Author's notes: I have really got to buckle down and start writing again… but whenever I rush writing this, I feel like I'm butchering the storyline. ;;

Chapter 5

'Impossible.' Cane thought as he gripped the arm rests of his chair tightly. His knuckles turned pale white under the strain and his eyes flashed with some indiscernible fury and shock. Before him was a crystal bowl of the clearest water, well, it would have been clear had it not been for the images floating on the surface. It showed the Port of Sandoria, and he was not pleased with what they told him.

'It can't be him… after all this time… and this is how he returns? The leader of those… those… scum? Filthy… disgusting… betrayer of the darkness! How dare he use those attacks!' Cane thought angrily, his rage growing even more intense by the minute.

"…Cane?" A voice asked timidly, and the male snapped his head around, his locks of brown hair whipping about his face as he turned to glare at a sheepish Celan.

"What?" He snapped angrily. She cowered beneath his glare, and wondered if he even knew how he looked right now.

His eyes were flashing the deepest crimson she had ever seen them go, his skin was pale and small sparks of violet lightening flickered over his body, probably unintentional. His lips were set in the thinnest line she had ever seen, and his expression held one of homicidal rage. For perhaps, the first time in quite a while, Celan was deathly afraid for her immortal soul.

"Y-you called for me." She explained simply and fell silent under his quelling glare. With a dismissive flick of his hand he turned back to view the bowl of water, and the images it revealed. For a moment he was silent, grinding his teeth in silent anger, before he finally managed, in a calm and clear voice, an order.

"Scour the ranks of the Beastmen. Find any possible leaks. If there are any, kill them. Maim their close friends."

"My… my lord?" Celan whispered nervously. Cane gave her a vicious glare from the corner of his eyes and she felt a tremor of fear shoot through her body.

"I issued an order Celan." He whispered, his voice deadly cold, his eyes promising death for disobedience. "I expect it to be followed." With a gulp, Celan hastily bowed and replied;

"As you wish, it shall be done immediately." She stammered out and quickly retreated from the room, closing the door behind her.

'What happened to make Cane so edgy?' She wondered, her body still shivering from the fear that laced her blood. 'And why does he think we have a spy among our ranks?' She wondered, before shaking her head. Leave Cane to his games, she would deal with her own matters. As she walked away from his door, Cane, inside his room glared silently at the bowl. Suddenly he shot to his feet and flung the bowl, water and all, across the room. It shattered with a satisfying crash into a wall, littering the ground with shards and with a growl of anger, he stalked across the room and picked up the largest piece. Holding it up to the light, he rotated it slowly, toying with it and its ability to refract the light.

'How dare he show his face again? He will suffer, and dearly!' Cane thought vehemently, his blood boiling with rage. With a deep breath, his expression changed from homicidal, to closed as the lightening sparks that danced across his skin, vanished. With a calm face, he took the shard of glass, and held it against the back of his hand. With a calculated slash, he created a deep incision along the back of his hand, and watched as the drops of crimson fell from his hand, to the carpeted floor.

Good.

The pain took his anger away. It made him feel better. With a smirk, he took the shard and cut another incision in the same hand, retracing familiar scars that had lingered for so long.

When there was a knock on the door, he jerked from his trance and snarled quietly, dropping the glass, he quickly grabbed a handkerchief, and wrapping that around his hand, he crossed the room to open the door.

"Yes?" He asked softly, his gaze calm and calculated. An Elvaan with silver hair faced him.

"Are you alright Lord Cane?" He asked mildly. "I heard a crash in the room over and wondered if something was amiss."

"I am fine Rahal. I wish for my privacy, please leave." Cane replied steadily to the Elvaan who nodded.

"Very well." The man commented, noticing the rather crimson silk that was located around Cane's hand, but said nothing. "Good day to you, Lord Cane." And with a curt bow, Rahal walked off. Watching him go, Cane felt a twinge of anger stir within him, before he shut the door.

'Disgusting, the lot of them. You will die, for your impertinence Negative. I guarantee it.' The demon thought vehemently.

"Take care." Bamanoske said quietly as he pulled a scroll from his pocket.

"I will." Opeth replied calmly, his smile touched with sadness. "Thank you for everything, especially for this. You will pass on my thanks to the others, won't you?" He asked quietly. Bam nodded. The two of them currently stood in Carpenter's Landing, it had been accessed through a shutter in Northern Sandoria.

"Rest assured that I will pass on your words. We will miss you, Antigen." He commented softly.

"That we will." A voice broke in as a form walked up from behind. Whirling around, Opeth blinked, before his eyes narrowed.

"Zanu." He said quietly, and bowed with respect before the Yuushi member. When he rose from his bow, he was suddenly swept into a fierce hug.

"Take care runt." The Elvaan whispered, before pulling back and grinning. Ruffling the Hume's hair he winked.

"I know you'll give those land-lovers a run for their gil. We'll be keeping an eye on you, and we expect a lot of things from you." Zanu commented, grinning as Opeth glared at him and attempt to straighten his hair.

"I know." Opeth declared calmly, with ease.

"Forget that shit." Zanu replied calmly, and grinned at Opeth's look of surprise. "Live as you will, whatever you do, I'm sure we'll be proud." For a moment, Opeth simply stared at him, before shaking his head a smiling.

"Thank you. And you take care yourself, don't go overboard on the alcohol again."

"I'll make sure he doesn't." Yet another foreign voice commented as the shutter leading to Carpenter's Landing opened again, revealing Elnroth. Shutting it behind him, he entered the cavern lit tunnel and gave Opeth the briefest of smiles.

"Be well, Antigen. I will drink to you, tonight." Opeth smiled at the wishes, and chuckled.

"You'll be hitting the ale a little heavy tonight too, won't you?"

"Damn straight." The Samurai declared laughing.

"So, how will you go from here?" Opeth asked quietly, glancing around. Bamanoske smiled at the Hume and shrugged.

"I'll use one of these handy little warp scrolls to get back to Norg, I have some unfinished business that needs tending too, so I have to hurry."

"Elnroth, Zedriasage and I will cut through Carpenter's Landing to Jugner's Forest, from there we'll proceed to Jeuno, and grab an airship to Kazham, from there it's chocobos to Norg." Zanu declared easily. Opeth nodded and smiled.

