opened them and stood up for her saying.

"Although I wasn't in my state of mind when my army invaded the Moonreading Tower, I admit, I thought all of the Beastmen were inferior. But when I woke up from the mind controlling I had and found out what happened to my army during the invasion of the Moonreading Tower, I admit that I was surprised and impressed by your people, stopping my army. I took back for what I said of Beastmen. All of you are unique, but equal in your own way." Queen Valda said, then sat down afterwards.

"And I, too, have something to say." the Faerie King himself stood up. "My people and I have no persecution against your people, because we ourselves experienced it, too. We feel your angry and sorrow. It seems difficult to change and accept the new peace, in fear of history repeating, being persecuted by Humans. But behold what your eyes see around you. Such misery is gone. All of the Humans know that maybe we can never forgive them, but at least they hope that we can forget. They gave themselves and us another chance, even when we denied previous accounts. If all of you are yet uncomfortable, do not be afraid of speaking your mind. But please, for the sake of a golden future, give this new peace… a chance."

Everybody, even the Priest of Light, was amazingly surprised. The Faerie King, a person who regretted ever meeting humans and then hiding from them, is speaking contrary to his beliefs. The Beast King took his time to make his decision.

"I…" the Beast King started, "I wish to say that even if all of this new peace may seem undeniable, I am still unsure of what would happen if history itself repeats between Humans and others. I have no doubt that what all of you say is true. But this is just today. Future generations can ignite the battle that happened earlier between Humans and others. I will not allow my people to be harm if their beliefs are broken by that."

"I assure you, King of the Beastmen, that we Humans will teach our children to respect each other, including all who do not have Human blood in them, to never have any discrimination against people of different race, to join hands with everybody including your people and others. We will teach them to love even when crime is committed by any race, though I believe that they will hate no matter what. Hate not because of race, but because of the crimes that an individual, Human or Beastman." the Priest of Light promised the Beast King.

Kevin silently talked to the Beast King. The Beast King seemed to soften his face, then returned it to its former grunt look. He looked toward his people. The Beastmen all seemed very doubtful of the offer at hand, but looked up to the Beast King, giving him the word that whatever the Beast King does, his people will follow.

"Very well. My people and I will gratefully accept your peace. All scars of racism will heal, all words of persecution will be silenced, all thoughts of hate will be replaced by thoughts of peace and love. But by my vow, if a Human will not discard such hate and then the whole Human race support him, or other races will follow a similar way, I swear I will bring war that will result in an ocean of blood, no matter which side sheds it." the Beast King put down his answer.

The Priest of Light, instead of taking this as a warning and threat, smiled, knowing that the peace that the former Goddess of Mana wanted was spreading out to even the Beastmen. King Richard bowed down, while Queen Valda silently clapped her hands. The Faerie King too smiled, having another race join in the peace. Applauses were heard after that, making the Beastmen feel 'belonged' to the group. Kevin smiled as all of this was taking place. He turned his head toward the Beast King. The Beast King, noticing this, glance his head toward him and showed a small smile, satisfied by the event that just happened toward the Beastmen.

With no time to waste, the two table assigners gladly gave them the far right. The guests gave no arguments, as they were given the first step toward equality of all races. Kevin sat at the first chair on the left side of the table, with the Beast King sitting on the table's main chair on the short side facing away from the throne.

"Gah, see, Beast King? Everyone forgives and forgets. Look, Humans smiling at us." Kevin pointed out.

"The only thing I wish for now is that your mother could see you uniting us with her people."

"I'm don't understand, Father. Why would the people who we invaded before invite us to attend their new Queen's initiation?" Jessica asked her father, Lord Flamekhan of the Navarre thieves. The Navarre guests were walking through the courtyard inside the Rolante castle.

Plainly, the guests from this country were invited to Lise's initiation saying that this is a time of peace and that all royalties can attend the ceremony. However, the guests were uneasy about this since their army did invaded Rolante for a nice location to build a kingdom on, or rather in. A circle of Navarre Ninjas surrounded Jessica and Lord Flamekhan. Nikita, the merchant cat, said to Jessica that he would come later, soon right after he took care of business.

"As I said before, my dear Jessica, this is a time of peace." Lord Flamekhan responded. "I believe they want to forgive us and forget about the invasion. They did know we were mind-controlled by Bigieu. This is a time to show the Amazonesses of Rolante what the Navarre people are really like."

"But, they also know that we're thieves. They wouldn't trust us, would they?"

"I heard the news that Hawk managed to save Rolante. I believe that he can show the Rolanteans that Navarreans are not evil people. Yes, we steal, Jessica, but also remember that we steal from the greedy, rich people, to give to the needy who are victims of poverty. We help people in need, Jessica."

"(Sighs) I hope you're right, Father. I wish I could see Hawk again. The last time I saw him was at the in the Valley of Flames, long ago when we we're under Bigieu's control. I wish he came back for me after he saved the world."

"A messenger told me that Hawk was attacked by pirates and was stranded off toward Maia. After that, Hawk flew to Jad, where he traveled to Wendel. He headed here to talk with his friend. I believe something happened during the attack that made him visit these places."

"Maybe he stayed here for his friend's initiation? What was her name again, Father? I only saw her once when she and Hawk were at the Valley of Flames."

"Princess Lise. Or Queen Lise after today. A great Amazoness, I heard. She helped Hawk defend the world."

The Navarre soldiers in front opened the main doors, surprising some Amazonesses. Some of them drew their weapons, by quickly withdrew them when others explained.

"I don't like this, Father." Jessica held on to her father. "Some of them still have distrust of us."

"Do not worry, my daughter. I just hope this first meeting of peace will set aside any pain and agony."

The Navarre soldiers again opened doors, this time to the throne room. Making a second appearance since the invasion, the room was drowned by silence, again. Everybody knows about Navarre's invasion of the Rolante people (including the Queen of Reason after she woke up from her mind-control), and was astounded that they would let the Navarreans in again. The silence broke when they realized that the Navarreans people were under Bigieu's control when they invaded Rolante. Queen Valda stood up with her firm expression.

"Greetings, people from the desert, whose climate is contrary to my people. Do not be discouraged by the silence of the guests from nations far off from Rolante and your country. They know of your forceful invasion of the people of this castle. My people and I ourselves similarly experienced a same situation back then when the struggle for Mana occurred. The only difference is that all of you were controlled under your own will, while I was the only one who fell victim to the same problem and commanded my people to do the biddings of the Dragon Emperor. Do not dwell on the past, this is the present and the future afterwards, where war is nothing more than a forgotten memory, and peace is the ruler of us all. I am sure that the Rolanteans will agree with me, and forgive and forget all the violence and destruction that all of you were forced to carry out. Please, join us, and enjoy the ceremony that is about to take place." the Queen of Reason was satisfied that her reasoning is taking control of the situation.

Lord Flamekhan, knowing when to respond to a good greeting, cleared his throat.

"I thank you, Queen of Reason, who reigns over the snowy land that a few will live on. I hope the Rolanteans are as promising as you are."

Seated at the last table left (the left middle table), the Navarreans felt confident that everything will go smoothly. Jessica, seated near her father (whose back it to the throne, as with the other 'high authority' of their nations), didn't feel the same feeling as her people do.

"I don't know, Father. Will this go as kindly as expected?" Jessica asked nervously.

"I trust the Rolanteans, Jessica. I have no doubt that they will trust us, too, when they seen who we truly are." Lord Flamekhan responded with confidence Jessica never seen her father have before.

(Sighs relaxingly) Father never looked that confident. I guess if he has this much faith in the trust of the Rolanteans, I guess everything will be okay. Jessica relaxed herself.

With all the invited guests in the main hall, Amazonesses were seen rushing everywhere, pleasing the guests by serving them. Fresh, 'Spring Equinox' food (that smelled too good to be from nature) that came from the kitchen (don't ask me where) were balancing itself on serving Amazonesses as they put food on the tables of the guests. The 'appetizers' they served was composed of nature's plants, herbs, and other 'Spring' food in it, a good dish that many guests liked because of its fresh fruits and vegetables. It kept the guests busy, that's what the Amazonesses and Lise think, until Lise can come out and sit on the throne.

"Hey, is Lise ready?" Hawk asked Merci, who was outside Lise's room. Tiffany left for the main hall while Lise prepared herself.

"She's about to be." Merci answered.

"Merci, I… have something to tell you… about your cousins, Bon Voyage and Bon Soir."

"Yes?"

"Do you know about the attack on Maia?"

"Yes. They escaped, didn't they?"

"… Uh… look, there's no easy way to say this. This… isn't even the time or place to say this either."

"What is it? What can't I handle?

"… Well… (Sighs) Merci… your cousins in Maia… didn't make it…"

"What!"

"They… they… saved my life by making me take their place in the cannon."

Merci gasped hardly by that sentence.

"I tried to change their minds, but… they insisted… We didn't have time… I'm sorry…"

Merci broke down by kneeling to the floor and crying quietly. Hawk kneeled down and holds her.

