A/N: Still deployed, so I'm not sure when the next chapter will come. That being said, I'm pretty excited to write this arc and will brainstorm and write when I can.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. The Trails series belong to Nihon Falcom while Darkest Dungeon belongs to Red Hood studios. The fic contains graphic violence, disturbing imagery, and canon spoilers. Reader discretion is advised.

Seamstress Shop, Hamlet

Estelle leaned forward and turned her head as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Although last week's victory over the Necromancer Lord was a great achievement, the battle had left scars on her both in body and mind. Since that battle, she kept seeing flashes of writhing maggots, rotting corpses, and chittering skeletons in her dreams. On one occasion, she even bolted upright, screaming and breaking out in a cold sweat, but could not recall what had sent her into that state. Still, she was slowly learning to control her dreams so that she could swat away those disturbing creatures with her staff whenever they appeared. For the time being, her focus was more on the physical side of things.

Because of the delay in healing after Estelle's face got slashed by the spider golem's venomous claws, her left cheek was now adorned with three parallel scars that stretched from her ear to the corner of her mouth. Although the outer ones were quite faint and barely noticeable from a distance, the one in the middle (where the claws sliced deepest) stuck out on her otherwise pristine face. Joshua wouldn't think any less of me when he sees these scars, but I'm worried how much he'll blame himself…

"You're not going to look at that scar forever, are you?" Audrey's somewhat impatient voice snapped Estelle back to reality. "You do realize what the seamstress' mirror is for, right?"

"Come now, Audrey. The scars coupled with her new outfit makes Estelle look quite dashing," Margaret scoffed before turning towards the seamstress. "Wouldn't you agree, madam seamstress?"

"Absolutely. The new outfit turned out far better than I expected," the seamstress replied. "Estelle, why don't you try moving around in it and let me know your thoughts? Whenever you're ready, of course."

Estelle nodded and set her staff down next to the mirror before starting a set of stretches. The new orange tunic and gray pants the Seamstress had designed for her was quite comfortable and easy to move around in, the stitches undisturbed by even the most violent of movements. Aside from the leather bracers, there wasn't much in the way of extra protection. Not that she needed them considering her preference for moving fast and hitting hard. She had already given it her personal touch by moving her green pauldron and belt from her other outfit to this one, giving it slightly more resemblance to her usual getup.

Next came a few punches. The seamstress had supplied Estelle with a pair of leather gloves to complement her new bracers, but she quickly got used to the added weight on her arms. Extra padding made from hardened leather had been sewn into the knuckle area as well as the heels of the hands to both provide protection for Estelle and to inflict extra pain on an enemy should she be forced into hand-to-hand combat. She picked up her staff again and found that the gloves didn't interfere with her grip or swing in any way.

She gave her staff a few swings before running and jumping in place. The legs of her new pants were tucked into a pair of leather boots that ended just below her knees. The extra weight was a worthwhile price to pay for added protection in Estelle's books. They were also a bit stuffier compared to the Strega-brand sneakers she loved to wear, but it wasn't anything she couldn't get used to. Ugh. I knew I should have bought those new Strega Mountaineers. Stupid me wanting to wait for a sale.

"All right, it looks good and I can move around in them without any problems." Estelle turned towards the seamstress and grinned happily. "Thanks for all your help! I can't wait to test them out in a fight."

Estelle then handed over a pouch of gold coins to the seamstress, who took a few coins out and handed them back to the Bracer. "I've heard about all the good work you've done since you've arrived. A discount is the least I could do for a hero like you."

"Wait, are you sure…?" Estelle's objections quickly died in her throat when she saw the look on the older woman's face, as if turning down the discount was a sin against the Goddess Herself. "All right, thanks. I'll make good use of these clothes."

The three female adventurers bid the seamstress farewell before heading out into the streets.

"I'm not sure if you two have heard, but the Tavern opened a sister location along the docks. They call it the House of the Yellow Hand," Audrey said. "I heard the liquor they serve there is far more potent than anything the Tavern itself has to offer. Would you two like to join me for a drink there?"

"Thank you for the offer, but I visited the place upon their grand opening two evenings ago," Margaret said. "The ambience there is a tad too uncouth for my liking. Besides, I'd like to practice my shot today, and partaking in the tiniest amount of alcohol ruins my aim."