"Take care than."

"HEY GUYS!" A yell erupted from the entrance of the cave. Zed came running in panting. "Lets go, the ship is going to dock in three minutes!" He said sucking in large gasps of breath. Winking at Opeth he gave the Hume a mock salute and nodded.

"Be seeing ya Antigen!" Opeth smiled in reply and nodded.

"We'll be going than, take care. If you need help, look to your friends for it, you're on your own now." Zanu replied, and gave him one last fatherly sort of pat on the head, before he took off running.

"What a sack of mush." Elnroth commented with a smirk. "Well, whatever, take care Opeth." The Elvaan declared before dashing after Zanu.

"Ack! Hey, wait for me!" Zed snapped chasing after the two. Bam shook his head and smiled.

"Well, goodbye for the time being Antigen. And remember to beware of the Yamimusha." He declared easily as he opened the scroll.

"I will." Opeth whispered as tendrils of inky black, and violet colored smoke arose from the scroll. "Oh, Bamanoske… you will…?" The Elvaan smiled at him.

"Of course." Bamanoske replied easily. "Your parents' graves shall be tended to in your absence." He declared easily. Smiling relief, Opeth waved his fare well as the wisps of black inky smoke grew thicker. They wrapped themselves around the Elvaan, and with a flash of light, he was gone.

Alone.

He was now, all alone, all on his own. Hm, what a scary, yet invigorating thought at the same time.

Smiling, Opeth walked towards the shutter that lead into Northern Sandoria with a grin.

'Time to show these land-lovers what a sea-faring Whitemage can do.'

Panting heavily, the Mithra landed on the rooftop and growled, feeling rather surly.

"Damn stupid Sandorian weather, does it ever rain in this place?" She demanded bending over, sweat littered her brow. There was a thump as another form joined her, smiling the barest of amused smiles, he replied;

"Once, I think. About 200 years ago." He teased.

"Oh great, just great." The Mithra snapped and fell back with a thump, allowing large breaths of air to enter her lungs. Her chest heaved up and down and she moaned. "Why is it so hot?"

"I think the main reason would be it's high noon. When it hits dusk, just wait and see. You'll be complaining it's too cold." The Elvaan joked.

"Rom, you are a horrible, horrible person!" The Mithra whined. Rominace glanced at her and smiled.

"I know." With another dramatic moan, the Mithra closed her eyes and by all appearances, fell asleep. Rom simply smiled and pattered her on the head, in a fatherly sort of way.

"Poor Vin, all pooped out. This is what happens to you mages, when all you eat is pies and drink juices." The dark-knight teased.

"Shut up you blood-lusting freak." Vinne snapped back.

"Hey, that's not nice. I can't help what I've become." The darknight complained.

"Sure you can you blood-sucking vampire!" Rom sighed heavily and shook his head.

"Whatever. So, think you can wait until tonight in this blinding sun?"

"Sure I can. I'll endure anything to watch the ceremony, I can't wait to see which Battalion Gin will go in!" Vin exclaimed, and despite her fatigue, her voice was laced with excitement. Rom smiled, understand her eagerness. Both he and the Mithra had watched Gin for the last 8 years, had seen her fears, her triumphs, her climbs and falls, and saw how she made leaps and bounds, from a small child, to a fully grown Elvaan woman. In a way, they felt like loving parents, having witnessed the child grown up, and it was no secret among the ShadowRiders that Vin and Rom were exceptionally proud of their client.

"Hmmm…" Rom suddenly commented, thinking of something.

"What is it?"

"This ceremony lasts for a week right?" He asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, that's right." Vin replied steadily. She cracked open one eye to glance at him curiously.

"Do you think she'll participate in the Conflict at the end?" There was a brief moment of silence, before Vin suddenly sat up.

"Okay, come on."

"Huh?" Rom got out surprised. "To where?"

"We're going to kill off every other Freelancer out there higher than level 30." Rom laughed.

"Don't worry, I'm sure she'll be fine, she's done a 1v1 many times!"

"Do I have to kill them all by myself?" She demanded glaring at him.

"What are you, an assassin now? A member of the Yamimusha guild?"

"You hush. I'm worried is all." Vin muttered surly.

"Join the club, we have pins and Ballista every Firesday." Rom commented in a dry voice.

"Ooooohhh! Rom you horrible, horrible Elvaan!" The Mithra snapped and began to pound him with her tiny fists. Laughing, the Elvaan winced as a stitch formed in his side and he threw up his arms to protect himself from her tiny assault.

"Alright! I give, I give! Ow, ow!" He cried chortling. Smiling, he glanced away for a brief moment, still smiling, before his eyes widened.

"Hey… Vin? Isn't that- oh for Altana's sake stop that!" He snapped as he grabbed her fists. "Look towards the Western Gate into Ronfaure. Isn't that…?" He asked blinking. Vin stopped and complied, and as she glanced in that direction, gaped.

"Oh my gosh, it is! She's with that Adventurer from Zig's battalion, what was his name? Oooohh… Drayden?"

"Draish." Rom corrected for her mildly. "That's weird, last I saw, I thought she was in the Port." He commented as he observed Gin enter into Southern Sandoria.

"Maybe she warped or something?" Vin suggested mildly.

"Not plausible, why would she warp, when she is here for the next week at least?" He commented with a raised eyebrow.

"Hmm…" Vin sounded, her sound throaty as Rom released her wrists and allowed her to sit back. "Is… is it just me, or does Draish look…?"

"Off?" Rom completed for her, his brow furrowed with concentration, his eyes sparking with concern.

"Yeah… just a little, very unnoticeable changes. The way he strides… see- there! His footfalls are too heavy for someone learned to a life of a fencer, they look more suitable to someone who wields something heavy, like a great sword, or a scythe maybe." Vin calculated.

"His stance is wrong too." Rom declared calmly as both Draish and Gin stopped for a moment to speak to each other. "He doesn't stand straight like he normally does, his figure is… stooped a little, like he's used to lifting something heavy." He murmured. For a moment both were silent, before they glanced at each other.