"They… they were my… favorite cousins… my…"

"You don't… Listen, they were good friends of mine. I miss them, too. If you want… you don't…"

Merci stood up and ran off. Hawk looked down as she went.

Damn. Maybe I should have given her the news at another time. But… there was no other way to soften the truth… I'm sorry, Merci. I miss those guys, too. Hawk thought with gloom.

The door opened behind him. Hawk turned around and his heart stopped.

"Uh, Hawk? You're here?… Where's Merci?" Lise stepped out with her initiation dress.

Hawk didn't hear a thing. He was focusing (more like lust looking) on Lise's appearance. The same light blue dress, with the exposed arms and feet that gave Hawk his 'specialty of the day'. Long, white gloves; brooch on Lise's dress; small white slippers; and the hair shining on Lise's chest with sleekness from any source of light, Hawk wondered to himself.

It is just me, or those she look… hot? No, no, no, no; that's not good to say… beautiful now? I haven't thought of her this lovely before when we traveled together.

"Hawk?" Lise asked him, partially because of how Hawk is looking at her.

"Hmm… hmm?" Hawk realized that this greeting sounded all too familiar to him.

Oh crap. Hawk realized. It's the dream all over again.

"Want to…" Lise began.

Sit by the tree. That's what she'll say. Do you want to sit by the tree… HOLD UP, HOLD UP! Am I that stupid? A tree? In here? What the (profanity) is wrong with me? Get a grip of yourself. She wouldn't ask that question at this time and place. And also… she doesn't know about my… what the hell? Snap out of it and let Lise finish her question.

"Walk me down to the main hall?" Lise finished with a shy voice.

"… Huh?" Hawk barely heard Lise sentence.

"… Oh, never mind…" Lise felt a little hurt inside.

"Wait. Sorry, I was spacing out a bit because of the event going on. What did you want to ask me?"

"I said…" Lise hesitated, afraid of the answer, "Do you want to walk me down to the throne?"

"Walk you down there? I… I…"

Say yes already, dumbass. Do I have to spell it out for you?

"Well… that depends, Lise. Who are the guests?"

"Guests from Forcena, Altena, Wendel, Diorre, Beast Kingdom, and Navarre."

"Navarre? After we invaded you guys?"

"Well, this is a peace ceremony. I invited them to make peace and forget about the invasion and all those horrible things that happened. Besides, they were forced to invade against their will."

"Guess you're right…"

Will Jessica be there, too? Goddess, I haven't seen her since… I visited her in Deen after I found Salamando. If Jessica's there, then… well… I don't want to walk out with Lise by my side… It might cause a commotion, especially to Jessica. Great. What can I do? I can't just say no to Lise. Yet… I don't want to risk hurting Jessica. People think we're still together. I… I just can't say no… I just hope Jessica doesn't pick up the idea while we walk down to the throne. Worse, I don't want Lord Flamekhan on my tail just because I broke his daughter's heart. That could get real ugly real fast.

"So…" Lise was starting to lose hope, "will you walk me down there?"

SAY YES! IT'S NOT LIKE SHE KNOWS! YOU CAN DO THIS SAFELY! YOU DON'T, SHE WILL REMEMBER YOU AS A JERK THAT DIDN'T WALK HER DOWN TO THE THRONE!

"… Okay… Since you're a friend…," Hawk started.

Whew! Thank Goddess the word 'friend' can be used in any situation.

"I'd gladly walk you down to your throne… Your Highness." Hawk finished.

"Oh, stop it. You're my friend. No need for that royalty stuff."

Hawk extended his arm.

"Ready to be queen?"

"… Yes." Lise extended her arm and wrapped around Hawk's. "As you would say, 'Let's get this show on the road'."

"Shoot! Where's my sister? She's supposed to here a minute ago!" Eliott complained. "She's going to delay the main event!"

"I'm sure she's just taking her time, Eliott." Tiffany said to calm Eliott. "She's just about to become queen."

Tiffany and Eliott were waiting at the foot of the right stairs leading to Eliott's and Lise's room. Carlie was at the table where her Human grandpa (Priest of Light) and Heath were sitting. She was cheerfully talking while secretly trying to pay attention to Heath.

Events that past during the initiation were mostly minor dances of Amazonesses. The main event, the Minuet of the Twinkling Wind, doesn't start until Lise officially receives the 'mark' of the queen. Questions of the whereabouts of Lise started to pop up.

Jessica, however, wanted to know where Hawk was.

Where's Hawk? The messenger said he was staying here. Where is he? Jessica was searching left and right for the indigo-haired thief.

"Hey, Jessica!"

Jessica turned around, seeing Nikita, the merchant cat, run up to her.

"Nikita! You're late! What had to be done before you came here?" Jessica asked.

"My business, with my people. Where's Hawk?"

"That's what I'm trying to do. Finding Hawk. I don't know where he is."

"That's strange. Wouldn't he want to meet us after a long time?"

"I know. Hawk wouldn't do this. Where is he?"

Meanwhile, Duran decided to escape for a while for some fresh air.

The smell is just too overwhelming for me. Duran headed toward the balcony. How do you live like this, smelling the same thing forever?

When he reached the opening, he saw that another person was leaning on it, looking toward the sky. Duran shrugged, and took a spot a little to the right of the person. When he was near enough, he saw that this person has purple hair.

Purple hair? Who… wait…

"Hey, are you Valda's daughter?" Duran said.

"Yeah, who want to know?" Angela turned to Duran.

"Whoa, whoa! Just asking. Don't have to go all nasty on me."

"Hmph. Just imagine traveling by yourself around the world with no one to help you."

"Don't have to. I did the same thing."

"Really? For what?"

"Searching for the Sword of Mana to defeat somebody."

"What? I was searching for the Sword of Mana."

"Doesn't really matter now. The three heroes had it before we did."

"Figures. What did you want to do with the sword?"

"Defeat Koren, Wizard of the Red Lotus."

"Koren? I know him."

"Well, yeah. You're the Princess of Altena. You're friends with Koren."

"Who said I was?"

"Nobody. Just assuming."

"ASSUMING? I have had it with assuming! Just because I'm a princess doesn't mean people can ASSUME my life!"

"Okay, fine! Goddess, you need anger management!"

"ANGER MANAGEMENT? Why, you son of a… Just who the hell do you think you are?"

"Duran, son of the great Loki, who defeated the Dragon Emperor, Your Highness!"

"Well, Duran, I don't care if your daddy beat a dragon that was gonna rule the world. I am a princess. Let that be glued to your dumb mind." Angela turned around with her arms crossed.

"Okay… then…." Duran rolled his eyes. "Look, all of this is pretty pointless… except for the princess part, for your sake. I just came out here for some fresh air."

"Hmph. Fresh air."

"Why are you out here?"

"My own reasons. I'm not used to ceremonies with many different people like this. I hate this. I just hate it!"

Goddess, what's the hell wrong with this girl? She's gets pissed off easier than me. Duran ruffled through his hair. Geez.

"So… why did you search for the Sword of Mana?" Duran asked, trying to lighten up the situation.

"… Hmph. All right. My mother, while she was mind-controlled, was trying to get the Sword of Mana, to gain access to the source of Mana. To get it, she needs to release the energy from the Mana Stones, including the one near us, the Mana Stone of Water. She was about to trade my life to get release the energy, all because I couldn't use magic back then. Somehow, I managed to escape outside the castle unharmed. I traveled to Wendel because a fortuneteller advised me to, to ask the Priest of Light what to do. He told me to get the Sword of Mana. I wanted to beat my mother to the sword, but I guess someone else did that. After that, I found out that Koren was killed while trying to obtain the sword. I found out about the whole story, about Koren wanting power, about the magic he obtained, about how he controlled my mother and our army to get the sword, about the Darkshine Knight that worked with him, about the Dragon Emperor and his objectives. With my journey somewhat done, I returned home, finding my mother not knowing what happened. I was glad that she returned to normal, the most normal she could be, I guess. She was overwhelmed when I told her I could use… magic. Oh, what day that was. Suddenly, her silence over me sorta broken. She gotten, how do you say, a little more caring about me and about everything. She talked to me more, more on the everyday conversation. She showed a bit more emotion toward her people. Goddess, ever since the three heroes saved the world, my life just sorta gotten better."

"And yet here you are still obnoxious about everything."

"HAVEN'T YOU LISTENED TO A WORD I SAID?"

"I DID, ALL RIGHT? IT'S JUST YOUR ATTUITUDE THAT I DON'T LIKE!"

"WELL, I DON'T LIKE YOURS EITHER!"

Both didn't look at each other and crossed their arms.

What the (profanity) is wrong with this guy? Just because he's a Knight of Gold and the 'son of the great Loki' doesn't mean he could treat me, the princess, like this! Angela delicately started touching her hair. Goddess!

"So…" Angela started to relax the situation, "What's your story?"