"I've had a week to drink and relax, but thanks anyway. I gotta go see Mr. Heir about putting me on another run before I get stir-crazy," Estelle said. That, and I really want to find Joshua.

"Suit yourself. Well, you two know where to find the place — or me — if you happen to be interested in the future." Audrey tipped her hat at the two. "I suppose this is where we part ways. Farewell for now, ladies."

Estelle said goodbye to others before taking a detour back to the barracks to deposit her other outfit in her trunk. After taking care of that bit of business, she strode towards Mr. Heir's house, ready for action once more. She was greeted by the sight of Alfred at the door.

"Excellent timing, Miss Estelle," the elderly caretaker greeted her. "His Lordship instructed me to summon you for an expedition, but I see that will not be necessary."

"Yeah, I'm just itching to get back into action," Estelle said as she strode inside, seeing Barristan was there as well. The two of them exchanged nods before Estelle sat next to him.

"I shall bring you to His Lordship shortly. We just need to wait for the other two members of the expedition first," Alfred said. "Please do make yourselves comfortable while you wait."

Having said his piece, Alfred disappeared behind a door, leaving Estelle alone with Barristan. The two of them sat in silence for a few moments before the elderly Man-at-Arms leaned towards her.

"The bone horde used to be honorable warriors, ripped out of their rightful rest by those foul necromancers. I must thank you for giving them a warrior's death once more, and for ensuring their skills could never be misused again," Barristan said. "The Hamlet is fortunate to have a warrior of your caliber among her ranks."

Estelle nodded. "Thanks, Barristan. Much appreciated."

"I hope you don't mind my prying, but what manner of battles have you fought before your arrival?" he asked. "Even on that day we had first met, I could tell you were no raw recruit."

"Boy, where do I even start?" Estelle smiled sheepishly as she wondered what exactly she should tell him. It made the most sense to start from the beginning of her Bracer career, when she and Joshua had helped foil Colonel Richard's coup. Still, there would be plenty of terms that would just fly over Barristan's head. She fidgeted in her seat, racking her brain for a good starting point.

"I hope I have not offended you, if there are things that are too painful to share," Barristan said after a few moments of silence from Estelle. He cast his gaze downwards and sighed. "I know the burden of battle far too well…"

"No, it's not anything like that. You haven't said anything wrong!" Estelle said. "It's just…you know I'm not from around here. There's a lot of words and places you've never heard of before, and I was just trying to figure out how to explain it all…"

The front door suddenly swung open and in walked two people. Estelle had seen one of them around the Hamlet a few times but never had a chance to talk to him. The man, shirtless and wearing a thick, coiled chain as if it was a belt, was fairly unremarkable save for the letter "A" that was seemingly branded into the side of his head. There was something that was just off about him, but Estelle couldn't tell what it was. As for the other man, Estelle recognized him as Sarmenti the Jester. Aside from his usual lute, he also carried a large spear, a dagger, and a sickle.

"Sarmenti? What are you doing here?" Estelle asked, wondering why exactly a musician was coming along to an expedition.

"Why? To partake in the unpredictable spectacle that is battle, of course. I am quite skilled in using music to secure an advantage in battle," Sarmenti said, giving a mocking bow. "In addition to my skills with the lute…well, let's just say the weapons I carry with me are no mere props, my fair maiden."

"I'm just going to let that last bit slide." One of Estelle's eyes twitched, the Jester reminding her a little bit too much of Olivier.

"Bigby. I see our esteemed commander has decided to deploy the Abomination," Barristan whispered to Estelle. "Then again, we need all the advantages we can get for the upcoming battle."

"'Abomination'? Him? Isn't that kind of insulting?" Estelle said, raising her voice a little. "What are we getting ourselves into?"

"You will have your answer soon, Miss Estelle," Alfred said as he suddenly strode into the room, and Estelle had an inkling he had been listening in the entire time. "Everyone, please follow me. His Lordship will see you now."

"This is the Farmstead. Although its occupants were loyal to my predecessor, they have continually refused to pledge fealty to me since my arrival more than a year ago," the Heir explained, pointing at a location on the map that was remarkably close to the Hamlet. "Unlike the Brigands, however, they chose to isolate themselves instead of resorting to outright violence against us. Two months ago, a strange comet of sorts crashed onto the Farmstead, and things…changed, for the lack of a better term."

