YAY! I got chapter two up! I hope that it is fine... I made it a little short... Sorry that I did so;I need more time to write. School is attacking us! This week is finals week for the six weeks and I hate studying!

(Note: Since the chapters are short, I might be able to post sooner! YAY! )

OH! Thank you Bea for being the first to review! XD

Chapter Two: The Journey Begins

The next morning was calm and quiet, yet there was a feeling of excitement in the air. Only Elder Haku, the eight caravaners, and their families were awake. Kratos and Ayame were doing a check on the supplies that they would bring on the journey.

"Striped apples," said Kratos quickly.

"Check," replied Ayame.

"Meat."

"Check."

"Rainbow grapes."

"Check."

"Round corn."

"Check."

"Fish."

"Check."

"Cherry clusters."

"Star carrots."

"Check."

"Weapons."

"Check."

"Money."

"Umm… not check. Where's the money sack!" yelled Ayame frantically, running around in circles and waving both arms.

"Oh, sorry," said Kratos. " I have that. The leader has got to take responsibility for those kinds of things."

"Whatever," murmured Ayame and rolling her eyes.

As Kratos and Ayame were rummaging through the supplies, Elder Haku was studying Mia. The young girl was carrying a doll that seemed to have been made in the image of its owner. It wore a pink blouse and skirt, a shell necklace around its neck; short red-yellow hair came to its shoulders and its auburn eyes gazed into nothingness. Mia's own eyes, filled with sorrow and feelings of loss, were upon her mother.

"That looks like everything that we need. Oh, wait! How could I forget the crystal chalice!" said Kratos, hastily walking over to the ancient-looking chalice sitting on the alter in front of the giant crystal in the center of Alfitaria.

"How is that little antique going to protect us from the miasma?" Ayame asked.

"Do you see the tiny crystal shard on the tip of the chalice? Well, that little crystal will protect you from any miasma nearby, but be careful. The area where the chalice protects us is very limited to only about an eight feet radius," replied Elder Haku.

"Oh… cool!" said Ayame, still a look of doubt on her face.

"Well, looks like you're all set," said Elder Haku to Kratos with a smile on his face. "Good luck to you all, and may the light of the crystals shine upon you."

The caravaners said their final good-byes, and then boarded the caravan.

"Good-bye, Mommy," said a downhearted Mia.

"Good-bye, sweetie. I'm gonna miss you. I'll come back as soon as possible," said Laila and gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead.

Bane was the final one to board the caravan, bidding farewell to his father, Bruce, the city's master blacksmith.

"Okay. Is everyone here? Good. Let's go," said Kratos. "HYAH!" he yelled, signaling the horses.

The caravaners waved good-bye to the gradually shrinking figures of their friends and family.

"Man! I can't wait to kick some monster butt!" yelled Takashi.

"Oh, shut up, you idiot!" retorted Dark sternly. "This isn't just some game where you fight for fun. We fight for the sake of Alfitaria."

"Don't mind him," said Rouki. "I've known him for years, and I know that he can be a little rough, but you have to know that he doesn't like to make serious matters into games."

"So, Kratos," continued Takashi as if nothing had happened, "Where are we going first!"

"To the River Belle Path. It is in the Tipa Peninsula," replied Kratos, "It'll be a month before we get there, so Dark and I will have time to teach you guys. Besides, we have five months to get the myrrh." Dark was about to argue with Kratos about the way that he had worded some things, but held back.

During the trip to the Tipa Peninsula, the six new caravaners worked hard to become the best warriors they could be. Kratos taught them stealth and how to use their weapons, while Dark taught them magic and gave them wisdom.

The first few weeks of training could have been better. During one combat training session, Takashi's sword "slipped" from his hands and flew straight at Dark's head. Dark dodged it in time, but was not very forgiving. Takashi's burn marks may never go away...

As expected from a Yuke, Rouki became a master spell caster, learning how to cast fire, blizzard, thunder, cure, and gravity within a fortnight. Mizumi and Takashi became incredibly skilled at wielding swords. Bane already had experience with tools at his father's workshop, so he could already cut down a whole tree in one swipe of his ax. Though Laila was not as powerful, she was much quicker and could defend herself against almost any attack.

Finally, they reached the Tipa Peninsula. For a couple of minutes, they stared into the colossal, wooden gates of the River Belle Path. Then, the crystal caravaners entered with the crystal chalice, not sure of what they would encounter.