"… Fine. You better listen to mine. One day, before Koren's invasion on King Richard's castle, he spied on us and took out all our guards and patrols. I followed him and tried to stop him, but he almost killed me before the whole castle found out. He disappeared, leaving me knocked out. I swore to myself that I would find and kill him. So, I traveled to Wendel to ask the priest. He told me to get the Sword of Mana also. So, I traveled the world to try to find a way to get to the sword, but was immediately informed of the planned invasion of Forcena. I traveled back there, and with the help of the three Mana heroes, we managed to hold off the invasion. Again, I traveled, but had to end my journey when those three pulled out the Sword of Mana. With the news spreading about, I managed to find out everything, including Koren and his involvements; his companion, Darkshine Knight; and the Dragon Emperor. With my revenge done by… other people, I traveled back home. King Richard, hearing my story and my journey, believed I was more than ready to be a Knight of Gold. Ever since then, I was one of the top fighters of the world, fighting for the honor of my father, Loki."

"So… you're fighting for your dad, huh?"

"Yep. My father is that important to me. He would be proud of me if he saw me right now. But…" Duran looked up at the sky, "he's in Heaven. He still watches me, and I ain't going to let him down."

"That's good of you to think of him like that."

"Yeah. I wonder… who was that Darkshine Knight that worked with Koren?"

"I don't know. Maybe some mercenary?"

"All I know is, he's a disgrace to the knights. Using the technique of the Knights of Forcena for his own personal gain, to make others suffer. I swear by the sword I wield, if I ever do see him, I would challenge him to a duel and finished him there. However, I did see him fight before. His techniques are remarkably similar to my father's swordplay. He would be a worthy foe to go up against."

"A strong, hot knight, that fights for his dad, and for the honor of himself and others?" Angela said quietly to herself. "How… sexy…"

"Hmm? What was that?"

"Oh, nothing. You want to go inside with me? I'm bored by myself."

"Sure. I'm bored, too. Might be nice walking with a princess."

"Oh, shut up…"

The two walked inside, rather contented with what they know of each other.

"Everybody rise up, for Rolante's next queen, Princess Lise!" an Amazoness announced out loud.

Like that, everybody in the main hall rose up, waiting for Lise to walk down the stairs. Music played when the acknowledgement was said. Lise, at the top of the stairs out of anybody's sight and ear except for the people at the foot of the stairs, stopped in her tracks.

"What's wrong, Lise?" Hawk asked in reaction to their stop.

"Hey, Sis! Why are you just standing there?" Eliott said to Lise.

"Just… just making sure…" Lise stuttered.

"Making sure of what?"

"That this is all real and not a dream. That I made up my mind and not turning back."

"Don't worry, Lise. Nothing bad is going to happen." Tiffany reminded Lise.

"… (Deep breath) You're right. Got to keep moving."

"Better hurry. Everybody expected you 10 seconds ago."

"Always try to lighten things up, huh, Hawk?"

"You know I always do."

Out in the main hall, the Amazoness who announced was trying to keep the guests from resorting to pressuring interrogations.

"Um… um…" she said before seeing Lise at the foot of the stairs, "Princess Lise!"

Applauses flew across the room as Lise, with Hawk by her side, walked up to the throne. When they neared it, Lise let go of Hawk and took a deep breath. She looked down at Hawk, seeing him show a small smirk.

"Don't worry." Hawk whispered to her. "You wouldn't screw up if you don't think about it."

Lise nodded. Hawk, seeing her acknowledgement, went off toward the Navarre's table. Jessica, surprised to see Hawk accompanied Lise to her throne, didn't know what to say when Hawk went up to her.

"Hey, Jessica." Hawk greeted. "Miss me?"

"How long did I been away from you. Did you just…" Jessica asked.

"What, that? She needed some courage to get up there and so asked me to accompany her." Hawk shrugged. "Hey, that's what friends do."

"Okay."

"What's the problem?"

"Nothing, nothing at all."

As long as she doesn't know, I'm all right for now. But… sooner or later,… it'll…

"Yo, bro! Ya not miss me?" Nikita yelled out to Hawk.

"No way that's gonna happen." Hawk beamed at him. "You're still a brother to me, Nikita. Just needed to see Jessica first. How're things going?"

"Pretty good. Haven't talked to anybody since I was taking care of Jessica. A whole lot of things involving you I missed."

"Is that so? Maybe I should have visited more often."

Lise, not hesitating for one moment, sat down on the throne chair. She remembered that her father and mother used to sit here, too.

Mother, Father… give me courage to do this…

The Elder of Rolante walks up the steps to the throne chair, holding a scroll. Stopping at the top, he pulls the scrolls open and starts to reads it.

"By the power vested in me, I, the Elder of Rolante, will perform the initiation of Princess Lise, to bestow upon her the duty of the Queen of Rolante. With this day, Rolante will receive her next Queen. Let it be known to the world that Princess Lise will soon guide her, with dignity and promise. Lise, Princess of Rolante, will you accept and serve her to and in your highest honor?" Elder declared.

Lise stood up, with the face of confidence that she often wore.

"I, Princess Lise of Rolante, will now accept my duty to become the Queen of Rolante, to guide her, to stand by her, and to fight for her. I shall never abandon nor betray Rolante, lest I die for her. Rolante, we shall both guide each other with wisdom, strength, and justice!" Lise proclaimed.

"Then, with my duty, it shall be done."

An Amazoness, holding a cushion with the crown, slowly walked up to the Elder. She kneeled down, without letting the cushion lowering. The Elder slowly took the crown, then faced toward Lise and nodded. Lise nodded back, then kneeled.

"Princess Lise of Rolante, with this crown, you shall no longer be known as your former title." Elder announced. "Now, bestowed upon you, you shall be known as Queen Lise of Rolante."

The Elder delicately put the crown upon Lise's head. Lise, feeling the weight of the crown, felt her feelings changed dramatically. She felt different, knowing that she's the Queen. She was no longer a princess. She now leads Rolante herself, the grand duty that since was past down generations by generations. She stood up.

"All hail, Queen Lise of Rolante!" the Elder finally decreed.

"All hail, Queen Lise of Rolante!" everybody kneeled down to that sentence, except for the major royalties (King Richard, Queen of Reason, etc.), for they bowed down.

"Now, with Queen Lise's initiation done, Her Majesty will receive the event that celebrates her initiation, the Minuet of the Twinkling Wind." the Elder said.

A group of Amazonesses came onto the 'stage' (gap between the main table and the guests' tables). Music started to play as a prologue. The performers twirled slowly, in tune with the minuet. They moved, stepped, twirl, everything slowly, yet with the grace of moving themselves as the wind they know of. To and fro, they reached the 'climax' of the dance and started to 'flow' around the stage while somehow maintaining their grace. After the impressive climax, the performers stopped slowly to a halt with a scene of how 'a wind stops as its journey ends'. With that, applauses were greatly given to the performers. The performers left as the applauses started to fade.

"Now, let us enjoy our ceremony of spring, of Her Majesty's initiation, and most importantly, of peace." the Elder announced. "Let peace be proclaimed to the world on this great day."

Lord Flamekhan stood up, with an important urge to say something.

"If I may, Queen Lise." he asked.

"Of course, Lord Flamekhan." Lise acknowledged.

"Queen Lise, I implore not only to the guests of honor in the room here, but to your people also, that we, the Navarreans, wish for your forgiveness and that it shall be blessed on all of my people for what they were forced to do. We hope that this new peace will make us, you, and your people forget such a tragedy. From my sights of the guests that attended your initiation, I believe that everyone else wishes for the same objectives that I had come here for. I hope that you and everyone in this room understand what my people and I are here for besides your initiation, and that you and everyone here can relate to my understanding."

"I forgave your people for what they have done long ago, after I discovered who was responsible for that great tragedy. Your people are innocent, forced to invade Rolante against their will. It is not your or your people's fault."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I am grateful by your kind forgiveness." Lord Flamekhan sat down.

"Peace has ascended, everyone. Violence is now gone, greed is banished, hatred is a forgotten emotion. Only peace is the law that rules this world. Surely, my initiation is but a first step to achieve perfect peace."

King Richard stood up, ready for speaking.

"Yes, we all came here for more than the attendance of the initiation of Lise. She also brought us here to settle our past and present troubles, and to resolve for a better future, a future that we all can hope for, a future of peace. She brought us together to make eternal peace the Goddess of Mana wishes for us on the day of Lise's most important moment of her life currently, and the day of the beginning of the Spring Equinox, a fitting season for the world-changing event. A season of new beginning, Spring, a beginning of peace for and of us all. A season where beauty grows around us, where to this day peace will grow in our minds. A season where great things are destined to happen, peace giving us eternal paradise. And Lise's initiation is but the first step to obtaining that eternal peace. Let us rejoice, that today, our lives will be changed forever. And a good prayer, to Lise's responsibility as a queen, as one of us great people that will start a golden era of peace and prosperity. " King Richard picked up his glass of fresh wine specially made by nature. "Here, here!"

"Here, here!" everybody picked up their glass of pure wine.