The Heir then deposited a bag full of glowing crystals onto the table, spoils of the first and only successful expedition into the Farmstead. He still remembered how disturbed that adventuring party had looked, all of them ranting and raving as they received their pay and rushed towards the Tavern.

"The first expedition to the Farmstead since the impact yielded these peculiar minerals, which are being studied as we speak. The scouts reported a shifting landscape and attacks by the husks of the Farmstead's former inhabitants," the Heir continued. "The second expedition was not so fortunate, as they disappeared without a trace – most likely killed. My mistake for sending amateurs into terra incognita."

The Heir then paused for dramatic effect, placing his hands on the table and leaning towards Barristan and his men. He glanced at each of them: Barristan the seasoned soldier, Estelle the miracle bringer, Sarmenti the prodigy bard, and finally Bigby the inhuman powerhouse. I can but pray I selected the right people for this expedition.

"I shall not be so careless this time. All of you are experienced veterans and possess unique skillsets that I feel will complement each other quite well, thus ensuring victory and a more fruitful haul," the Heir finally continued. "Your objective is simple: reach the center of the Farmstead and appraise the precise nature of the situation there. Also be on the lookout for more of these crystals and gather as many as you can carry. They are being studied as we speak and will potentially yield more powerful arms and armor should enough be gathered."

"What kind of enemies are we expecting?" Barristan asked. "And terrain?"

"The scouts from the first expedition reported being beset by seemingly endless mobs of the Farmstead's former inhabitants, and I quote 'flesh melded with soil and stone'. Expect heavy resistance and dangerous foes," the Heir replied, trying his best to hide his uncertainty. "As for terrain, it may appear to be nothing but flat farmland and lightly wooded areas, but the first expedition reported that traversing the land can be random and hazardous. Be prepared for a path to take you to a completely different direction than where it seems to lead."

"Unknown territory, huh? I can't say I like these odds," Barristan grunted before glancing at Estelle and the others. "If the terrain is shifting and path uncertain, how was the first expedition able to return?"

The Heir had always appreciated Barristan asking these questions whenever the Man-at-Arms was part of an expedition. It meant that Barristan was already formulating stratagems to help keep his comrades alive and to inflict as much damage on the enemy as possible. Yet this time, the Heir sighed in frustration. He couldn't blame Barristan for asking, but it was just something he didn't know.

"The scouts reported being evicted from the Farmstead once they had killed a certain number of enemies. Perhaps the same will happen to you, or there may be another way for you to return," the Heir said. "I want to be able to answer you with great certainty, but I simply do not know. This is why I am dispatching expeditions to the Farmstead, so we can attain this knowledge."

"Very well, sire. We shall not shy away from this battle, no matter how difficult it may be," Barristan said curtly and turned towards the door, a familiar cue to the Heir. "I would like to hold a war council with the others at the Tavern and determine our course of action before obtaining provisions."

"Very well," the Heir nodded, and the adventurers save for Estelle began to file out. Moments later, only she remained. "Alfred, you may leave too."

"I know what you wish to speak to me about," the Heir said to Estelle. "You would like to know if there has been more information regarding your lover, correct?"

"Guess you're getting used to me asking this," Estelle said flatly. Despite the silence that followed, the Heir could see the look in her eyes. It was a gaze he had seen too many times among adventurers and villagers desperately wanting answers on friends and loved ones. Sometimes an expedition would return with them badly injured but still alive, sometimes they would have nothing but corpses, while other times there was just no answer. I have nothing to lose by being honest. This land is no place for false hope.

"I'm sorry, but they had reported nothing of the sort," the Heir replied, the plight of Estelle's lover clearly falling under the last group. He stayed his tongue, wanting to see if she would lash out with impatience, frustration, or even grief.

"It's okay. I'm actually glad you picked me for this run, especially after what you told Barristan," Estelle said, the answer catching the Heir by surprise. "During my last run, I realized that Joshua could have easily escaped from all the places I went to. If I haven't run into him yet, that means he's in a place that's hard to leave and I also haven't been to yet. Tell me, are there any other places besides this Farmstead I haven't been to?"

