Chapter 22 - The Ancient Sealing

The night was no longer calming. Orin felt his legs weakening as he ran behind Jaha and Randolf toward Orin's campsite. He only hoped the creature, the werewolf, was still alive. He felt strange about it, though. He wanted the creature to live for his own reasons, to see if he had guessed correctly. Was the man he thought had come over to his side still the enemy?

Chester finally swooped down from the sky and landed in front of Jaha, Randolf, and Orin as they approached the campsite.

"Orin…" whispered Chester, his figure silhouetted against the dim light of the moon. "Be careful. That thing we fought earlier could still be about."

Orin nodded, not sure whether Chester had seen him nod in the dark, and the four of them turned and moved cautiously toward the area where they had found Orin.

"It was right here." said Jaha, as he stood from the ground.

Upon his hand was blood, hardly visible in the darkness against his blue glove. Orin turned toward the way he had come earlier, in the direction of his camp.

"This way." whispered Orin as he walked away from them.

They slowly followed after him toward the camp, their eyes turned in every direction for signs of a possible ambush. The group Orin had left still lye sleeping soundly, none of them having any knowledge of Orin leaving. That is, everyone except for Jo.

"Where is she…" mumbled Orin to himself.

As he said this, the sound of wings flapping against the breeze became apparent, and the four of them became nervous.

"What is…that." said Jaha, as he turned his eyes to the sky.

Naught but a swift shadow past overhead, and in an instant after, Jo appeared at Orin's side.

"WOAH!" yelled Orin, as he fell backward and looked up at Jo.

His eyes were wide until he realized who he was looking at.

"There you are! What are you doing flying around?" he said in a loud whisper.

"A devil…" said Randolf with gritted teeth as he readied his axe.

"No! No…" said Orin, as he leapt to his feet. "She's not the enemy."

Jaha and the group looked at the girl strangely. It became apparent to Orin that they had never encountered a hybrid of this kind before. Jo said nothing. She gave the three of them a simple, catlike frown that made them all feel somewhat warm on the inside.

"She's half-blooded. Partly devil and partly human." said Orin.

"And how did a human and a dev…" started Jaha, but he decided best not to finish his question.

Randolf spoke out amongst them, as he seemed to be the least dumbfounded by the sight of the girl.

"Well, now that you're here the both of ya should rest." said Randolf, as he turned back to Jaha and Chester. "The lot of us'll keep an eye out fer that wolf."

And with that, Randolf headed off with Jaha and Chester trailing behind him. Orin turned to Jo, but his eyes grew a bit wide at the sight of her. Her eyes shined against the light of the moon even though its raze were pale, and her limps seemed to glisten. At first glance she could have been mistaken for a beautiful young girl.

"Why did you follow us…?" asked Orin, sounding slightly flustered.

"What did you want me to do? Just let you walk off? It sounds like you were almost killed to begin with." she said angrily, her nose turned into the air. "I just wanted to see where you were going…"

Orin simply shook his head, and turned toward the open field where Jaha and the rest of the small group had headed off moments before. He hoped desperately that tonight would not be another night plagued with spirits. He knew it was a bad idea, but as Gerhalt had been, Bowie's old comrades were too stubborn to let their friend be simply stolen away without a fight, even if their own safety was at stake.

Jo had crept past Orin and stolen his cot while he stood looking toward the moon, and when he had gone over to his bed to go to sleep, he wasn't angry. There were too many other things on his mind for that to even bother him much. Jo was sprawled out full across the cot snoring, but Orin just walked a way with a calm sort of grin and sat near the fire that was now only a few dimly burning embers. He finally dozed off while lying on his back, watching the stars glow.

The morning came full blast and unannounced. The sun was just over the eastern mountains, it's warm raze beating down onto Orin and his troop. Orin's eyes opened weakly, and he caught a glimpse of a cloudless blue sky and the shadow of someone standing over him. When his sight focused in, her could see that it was Tess who stood over him, but she wasn't smiling.

"Orin." she whispered warmly, but with worry in her voice.

The sound of her speaking sent a strange chill into him. What was wrong with her?

"Wha…what's the matter?" said Orin as his eyes widened and he sat up. "What happened?"

