Chapter 10: It's a Whole Wide World
After one more meal with the sovereigns and Lynn, the Fivefold bade them goodbye. They embraced in a final farewell, and then parted ways. Lynn offered to use her ship to carry them to the nearest coast of Mantium, and the Fivefold politely accepted. Orior said a private farewell to his parents, promising he would meet them again. After he returned, the Fivefold boarded Lynn's ship, and sailed off once more onto the sea.
They stood on the deck with Lynn, talking while she managed the tiller. "During the celebrations, my men ventured out with some Lilyveran soldiers, to search for any surviving Mantrak ships. Not a shred remained," she was saying. "And Regnoare hasn't been seen since that awesome attack of Orior's hit him. I suppose it would be too much to hope that he was destroyed?" She said, winking. "Nonetheless, I believe for a while your journey will be trouble-free. But still… be on your guard. You ARE going to Mantium, after all." The coast of Gondowan passed by quickly to their right as they were favoured by an eastern wind, bearing them with speed towards the heart of the dark country.
As Lynn managed to navigate the rocky coast, one of her sailors ran up with a bottle of wine and some glasses. She nodded to him. "Thank you. Wine, Fivefold?" she said, turning to them.
Maris shuffled. "Hmmm… I suppose. To drink together for what may be the last time for a while would be good for all of us."
Lynn smiled. "Great!" Still navigating the tiller with one hand, she spread out the glasses over the map on the table behind her, and filled them, keeping half an eye on the sea ahead. The white wine sparkled merrily in the sunlight.
Cinaed picked up his glass and looked at it. "You know," he said thoughtfully. "I used to despise wine, but I think I'm growing to like it."
Lynn laughed. "Of course you are. I keep only the best vintages on my ship, and no-one can resist the best vintages." Still smiling, she picked up her and raised it. "To the elements!" The Fivefold echoed this, and all drank deeply from their glasses.
Lynn set down her glass and turned her attention back to the sea, then began to sing softly in her soprano voice.
"The love of the sea is pure unbound
When the glittering sea bears me.
I've sailed the crests of a thousand waves
Oh, the sky-dark storms that I have braved.
Even when tiller spun and sail snapped,
The roaring of the storm,
Birds on fierce winds borne.
Lightning flash and thunder crash,
Rain and hail endlessly lash.
Howling wind in and endless din…
Even then, I loved the sea…
I love the dancing dolphins and the high proud whales,
The manta rays and their long thin tails.
The deep blue sea on a high noon day,
The moonlight sea where silver lay.
The ever-changing face of my sweet dear sea,
Since I drew my first breath, has enamoured me…"
On that final quiet note, her voice trailed off to a bare whisper, then ceased. The Fivefold looked at her in amazement. She noticed their expression and laughed.
Maris smiled. "That was amazing, Lynn!"
Lynn shook off the praise with a wave of her hand. "I've spent a long long time alone on the sea, and have had plenty of time both to school myself in singing and compose songs. Though, I am grateful for your kind words." With that, she bowed gracefully, and then looked up. "Why, we're almost there!"
It was as she said. The imposing sheer cliff face to the east of Mantium rose to meet them, looking very intimidating. It was a face worn smooth by the constant lashing of wind and sea, scoured for centuries. At the bottom of the cliff, from the sea rose a cluster of jagged rocks, gaping like a hungry mouth to spear any who fell from the cliff.
As the Fivefold wondered just how they were going to scale this imposing wall, Lynn slowly guided in her ship, precariously navigating the strewn rocks, biting her lip in concentration. Eventually, she manoeuvred it within twenty feet of the cliff wall, at a point where the cliff, by some miracle, slanted out at a relatively easy five-degree angle. After dropping anchor, one of Lynn's sailors released the plank, which crashed heavily on the rock. "Good luck, Fivefold," she said, and indicated they should descend.
"Umm… Lynn?" Maris asked. "How do we climb that face? It's as sheer as ever!"
Lynn shook her head, and pointed to the base of the cliff. As the Fivefold strained to discern what it was she pointed at, they realized it was a small and ragged bush, barely three inches high. "There's your way. Luckily for you, you have a Venus Adept with you."
Shamira nodded. "That'll do. Now, let's go, Venus Adept." With that, she began lightly pushing Orior down the plank.
