A New Quest
Raine brushed her white hair out of the way of her sapphire eyes, and pulled the strings on her sack until it was closed. She had packed enough rations for a few weeks. Enough to get us to The Sylvarant Base… or what's left of it, she thought. She had also made sure to pack Life Bottles, Miracle Gels, Lemon Gels, and the few Elixirs she had in her back closet. Raine put the sack on her back and picked up her staff, the Crystal Rod. She almost smiled as she remembered what the Rod had taken her through.
"Well, it looks like you'll see a little bit more action after all," she said softly, and tied another rod to her sack. It had taken a long time to master this one, and Raine still feared to use it. With the Heart of Chaos softly bumping against her leg, and the Crystal Rod supporting her, Raine, the Wise Woman, walked out into the sunshine. The others were waiting for her, and those that were not going with them to Tethe'alla were there to send them off.
The nine of them walked to the gate of Iselia, and Raine was shocked to find a whole group of Iselians there to wish them luck.
"May Martel guide you," Kratos blessed the four.
"And you," Raine answered, knowing that Lloyd's quest was far more dangerous.
For a long time, the four walked in silence. Raine led the way, heading south to reach Izoold. "We have a long journey ahead of us," she told them. "By tomorrow afternoon we should reach Triet… Martel above I never thought I would have to return to that searing desert… we should rest at the Oasis and then continue to the Ossa trail. It's about a two-day hike from Ossa to Izoold. The sail from Izoold to Palmacoasta should take a few days, four tops I believe. Then it's at least a two week trek to the Tower of Salvation."
"Remind me why we aren't flying again?" Zelos complained.
"Because," Sheena explained, "Do you want to be flying when Derris-Kharlan and the horror it holds fall from the sky?"
"Although Sheena is right, there must be a shorter way," Regal said, covering his eyes from the sun, which was now high in the sky.
"Well, it's a bit more dangerous, but it's shorter," Raine said. By tomorrow we'll have reached the Iselia-Triet House of Salvation… from there we can turn east and head through the mountains to the shore. There's just a small strait separating us from the rest of Sylvarant… but bandits and wild animals roam through the mountains, and there's no trail to follow through."
"It can't be tougher than what we've faced before," Sheena said. "What're a few bandits compared to Abyssion or Mithos?"
"Well, I suppose," Raine replied.
"We should risk it," Regal said. "I think getting to Tethe'alla as fast as we can is worth it."
"I agree," Zelos concurred.
Raine nodded and looked up at the sky. "Oh no…" she pointed up. Regal, Zelos and Sheena jerked their heads up.
"What is it?" Sheena trailed off.
"It's…" Zelos began.
"It can't be…" Sheena whispered.
"But it is," Regal affirmed.
"It's Derris-Kharlan," Raine affirmed. "But look, it's going far north of the Tower of Salvation… nonetheless, we don't want to risk being at the Tower when the Lich arrives…"
"Scratch the shortcut and fly!" Zelos cried.
Raine nodded.
"Guys, look!" Genis called.
Lloyd ran towards Genis, who was pointing at the sky. They had been training, and Lloyd was drenched in sweat. Kratos walked over, sheathing his sword as he did. He too was sweating. Colette was the last to arrive.
"What is it?" Lloyd squinted.
"I dunno…" Colette answered.
"Kratos, is it really?" Genis turned to Lloyd's father.
"Aye, which means we must make great haste."
"What the hell is it!" Lloyd cried.
"I think it's a shooting star," Colette exclaimed.
"No stupid girl. It's Derris-Kharlan!" Kratos roared.
"But that means that the Lich is here, doesn't it?" Lloyd asked.
"Yes, but it looks like it's going to land closer to the Tower of Mana, we still have time, but not much. Is everyone packed?" Kratos demanded.
They all nodded. "Good, now go bathe and meet at the Iselia gate when you're done. Genis, go prepare the Rheairds," Kratos ordered. "Raine and the others did make sure to take their Rheairds, right?"
"Yeah," Genis answered. "They said they would, just in case."
"Good."
Derris-Kharlan sped to the ground, and the Lich looked over, icy mist falling from his mouth. He was not completely pleased; somehow the floating planet had been knocked off course and was heading towards the Tower of Mana, but it mattered not. He would make his way to the base of the Sylvarant Tower of Salvation and plant the Dark Seed, and the Great Tree that grew there would wither and die, just like the twin worlds soon would. Hethzera would have his revenge, and the prophecy would be fulfilled.
Finally, Derris-Kharlan slammed into the ground. The heat did not bother the Lich, nor did the smoke and flames. He was not far from the Tower of Mana, and he floated to the edge of the floating world. Hethzera spoke the Ancient Words and touched a red circle on the wall. Immediately, a fire within it jumped to life and blaze, and the Lich passed his hand through the orb into the fire. He felt around for it, and took hold of it with his bony hands: the Dark Seed. "Excellent…" With the Dark Seed hidden amongst the rotting flesh that fell from his face, Hethzera floated off Derris-Kharlan and onto Sylvarant.
"This worlds is just as I remember it," he hissed to himself. "But soon, no one will remember it." He laughed, and the icy mist poured from his mouth, freezing the ground around him. "Rise, minions of Sylvarant!" he hissed, his voice piercing the heavens. The ground began to convulse violently, but Hethzera did not move. He smiled. Before him, bony hands erupted from the ground. Dirt and rotted flesh fell from them, and skeletal creatures rose from the depths of the earth. Their eyes were similar to Hethzera's. They held swords and shields, and walked towards the Lich.
One of them stepped forward from the undead army, and thrust his sword into the ground. He bowed and hissed, "O Mighty One, you have come just as you promised."
The Lich put his hand on the cadaver's skull. "Yes, my child, I have returned, and behold… Derris-Kharlan and the Great Seed!" he cried. The thousands of undead that stood before him bowed as they implanted their blades in the ground. "These worlds shall tremble before the awesome wrath of our army, and just as was prophesized, they will be crippled and die!"
The undead rose and cheered. "General," Hethzera hissed to the one who had stepped forward. "I have a quest for you and your army. I ask that you go to Meltokio in Tethe'alla… and burn the cursed Royal Library to the ground!" he roared. "Kill anyone who opposes you."
The undead general smiled maniacally. "So you have wished it, so shall it be, O Mighty One. But, Lord Lich, where shall you go?"
"I must journey to the Great Tree to plant my seed, but I suspect that I will meet resistance. It matters not, thought, for I will crush all who stand in my way with the gaze of my eyes. At last, the Undead will rise and rule the universe!"