"Maybe…?"

"It has been two months…"

"Yeah." Vin replied happily and plopped back down. "He must have changed his routine or something. Nothing to worry about." She said and glanced back at Gin. "But my gosh, it feels like it has been so long, I wonder what she's been doing in the past little- hold on." Vin suddenly stopped mid-sentence. "Is she… she is! She's limping! And why are there cuts all over her body?" Vin demanded, suddenly looking very dangerous. "If someone has hurt her…"

"Calm down, calm down. We'll get some answers soon enough, I'm sure time will- hey, whose that?" Rom blinked as a tall form detached itself from a ring of Temple Knights and crossed the grounds and headed straight for Gin.

"Whoa… hey…" Vin suddenly commented grinning. "Orange-top there is kind of cute… too bad he's a Temple Knight though, judging by his armor. What a shame, he's so good looking too." She murmured, looking slightly put out as her bottom lip jaunted out in a subconscious pout. When she turned to look at Rom, all she received was a slightly disgusted glance of shock and horror, blinking she cocked her head to the side, confused.

"What?"

"You're a disgrace the lot of you." Lazarus growled calmly to his unit who all quivered under his intense glare of disgust. "We are created to protect Sandoria, and you all ran off? What kind of Temple Knights are you?" He demanded.

"We could ask the same of you, fighting with those scum…" One of his knights declared brazenly, his eyes flashing with the prospect of a challenge. For a moment, Laz gave him a frosty stare before replying in a brisk and clipped voice;

"I fought with them for the time being because we were achieving the same goal. Protect, Sandoria, you foolish idiots! Remember your loyalty is to protect our country and homeland, and to achieve victory and pride for Sandoria across Vana'diel! Not to avoid being thrown in with the Adventurer Army at all costs!" He snarled.

"Our actions were justified, we dare not taint the Temple Knight's name by consorting with such filth, what would the rest of the knights say about us then?" The same Elvaan demanded.

"You shouldn't damn well care what they say about us!" Laz finally bellowed, having lost his temper. "And you tainted our name fare enough when you tried to take that Adventurer girl to bed! You talk of not consorting? What do you call that you useless lump of flesh and bone! Get out of my sight!" He roared, and the promise of pain in his eyes sent them all running away.

'Useless, every last one of them.' He thought venomously as he glanced around, ignoring the questioning stares of the citizens who had played witness to the exchange of angry retorts.

"Lost your temper again Krucyer." A quiet voice commented blandly from behind the Elvaan. Laz immediately spun around, his hand reflexively going for his scythe, before he stopped, then let out a sigh of annoyance.

"May I assist you in any way Sir Ceraule?" Laz asked boredly as he relaxed, straightening to gaze at the Elvaan, he idly brushed copper locks from his eyes and put on his most closed expression. Ceraule had to restrain a grin as he pulled a sheaf of paper from his pocket and waved it in front of the Temple Knight.

"I heard you handed this in yesterday, any particular reason?" The Knight asked dimly, still brandishing the letter of resignation. Lazarus stayed silent, his eyes frosty with annoyance, his lips cutting a thin line. Ceraule smirked. "Come now, we've been comrades for quite some time, surely you can tell me." He teased gently still flicking it around. With a growl of irritation, Laz snatched the paper from Ceraule's gauntlet covered hand and promptly tore it in two. Letting the pieces fall to the ground, he stared at Ceraule with plain defiance and crossed his arms, his lips growing even thinner. Ceraule released a laugh at this.

"I get it, sick of the corruption of the Knights eh?" He commented blearily, and when he received no answer, he shook his head and chuckled again. "Join the club Lazarus. But at least you're getting out of it, what do you plan to do when you leave?" He asked kindly, and for a moment his younger companion lost his stony expression and gazed to the side.

"… not sure." Ceraule covered a smirk with one hand and coughed into it to smother a chuckle.

"Charging head first into things again hm? That's rather normal for you." He commented with another small cough, before he lowered his hand. "But not for a decision this large, my wager is that you have a backup plan somewhere. Let me guess… you definitely won't seek work in politics, so the embassies are out of the question, and you haven't joined the Royal Knights, this I am certain of. Bastok would mock you if you wanted to become a musketeer, which is absurd considering there is as much internal unrest in their ranks as ours, as anywhere else. You won't be joining Windurst's warlocks for certain, since you haven't trained as a magic user, only as a minor one if that. That leaves patrol duty or some backwater job in the outlands." He continued vaguely glancing skyward as he thought. Lazarus pretended to ignore this completely.

"But no, you crave excitement, and you've already had several recon missions under your belt in those lands, they're as boring as they are dangerous. No, I bet you're headed for the Army, aren't you?" The knight declared easily and grinned knowingly at Lazarus, he didn't need to clarify which army.

"Get back to work." Laz finally snapped, his composure breaking as he shoved past the Elvaan and marched down the steps annoyed. Ceraule finally released a sharp bite of laughter and threw his head back, absolutely shaking with amusement.

"Of course Captain Krucyer!" He managed to call after Laz when he got his chortling under control. The Temple Knight did not reply as he stormed off.

Quickly striding to match her companion's maddening pace, Gin sighed heavily, noticing the few inches her friend had on her. Why was every Elvaan she met taller than her?

"Hey Gin?" A voice interrupted her musings and she glanced at her friend and let a crooked smile curve her lips.

"What's up?"

"Have you ever heard of Necronia?" He asked bluntly and she blinked at him.

"I… yes. Yes I have… didn't I tell you that name?" She asked as she slowed her pace, her mind pounding as she thought back to the day it had happened. Yet for some reason she couldn't clearly remember that day… it was as if her mind was… blurry… Draish stopped as well and glanced back at her, his lips curving into a malicious grin.

'Hmph. Looks like she till hasn't gotten any memories back.' He thought sneering as he turned fully and took a few steps forward to stop in front of her. Switching his grin to an expression of concern he bent a little and glanced at her face, peering beneath her bangs.

"Are you alright?" He asked quietly. Startled, she glanced up and gave a yelp of surprise. This in turn caused Draish to give a startled yell in return and stumble back.