Orior grinned. "I'm going, I'm going… jeesh." He began to walk down the plank, and a grinning Shamira followed.
After the Fivefold had all descended from the ship, they turned to say farewell to Lynn.
Maris clapped her hands and waved. "Goodbye, Lynn! May the sea treat you well on your journeys!"
Lynn smiled. "She always has. Goodbye, Fivefold, and good luck." She raised the plank, and, after one final wave, she hoisted anchor and slowly began manoeuvring ship through the rocky mass.
As she left, Aleos sighed. "May the elements bless you, Lynn." The Fivefold echoed this sentiment.
"Well, let's go." Orior said, and turned to the straggling plant. Taking it gently in his hand, he cast Growth, glowing yellow for a moment as he did so. The plant filled with a healthy vitality and shot up the cliff, finding holds with amazing speed. It eventually breached the top and clung onto the rock there, cracking it as it sought a firm grasp. He stepped back. "Ladies first."
"See you at the top," Shamira said, and gathered her Jupiter Psynergy. Grabbing the hand of a surprised Maris, she and the stunned Mercury Adept leapt the two hundred foot distance to the top of the cliff before collapsing gently at a summit that was pleasantly covered in green grass. Shamira leaned over the cliff and called down, "Have fun climbing!"
When she turned back, Maris was laughing and applauding the trick. "Now… let's take a rest, for we are so weary," she said, grinning, and reached into her pack, Shamira likewise. Maris cast Douse and filled their flasks with cool, refreshing water, and drank while they waited for the men to climb, talking and laughing.
A minute or two later, Orior breached the cliff, looking tired and dishevelled. 'Thanks for the help, you two." He said, scowling. He collapsed on the cliff, followed shortly after by Cinaed and an annoyed Aleos.
"You all could use the exercise. Besides, most wrongs can be righted. "With that, she cast Pure Ply on each of them, their bruises and weariness falling from them.
Cinaed expressed his thanks. "I suppose we could forgive you, then."
"But don't do that again," Orior added.
"Promise." Shamira said sweetly, but her eyes were laughing.
That adventure over, the Fivefold simply rested on the summit in silence. A soft warm breeze ruffled the grass, and the Fivefold closed their eyes with contentment. Ahead, the cliff rose a bit more for about twenty feet, and then stopped, presumably to descend again. Cinaed opened one eye, and noticed a reddish glow to the northwest. Rising, he slowly walked to the very height of the hill and looked out over the land.
Hearing his movements, Maris opened her eyes and looked at him, his tall form outlined against the blue sky. Silently, she rose and walked to stand beside him. "What is it?" she asked quietly.
Cinaed looked down at her with a smile. "Just remembering when I scaled Magma Rock at the age of twenty. Yonder reddish glow is said Rock, and I still remember the blazing heat that emanates from every part of it. And the fire."
Maris nodded her understanding. "Ah, the coming of age, what every Adept must do to prove they are ready to serve the elements. I myself recently completed Aqua Rock on my last birthday. Scaling those peaks alone is a daunting task." This sentence completed, they stood in silence and watched the shadowed mountains, untouched by the rising sun's light.
Eventually, the other Fivefold rose and stood beside them, surveying the land. "Now, where's Mantium?" Maris asked.
Orior pointed to a shadowy alcove between a crescent of mountains. "There." The Fivefold strained to see into the darkness, but to no avail. Suddenly, the sunlight breached the alcove, and the Fivefold gasped.
Built against the mountain slope, where several mountains combined and formed a scenic alcove, was the Luna city Mantium.
Like a great hulking beast posed to jump, the city of Mantium lay. It consisted of seven courts and one tower, each guarded by a black wall. Each one was of black steel, topped with black iron spikes, and it curved backwards as it rose. The city's first wall ran from the mountain in a great semicircle around the city to join the mountains on the other side. This was the first court, built on ground and paved with black ebony.
The second was much the same, beginning at the level of halfway up the first way. Likewise, each wall following was built in the same way, rising from the halfway point of the last wall. The roads, in addition to ebony, were built of volcanic rock, black pearl, and onyx. The last, in a truly grotesque display, was built solely from the white bone of many different monsters. The Fivefold had the sneaking suspicion that there might be some human bones mixed in. Each wall was connected by bridges of black steel across the top and the gates in the walls were ornate, pointed and inlaid with many dark designs like soaring dragons, cavorting demons, a staring eye, among many more.