"There is one other place: an ancient Courtyard sealed for decades," the Heir replied. "However, for reasons that escape me, Alfred has been adamant that I do not explore that place until the other regions have been sufficiently pacified."

"That settles it then. Joshua is in one of those places! The sooner I scout out the Farmstead, the sooner I can narrow things down!" Estelle grinned as she turned to leave. "Thanks, Mr. Heir! I gotta go catch up with the others! We'll talk more when I get back!"

The Heir watched in stunned in silence as Estelle shut the door behind her, the Bracer's energetic voice slowly fading in the distance as she caught up to her three companions. Never before had he seen anybody with such enthusiasm, let alone maintain it after witnessing so many horrific events.

"I see this 'Bracer' has not lost her radiance in the slightest. She has proven to be quite the asset during her stay." The Heir flinched as Ambrosius suddenly appeared beside him. "I do hope you are not becoming overly attached to her, nor devoting too many resources into her little distraction."

"Are you talking about her lover? Ponder this: if a warrior of her caliber speaks so highly of this 'Joshua', what does that imply about his ability?" the Heir replied impatiently. "Furthermore, how potent would those two be if they take to the field together?"

"Excellent, I see your priorities are indeed in order." Ambrosius replied. "Do not become too attached to any of your soldiers during this war. Not even the most useful ones."

"You are not only here to discuss the Bracer, are you?" the Heir asked. "I take it you have some insight on the Farmstead too?"

"Ah, yes. That pathetic farm and the ragged Miller who owned it. Blight had struck the harvest again that year, and the Miller was desperate. He came to me, hat clutched tightly in filthy fingers, stinking of sweat and manure. Seated comfortably in my observatory, surrounded by telescopes and other delicate apparatus, I recognized his misfortune as an opportunity, and I agreed to lend him my... expertise." Ambrosius's expression changed, as if he was remembering that travesty with great fondness. "Slabs etched with certain celestial designs were erected around the perimeter of the Farmstead. The Miller, lamentably eager for some early sign of improvement, fixed his watery eyes intently upon the wilted fields and listless mill. My gaze, however, was cast skyward and I marveled at the limitless profanity of the stars, wondering what harvest might come. It appears that, decades later, my search has finally yielded its blasphemous fruit."

For the first time the Heir had first seen his spectre, Ambrosius's mouth contorted into a twisted grin, accentuated by his thick beard.

"The poor Miller — thrice a victim. The seasons took his livelihood, I took his land, and now, uncountable years later, the comet has taken his humanity. My only regret is that I did not live to see that shoddy mill smashed to pieces by miraculous bounty I reaped from beyond the void," Ambrosius said, his normally neutral tone replaced by a malicious mocking. "This foe you face has claimed the Farmstead as its own and holds dominion over time and space. Let us see if our Zemurian 'friend's' exuberance and her faith in that Goddess of hers will endure the hateful assault from the stars."

The Heir raised an eyebrow, curious about how his forefather spoke of Estelle's religion with such contempt. "I did not know you treat heathens with such disdain. I was under the assumption you care little for the dogmas of the church."

"The spirituality of a dead man is nothing to concern yourself with," Ambrosius said, before returning to his usual mild tone. "Your focus should be on your ongoing task, nothing else. Farewell, and until we meet again."

The Heir sighed as Ambrosius' phantom disappeared. It seemed as if every horror currently faced by the Hamlet was his fault. The Heir seethed at Ambrosius' cowardly act of suicide, burdening himself with the sins of his fathers. If he were still alive, the Heir was sure he would have had sterner words for Ambrosius, if he didn't outright attack him for his sins. He is atoning for his past mistakes. Right? Then why did he describe the Farmstead's horrors with such pride?

Tavern

If any of Estelle's companions were displeased with her tardiness, they certainly did not show it. Over bread and tea, they carried on with their discussion as if she had been present the entire time.

"We need a way to mark our path, and a backup if it fails."

"Warping landscape? Hmm…space! I can use Space Arts and see what happens!"

"It is imperative that we do not break rank. One misstep could mean you are lost for all eternity."

After spending some time going over what they could possibly run into at the Farmstead, it was decided that Estelle, Barristan, and Bigby would be at the forefront of the assault and form a wall to shield Sarmenti, who would provide support behind them. She pulled Barristan aside afterwards, curious about why Bigby of all people would be at the front with her.