"Ah- Draish! Cripes, you scared the hell out of me." She gasped holding a hand to her chest in a vain attempt to steady her pounding heart. Draish glanced at her in disbelief.

"I beg your pardon?" He asked incredulously. "Who scared who?" Amused to see the faint traces of a blush on her cheeks, his mouth curved into a grin.

'Well now… perhaps I can turn this to my advantage…' He thought as he took a few steps forward again.

"Well you certainly- Draish? What are you doing?" She suddenly asked in surprise. Draish smirked at her and shook his head.

"N-" He began when a voice cut out across his.

"What are you two doing." A voice demanded, ringing out across the area. Gin blinked in surprise while Draish muttered a minor curse under his breath before turning to face the newcomer.

Laz crossed the distance easily and stopped a few feet away from them, hands on his hips and his mouth set into a fiercely tight line.

"Oh… nothing." Gin commented vaguely, her expression hardening.

"Didn't look that way Adventurer." He replied brusquely. Draish glanced at Gin as he felt her temper rise and smirked.

"What, are you jealous Temple Knight?" He asked teasingly. For a moment Laz looked stunned, before he scowled.

"You wish." He snarled in reply, his fists clenching. Draish chuckled, and Gin lost the tenseness in her shoulders as she too gave way to giggling.

"Very well, I have paperwork to be doing, take care Ginryu." Draish said quietly, and bent low to brush his lips against Gin's cheek, before he began a cheerful walk towards the auction house, whistling absentmindedly. Gin blinked at him in surprise as the tips of her gloved hand brushed the spot he had just kissed.

'What was that about?' She wondered vaguely as she glanced at her companion who vanished into the crowd of people.

"Disgraceful." The barely concealed mutter brought her attentions back to the present, and she scowled again at the Temple Knight.

"Look, I don't know what you've got against me, but I for one, am sick of it. I don't care what racial, or fealty issues you have, I pledged my loyalty, so did you, just to different people, but our cause is the same. Protecting Vana'diel and the people who inhabit it. I doubt you give Musketeers or Warlocks such a cruel reception, so either treat me with the similar respect you give them, or don't talk to me. I proved my worth to you when we dueled earlier." She hissed at him, reminding him of a feline, or perhaps a Mithra. Mayhap there was Mithran blood in her family lineage… At the word 'duel', he glanced sharply to her arm, and winced when he realized the wound had not yet been healed, or cleaned even for that matter.

"So? Our match ended before we had a chance to finish it, you have not proved anything yet Adventurer." He snapped back at her and gave her his best sneer. She growled viciously and clenched her fists even tighter.

"Fine, whatever you believe, go ahead. I, don't, give, a damn! You hear that? Not a single damn!" She yelled at him furiously. Pleased with having gotten such a reaction from her, he chuckled just to upset her even further. Fuming, she nearly reached for her blade when a voice interrupted.

"Are you Temple Knights baiting her, again?" Gin, glancing beyond him for a moment, wore an expression of stunned shock. Laz turned, and groaned profusely.

"That isn't nice you know, do I have to tackle you into the ground to make you play nicely?" Lilli demanded as she stormed up to Laz and glared at him, attempting to make him cower, which didn't work very well since she was barely 2/3rds his height. Laz simply stared at her as if she were some creature from the great beyond.

"Go for his kneecaps, it works much better." Bagel chirped rather cheerfully as he plodded down the streets, reveling in all the squeals of the girls around him who exclaimed;

"Is he not wearing the cutest tunic ever?"

"Oh my gosh he is so cute!"

"I want one!" Hal kept eyeing him like a freak show while Mabs brought up the rear, looking rather pleasant.

"Goddamn it's the whole calvacade…" Laz grumbled, looking utterly miserable.

"What did you say?" Lilli demanded sharply and he glared at her, before shoving her back. "Hey!" She yelped landing on her backside.

"That is no way to treat a lady!" Hal lectured moving forward to help her up. Laz snorted.

"Could I care?" He asked dully.

"Now, now…" Mabs entered in a little sheepishly as he attempted to play peacemaker. Laz snorted in contempt and turned his back on them all and attempted to walk away, when he suddenly found it difficult to raise his left foot. Glancing down, he suddenly released a yelp upon discovering a Taru sitting on his foot, tiny arms wrapped around his shin in a death grip.

"You ain't going anywhere!" Bagel declared grinning. Sweatdropping, Laz pointed at the Taru while glancing at the others.

"Get him off my foot now or I swear to the goddess I will punt him." He warned viciously.

"What is it with this generation and violence? Goddess bless it…" A tired voice interrupted and Laz whipped around, sending Bagel flying off with a 'wheeee!' and was promptly caught by Hal who sweatdropped. Immediately Laz froze and stared.

"Father!" Gin cried happily and ran forward, stopping in front of Cahaurme and her adoptive mother, Lillith.

"Ginrie!" Lillith cried embracing her daughter fondly. Cahaurme smiled at his daughter and patted her shoulder, before glancing at Laz.

"… It's Krucyer, isn't it? Lazarus Krucyer? Lady Curilla has told me much of your deeds, and of the fine asset you are to the Temple Knights. They will suffer a grave loss when you retire." He said, his eyes twinkling merrily, speaking of hidden secrets in those darkened depths. Laz nodded numbly, his mind registering that one of the most famous ex-Temple Knights stood before him.

"That's if he ever leaves. Temple Knights are such stubborn guys…" Lilli muttered dimly.

"Oh it's possible. Temple Knights do oft retire from their positions, even before they come of age when they are supposed to retire."

"I'll pay you 200 gil if you can name one." Bagel offered chuckling. Laz smacked his forehead in exasperation and Gin sweatdropped.

"Alright. Myself." Cahaurme commented with a grin and Bagel stopped laughing, mid-chuckle.

"… pardon me?" Lilli asked blinking rapidly. Cahaurme laughed. Ignoring their open jawed stares, he turned to his daughter and embraced her properly.

"How are you? When I heard there was a pirate attack and some Adventurer Freelancers were caught up in the brawl, we were quite concerned." He declared glancing her over.

"Oh my goodness, you were caught up in it weren't you?" Lillith demanded, sweatdropping Gin tried to protest vainly when Cahaurme shook his head.