Lastly, in the end of the seventh circle and against the back of the mountain, rose a black tower, impenetrable in its darkness. Built completely from a strange black metal that seemed almost alive, the tower seemed to pulse with energy. Inlaid in the metal were several hundred bones of various types, and veins of ruby twisted along the length of it. It was seamless; no evidence of construction could be seen. At the crown was a deck built in the fashion of an aerie, and three giant tusk-like spikes built completely of ruby, rose curving from the deck like a upside-down talon. By some dark spell, most of the city's features were obscured in a black mist. As the sun struck the aerie and travelled through the ruby, it lent a malevolent red glow to the city below, which mingled with the black fog to form a seething mass of crimson and abyss.
As they regarded this dark city in something like awe, a voice spoke bitterly beside them. "It's something, isn't it?" The Fivefold turned in surprise and saw the speaker, a slender woman with wild black hair. It was somewhat matted, the strands weaving in and out of each other, but it still had a clean sheen and fell down to her lower back. Her eyes were as chips of ice, a cold blue that glittered in her pale face. A black cloak covered her shoulders and neck, and falling in the back to her knees. She was dressed lightly, in tight-fitting combat garb that stopped at her arms while descending enough to reveal her midriff, and a short dress tied with a red sash over thin black leggings. The sash also held a sheathed battle staff, tipped with a silver spike, and her skin overall was of a pale white tone.
She noticed their looks and smiled sardonically. "You didn't notice me, did you? Shame to let down your vigilance down like that… and so close to Mantium, too…" She seemed to be hinting at something, so the Fivefold reached for their weapons. She shook her head. "Fear not. I don't have the heart to fight…" So saying, she sighed and sunk to the ground, sitting cross-legged while looking moodily at Mantium.
"My city, Mantium, is the capital of Luna, yes, and so a capital of darkness. But yet, we used to live by the principles of honour, respecting our allies, including the nearby city of Lilyvera, and Garoh to the south. We traded prosperously with other cities, and never neglected to join in the Festival of Vale. We even were on good times with the city of Sol! And for a city of Luna, that's really something." She fell silent for a few moments, and then spoke up again.
"Then Regnoare came to power. At first, when he succeeded as Emperor, everyone had high hopes. He was a scholar, a master of Psynergy, and the ablest warrior Mantium had seen for centuries. He vowed he would take Mantium on the path for greatness…
"He was well respected, and at first the people loved him. He reformed the trade and increased our wealth threefold. The merchants were ecstatic. Mantium's army was reaching new heights of skill, and often collaborated with Lilyvera and Garoh to destroy monsters. Health was at a new high. It seemed Mantium had entered a new golden age, one we had not seen since the defeat of Gazimonus, two thousand years ago. Though we are ashamed of his actions, Gazimonus made us the most powerful city in the world…
"But, suddenly, Regnoare changed. I can't say how, maybe he delved too deep into the heart of Luna. He commissioned the slaughter of thousands of domestic animals, and executed those who opposed him. The bones from that atrocity even now adorn Mantium: the streets of bone, the ornaments on the dark tower… those are relics from that slaughter. He dove even deeper into darkness, and bred fearsome fiends with the blood of monsters, and released them on a whim. Ever since, those monsters have spread throughout the country, even attacking our former ally, Lilyvera.
"I, for one, was saddened by Regnoare's transformation. He used to be a man of courage and daring, fearlessly leading his troops into war against monsters. He treated his family with love and respect, and they in turn to him. Women, for reasons unbeknownst to me, found him irresistible, but he gently refused them on the grounds of immorality. He was truly a honourable Lunarian.
"Even after he changed, some of us still hoped he would come to his senses. But then… something happened that erased all hope of that. You, Fivefold," she said, looking vaguely amused when they all expressed shock that she knew the name of their group. "Yes, your deeds are well known to me. Anyway… as I was saying, you, Fivefold, know what happens next. Regnoare found Sol Aurarius."
She closed her eyes and sighed. "Regnoare, Regnoare! Would that you never discovered Sol Aurarius and succumbed to its power, then perhaps there would be hope for redemption. But alas, you discovered that incredible force!