"Thank you, King Richard." Lise nodded. "Please, everyone. Enjoy the celebration."

She walked down toward the main table and sat at the middle chair, which is marked by its 'royalty-ness'.

Hawk sat down next to Jessica, after drinking his wine and putting down the glass.

Looks like she's queen. That's such a moment to remember. Hawk looked around the room. Everybody filled in all 210 chairs? Well, I'll be damned.

He shrugged. An Amazoness served him the main course, which looks almost exactly like the appetizers have it not been the bread and cheese that were served with the food also.

No meat? Are these Amazonesses vegetarians by traditions or somethin'? Don't they know that meat is filling? Oh well, I'm not that hungry anyhow.

Hawk ate his fill, then excused himself. He noticed that Tiffany was nowhere to be found.

Where is she? Guess it must be hard to find a place to sit. Well, she's not of this world. I think she's gonna be lonely in this celebration. Either that or she's hidden among the big crowd and maybe doesn't have a seat to sit on.

He steadily moved around, looking left and right. As probability of bumping into someone is high in a gathering of people like this, Hawk later stumbled into somebody.

"Watch where you're going!"

"Sorry." Hawk turned toward the person. "Hey, yo! Duran!"

"Hey, Hawk! How're you doing?" Duran greeted back. "Saw you up there with Lise."

"Everybody did, Duran. Lise was the main point of that moment."

"Heh. You know, I think she almost fainted when you let go of her."

"I thought so, too. She's just nervous and all. Whatcha doing here?"

"I'm a Knight of Gold, so I get to be one of the guests of honor."

"Knight of Gold, eh? Heard they're powerful."

"Well, duh. I'm powerful, ain't I?

"Well…"

"Oh, shut the hell up."

"Okay. Why are you just standing here?"

"I'm kinda bored. Though… just met someone."

"Met someone?"

"The Princess of Altena."

"Princess of Altena, eh? What's her name… Angela, right?"

"Yeah. She's a hothead, but she's okay."

"Yeah? Where's she?"

"Over there." Duran pointed at Angela next to her mother.

"Oh." Hawk peered. "She's… wearing a…"

"Leotard?"

"Yeah… highly… unusual for a princess."

"I wonder if she has any guys stalking her?"

"Probably. But I have my eyes set for someone else."

"Really? Who's this lucky girl?"

"That's private."

"Jessica, right? You two are always together."

"I'm ain't telling you."

"So… it's not Jessica?"

"I didn't say it's not Jessica."

"Whatever."

"Hey, you've seen a girl in red clothes with purple hair?"

"Dude, you just saw her over there, who goes by the name Angela. Duh…"

"I know that. But there's another girl who goes by what I'm saying. She doesn't have all the fancy things on her like Angela."

"Who are you talking about?"

"Tiffany. She joined me a while ago. She's around here somewhere."

"Tiffany, huh? Hmm… Lise, now Tiffany?"

"Don't get the wrong idea. They're just friends."

"Right, right. So three girls to choose from, eh, Hawk?"

"What?"

"Jessica, Lise, or Tiffany."

"Hey! Get off that subject, man!" Hawk was almost shaking a finger at Duran. "Let's just leave it as current as me and Jessica, all right?"

"All right, all right." Duran backed away from the subject. "But something tells me you're gonna change your mind."

"Shut up."

"Heh heh." Duran saw someone approach him. "Hey, it's Angela."

"Hey, Duran." she asked with a soft tone that was highly unusual for her. "Who's this?"

"A friend of mine. Hawk, one of the three heroes."

"Hawk, huh? So, you're one of the people who saved the world."

"Yeah." Hawk answered.

Angela looked at Hawk firmly.

"Aren't you the pervert that tried to do something to me at the inn at Jad?" Angela said after her examination.

"Pervert?..." Hawk was about to say no, but stopped.

Oh, yeah… She was that naked chick that slept in that bed at the Jad inn. I wasn't doing anything to her. I was just wondering who she was. She just had to wake up and slapped me across the room. Hawk quickly thought of a solution. Nah, shouldn't tell her. Might get real ugly.

"Uh, no. I was in Jad, but I don't ever recall meeting you in the inn, much less 'doing' something to you."

"Okay. Must be some other guy that tried to do something to me." Angela shrugged. "Thanks for saving the world. You got my mother and me back together again."

"No biggie."

"So what do you do?"

"I'm a thief."

"A thief? So you're a pain in the ass?"

"No. I steal from the greedy and give to the poor, not keeping a lot for myself and my fellows."

"Oh, okay… so you're thief for the poor… meh."

"Meh? I help the poor people survive."

"I know. That's why meh."

"(Sighs) Damn, we thieves aren't getting people's attention these days." Hawk shook his head. "Well, later guys. Got to find somebody."

"Tiffany, right?" Duran said.

"Yeah."

"Well, good luck. And you know what I wishin' you luck for."

"Shut the hell up."

Hawk resumed his search.

"So, that's the great thief Hawk?" Angela asked Duran after Hawk was out of earshot.

"Yeah." Duran nodded.

"They say he's charming and witty. But he's…"

"I think that's because he has some troubles."

"Troubles?"

"Three girls."

"Three girls?"

"Yeah. He can't decide."

"Poor guy."

"Having just one is good enough."

"Yeah… just one." Angela tries to contain her urge of flirting from coming out.

"Mmm! Good food!" Kevin managed to say through his chewing.

"I admit, this is good. Even without meat." the Beast King said.

The beastmen were thoroughly satisfied with the 'Spring Equinox' food the Amazonesses served them. An 'alternative', they say, to their meat-pack meals back home. Bowls were scarf down and lay perfectly empty on their respective spots on the table. Some asked for seconds, despite their attempt not to be rude.

Kevin, respective full to himself, stood up.

"Where are you going, Kevin?" a beastman asked.

"I… wanted to talk to… people." Kevin answered.

Kevin, with his forward stances as he moves, first walked toward the Wendel's table. Some people stopped what they were doing when they saw Kevin at their table.

"Gah! Don't worry. I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm here just because to talk!" Kevin explained.

The guests laughed, then went back to their business. Kevin walked up toward the Priest of Light.

"Ah, Kevin. You're half-human, right?" the Priest of Light greeted.

"Yes." Kevin nodded.

"It must be hard for you to live knowing that."

"No problem. Beastmen accepted me because of beast blood."

"Well, at least the beastmen took care of you."

"Yes. I know."

"What brings you over here, Kevin?"

"I just… just want to talk."

"Talk, Kevin? Ah, yes. You are granted." the Priest gestured toward all of the Wendel guests. "All of these people here are deacons and nuns that I brought as guests because I trust them the most. This man on my left is Heath."

"How do you do, Kevin?" Heath greeted.

"Okay. Good to meet you, Heath." Kevin greeted back.

"And I believe you met my granddaughter, Carlie?" the Priest asked.

"Hello! Nice to see Kevin again!" Carlie gave her sweet 'Hello' greeting.

"She one of the people that saved me at Moonreading Tower." Kevin said.

"Ah, that's right." the Priest said. "I remember the time when you traveled a great deal of distance to come up to me to ask if I can discover a way to revive Karl. I'm sorry that I couldn't do that, Kevin."

"Gah! No worries! Karl that died was just dark magic illusion by Deathjester. Real Karl Beast King hid."

"Deathjester?" Heath and Carlie said the name out loud.

"Uwah! You know him?"

"He was the one that captured me and brought me to the Masked Mage." Heath explained.

"Deathjester a bad man!" Carlie said. "Good thing Deathjester's gone."

"Yes. He was rather an unusual being, though. I don't know where he came from or how he uses such magic."

"Still, Deathjester gone. Beast King let me back into castle and showed me real Karl, after Masked Mage gone. Happy since then." Kevin pointed out.

"Yes, we all are. The strange thing was that the Masked Mage was my father, Belgar, the Priest of Darkness, who challenged the Priest of Light back then and lost. Soon after he was killed by Bigieu and Jagan, I disappeared, knowing such things that I did not want to revive again. (Sighs) Thank Goddess I managed to find the Priest of Light and trade my soul to cure him. What's better, the former Goddess of Mana saved my soul and gave my life back."

"We're all glad, but…" the Priest of Light paused.

"But?" Kevin repeated the Priest.

"There's a new evil coming about."

"New evil?"

"Yes. And I'm afraid that this peace is going to be broken sooner or later."

"Gah! We have each other to protect."

"You're right, Kevin. Whatever is the danger, we fight it together." the Priest nodded.

Where's Tiffany? She's missing out on the celebration. Hawk thought as he searched around the main hall. The only other place she could be is…

Hawk walked outside to the balcony and found Tiffany leaning out on the balcony, out of anybody's sight inside. He walked up to her silently.

"Hey." Hawk greeted.

"(Gasps) Hawk!" Tiffany was startled. "You scared me."

"Heh. Sorry. What are you doing out here?"

"Nothing."

"Don't you want to go inside and enjoy the celebration?"