"You're injured Ginrie, lying does not become you. Let me see, no- no fussing, let me see." He said calmly brushing away her feeble attempts and examined her.

"… blade wounds on the inner right thigh and mid-section to the left… indents in the armor on the right arm, staff and club wounds if I'm not mistaken, those will cause severe bruising, a deep incision is located on your shield arm, the biggest wound if I'm not mistaken, it appears to have been made with… a scythe. Unusual, pirates and samurai never use scythes, too large for their fast paced fighting styles." He commented with a small glance at Lazarus who flushed under the accusation. As all eyes in the area centered on Laz, he felt a trickle of sweat run down the side of his face and cleared his throat nervously.

"Well, nevermind. Come, lets get you fixed up." He said taking her right arm and leading her off.

"Father, I am quite alright." Gin muttered exasperated. "You don't need to coddle me."

"Oh I insist on 'coddling' you." Cahaurme teased grinning at her and she released an annoyed sigh.

"Come along, you might as well." Lillith said flapping her skirts to relieve them of dust and grinned at Mabs, Laz, Lilli, Hal and Bagel. "From the looks of it you were all in the battle as well." She said smiling innocently at their bandages. "I would like to hear what happened." She said as she started after her daughter and husband.

"… that means food right?" Hal whispered to Bagel who nodded and ran after her.

"Boys, always thinking of the food." Lilli muttered shrugging.

"I also just had some mithkabobs made!" Lillith called back.

"Coming!" Lilli yelled and raced after her.

"Ey yi yi…" Mabs muttered shaking his head and chuckling. "Well then, we had best get going, right Lazarus?" He asked turning to the Temple Knight, only to discover he was already gone.

"Huh? Hey, what the-?" Mabs muttered confused as he turned back and found Laz was already walking forward. Stopping, he glanced back at Mabs and glared.

"… coming?" Mabs blinked, before shaking his head and jogging after the youth to catch up.

"So how goes the damage control?" Zig asked dully, gazing at the chaos that had ensued around them. Working were quickly scaling ropes and poles in an attempt to check the stability of the supports to the roof that had been shaken loose in the blasts. People were busily repairing craters created by falling debris and other such things. The time in which they did it all amazed even Byuu.

"Damn these guys are fast… I must admit, I don't think even Jeuno could be any quicker." He commented vaguely amused.

"Heh heh, I know Jeuno couldn't go any quicker." Chster commented putting his chest out in pride. Zig chuckled and went back to his list.

"Alright, tonight is the initiation, and tomorrow begins recruitment. When does it end?"

"Next Firesday." Byuu supplied for him easily and Zig nodded.

"Okay, so it ends Firesday, and then I'll send out the new plans, as well as opportunities for the extra jobs."

"Right." Chster added in blithely as he suddenly released a sneeze.

"Which reminds me, Balasiel said he needed a new helper…" Lai suddenly put in. Zig nodded.

"I'm aware, you told me last week. I've already found a replacement for his old assistant."

"Who will he be working with again?" Byuu asked dimly as he glanced around, still in mild awe.

"Baunise, Balasiel himself, and hordes of cocky Adventurers who just got put into Battalions, and if that weren't bad enough, the higher levels who find themselves in need of a challenge and who are even more arrogant."

"Ouch." Lai muttered grimly. "I sure don't envy him."

"True, where's Angel by the way? I know Kiary, Tammy and Amand all ran off to finish the Ceremony preparations, but she just upped and left…" Zig suddenly commented glancing around.

"Over there, healing that one man who got caught up in the battle." Lai commented vaguely pointing in the direction of the docks where surely enough, there kneeled a Mithra and a Taru next to a fallen Elvaan…

"Keep at it Deria… we almost have him." Angel murmured quietly as she added her own healing spell over Noxes. The Taru continued to ignore her as she chanted her own spells over the man, why was it taking so long to revive him? No poison should have ever lasted this long. As she used her inner fire to clean the last of the deadly wound, scorching away the poison and sting, she felt sweat trickle down her temples, this was costing her, dearly. Finally Angel smiled and stood, making swift motions with her hands, she raised them to the sky and whispered;

"Raise." Light flared from the palms of her hands and shot down at Noxes as Deria too, muttered the word Raise. A double flare and effect, light sparked the area and anyone within a 10 foot radius would have been momentarily blinded.

"What the hell!" Chster exclaimed as he threw up his arm to block the light, Zig yelped and slammed his eyes shut as they screamed pain from the sudden increase of color. When the color finally died down, it was Angel who made the first move, in offering a hand to the fallen Elvaan.

"Welcome back." Was all she said to the bewildered Elvaan who took the hand and stumbled to his feet, looking absolutely stunned. Deria gave a sigh and fell back and groaned. Zig, who was wiping his eyes shook his head.

"That's Angel for you…" He muttered going back to his papers, Byuu nodded agreement.

"Auuuggghh-! Goddamit Angel, next time you do something like that, warn us!" Chster bellowed angrily while he was wiping his tearing eyes and sneezing madly. Lai shook her head.

"Men."

"… and that is what happened." Mabs finished calmly as he cradled the cup Lillith had given him. The warm drink soothed his nerves as he finished relating the tale of what had transpired in the port. All of the Freelancers plus one Temple Knight sat at the table, possessing mugs of steaming liquid, with plates of pastries, chocolates and every goddess known food available. Lilli had wasted no time whatsoever and had promptly began to pile everything onto her plate before shoving it down her throat as quickly as possible. Hal was a little more reserved.

And by little, not a lot.

Bagel stuck with the juice, having lost his appetite watching Hal and Lilli eat, and Mabs had possessed no time for drink or food as he told the story. Laz simply stared at the surface of his drink, hands curled around the clay as he gazed boredly at it.

"I see…" Lillith murmured, troubled as she set yet another plate on the table. "So it happened again hm…?" She murmured, half to herself as she walked off, her expression concerned.

"Again?" Laz asked, glancing up. Lillith blinked at him and nodded.