"Regnoare, twisting the golden power of Sol Aurarius, transformed it into darkness, and with it, transformed himself. He became a demon, a true Necromancer, a being with the power of complete dominion over the forces of nature, and, thusly, the world. But just when we thought the world would descend into ruin and damnation, a star of hope appeared," she said, with a wink at the Fivefold. "This group of five Adepts, fighting alone and against all odds, stood up to what was the basic equivalent of a demigod. Right underneath his nose, they sealed the power of Mercury, effectively dissipating the unity of Sol Aurarius and stopping the flow of water. However, Regnoare still possessed the power of Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. This group of Adepts had to flee from his wrath, but they cleverly lost him while crossing the Karagol. Or so they thought."
Aleos broke in here, interrupting her. "How could you know all this? Just who are you?"
The woman regarded him with her cold eyes, and laughed softly. "You wish to know who I am?" She asked, still speaking softly. "I am the Lady Scythia, sister of Regnoare!" With that, she threw back her cloak and glowed black, the Luna aura surrounding her. The Fivefold tensed and reached for their weapons. Suddenly, as abruptly as it began, it stopped, and Scythia returned to as before. "But fear not. I am sympathetic to your cause. Regnoare, though I love him as a sister should, must be stopped, lest he cause the destruction of our world." She bowed to them respectfully. "I assume you have successfully sealed Venus, otherwise you wouldn't be alive now." She said, winking.
"Yes…" Aleos said cautiously. "So, Scythia. Now that you've discovered us, what do you plan to do?"
Scythia frowned and turned away from them, looking down at Mantium. "I told you," she said softly, "I am sympathetic to your cause. I won't turn you in." She sighed. "Truth be told, I grow weary of Mantium. Monsters and fiends infest the city and catacombs, and Mantrak walk the streets. The city lays in perpetual darkness. Though I was appointed to govern, I grow weary."
An idea blossomed in Orior's mind. "Why don't you join Vale? Since Lilyvera was destroyed, most of the population is going to rebuild Vale. I'm sure you'd find a place there."
Scythia turned to him and smiled sadly. "Do you really think so? As the sister of the one who destroyed their city, I doubt they'd accept me."
Orior shook his head. "Nonsense." He reached into his pack and retrieved a quill and paper, along with a jar of ink. He dipped the quill into the ink and began to write. "I will write you a letter of recommendation to my parents, the former sovereigns of Lilyvera. I will say that you are trustworthy, and it would be beneficial to our cause to have someone who knows Regnoare well on our side." He signed his name at the bottom and drew the royal insignia. He rolled up the completed message and handed it to Scythia. "There. Present that to the monarchs and I'm sure you will be allowed in. Mark my words."
Scythia looked at them with a new understanding. "Now I see why you have stood against Regnoare for so long… your light IS strong. Anyway, I thank you. With this," she said, looking at the scroll. "Perhaps I have a chance to redeem myself for not stopping Regnoare when I could have."
Cinaed shook his head. "To betray a kinsman is one of the worst crimes. You did only what was right. That is what differs you from the evil Mantium."
With a farewell, they parted ways, and promised they would assist each other in their time of need. Scythia descended to the city to fetch a few items for travel, while the Fivefold continued south towards Indra. On the way, the Fivefold felt confident that they had made another ally.
---
The trek through Gondowan was long and treacherous. Scythia had not been exaggerating when she said that Regnoare's monsters had spread through the countryside; they were battling them every step of the way. Demon wolves, chimaeras, giant golems, all these and more pushed the Fivefold to the limit of their strength. Barraging them with Psynergies and being barraged in turn, the Fivefold were forced to reserve their Psynergy for healing use, and fought hand-to-hand, which was exceedingly dangerous in light of the poison fangs of the wolves and chimaeras.
Aside from that, the Fivefold were transfixed by the wild beauty of the country. Swift-moving streams flowed everywhere, sometimes a pure blue and sometimes a muddy brown. The plop of the fish within told the Fivefold they were inhabited, but travellers' tales say by man-eating fish, and so the Fivefold avoided them. The canopy of the forest was dense and green, and from inside came the cries of a great variety of birds and beasts, from loud caws to earth-shaking howls that reverberated for miles around. Giant snakes and fierce cats slinked around the floor, but fortunately they were not monsters, and avoided the Fivefold. The trails, though the Fivefold knew not who made them, guided the Adepts true through the forest, however much they weaved and wound. Somehow, the Fivefold struggled through the hellish mess and finally entered Indra.