"He looks kind of frail," Estelle said. "Is there something I don't know about the guy?"

"Bigby has a…different side to him that he prefers to not show outside combat. Nor does he wish to discuss it," Barristan explained. "Having fought alongside him in the past, I am fully confident in his abilities."

Estelle was weirded out by Barristan's evasive answer but decided to just roll with it. She'd fought alongside plenty of people (especially Kloe and Tita) who seemed frail at first, but quickly proved to be extremely dangerous in combat. "All right, I'll take your word for it."

"Good, then it's settled," Barristan said. "One more thing: please do not be overly surprised or offended when Bigby decides it's time. You will know what I mean when it happens."

Estelle simply nodded as she and Barristan joined the others again and headed off to pick up supplies. In addition to their usual provisions, such as food and medical supplies, the team also picked up a large roll of twine, a jar of red dye, and a sack of pebbles. They spent a few more minutes checking their gear one more time in silence, making sure their weapons and equipment were in top shape.

There was a tension in the air as each member of the team inspected their equipment. From Barristan's low grunts to Bigby's brooding, it was obvious that they were all trying to stave off the inevitable. Even Estelle wasn't immune to the infectious apprehension that plagued the team. She half-heartedly inspected her staff and Orbment, trying to calm herself down. It's okay, Estelle. You've already been to plenty of weird places before. The Towers, Liber Ark, Phantasma. There's always a way out, some kind of pattern or law, and we just need to figure it out. Besides, Joshua might be trapped there, and there's only one way to find out.

"Guys, I'm good to go. What about you?" Estelle sighed as she looked up at the others, finally fed up with the last-minute checkups. "The sooner we get going, the better."

"Indeed, there is little sense in dallying," Barristan said. "Come, let us be off."

Farmstead

Thanks to the Farmstead's proximity to the Hamlet and a well-worn side path on the Old Road, the trek there had been short and easy.

Far too easy, in fact.

There had been no ambushes by the band of brigands that plagued the countryside, no vicious wildlife, and no attacks by stray denizens of the Weald. The wooded road was, for all intents and purposes, dead. With the Collector attack still fresh on her mind, Estelle's head had been on a swivel the entire time, looking out for any signs of the enemy. Yet there wasn't even the familiar telltale chill in her spine, just the sounds of their footsteps echoing throughout the woods.

The first sign that they were nearing their destination was a strange blue glow that quickly eclipsed their torchlight, a glow that reminded Estelle of the meteor she had seen on her first expedition. Despite the glow shining brighter than the measly torch, it brought no solace to Estelle or the rest of her team. The source of the glow soon became apparent: a wall, a little taller than an adult human, with all the stones inscribed in some ancient, indecipherable runes. What must have been the gate was situated in the middle of the road, the stone it was hewn from taller than the rest. A glowing blue ring somewhat larger than a sewer manhole was situated in the middle, marking what seemed to be the entrance.

"So, this is the Farmstead. I must say, all these arcane glyphs do not bode well," Barristan said darkly. "Maybe that Occultist would have been able to decipher these."

"Whoever carved these clearly had no regard for aesthetics and beauty," Sarmenti mused. "Quite unnerving, if you ask me."

"So…how do we open it?" Estelle asked.

Bigby trudged up to the "gate" and ran a hand over the runes there, squinting as he pored over them to decipher their meaning.

"This is beyond my area of expertise, but I have seen some of these before in my previous line of work," Bigby said before pointing at a section on the rock. "Here. All we need to do is put our hands within the glowing circle, and the way will open to us."

"Does it say anything about a way for us to return?" Barristan asked.

"Hmm…if I am reading this correctly, then there's a key of sorts," Bigby replied. "However, I don't see anything here that looks like something we can carry with us, let alone a key."

"Perhaps it is a metaphor for something else? A concept? Or even a person?" Sarmenti suggested.

"Perhaps, but we have no time to speculate right now," Barristan grunted impatiently as he put his hand inside the glowing circle. "We must proceed with the mission."

"Yeah, what he said," Estelle said as she joined Barristan, with Sarmenti and Bigby following suit. Aidios, please guide us and helps find a way out, and if Joshua is in there, then please lead us to each other.