"… No."

"Why not?"

"Because… because… I… don't feel like I belong in there."

"Of course you do. You've got friends in there that wants you to enjoy."

"I know… it's just… when everybody talks to each other about how common they are… I feel left out…"

"Is it because you're from another world? Don't let that stop you. Sure, us guys are common because we live in this world. But, remember the differences? My guys are from the desert while the Alteneans are from the frozen land up north."

"Yeah, but… that's not a big difference as mine."

"So what's wrong being different? It's not like they're going to look at you strangely. They still accept you even if you're different."

"But… what if they don't? Will they look at me like I'm some… thing? Will they even think of me as a… monster?" Tiffany hung her head.

"Hey…" Hawk gently put his hands on Tiffany's shoulders. "Don't worry. If they don't, you know I would accept you no matter who you are. You can always count on me for help, for support, for anything."

Tiffany looked up. Tears started to form, making her eyes twinkle brilliantly. Her deep red eyes, which perfectly and beautifully match her clothes, ripples with her tears, still or trickling.

"… Thanks!…" Tiffany said with a broken voice. She hugged Hawk and laid her head on his shoulder.

"… You welcome…" Hawk said quietly to her as he laid his head on hers.

"Sir! We're ready to attack the castle." a pirate reported to the same person who spied on the Rolante Castle earlier.

The person stood on a small, jutted cliff, overlooking the castle. This person has an appearance of his comrades, but has a distinct difference. He looked down at his right arm. Or what was an arm. In its place was a sheer black sword, straight and long. The sword was longer than his former arm. A memory he would never forget. Pain. Nothing but pain when that happened. He couldn't feel his arm when that happened. He raised his sword-arm up, and looked at his dark reflection on its shiny surface. He smiled when he heard the news from the other pirate.

"Excellent." the person said.

"Should we assault now, sir?"

"Not just yet. Tell them to standby. Make them wait by the high windows of the main hall. Make sure they understand that they will not attack until I give the orders."

"Yes, sir."

The pirate climbed down the cliff, down to the assault group that was visible below. The sword-arm leader looked below at them.

This time, I'll show Jack who's the better one here. I'll show them all. I'll make sure he goes back to his weaker self. He doesn't deserve to lead the Blue Elites. He thought as he saw the pirate delivered his message to the group.

The group stealthily made their way toward their destination. The same pirate who delivered the message before nodded from far off to the leader. Recognizing this, he jumped off of the cliff, landing 5 stories down without a problem, then quickly moves up to the castle and finally joins his group.

"All right, men. Nobody is to go inside until I say so." the sword-arm leader ordered his men. "Ya do, and Captain Jack will make sure you're fish food."

"Yes, sir!" the assault group acknowledged.

There was a big window in the ceiling of the main hall, giving the whole place sunlight. The leader slowly made his way toward the edge close enough, but not too close that his shadow will be cast below. He looked down, seeing the guests enjoy the celebration and Lise and her trusted Amazonesses doing the same thing. He examined the room. Guards were placed almost everywhere, mostly at openings to other rooms or to the outside. Others were scattered around for settlement of disputes or fights, which is unnecessary with the peace being in everybody's mind. Other dangers to be aware of are the guests, since they pose a serious threat with their skills in physical strength and weapons, or their power in Magic. The Knights of Gold from Forcena were of the best-known fighters of the world, with their mastery of swordplay. The Magicians of Altena are the deadliest forces when it comes to Magic, wielding such powerful magic attacks that can stop a group of attackers when one self is attacked. The Elves of Diorre, although just a rumor, were supposed to have great skill with archery, mowing down lines of enemies before they can even reach the Elves. The Priests of Wendel (including the Priest of Light himself) pose no real threat in offense. However, their support and recovery magic can make them one of the most valuable members of the guests. The Beastmen were a real threat to anybody, with their unstoppable strength of their body in combat, and this is not including their high vitality, making them hard to beat. The Amazonesses of Rolante are amazing fighters, wielding their long spears with grace and power. They are even more powerful because of their support magic that can either help their allies or weaken the enemy. The Ninjas of Navarre posed the most threat. They have good strength and vitality, but their agility and their daggers really dish out the damage. Their Ninjutsu can also assist them most usefully in battle. However, the leader was confident that his forces would overwhelm everybody. The pirates were of good strength, vitality, and agility. Plus, his assault group outnumbered everybody down there 5 to1. He would fulfill his objective, no matter what.

"Inside!"

Lise was sitting, wishing that she could be with her friends instead of sitting in a giant chair. She saw Tiffany walked outside, and later Hawk stood up from his table and talked to Duran and a hardly known Angela. She then saw him walked outside like Tiffany. She saw Carlie happily sit with the Priest of Light and Heath. A known Beastman to her, Kevin, was now there, having a talk with the Priest of Light. She sighed, but knew that after this, she gets to travel with her friends, the heroes. But she felt a little uncomfortable that Tiffany is traveling along, too. Would Tiffany make it harder for Lise to… show her true feelings?

But she's a friend. A friend is somebody I can never think of as an enemy. Or… something else. Besides, it might be nice to talk and share some thoughts with a girl my age. Lise smiled at this thought.

Suddenly, the windows up high in the walls were broken through as men jumped through them. They landed in numbers, drawing their swords as they touch the floor. Some people screamed as they broke through the glass. Knowing the danger, immediately people of combat drew their own weapons and got into position, ready if the pirates attack. Lise stood up, calling one of her Amazoness. That Amazoness threw her a spear. Lise caught it, then was ready.

"What was that?" Hawk noticed when he heard screams and crashes coming from the inside.

Tiffany looked up from Hawk's shoulder, noticing the sounds, too.

"I don't know, but it doesn't sound good." Tiffany said.

They both let go of each other and ran inside. Immediately, Hawk drew his daggers, recognizing that the attackers were the same pirates. Tiffany, seeing Hawk draw his weapons, pulled out her brand-new weapon she brought.

"It's the pirates that I mentioned about earlier." Hawk explained.

"These pirates?"

"Yeah. Damn! How did these jackasses followed me here?"

The ceiling window broke as the leader fell through. He landed on one knee, then stood up, facing Lise.

"Ah, Princess Lise." the sword-arm pirate greeted her. "Or should I say, Queen Lise?"

"Who are you?" Lise demanded. "And why are you and your men here, with weapons drawn, disturbing the peace?"

"You should think about asking politely. You are a queen." the leader shrugged, then pointed his sword-arm at Lise. "But since you asked, I'm Surge, one of Captain Jack's Blue Elites. Well, maybe Captain Surge's Blue Elites, if I finished my job much better than that bastard Jack. But, enough of that. I'm here on Captain Jack's orders on two things. First, to capture the three Mana heroes. Second, to make sure your little peace party is a little more… chaotic."

"I will not allow such a wrong to be carried out, Sir Surge! I, and my comrades, will not submit to your capture. And I will not allow you to disturb the new peace, to replace it with the former hatred!"

"Well, then. You made it harder for us, then, Your Majesty. You're not very smart for a new queen. You've could have made it easier, without such repulsive answer. But, as you will, Your Majesty." Surge put his sword-arm up in the air. "Men, attack!"

Like a major change in a picture, the once peaceful room turned into a battleground. Hits and yells were the main sounds as the people inside squared off with their opponents. Clashes clearly rang when the Knights of Gold, Rolante Amazonesses, and Navarre Ninjas went head-to-head with the pirates. Pounds were heard as the Beastmen showed no mercy to the opponents. Sounds of whirs flew through the air as they ride the arrows that the Elves shot, taking down the enemies from far off. Magic makes a light show as they hit their mark on their enemies or allies. Lise jumped in, and stabbed a pirate in the stomach. She pulled the spear out, sending the pirate to the ground. She searched around, looking for her friends.

Where are they! I hope that they're not captured!

She slashed another pirate when he charged at her.

I got a greater situation at hand!

Hawk finished off a pirate, then saw one heading for an Altenan Magician. He swiftly sprinted, letting his daggers slash the pirate and making him fall.

"Thank you!" the magician said. "Hold off some more while I finish my spell!"

Hawk nodded. He easily dispatched any pirate that was close. The magician finally pulled off her spell, Saint Beam. Beams of light fell from the sky, opened by the ceiling window, as it pummeled the enemies in front of her with pure light.

"Nice job. Hawk commented. "Hope you can take care of yourself."

"Don't worry. Go help the others!"

"Just remember! You can use all your Magic and Techs!" Hawk yelled back.

Oh, right. That really helps us. Dumbass, can't believe I didn't remind everybody before.

Hawk fought off his enemies while yelling to everybody that they could use all their Magic and Techs (scene is highly non-recommended for it incites boredom and therefore unnecessary. I am sorry for this inconvenience. I will prevent, or at least reduce it).

Duran and Angela were doing well together. Angela was casting powerful spells as Duran hold off any pirates trying to stop her. Angela cast Mega Splash on the enemies ganging up on Duran.