---
"Indra!" Maris cried. "Oh, can we visit the Shrine of Mercury? I haven't visited in years, and I should really pay my respects."
Aleos shook his head slowly. "We can't afford to stray from our path too much."
Maris clasped her hands and pleaded. "Please? If need be, I'll simply visit the shrine in Daila if it's too much to visit the Shrine of Mercury."
Aleos nodded reluctantly. "I suppose… but we shouldn't take too long."
"Don't worry," Maris assured him, "we'll be quick."
Maris hummed as she skipped happily north, followed a bit behind by the other Fivefold. As they rounded a chain of mountains, the tropical town of Daila rose in the distance.
Daila is, was and always will be a tropical town. Catching the warm currents drifting off the Eastern Ocean, Daila never experienced anything but summer, and yet few people live there, isolated as it is. Maris and the Fivefold entered the town, ducking underneath the palm trees that overhung the road and enjoying the shade. The Fivefold snapped off a few branches and tucked them into their packs, the leafy fronds bobbing overheard and giving much-loved shade. Sol was descending as they proceeded through the town.
The Fivefold came to the end of Daila, the Sanctum built against the mountainside to honour Mercury and the elements. The Fivefold entered, Maris leading, bowing respectfully as they entered. Maris approached the Healer, a venerable old man with a crown inlaid with jewels. "May I have some incense to honour Mercury with?" She inquired, smiling.
The elder returned the smile. "Certainly, young Mercury Adept." He reached behind his stand and brought a bowl of lucerne petals. Maris thanked him, and descended into the pit before the altar, which was filled with and inch of water. Maris splashed her way through and climbed the ladder to stand before the shrine. The rest of the Fivefold waited patiently below.
The statue of Mercury was carved from solid crystal and stood in front of a multi-spired crystal throne, seeming royal and majestic. A modest headdress shadowed her facial features, and her arms were delicate and beautifully carved. The dress she wore swept the ground and was open near the top, revealing her neck and shoulders.
As Maris approached the stature, she offered her prayers. "Oh holy Mercury, matriarch of my people, guide my destiny so that it may bare fruit. May the people of my world find happiness during times of darkness, and may the quest of the Fivefold succeed. Always in your service, oh Mercury, your servant Maris." With that, she crushed the petals in the bowl, releasing a fragrant scent. She called for Cinaed, who obligingly climbed up and stood beside her. Bowing respectfully to Mercury, he obeyed Maris' request and slowly burnt the petals, which as they turned to ash released a intoxicating scent throughout the shrine. Mercury thus honoured, the Fivefold bowed and left.
Sol was well into her descent as they left Daila in mixed spirits. Aleos still regarded the trip as a waste of time, and nothing Maris said could change his mind. However, something else did.
The Fivefold walked along on of the many seashores of Indra, enjoying the sublime warmth of the sand beneath their feet. Suddenly, from far out in the sea arose a faint roaring sound. Eyes turned to the sea in time to see a small wave bearing towards them, what appeared to be a piece of wood riding the crest. As it drew up beside them the wave died out, and the piece of wood glided softly into their midst. Maris began to laugh. It was a raft.
"So, Aleos," she said, looking sideways and laughing. "Still doubtful of the value of an offering to Mercury?" Aleos was confounded, and so Maris walked over and examined the raft.
It had a rough sail, slightly damaged but still intact. Six oars drove the raft, three on each side, and the body itself was made of logs tied together with cord.
"Mercury has answered our offering and provided us with an easy way to Osenia. Do not doubt the power of faith, Aleos." She said with a wink.
Aleos rubbed the back of his head. "I'm…. stumped, to say the least. However, I'll put it down to coincidence." Even as he finished speaking, the surf kicked up and drenched him. Dripping wet, he shook himself off. "Coincidence." A fish jumped out of the water and smacked into his face before retreating. As a slightly dubious Aleos opened his mouth to say "Coincidence," a lump of seaweed flew from the water and smashed into his face. The Fivefold collapsed into gales of laughter as Aleos picked the gooey slime from his silver hair.