"Yes, these incidents of … well, her summoning this 'light' has been happening ever since she was 10 years old. They happened with fewer occurrences in Jeuno, twice only, actually. Once when she and an alliance of members were ambushed by a tribe of Beastmen, and the other…" The Elvaan trailed off… looking a tad bit nostalgic, a faint trace of a smile on her lips.

"The other?" Bagel prompted, looking intrigued. Lillith smiled cheerfully at him.

"Oh when she and Bardock were out training and a demon, yes a demon, the authorities can't explain how he came to the Batallia Downs, ambushed them both. It caught Bardock by surprise from behind and struck him down, and with him badly injured and Ginrie only being a level 20 at the time… barely high enough to survive a run through- and I mean run through, not a battle of one on one- that area, why, death is nothing but an absolute certainty." Lillith said with a grimace, as she refilled Laz's cup, which he hadn't drunk at all. He sweatdropped at that. "But there it was, she called summoned the light and killed the demon with no much more than a flick of her hand! Or so Bardock tells me." She exclaimed calmly now refilling Lilli and Hal's cups.

"Excuse me, but who is Bardock?" Mabs asked politely, leaning forward.

"Oh, her boyfriend back at Jeuno!" She exclaimed cheerfully. "A very good match if I must say so, he too was an Adventurer once, before he left that behind and instead applied for a job at Jeuno security, now he's Captain of the Ducal guards!" She said proudly.

'Hmph, with a boyfriend like that, no wonder she shot down Nejeimhal so quickly.' Laz thought dully thinking back to the incident at the Rusty Anchor.

"Oh, and please don't mention me telling you all this to Ginrie, she gets so upset when I gossip." Lillith intervened quickly as she finished refilling Bagel's cup. Laz sweatdropped at that.

'Then why tell us?' He thought boredly, but his talk was quickly sealed up when someone reappeared at the top of the stairs.

"Mother, I've long gotten used to your habits, I just wish you wouldn't use me as your host story." Gin muttered annoyed as she straightened her collar and descended the stairs. Laz blinked as he gazed up, she wore nothing but the average clothes of citizens. The navy blue bodice and all. And for some unexplainable reason, a blush painted both Laz and Mabs's cheeks.

"Oh Ginrie… you know how I am." Lillith replied nervously, with a side glance and a nervous flush.

"All too well." She mumbled in reply and took a seat at the table.

"There we go, your armor is being taken care of by your moogle, he assures us that it will be finished in time for the Ceremony." Cahaurme declared as he too descended the stairs and headed for the door.

"Now if you will pardon me, I must see to some business before dinner, so don't wait up." He exclaimed and slammed the door shut behind him. Wincing, Lillith set another kettle to boil.

"I wish he wouldn't slam the door so…" She muttered absently.

"Well if worse comes to worse I can wear my RSE." Gin commented dully as she grabbed a grape and chewed on it thoughtfully. "Though I hate how much skin it reveals, I'd rather have my regular set." She muttered to no one but herself. Laz stared at her and she blinked back at him.

"What?" Clearing his throat, Laz finally stood and walked over to her, hands on hips he stared her over, not missing the fresh wrap of bandages on her thighs and arms.

"I have some questions for you." He declared silently, and she blinked at him, but nodded.

"Go ahead."

"Your father, why did he leave the Temple Knights?" Laz demanded calmly. For a moment Gin did nothing but stare at him, before she reached over, grabbed another grape and popped it into her mouth. She silently chewed it over, before swallowing and replying.

"Because the royal family, more precisely, Prince Trion and Prince Pieuje made an attempt on my life when I was 10." She declared, ignoring the pang of pain that usually came with her trying to dredge up old memories. Laz glared at her, trying to find some shred or hint of a lie, finding none, he sighed.

"You wish I had lied. Sorry, no." Gin commented as she finished another grape. Laz snarled at her.

"Next question, what did he do afterwards?"

"Joined the Adventurers Army, they were the only ones who saved me from dying really. They took him in, offered him a new position outside the Army in Jeuno, but he declined and took a position in a Battalion instead." She replied softly, before glancing up at him. Amber eyes peered up from thick eyelashes and she smirked.

"Why, thinking of quitting the knights? Or just curious as to what makes the world tick?" Laz stared at her, debating a lie, before he decided that since she had favored him in answering his questions, he would return the favor.

"I was wondering why a famous knight such as Sir Cahaurme would leave the order of the Temple Knights." Laz said calmly and walked back to his seat.

Well, half the truth anyway.

"Well now, with that all settled, what say you bunch stay here until you have to leave for the Ceremony?" Lillith immediately broke the silence as she bustled in with more trays.

"At this rate Mrs. Nadasvia, you're going to have to roll me out of here!" Hal joked as he patted his stomach with a satisfied grin. Lillith smiled and gave a polite giggle before going for the pitcher.

"Which reminds me, I never did collect your names." Gin commented mildly. Mabs smiled and stood promptly, raising a hand he saluted sharply in the style of Bastok.

"Madon Tsuwamono, level 30 warrior Freelancer. Mabs if you please." He said sitting again.

"Bagel Nygel, level 30 thief Freelancer." The Taru piped up as he began to take another zip of his straw.

"Willwianna Myphwis!" Lilli began when Mabs smacked her over the back of the head and sighed.

"Please do not attempt to speak with your mouth full." Mabs said blandly before smiling at Gin.

"Her name is Lillianna Myphellis, level 30 blackmage Freelancer. Lilli for the most part." He said cheerfully and Lilli signaled a thumbs up. Gin sweatdropped.

"Halloween Rutyver. Hal please if ya miss, level 30 monk Freelancer bum like the rest of them." He said rather cheerfully and his infectious humor was just that, so she smiled back. Laz said nothing, and she likewise to him, after all, they had been introduced earlier.

"Well then, in due courtesy, Ginryu Nadasvia, a level 30 Freelancer, please call me Gin." She replied solemnly with a polite nod of the head.

"Gin it is." Mabs declared with a grin.

"My god woman, where do you put all that?" Bagel exclaimed looking at Lilli with a mock horror. Lilli straightened for a moment and wiped her mouth on a napkin.