"So, what do you think of me now?" Angela gloated.

"I think you're thinking too much of yourself." Duran said while he blocked a blow.

Angela scoffed. She saw her mother, with her eyes closed, casting a rather lengthy spell. She quickly thinks about what the Queen of Reason was casting, then called Duran.

"Duran! Help me protect my mother while she finishes her spell!"

"All right! I'm behind ya!" Duran responded after stabbing a pirate.

They both ran up to Queen Valda, keeping the enemies off until she can finish.

Come on, Mother. Even I can cast faster than you. Angela thought as she knocked out a pirate with a kick.

The Queen of Reason lifted her cane with both of her hands, then brought it down, casting the spell Ancient. Meteors came through the open ceiling window as it squished any unfortunate pirates who got in the way. Then, a giant meteor came through, making some pirates scream as they have nowhere to escape the horrible death. Queen Valda opened her eyes, satisfied that her spell managed to crush a chuck of the assault group.

"You cast Ancient a little too slow, Mother." Angela pointed.

"I am not lagging on my casting of magic, Angela. You simply have a quicker pace of time than I do." the Queen of Reason retorted.

Mother, always never admitting that she is getting a little rustier. Angela shook her head.

Duran, however, was quickly parrying his opponent, who was close to catching Duran off handed. Duran rapidly chopped the pirate's head off, sending the head flying in the air and creating a blood geyser in the stump where the head once was. The head landed and rolled on the floor toward Angela. Angela froze as the head slowly inches toward her feet. She emitted a high-pitched scream, then fainted. Her frozen body fell down, leaving no pain as Angela drifted into the world of numbness. Duran slowly paced toward Angela, then poked her a bit. She didn't respond to Duran's poking.

Gotta stop doing those head chops. It's freaking people out. Duran looked at the head nearby.

Tiffany was covering Carlie while she was exhausting her energy casting Heal Light. Many healers and the Priest of Light were all busy casting support magic, being covered by fighters to ensure safety.

"Whew! Carlie feels all woozy…" Carlie's vision was starting to blur.

"Carlie, don't stop yet! Many people depend on you to help them!" Tiffany tried to juice Carlie with confidence.

"Carlie can't… Tiffany…" Carlie was about to collapse.

Tiffany looked back at Carlie. Quickly reacting, she searched through her inventory and found her storage of Magic Walnuts. She then quickly threw 3 Magic Walnuts at Carlie.

"Carlie, take these!" Tiffany instructed.

"Carlie… will try…" Carlie managed to speak after somehow catching the Magic Walnuts.

Carlie, one by one, swallowed the Magic Walnuts slowly. Green light appeared, then swirled around Carlie, making her sparkle brilliantly. Carlie felt her magic energy being restored. She took a deep breath, letting out her exhaustion.

"Thanks, Tiffany!" Carlie said after she was done.

"It's okay! Concentrate on your healing!" Tiffany said before whacking a pirate sideways with her oversized hammer.

Kevin himself was quickly making punching bags out of the pirates. He performed Ashura Dream Kick and kicked a pirate in the head, hearing a CRACK! as the skull inside broke. The pirate's eye started to bleed blood. He fell to the floor in pain, then death overcame his body. Kevin paused to recover, but was suddenly tackled in the back.

"Gah!" Kevin yelled out.

Kevin felled on the floor. He quickly turned around, seeing a pirate ready to stab him down. However, Kevin swiftly side kicked his assailant at his legs, making the pirate fall smack on the floor while Kevin jumped back to his feet. Caring not that he's doing wrong, Kevin simply started punching repeatedly at the pirate's head.

"Kevin. You do know that we do not punch people in the head while they are down." the Beast King said firmly.

"Sorry, Beast King." Kevin nodded.

The Beast King walked up to the downed pirate. He then started kicking the pirate in the ribs, making him groan loudly.

"You kick them in the ribs while they're down." the Beast King instructed.

"I'll remember that, Beast King." Kevin acknowledged.

Kevin happily started kicking the downed victim with his father.

Now this is father! Heheheh.

"Ugh!" Lise shouted out in pain.

Lise was smacked in the face by a pirate using the hilt of his sword. She recoiled, then strafe to her left. Remembering Hawk's tip of Mana uses, she started casting Power Up on herself. Not waiting for the spell to be completed, the pirate charged forward. Luckily, Lise can cast her spell quickly; making her dodged at the last second a fatal slash by the charger. She instantly slashed the charger in the back, finishing him off.

Got to stay strong. No matter what. This is what a queen is for. This… is my test.

She immediately saw one of her guards barely fighting off two pirates. With quick thinking, she tossed her spear at one of enemies, knocking a pirate unconscious with the shaft and making him see stars as he fell. Lise promptly sprinted, grabbed her spear, and stabbed the second in the back and through. The pirate gasped, looking down at the spear that drove through his stomach. Lise pulled the spear out, dropping the body to the floor. The Amazoness thanked Lise. Lise again searched around the room if Hawk and Carlie disappeared or not.

There's Hawk! He's in trouble!

Contrary to what Lise sees, Hawk wasn't really having trouble. He was just playing circles around his opponent, having his fun. This made a scene that looked like he's in trouble. Lise darted toward them, then jumped in the air. Hawk looked up and saw Lise. Lise flew in the air and spun around, landing a sidekick on the pirate's head, sending him flying backwards and into unconsciousness. Lise landed with a smug smile. Hawk mentally whistled.

Now that… was nice! That… was sweet! That… is NOT what I should think of. DO NOT think Lise like this. Remember, she's a friend. A friend. Not a h… h… ho… hot… hot girl… with… sexy legs… that… that… kicks ass like hell! She's a friend… a friend… a friend… a friend… a friend… a friend… How many times do I have to think that she's a friend to get it stuck in my head? (Deep breath) Just relax. You are a good guy. Good guy. Prefers romance over looks. Hell, I want romance over looks. Two (profanity) dreams gave me demonstrations. I am a good guy and I always will be. Love a person for their feelings, not how hot they look. Hot. Shit. Note to self: work on changing hot to one of the following: pretty, beautiful, cute, lovely, dainty, gorgeous, charming, and all those other words I have to convert to. Must be morally good… DAMN, THIS IS (profanity) HARD AS HELL! Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit… (Deep breath) Okay… I'm tired of thinking. Hawk turned away from his thought and simply said to Lise.

"You never sidekick a person in the head before when we traveled."

"I never did?"

"Yeah… that was…"

"Cool?"

"I was going to say 'intriguing'… but 'cool' will have to do."

"He he. My martial arts need more practice. I was slow by a quarter of a second." Lise looked at the unconscious pirate. "That was a good kick… but too flashy, though. Gives the enemy a look at my legs and thighs… Why am I saying that?"

"Hey, doesn't matter with me. I think … this is the side of you that everybody wants to see."

"… No… As I said before, too flashy."

"Aww, now ain't that disappointing?" Hawk said with a smile while he pulls one of his daggers from a pirate's neck. "It'll make you look like a better queen. Come on."

"No… It's not me." Lise stabbed a pirate nearby.

"Well… you want to do it for me?" Hawk winked.

"(Scoffed loudly) Why, you pervert!"

"What? It's not like I'm going to look at you like that when you do one of your kicks. I'm just saying that it might help battling go much smoother."

"Yeah, makes you more excited so that you can fight better."

"I don't need to look at your legs to make me kill more."

"Oh? What do you look at then?"

"The enemy." Hawk hacked a helpless pirate, spilling blood all over his clothes.

"So, you don't look at me when I kill something?"

"Only when you're in trouble. That's what the rule of team battling goes, right?"

"Hmm. Prey on my looks while I'm injured?... Pitiful, just pitiful…"

"Well, what about you? Carlie told me you couldn't keep your eyes off of me when I'm not looking. Just wishing you could have this now, doncha?"

"I never do that. I, unlike you, keep track of my teammates if they should ever need trouble." Lise looked like a maniac when she stabbed a wounded pirate on the floor.

"Really? Then why don't you equally keep an eye on Carlie, too?"

"I don't that much. She heals more than fights. You duke it as much as I do."

"Uh-huh…" Hawk shrugged as he throws a Deadly Weapon.

"Look at you two. Mmm! Don't the both of you look like the couple!" Surge said after he threw a Beastman across the room. He walked up toward Hawk and Lise.

"You know, maybe we should have conversations when we're not battling." Hawk suggested to Lise when he heard Surge. "These jackasses eavesdrop too much."

"Ah, don't worry." Surge overheard. "You two will have all the conversations you want when I send both of you to Hell!"

Surge charged at Hawk with very good speed. Hawk instantly blocked with his right dagger, struggling with Surge's strength. Lise cast Speed up, then tackled at Surge. Surge shook a bit, then again charged at Hawk. Hawk quickly slid to counter Surge, making him trip toward Lise. Lise then punched at Surge's face, sending him backwards with a bloody nose. Lise quickly shook her hand.

"Ooouuu… What is your head made out of, iron?"