The stone in the middle of the circle began to turn and withdraw, moving away until an opening was created in the gate. Estelle and her companions stooped low and crawled through, finding themselves looking at an extension of the dirt path. A gap in the tree line could be seen up ahead, marking where the forest ended and the Farmstead began. Yet despite the seemingly mundane landscape ahead, the party froze in place, their nerves screaming in warning: something was off about this place.

It took Estelle a few seconds to realize why.

Despite not being beset by any enemies on their way over, there had still been sounds of rustling foliage and howls of beasts in the distance. The wooded path they had followed also had a a faint damp earthy smell. Yet despite the path being right behind them, separated only by a wall, there was simply no sound or smell of any kind, as if they were in some sort of void. The more they looked, the more the view around of them seemed more like a mirage.

Before anybody could make heads or tails of the situation, a large group of things sprung out of the dirt path. All of them seemed to be farmhands wielding hoes as weapons, but their flesh and blood was replaced by stone and soil, just like Mr. Heir had said in his briefing. They sported cracks over their bodies with a blue glow pouring out of them, the same blue glow as their surroundings. Their faces were locked in expressions of agony and soundless screams as they charged towards Estelle and her companions.

"Sarmenti, get behind the trees!" Barristan ordered. "Everyone else, do not let any enemy reach him!"

"Here I go!" Estelle shouted as she countercharged, twirling her staff. She parried the enemy's strikes with ease and smashed into their ranks, reducing everything she hit to dust and rubble. The cacophony of battle sounded more like breaking pottery and shattering glass, unlike the fleshy smacks and muffled cracking bone which she was used to.

Sarmenti strung his lute with a manic passion, producing a tune that made their blood sing, psyching them up for the fight ahead. Meanwhile, Barristan and Bigby joined the fight in their own way. The Man-at-Arms stood next to Estelle, mace and shield smashing into the enemy and protecting himself from any retaliation. Meanwhile, Bigby's cheeks puffed up in a way that reminded Estelle a little too much of the Swine Wretches. Soon after, he let out a torrent of some sort of caustic bile that ate away at anything it touched. Several farmhands were drenched, and dissolved pieces soon began to slough off their bodies. Yet they continued to advance, forcing Estelle and Barristan to finish the job.

This isn't too hard, but what exactly happened to these people? Estelle thought as she smashed what must have been the tenth farmhand to pieces, the unnatural sounds echoing throughout the void starting to unnerve her.

"Look out! To your left!" Barristan cried out as he dashed to Estelle's left flank. A split second later, a whip studded with sharpened crystals slammed into Barristan's shield. Estelle traced the whip to its owner, a tall figure whose face was permanently locked in an expression of rage. Seemingly angry at its failed attack, the tall figure whipped a few of the surviving farmhands.

"Take him out! He must be one of their leaders!" Barristan said, his voice strained as he parried away a few strikes from the renewed enemy assault. "That foreman is driving them into a frenzy!"

"Barristan, cover me!" Estelle said as she whipped out her Orbment. "ARCUS, activate!"

To Estelle's dismay, her ARCUS simply sparked and fizzled instead of producing the attacking Art she wanted to cast. Not willing to give her a break any time soon, the enemy rushed her in droves and not even Barristan could shield their combined assault.

Damn it, I don't have time to figure out what's wrong with this thing! Estelle put her Orbment away and resorted to using her staff to swat away the enemies, which became far more relentless due to the foreman's leadership.

"That stupid foreman is making the enemy tougher than before!" Estelle said. "I can't break through."

"Then allow me," Bigby called out from behind them. He wiped away the bile dripping from his mouth and got down on all fours. His muscles began to ripple and contort, almost threatening to tear through his skin as they expanded to monstrous sizes. He let loose an agonized howl as horns pierced through the back of his skull, and his jaw grew until it resembled the muzzle of some terrible ferocious beast. As his body grew to freakish proportions, the chain wrapped around his waist buckled and snapped into pieces while his formerly baggy pants became barely big enough to fit his huge legs. Within seconds, Bigby the man was gone, replaced by a horrific bipedal beast.