"Mind over matter little one, though I am starting to get a little full…"

"It takes… three stacks of mithkabobs, four sets of grape juice, a dozen pies, six fish mithkabobs, 14 plates worth of grapes and oranges, and over a dozen stacks of sushi… to have you starting to get full?" Lazarus commented dully with a raised eyebrow at the plates that had stacked around her. Lillith carted off one stack smiling.

"I like a girl with a healthy appetite!" She exclaimed cheerfully.

"Woe to the man who marries her, goddess pray that he's rich." Mabs muttered with a sense of foreboding to Laz who nodded dimly, and for a brief moment the two shared a chuckle of amusement, before they returned to their senses and turned away. It was at that moment, Gin stood, her chair scraping the wooden floorboards as it was pushed back, and with one hand on the table, she smiled at Lillith.

"I'll be right back, I just want to check something out." She said quietly and her mother blinked.

"What is it Ginrie?" She asked mildly as she set the dishes into the sink, Gin smiled a little secretively and her eyes held a dreamer's glaze as she glanced out the window which showed the streets of Sandoria.

"Just… something I've been wanting to see since I came here." She murmured softly, and Lillith gave a tiny 'oooohhhhh' of understanding and nodded.

"Just be back before sunset." Her mother reprimanded and smiled while Gin sighed.

"Mother… for goddess's sake, I'm not two anymore!" She groaned with an annoyed expression, Mabs, seeing ample opportunity, got to his feet so quickly he knocked his chair back.

"I'll come with you than! You're mother is probably just worried about you walking around the city with those wounds!" Gaping, Gin attempted to protest, when Laz broke in by standing as well.

"I'll accompany you, to keep an eye on you, understand. That and to give the citizens a peace of mind, they're rather edgy with so many foreigners about on their streets. It will do them some good to see Knights wandering the streets." He explained, his expression closed as his stony eyes locked onto Gin's, challenging her. She stared intently at him for a moment, before shrugging.

"As you wish."

"Well if you guys are going, I wanna come!" Lilli suddenly piped up as she wiped away the last bit of crumbs from her mouth.

"Me too!" Bagel piped cheerfully as he struggled down from his stack of books.

"Well then I'm certainly not staying behind." Hal declared standing. For a moment, Gin looked a little annoyed, before she sighed and turned for the door.

"Whatever."

'What in the name of all the hells caused me to come to Southern Sandoria?' Opeth thought annoyed as he passed the buildings with a sigh of despair.

'I should be in the Northern end, registering for the ceremony, gods know that area will be crowded enough, and there's bound to be one or two who will recognize me…' Running a hand raggedly through his hair, he continued a calm and defiant stride through the streets, before a prickling tickled the back of his neck. Tilting his head slightly to the left and upwards, he glanced at the rooftops, eyes widened as he saw the crown of a head quickly withdraw back into the obscuring shadows. He swore vividly in his mind and suddenly began a dash for the nearest cover, which turned out to be a small alcove between buildings, an alleyway.

'Someone on the rooftops? Watching me? Why?' He thought with feverish flares of panic diving between his mind, pricking his consciousness. 'Am I already suspected?' He wondered as he took random turns, the feeling had yet to leave him, and he had the oddest feeling he was being followed.

But his pursuer didn't quite feel human.

Whipping around another corner, his eyes widened as he suddenly realized he had come into a circular courtyard, created by the surrounding walls of the buildings that towered up to the skies and reached for paradise. The cracked stone beneath his feet was overgrown with vine-like apparitions that crawled the walls and scaled upwards. Benches, worn and long broken littered the outskirts of the circular realm, and for the oddest reason, Opeth, felt… safe here.

His pursuer had left him, at last, but why? Taking a few steps forward, he realized with a shudder that the bouncing wind off the walls created an echo, and a hollow feeling. He felt as if he were committing some sort of sacrilege by being here. It was only when he took a step, and his foot hit something, causing a wooden 'clunk' of a sound and he stopped to look down.

'What the…?' He thought with wonder as he stooped and curled his fingers around the hilt, before pulling it up, surprised by the weight of it.

A wooden practice sword, with multiple slots placed along the mockery of a blade, indicating lead deposits to turn the wooden weapon heavier.

A training weapon. And a familiar one at that.

"Who…?" A soft voice began as someone else entered the haven, several, someone elses. Opeth, with a start at not having sensed them, spun to look at the newcomers while his hands quickly hid behind his back, and with them, the practice weapon. Upon seeing the newcomers, his eyes widened.

Her.

'Oh goddess bless it…' Opeth thought in quick prayer as his steely eyes met confused amber gold.

"You-!" Laz whispered in shock as he recognized Opeth, he quickly stepped into the circular courtyard, hand on his blade.

"… I've… been here…." Lilli broke in with a silent murmur as she glanced around, walking forward into the center of the haven, glancing upwards, her eyes held a glassy look. Gin glanced at her in surprise.

"You have? I thought this was your first time in Sandoria…" She declared softly and Lilli shook her head in confusion.

"This is a hidden place, no one is suppose to know of it… I was certain I was the only one." Laz interrupted, his tone harsh and biting as he glared at them all. "The last visitor to this place was over a decade ago, and I was the only one to have been here." He stated perfectly clear.

"But… so have I…" Bagel whispered, terrified, as he glanced fearfully around, his eyes had lost all of the cheer they had held only a few moments ago.

"So then it's agreed. We all know this place." Mabs broke in, his voice suddenly stern, confident, and authoritative as he stepped forward, his shoulders tense. "Agreed?" He asked looking at Laz, who hesitated, before nodding stiffly. Mabs then turned to look at Opeth, and smiled.

"You belong here as well, I take it." He commented dully and the Hume started, before glancing away, running his thumb over the hilt of the practice weapon, before it dawned on him.

"If you were the last to visit, then this is yours." He declared pulling the wooden sword from behind himself, and tossing it to Laz who caught it with surprise, and stared at it, amazed.

"This… this is…" He began when his voice suddenly hitched and he paled as pain seared through his mind for attempting to recall a hazy memory of his past. Bringing a hand to his throbbing temple, he warded off Mabs's concerned gestures and returned his stare to the sword.

"… this is not mine." He declared softly. "And if we all belong here, by process of elimination, it can go only to two others." He stated softly, staring at Mabs and Gin, Gin however, was gazing at the ground, her eyes dull.