Surge took his hand from his nose, staring at his own blood.

"Ah, just a nosebleed. Still…" Surge looked up at the two, "it's more than fair for you two because one can help the other. What dirty fighting, two against one. Heh. I can take on anyone, regardless of numbers."

This time Surge jumped up, having his sword-arm ready. Aiming for Lise, Surge hesitated no moment as he comes down like a rock. Instead of blocking the attack, Lise flew up and parried Surge. Surge pulled back from Lise's spear, coming back on the ground from the parry's momentum. He simply prepared himself for Lise. Lise didn't realize her mistake until it was too late. Hawk knew what mistake she had just made, but couldn't stop it from where he was. Again, the slow effect of time went into motion. Lise had the shocked look on her face when Surge leaned back and slashed at her stomach, very easily since she is wearing a dress. A bloody gash followed Surge's sword, making a stopping wound. Lise fell with the THUD! of her weight.

"No! Lise!" Hawk, time going back to normal to him, horribly took the scene in. He felt his heart stopped for a moment when he saw Lise took the slash and fell down. He gave a look of rage to Surge.

"You son of a…"

Hawk charged in yelling. Surge tried to stop him, but was overwhelmed by Hawk's strength. He slid back. Before Surge could even retaliate, Hawk swiftly did his Tech Back Slash, rushing in soup-up slashes at Surge. Surge blocked the first two deadly attempts, but suffers a quick cut to his chest on the third slash. He jumped back, weakly holding himself up with his wound.

"Heh…" Surge grinned. "Well, I'll be damned. The legendary hero strikes back. And with such good fighting, too. I wonder, how did you get stronger after I chopped down the queen?"

"Well, maybe I don't appreciate a jackass hurting my friends." Hawk retorted. "Now, here's my question. Want some more crap-ass pain? 'Cause I can dish out more like hell."

"Hmm, so predictable… like that fool Jack keeps on saying… Don't worry, mate. I'll make sure you'll have more than you can handle. So much more." Surge stood up, still gripping where his cut is. "The Blue Elites are much harder than you see. Soon, you shall feel the mighty wrath of all of us… the Blue Elites… too much for you and your little friends to handle!"

Surge pointed his sword-arm up, stained with Lise's blood. A deadly sight, black metal that shines, covered with the red liquid of its victim.

"All right, men! Retreat! Surge ordered. "We've done enough damage for now… Back to the ship, mateys!"

In a flicker of an eye, the remaining pirates retreated to any opening that was around them. Windows that they came from, the opening to the balcony, the ceiling, anywhere that they could escape. Roughly after a moment, the room was ridded of them. Hawk, wasting no time, immediately ran up to Lise. He held her up to a sitting position. Lise was hoarsely breathing. She was putting her hand over her wound, trying to apply pressure. The blood was quickly spreading on her dress away from the cut.

"Damn! Lise, you okay?" Hawk felt his hidden fear rising again. His heart was thumping so loudly and quickly, he thought Lise could hear it if her head was any closer.

"I'll… be fine…" Lise managed to heave the words out of her mouth. "Just a scratch…"

"Just a scratch?... You know I say those stuff… not you…"

"I'm… going to… be okay… Hawk… I'm not… going… away yet…"

"Oh, why did you have to say… 'yet'?… "

"… Heh… not really… what I had in mind… for my initiation, huh?"

"Shh… don't talk anymore…"

"Lise! Hawk!" Tiffany ran up toward them. "What happen? Why's Lise on the ground?"

"Tiffany…"

Tiffany kneeled down next to Lise. She gasped when she saw Lise's wound.

"Oh my gosh! What… what happened to you, Lise?"

"Surge got her on the stomach." Hawk grimly explained.

"I… I should have… helped you guys." Tiffany lowered her head.

"It's not your fault…" Lise shook his head slowly. "You… had to help the others…"

"Lise…"

"Don't… worry about me… I'm going to be all right…" Lise started to breathe harder.

"Lise! Don't speak!" Hawk warned.

"I'm… okay… ugh…" Lise passed out after she spoke. Hawk laid her on his lap.

"Damn. I… I shouldn't have let her take on Surge. Goddess! How careless I was! I should have taken him on! Not her… This is what I get for not doing what I should have done."

"Hawk, Lise could do this by herself. She wanted to; it was her choice. She wanted to…"

"I know why she done it, Tiffany. I just… wish it wouldn't be as far as this."

"She wanted to, Hawk."

"Yeah. I… I shoulda stepped in and took the cut."

"Lise can take care of herself, Hawk. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. It's not just one way or the other."

"… You're right, I guess. Lise did it because she wanted to. I just wish she doesn't take it to the extreme."

"She's a queen. She needs to do such things."

"(Sighs)… Good point..."

Hawk looked around the room. It was like a cemetery that has been completely dug up. Bodies dotted the room like dust. Masses of wounds covered them. Limbs and body pieces were scattered across the room. Blood were like paint, splattered mostly on the reflective floor and walls. Pools of it created a scene of red dots underneath bodies. But most disgustingly was the smell. That smell of fresh flesh cutted open, even though it wasn't even rotting yet. Death himself certainly made his day, enjoying his little party.

"Man… look at all the bodies." Hawk commented after looking. "Is Carlie okay?"

"Yeah. She was with me." Tiffany smiled a bit. "We kept each other safe."

"Thank goodness." Hawk again looked around, this time for survivors. "There's Duran and Angela, looking okay. Eliza… Merci, still looking sad from the news… King Richard… I think that's Kevin there… with his father… Queen Valda… there's Carlie, looking a bit shaken… Priest of Light with Heath… Faerie King… Lord Flamekhan's okay… Jessica's okay, too… Nikita's cool… Looks to me that everyone I know is good. Just couldn't say the same for some, though."

Hawk looked back at Lise again. Lise was turning pale and breathing with difficulty. Hawk still felt warmth from Lise, though not as warm as a healthy person. Fear gripped Hawk to where it was almost choking him. His heart was pounding too much for Hawk to stop. He again looked around the main hall, seeing if any help would arrive. Tiffany, seeing Hawk's worried face, put her hand on Hawk's.

"She's going to be okay, Hawk. She said so herself." Tiffany reminded.

"Kinda hard to believe that, considering she just passed out on me." Hawk looked at Tiffany.

"Queen Lise! Queen Lise!" an Amazoness yelled out.

"Over here!" Tiffany called back, putting her hand out toward the Amazoness.

The Amazoness came over. She too turned pale when she saw Lise's deep wound.

"No… Queen Lise…" she began.

"She's okay. She needs some help, though."

"… Right. Bring her up to her room and we'll tend to her."

Hawk stood and lifted Lise on his arms, holding her by her back and legs. The Amazoness went off toward the right stairs by the throne. Hawk slowly moved toward the stairs. Tiffany followed after. When they reached halfway to the stairs, Carlie saw them and ran toward them. She saw Hawk carrying Lise, her dress and long ponytail daggling. This informed Carlie that something was wrong.

"Oh, no! Lise! What happen, Hawk?" Carlie was shock.

"Don't worry, Carlie. She's going to be okay." Hawk turned to look around the room again. "Um, why don't you go outside? Leave the matter to us."

"Whaaaa…" Carlie cocked her head sideways. "Oh, Hawk means the dead…"

"Uh, yeah… That's what I meant… Now go outside. It's not good for you to stay here."

"Carlie okay here."

"You can't. Just go outside, okay?"

"Why?"

"'Cause I said so. Look, it's for your own good."

"Please, please? Can't Carlie stay? Carlie will be good." Carlie did her 'sweet' face.

"… (Sighs) Okay, okay! Just… don't use that face. It just breaks me down too much." Hawk just couldn't tear away from the look.

"Yea!"

Carlie ran toward the Priest of Light and Heath. Tiffany turned toward Hawk.

"You think it's a good idea leaving her here?" Tiffany asked.

"Tiffany. She used 'The Sweet Face'. It's just plain impossible to resist that. Besides, I can't call her back and change my mind. She might get angry or cry. It gets real harsh from there on out."

Hawk carried Lise to her room. Inside, he laid her on the bed slowly. He can already see that the bleeding has not stopped. He was having thoughts that maybe it's too late since she was not cared for earlier. Amazonesses were rushing around, doing things, and talking about the situation. Hawk overheard an Amazoness say the one sentence that made his heart wrench from the inside. Two Amazonesses asked Hawk and Tiffany to leave while they tend for Lise. Standing outside, Hawk leaned against the wall near Lise's room. He hung his head, letting his hair shield his face. Tiffany walked up to him.

"She's going to be okay. Don't lose hope." Tiffany tried to lighten the situation.

"… One of them said she lost a lot of blood. They don't know if the bleeding will stop and heal overnight. It's… all on the matter of luck. She lives… or she…" Hawk couldn't finish the sentence. This is the sentence he overheard from that Amazoness. His fear is beginning to take over his heart.

"Don't say that. She'll live. Just hope for the best. Hope at least does something, right?"