Tess looked at him sadly, and then turned away toward where a group of people where standing. Orin got to his feet to see the full of his party, as well as Jaha, Randolf, and Chest huddled in around something, all of them looking to the ground.

"What is it?" yelled Orin as he jolted forward to see what was happening.

No one said anything. They all looked at him blankly, and Jaha stepped to the side to Let Orin through as he came rushing toward them. Orin's eyes grew wide at the sight of the man lying there.

On the ground, cloths tattered and body covered in blood, lay Sye. He wore naught but tattered remnants of his cloths and cloak, and from his mouth to his stomach, dry blood was plastered thick onto him, some of it still relatively damp, like un dry globs of paint.

"Sye!" Orin cried as he leaned down to the ground, but he was stopped by Randolf's powerful grip on his shoulder.

"No, Orin…" said Randolf, somewhat sadly. "He's the wolf, m'boy…"

Orin's eyes widened as he looked back at Randolf over his shoulder, and then back to Sye's motionless body. His side had been torn and slashed by various objects, and Orin realized Randolf was right. Chester and Jaha's weapons left Sye like this the night before, and Sye had manage to climb to his feet with what little strength he had and pull himself toward the camp.

"Who cares!" yelled Orin as he broke Randolf's grip, and fell to his knees. "He's still breathing! We can't just let him die here!"

"Keep 'im alive?" said Randolph, his head shaking. "So he can come back ta kill you?"

"To hell with you, then! A werewolf, maybe, but a man just the same! You can't just leave him for dead!" yelled Orin.

Randolf looked at Orin with wide eyes. Orin was nothing but serious, his eyes where not tearing, and his face wasn't red. He only voiced himself and what he thought was best, no matter what anyone else said, just like his father. Randolf bent down and lifted Sye from the ground. Orin stood with Randolf as Sye was carried to camp and lain onto one of the empty cots. Both Ikara and Tess both jumped to Sye's side, the both of them having become used to dressing wounds. Vahn healed Sye with all the power he could muster, which cleaned up most of the gashes in his side.

"Orin." said Randolf when he managed to get Orin alone. "I'm not goin' ta question you…because I never questioned yer father's choices. He was a good leader, and you remind me of 'im too much…"

Orin could do nothing but smile a bit.

"But, the only thing I'd like ta know…is what you know of where your headed?" asked Randolf.

"Nazca, I'm going to…" said Orin, but Randolf stopped him.

"I know that, I know. But where after that? Do you think yer just going to get to Parmecia and Bowie'll appear out of the air? You can't possibly find out where he's gone." said Randolf.

"What else can I do? I'm not going to sit propped on a throne in Granseal. He's got too much left ahead of him to just disappear and leave me at the head with my mother." said Orin. "He's Granseal's king…and the time when I take his place is long ahead of me."

Randolf really didn't have to say much. There's no way to argue with someone who had come this far from home and knew exactly what they intended to do. Randolf nodded, and sat down in the grass, motioning for Orin to sit with him. With a heavy sigh, Randolf spoke again.

"What do you know of Zeon, m'boy?" asked Randolf sternly.

"A little." said Orin simply. "Enough to know he was a plague unto the whole of the planet."

"There's a lot more to it than people might tell you, Orin." said Randolf. "Zeon was sealed away for the first time years and years gone. A fight that rose between Zeon, and the devil powers of Lucifer, a god who'd been morphed through overwhelming power to a devil, and Darksol, a mortal who gained unimaginable devil attributes and powers from a clever pact with a god. The battle for the planet between the powers shook the planet. Zeon eventually conquered Darksol and Lucifer. With his newfound evil power, he was drawn to Arc Valley. Something there attracted the power of evil like a magnet. He rested there for some time. Darksol, though defeated, fled to someplace unknown, and didn't resurface until times much later. Lucifer was said to have succumbed to battle wounds, but it was never truly proven."

Orin had become captivated by the story. He'd never heard things as interesting as this from Sir Gyan. Was it because he'd been keeping any information relative to the Shining Force from Orin's ears?