"Wait… Lazarus… stand, over there." Gin declared, suddenly pointing to a spot, near the center of the sanctuary. Laz opened his mouth to argue, about to demand what for, when he suddenly thought better of it, and snapping it shut, tromped over to the spot after leaning the blade against a wall, and stood there, arms crossed.

"You… pirate, Opeth correct?" She whispered, her eyes shifting from gold to silver and back. "Sit… on those crates over there." Again the demand of protest arose within the one she spoke to, and again it died, before he walked over and hauled himself onto the crates, and sat precariously on them. Without even waiting for her to speak, he suddenly held his hand in front of him, as if it were curled around the pages of a book and he stared at his hand, confused, and scared.

"I'm here." Lilli broke in, walking over to a bench next to Opeth and his crates, one that was still intact, and sat delicately on it. "Hal… you were…"

"Standing next to the bench, and next to the sitting me." Bagel squeaked in interruption. His face abnormally pale. Hal nodded, and swallowed noisily, before walking to his position, Bagel in tow, who sat on the bench doubtfully, his body tense, as if he were ready to bolt at a single moment.

"And I…" Mabs began, when he suddenly winced, as a sting of pain shot through his mind and he realized something. The reason the pain had begun, was because he was calling back those hazy memories, and like always, it was always the same, hollow, sweet pain that always occurred. Shaking his head, he took Gin's hand and led them to a wall of the courtyard and guided her to the floor, where she kneeled, head bowed, as if she were wounded. They were opposite of Laz. Mabs, hesitant, finally curled his fingers under Gin's face, and lifted her chin delicately, and their eyes met.

Pressure.

It weighed them all down and they froze as images replayed, ghostly figures arose from the ground, and if any of them could have moved, surely they would have fled in fear.

("Fast blade!" A voice yelled, and Laz's eyes widened as he saw his younger self swinging a practice wooden sword down on a weakened figure. The child he faced was clouded over, as if obscured in fog, and was sent flying back to the wall as a burst of white sparks of the weapon skill signaled two blades hitting.

"Wha-? AH!" Was a voice he heard cry. It was feminine. )

(Gin gaped as she realized a younger version of her own self raised a wooden practice sword to block off a blow, a weapon skill by the looks of it. As her younger self released the cry and went flying back, only stopping when hitting a wall, did she gape in amazement. For the girl had hit the base of the wall, and stopped, exactly where Gin kneeled now. )

("What the heck!" Hal yelped both in this vision, and in his present mind. What was he seeing? He saw himself, standing next to a bench, his expression amazed, and a bit concerned as he saw to obscured forms, lost in the mists of his lapsing memory attack each other, and it seemed one had just gained the upper hand as another was sent flying back to the wall. )

(She heard the laugh of a young boy's voice waft through the fog. She gaped openly upon realization that it had come from the one who had just apparently won the duel. Lilli couldn't even begin to fathom what was happening, fog enclosed her being, and seemed to clear only for herself, allowing a clear vision of her younger being, while the others were clouded. And as her younger self clapped her hands, Lilli would never forget what it said, again.

"That was so awesome Laz!" Laz. Short for Lazarus. The Temple Knight, dear goddess what was happening? But she knew one thing for certain, this was a memory, and it, was not only hers, but it was stolen. )

("I learned that yesterday while practicing! Awesome isn't it?" An innocent voice proclaimed, it came from the winning dueler Bagel noted as he watched the vision, less surprised then he felt he should have been. He was only watching a memory, one that had been missing, but just watching nonetheless right? Until he was in a life threatening situation, he would not panic.

"Yeah, way to go!" His younger self cheered, sitting in the exact same spot he himself occupied now.

'Why would I cheer on someone who just attempted to kill another?' He wondered, confused. )

("You people and your violence." His younger self muttered dully and Opeth felt the blood drain from his face. It was returning. His home, his memories… at least of his childhood. Oh goddess, he had tried to kill her! The very girl who had saved his life… suddenly his mind swam as he tried to recall when Gin had saved his life… memories, more puzzles… more secrets, what was happening to him? )

(Even now, Mabs's heart soared with rage as he saw the losing duelist get thrown back, in the past it had been from friendship and possibly something else, now it raged from his sudden hate at Lazarus, what was becoming of him? His feelings fused, mixed, and changed. He hated Laz, yet respected him, wanted to beat him in a duel, yet somehow cared for the man. The answer was annoyingly simple, yet so complex.

Best friended rivalry. As he watched his younger self stomp up to the winning dueler and land a punch in the Elvaan's blurred face, he heard the young boy's voice cry out;

"W-what did you do that for Mabs!" He snapped. His child self glared.

"You could have killed her you idiot!" He screamed in fury then ran over to the fallen form. )

And the fog lifted, each participant, each blurry figured cleared, and revealed themselves, before dissipating. And where every child had stood, had been placed, now their adult forms lingered there, faces ashen, bodies stiff, minds burning with pain.

There, Lazarus stood, and a barely noticeable red mark lingered on his cheek, as if he had just been struck there. Opeth, sitting on his crates, stared openly in shock and terror, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Lilli sat on her bench, gasping as she clenched her eyes shut, squeezing them tightly closed as she whimpered. Bagel had curled up, bringing his knees to his chest as he rocked back and forth. Hal could barely do little more than gibber. And Mabs… Mabs held Gin in the position they had started in, she stared at him in awed wonder, little of it fear, and suddenly, vehemently shoved him back, stumbling backwards, he attempted to regain his balance and gaped at her.

"W-w-what…" He finally managed out, breaking the silence.

"My head hurts…" Bagel whispered and Laz, testy and tense, was about to snap a reply when the pressure increased.

"Ah!" Lilli yelped as she fell from the bench, and crashed to the floor, her eyes slipping shut. A similar result followed with the others, until all that was left was Opeth, falling to the ground, his eyes struggling to close.

'No…' He thought in vain, as he finally lost, and fell back, unconscious.

And somewhere far away. Seven crystalline bottles, all covered in runic symbols… cracked.

Disclaimer: Ownage of plot and all unrecognizable characters, everyone else belongs to their sole creators.