"… Well, it's now… so hard just to do what you say. It just seems so much easier and less painful if I… just accept…"

"You can't!... You… just can't…"

"Tiffany…"

"Hawk! Please! Don't! You… have to keep faith… She will survive… She will…"

Hawk didn't say anything.

"Please… don't give up…"

"It's… it's too hard… I might get hurt again… to lose… a friend…"

"Listen to me!" Tears began to show at the bottom of her eyes, "She's my friend, too! Even though… we knew each other for a day… she's like a friend I known for a lifetime… she's a friend that supported me because I don't remember a thing… she's my friend, too… (Sniffs)."

Hawk looked at her eyes. Her face was full of tears by now. Hawk could see the sorrow clouding her heart, yet… could see a glimmer of hope shining inside. Hawk knew what Tiffany was talking about. He lowered his head in question.

Hope… so… hard just to do and keep… so much easier to accept… but, no! I… I can't… I can't give up… Not while I still have the chance. I still can do something. Better do something than nothing… just hope… just… gotta… Lise… hang in there… Hawk thought with confidence.

A tear ran down his cheek. Hawk simply wiped it away slowly and quietly sniffs. Tiffany waited for Hawk's answer.

"… Guess I better do something besides worrying, huh?" Hawk quietly said. "Heh, I remember the Bons saying this, 'Hope, not worry'. How did I forget about it so badly?"

Tiffany showed a small smile that Hawk managed to catch out of his eye. Hawk looked at Tiffany, then nodded at her. She nodded back.

"Hope, not worry, huh?" Tiffany thought about the phrase.

"Yeah… Hey… you don't mind if… I wait here… for…" Hawk tried to ask.

"You can stay here... all you need." Tiffany understood Hawk.

"… Thanks."

"… It's a bit ironic… that we help each other, huh? Like when we were out on the balcony?"

"Yeah… I guess it's ironic. That or it's just me." Hawk shrugged.

Tiffany broadened her smile, then went downstairs. Hawk looked out the window nearby. The sun was already starting to set, feeding Hawk's fear inside. Hawk turned his head towards Lise's room.

Just… make it out, okay, Lise? Don't… get us all down.

At the beach near the Path to the Heavens

"Sir! I reported to Captain Jack as your orders." the same messenger as before reported to Surge. Surge was sitting on a rock with his defeated assault group. The ship was nearby, plain view from the shore.

"What did he think of today's work, mate?"

"He was pleased with the completed objective. However, he was dissatisfied about how many men were lost during the battle. He warns you that the next time you complete an objective, you must not risk losing so many men."

"To hell with him! This is my job, and I will do it the way I want it to! I ain't worried about how many men I lost or how disappointed Jack is! He can just take that 'dissatisfaction' and shove it up his ass! If it were up to me, I would be happy just the way it was."

"He was also not pleased that you gave the Queen a fatal wound. He ordered that the three heroes must stay alive in order to perform the extraction completely."

"Do I really care if I killed one or not? Besides, just tell him she'll be okay. If she can survive tonight. It might 'please' him somewhat."

"The Captain wants you and the men back on the ship immediately, sir. We are preparing for Part 5."

"Part 5. Part. Part. Stupid way to label them." Surge shook his head. "What's Part 5?"

"Pursue the heroes collecting the spirits and force them to collect faster."

"Right, right." Surge grunted as he got up. "All right, men! Back to the ship until further orders!"

"Hawk! I'm glad you're okay!" Jessica found Hawk near Lise's room. She ran up and hugged him.

"Yeah, yeah. Just a few bruises. I ain't going to let waterlogged thieves take me down." Hawk hugged her back. However, the hug was somehow unsatisfying. "You okay, too?

"Yes. My father and some of our Ninjas held off the pirates, so I was okay from the start."

"That's great…"

Jessica heard Hawk's tone when he said the previous sentence.

"What's wrong?" Jessica asked.

"Lise. She got a hard cut on her stomach. Don't know if she's going to survive the night."

"The Queen? Oh… that's… I'm so sorry to hear that. I know how much she means to you as a friend."

"Yeah…"

"Well, I hope she survives. I've… got to go back home now…"

Hawk heard an Amazoness earlier stating that every guest has to go home immediately for safety. The bodies of their own people, well, they can take home, too, if they want. The bodies of the Amazonesses that died in battle are now being buried outside. Hawk could hear digging, and the lowering of caskets in the ground (Amazonesses honor every warrior, never just throwing their bodies in like rocks). He hears the prayers going out, and some cries from friends and families that lived here or from the guests that have relative connections. Hawk felt even worse knowing all of this.

Lise… don't… just don't… go six feet under like they do…

Eliott is crying in his room when he heard what happened to his sister. Eliza went inside Lise's room for 'comfort' and hasn't come out yet. Tiffany would have done the same thing, but she suggested that she attend to the castle duties, as a way to do something that passes time while she hangs onto the thought of Lise being okay. Carlie followed suit behind her, amazingly not affected by Lise's condition. "Lise okay, Carlie knows" is all she said. Duran, Angela, and Kevin came by, giving luck and hoping that Lise is all right. Royalties that were guests did the same thing. The rest of the castle are all worried that they were about to lose their Queen; worst, on her first day. It would be bad, since Eliott will then have to be King and he isn't ready.

"Well, Hawk… good-bye. I wish you luck on your journey." Jessica kissed Hawk on his cheek. Yet again, the kiss had no feeling of warmth and happiness to Hawk.

"See ya, Jessica. Tell the guys to keep stealing from the greedy bastards for me, okay?" Hawk waved at her while she head down the stairs.

"I will!"

Tiffany and Carlie were attending to castle matters that didn't involve death. They finished most of the work that the Amazonesses have left behind to deal with the bodies in the main hall. Last thing on the list was nothing more than attending the guests' rooms. When they finished the last room, the grandfather clock nearby rang loudly in the room.

"Mmm?" Tiffany noticed. "Oh, it's midnight. Better get some sleep. Good thing we finished all of the work quickly, right, Carlie?"

Carlie didn't respond. She was silently sleeping on the guest bed. She slept a while ago while Tiffany was busy working and not checking on her.

Well, I guess this is your room then…

Tiffany stretched out. She blew out the candle lighting the room, then exited. When she exited, not a thing or sound was in the hallway. Tiffany took a deep breath, knowing that every one's fast asleep.

Empty. Just empty. Gives me the creeps.

It certainly does.

Tiffany jumped and almost screamed if she had not realized that the voice came from inside her head.

Oh my… Faerie, please! Don't ever speak to me unexpectedly like that when I'm alone like this!... (Sigh) I'm getting scared too much.

Sorry, I have no one to talk to for a while except Wisp. He's good in a conversation, but… talking to him all day gets rather…

Boring?

Yeah. I didn't want to put it that way since it's rude.

(Silence)

You think Lise is going to be okay? Tiffany asked.

I… hope so… She's a good friend… I would hate to lose such a person. Faerie responded.

I would, too. But this… mostly affects Hawk.

I noticed. He and Lise were… very close together…ever since they knew that their lives crossed paths with each other.

I could… almost feel his pain… his sorrow… He and Lise really are close… It must hurt him very much… to have a friend's life hanging on the balance.

I don't know what will happen to Hawk if Lise…

It won't happen. Lise will survive. I know it. Hawk is hoping with all his might. I am, too.

Well, who says I'm not? I'm hoping for Lise, too.

Great! Lise needs all the help she can get.

I just wish that I didn't have to wait until tomorrow. It's really hurtful on the moral.

Tiffany began to walk toward her room, then stopped. She noticed that the door to the room next to hers is open. She looked inside and found it vacant.

Hawk's not in here. He must still be… Tiffany thought.

Tiffany walked up to the bed and grabbed the blanket. She then made her way through the castle to where Lise's room would be. There, outside the room on the same spot, was Hawk sleeping on the ground. Sleeping to his left, Hawk looked uncomfortable, which is the reason why Tiffany brought the blanket. It was a little chilly tonight, so she brought the blanket to keep Hawk warm. She kneeled down and carefully laid the blanket on top of Hawk. She smiled, seeing that Hawk would even sleep out here for Lise.

"Lise… Please… be okay…" Hawk said in his sleep.

Tiffany, hearing this, closed her eyes, then opened them, keeping in her mind that Lise will be okay. She tried not to lose thought. She stood up, feeling pity for the whole situation. She walked back into her room. Closing the door, she looked at her room, then at the window. She walked up and stared out through the window, holding her candle. She then blew her candle out.

Hope, not worry.

I'm so horrible when I wrote where the guests sit… Even worse on food, entertainment, ceremony, and attack… But, then again, I had to show a visual thought… and it's just my opinion, so you don't have to listen to me, like you don't listen to what other authors write up there and down here…

Way too much silence as guests walk in…

More errors that the spelling & grammar check missed than Simon's all too cruel remarks in American Idol…

And I still can't figure out the name people go by in country. Is it Rolantean, Rolantan, Rolanten…?