"Darksol appeared in the kingdom of Protectora sometime later." continued Randolf. "He tried to regain his power, and used the countries king to run amok while he did so. After learning of an acient creature named Dark Dragon, who was sealed deep within an ancient castle nearby, he thought it the perfect chance to conquer at least part of the planet, and have little to oppose him while he regained his strength. But, much to his surprise, a troop of warriors broke through his defenses and killed his minions. They were named the Shining Force by the villagers and farmers that had watched them fight off the Runefaust knights so valiantly. They seen reached Darksol, and tried there best to stop him from reviving the ancient Dark Dragon. It was to no avail, though. Dark Dragon was revived with Darksol's remaining strength. Even then, the Force fought on and killed Dark Dragon, sending the planet back into peaceful times. Darksol's body was also drawn to Arc Valley because of his own evil powers."

Orin leaned forward and listened intently. A group called the Shining Force…before his father?

"The Gods sealed Zeon's idle body into Arc Valley, just below Granseal." said Randolf. "They encased 'is powers into the Jewel of Evil, and encased a portion of their own powers into the Jewel of Light. Both jewels where 'idden in a shrine outside of Granseal to protect the blade that 'ad slain both Darksol and Dark Dragon ages before, and to keep Zeon 'idden away deep within the planet. Years after Darksol was defeated, his remaining minions rose up to try and revive him. Mishaela, his closest underling reached Arc Valley, and was successful in brining Darksol back to life and with amazing powers. But Zeon would not have it. Alongside a new group, let by the first Shining Force leaders nephew, Max, who led the original Shining Force, resurfaced to fight back against Darksol. Zeon also sent his underling, Oddeye, to try and lock Darksol's new powers away. But, known little to the Force, Darksol's offspring, Mephisto, is taken from the area by Oddeye to train him as one of Zeon's underlings. Darksol's son appeared in Thornwood to try and overtake the kingdom. He also failed and was defeated by a small group of knights in the area. Max, who I mentioned before, is related to you, boy."

Orin's eyes widened.

"If you trace back you family line, your grandfather was called Ian, the same that defeated Darksol the second time. And he, m'boy, was the nephew of Max. Ian's son, your father, was unknowingly called into action when Zeon was revived. The Jewels that had sealed Zeon in the first place where removed, and your father was forced to lead a group to reseal him again. Eventually, Bowie did just that. It's been 25 years since, and the Jewels of Light and Evil have since been destroyed to ensure there was no way of reviving Zeon."

Randolf ended his story with a sigh, and he looked at Orin calmly.

"I don't know why devil's 'ave begun to rise from the shadows again, Orin. All their leaders are dead. Zeon was sealed, Darksol was slain, Dark Dragon was defeated…the only one who could be commanding the devil's is a sorcerer…or Lucifer." said Randolf with a stern look.

The thought of another devil king still roaming the planet was unnerving, but it made sense. Zeon was gone and so was Darksol, leaving the planet open to free reign by any devil powerful enough to take it. Lucifer, if he had lived, must have tripled his power over the time of 1500 years or so. He could wipe out Volcanon and Mitula without a second thought, and then there would be no one stopping him.

"I'm glad you told me that…" said Orin, his eyes to the ground. "There could be so many things causing these events and the kidnappings."

Randolf nodded.

"And whoever is controlling these devils…" continued Orin. "Will do all they can to stand between my father and I."

Randolf, though he knew Orin would choose what he thought was right without hesitation, expected he'd understand the imminent risks and back down.

"But that doesn't change anything besides what I know of my enemy." said Orin. "Whoever it is…they're just another obstacle."

Randolf's eyes softened, and he laughed a little.

"That'a boy." laughed Randolf. "Comon. Yer friend over there should be farin' better soon."

The both of them stood and walked toward Sye, who was now breathing heavily. His side had been bandaged and there was a cloth draped across his forehead. Much of the group looked at Orin strangely, and he suddenly remembered what he'd forgotten because of the commotion.

"Listen up." called Orin, as everyone drew their attention to him. "These three are old friends of my father's. They insisted on coming with us even with what they were putting at risk. I…don't like it, but they choose to look for my father whether or not I allow them to come with us, so I guess it's best if we travel together…"

"Who are they, exactly?" asked Keith, who was standing behind Orin.

"They're of the Sentinel Division of Nazca. Randolf, Jaha, and Chester…" explained Orin.