"Holy sh—" Estelle's exclamation was cut short by a mighty roar from Bigby. He smashed through the farmhands and tackled the foreman to the ground. The enemy leader's feeble struggles were no match for Bigby's claws, which tore into his body, and a bite to the head finished him off. Yet the Abomination was not satiated; he viciously ripped the foreman's body to pieces and turned on the surrounding farmhands, sending the enemy into disarray.

"Seize the opening! Kill them all!" Barristan yelled. He and Estelle charged together, mace and staff smashing into whatever targets they could find. Petrified flesh and crystal fragments spilled on the ground as the three adventurers, backed by Sarmenti's melody, continued their vicious assault. Soon, they were surrounded by nothing but broken crystal fragments and petrified body parts. As Estelle and Barristan took a few moments to catch their breath, Bigby reverted to his usual self, with the chains reforming in pristine condition as if they had never been damaged.

Now I can see why they call him the Abomination, Estelle thought.

"Looks like we eliminated the enemy," Barristan said. "Let's keep…"

Suddenly, a horse sprung from the ground, its body petrified just like the others. What unnerved Estelle the most was the crystalline formation growing out of the horse's back; it made it look like some kind of crystal beast wearing the skin of a dead horse. It neighed menacingly before charging at Estelle head-on, fully intent on knocking her over.

"A-ha! One final foe to close this act," Sarmenti dashed out of the treeline, slinging his lute before brandishing the spear on his back. "Behold: my finale!"

The Jester jumped higher than Estelle thought was possible for him before stabbing the spear down at the charging horse, skewering it right in the between the eyes and putting it down. As the dust settled, the team looked over themselves and each other to make sure nobody was hurt.

"All right, start uncoiling the twine to mark our path," Barristan ordered Sarmenti. "Everyone, advance slowly in one rank…"

Just then, something resembling a pile of floating rocks with a glowing core appeared out of thin air. Before any of them could react, the core gave off a blinding flash, enveloping Estelle and her companions.

?

When they came to, the adventurers found themselves in the torn-down remnants of a brick house, with a barrel full of glowing crystals in the center.

"What the...? Weren't we on a dirt road just a second ago?" Estelle asked as she looked around. "What the hell happened?"

"We appear to be in a house of some sort," Barristan said. "Possibly the Farmhouse in the middle of the Farmstead itself."

"I see our generous overlord wasn't jesting when he mentioned the shifting landscape," Sarmenti quipped as he turned his attention to the barrel. "And these must be the crystals he spoke of. Come! Plunder awaits!"

The four of them nodded as they scooped up the barrel's contents into their bags. The crystals were cool to the touch and perfectly smooth, even though sometimes they seemed like they were dripping some kind of liquid. They reminded Estelle a little bit of the sepith crystals that were abundant back at home, except looking at them unnerved her for reasons she can't describe.

"Okay, now what?" Estelle asked after the team emptied the barrel.

"Let's start by checking the path marker." Barristan's hopeful expression darkened when he saw Sarmenti hold up the severed end of the twine. He sighed before continuing. "I see. Should have seen this coming."

"So what do we do now?" Bigby asked.

"Be quiet." Sarmenti held up a finger.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said be quiet," Sarmenti dropped down to a whisper. "There's some kind of…faint melody in the air."

Estelle and her other two glanced around the ruined room for any signs of life or activity, but they were greeted by nothing but desolation and silence.

"You sure you hear something?" Estelle asked. "It's like a tomb here."

"Listen closely," Sarmenti held up a finger to the location on his mask where his mouth would be. "It sounds like some sort of wind instrument."

Estelle nodded, closed her eyes, and held her breath in an effort to hear what Sarmenti was talking about. She was able to make out a few faint broken notes, as well as what was making them.

"It's a harmonica," Estelle murmured.

"A what?" Asked Sarmenti,

"No…not just a harmonica." Estelle ignored Sarmenti, focusing on the faint tune. It became a little clearer. Once broken notes formed whole bars, until everything converged into a soft, haunting tune. A tune that she knew far too well: The Whereabouts of Light.

"Joshua…"

A/N: Fun fact: Estelle's new outfit was inspired by the one worn by Darth Maul from The Phantom Menace, except with a brighter color scheme to suit Estelle's personality. Considering Maul fights with a staff-like lightsaber, I figured it would be fitting.