Vahn and Duran's eyes widened in a strange sort of excitement.

"THE Jaha?" said Duran. "That guy learned to wield a blade even though he's a dwarf! I couldn't ever do that!"

"I remember the three of you!" said Vahn. "My father told me about you all so many times. He even knew all your battle techniques by heart."

Both Randolf and Jaha grinned while Chester burst out laughing. They were used to less attention since they'd strayed from being known as members of the Shining Force as the years had passed.

"I think there's a bit a may have to fill you all in on about now." said Orin. "There's some info I've only just learned that is vital to our objectives and might answer some questions."

Orin sat on the ground and proceeded to tell the story Randolf had told him only minutes before. Randolf filled in any blanks Orin had along the way, and the entire of the party began to understand what was ultimately going on.

"I think they called it 'Ancient Sealing' when it was put into books years and years ago." said Jaha. "I read up on it in class when I was a kid. That's only one of the few things I remember from back then."

Orin was about to speak, when a sound caught his attention. Jo had already stood from the ground a peered out across the field since her ears where much more sensitive.

"What was that…" said Orin, as he stood quickly from the ground and drew his blade.

The sound was like that of eerie whispers and calling voices that spread across the field, and Orin felt a sudden shift in gravity. His blade was instantly heavy and he could feel himself being pulled to the ground. Within and instant it was dark, but the sky had been blue moments before. There was nothing in the sky except what appeared to be the sun, only eclipsed by a certain unknown object miles away from them.

"What the hell's going on!" said Jaha as he blade was pulled to the ground.

Chester tried to flap his wings, but it was no use. It was as if they where being sucked to the ground by a magnet. What appeared next was just another addition to horror and surprise. A robed man stood on the fields, totally unaffected by the invisible force that was pulling all of them to the ground.

Keith pulled back an arrow in an attempt to hit the man, expecting he was the cause of the sudden pull on them. The arrow simply flew directly from Keith's bow into the ground. Even the field was as flat as and smooth as steel as the grass was pulled on top of itself and held in place, perfectly packed together.

The robed figure walked toward them and stopped a mere 10 yards from them. Another instant drew a dark figure to the first man's side.

"Enjoying the subtle pull?" growled the first man.

The figures voice was cold and eerie, like the moan of a dead man. The dark figure at his side seemed to be simply a shadow of a man.

"Who…the…" started Jaha, as he felt his legs giving way.

Tess and Vahn had already hit the ground and where lying in the grass in pain. The rest of the group tried there best to remain standing.

"Me? Who am I, you mean to ask?" said the first man, his face completely invisible from under his pitch black robes. "I'm a…messenger, let us say. This would be my comrade, Lord Kayd."

Orin felt the pull increase.

"I don't want to bother you all. I simply came for what I was told to return to my king with." said the first man. "These three."

The man pointed a gloved finger at Jaha, Randolf, and Chester.

"Lord Kayd is a new recruit, but his magical attributes have proved him a good apprentice. I'll let him do the honors." said the man. "Kayd! Show them what I've taught you!"

The shadow raise it's arms, which flowed like toxic gas toward the sky, and the shadows parted from the arm like figures on it's shadowy body as if the figure was on fire. The shadows arms broke away pieces of themselves and regenerated, leaving small, black shadowy circles in the sky.

"Good, Kayd." said the man. "Spirits!"

The first man roared, and turned away from the group with his arms in the air toward the four levitating circles above him. The four of them grew larger and pulsed, and then moved down slowly and ominously as the man let his arms fall to his sides.

"There, now just hold still for a moment." said the man. "These men, the ones of the Shining Force, are coming back with me."

Orin's eyes widened. This was the man creating the spirits? Who was he doing it for? Orin could do nothing but watch as the spirits clashed with each of their bodies, and their eyes went white, and their teeth extended to fangs. The last thing Orin saw was the white eyed face of Jaha as his energy faded out and his legs gave due to the weight that was pulling him down onto the ground. When the entire group had given out due to exhaustion, and the figure called Kayd and it's master had fled with three more of the Shining Force heroes, the sky turned back to blue, and the sun was no longer darkened by an uncalled eclipse.