Aleos scowled. "Okay, Mercury, you win. I apologize for my arrogance." He bowed to the sea. At that moment, a small shell drifted lazily in with the tide and came to rest at his feet. Curious, Aleos bent down and opened it, revealing a dazzling pearl the size of a large pea. His eyes widened. "You have my thanks, Mercury. Maris, you should have this," he said, presenting the pearl to her.
Her eyes widened as she shook her head. "No, I can't… take what Mercury has given."
Aleos smiled and pressed it into her hands, and then leaned and whispered in her ear, "I'm trying to get on Mercury's good side… bear with me." She nodded her understanding and pocketed it, winking.
Cinaed interrupted this conversation by pushing the raft into the water. He looked back, and folded his scaled arms. "Well? Let's go."
The Fivefold piled into the raft: Aleos and Orior in the first row, Maris and Shamira in the second; Cinaed manned the two back oars by himself. Though it was a bit cramped, the old raft managed to bear out to sea, where the sure and swift strokes of the oars carried it nicely. Despite the worn-down nature of the raft, the oars were in perfect condition, even finely polished. Surfing the waves, the Fivefold rowed towards northern Osenia, the oars moving perfectly in concert.
The northern coast of Osenia drew closer as the Fivefold moved south. Beside one of the many reefs of the country was a perfect beach to land at, formed by the eroding forces of a river. The Fivefold docked on the west bank, but let the raft drift out to sea, feeling that it would be wise to return it to Mercury.
Now, the western side of Osenia is a much kinder place than the east. The two sides are divided by the Baloo Range, which runs north to south. In the centre of Osenia was its principal city, Garoh.
The Fivefold now made their way deep into the heart of the country, skirting the Yampi Desert despite Cinaed's desire to go and enjoy the warmth. The road led ever southward, occasionally drifting to the west or east, but staying true to its route. Eventually, it levelled off and went solely east, shadowing the mountain range. The road then branched north, following the mountains. Sol was shining brightly, and the lush boreal trees lining the road shaded them from her might. A soft sea breeze blew in from the far-off south, ruffling the air and cooling the Fivefold. It was countered, however, by a boiling northeast wind from the desert of Air's Rock.
The Fivefold were torn between retrieving their cloaks from their pack or leaving them there, the temperature altered so much. In the end, though, they decided to compromise by putting them on but leaving them open. Their helms, too, were removed, and five varied-coloured heads of hair blew in the wind.
As they proceeded along the road, it narrowed and the overhanging branches interlaced, forming a canopy of green. In the distance of the green tunnel, the Fivefold saw the mountainside where Garoh lay. A sign nailed to a tree told them they were now entering Garoh territory. They stepped past the sign and would have continued, but a sharp feminine voice from above bade them still. "Halt, strangers!"
The Fivefold looked up, but all that could be seen in the green canopy was a pair of hazel eyes. Suddenly, with a rustling, the warrior dropped to the earth in front of them, landing on all fours and rising gracefully. Orior retreated behind the other Fivefold.
The female warrior was, in Shamira's personal estimation, approximately seventeen years of age and about five foot four in height. She had an almond-shaped face framed by a waterfall of sandy brown hair that reached to mid-back. It was parted over her shoulders so that some fell over her front as well, showing it to be clean and shiny. Her hazel eyes, set in her tanned face, looked at them with suspicion and expectance.
Apparently to help camouflage in the canopy, she wore a long green tunic of brown leggings, coloured to match exactly with the trees she had laid in. Two shortswords were crossed over her back, and a rawhide whip was tied to her side with a strip of leather. She folded her tanned arms and looked at them guardedly. "Strangers! What brings you to Garoh in these times of darkness? I am the gateguard, none may pass without my consent."
Orior stepped forward softly at this point and asked her, "Avani… has it been so long you no longer recognize your own kin?"
The teenager laughed with delight. "Orior! You only had to step forward and I would have let you pass. But your companions…?" She asked, tilting her head.
"Old friends. I can vouch for them with my life." Orior said dismissively, then turned to the Fivefold. "This is my cousin, Avani, a Venus Adept like myself."
Thus assured, Avani fell into step beside the Fivefold and escorted them to Garoh. As they walked, she whistled piercingly and cracked her whip. Wolves howled perilously close, and the foliage rustled. The Fivefold tensed, and Avani laughed. "Don't worry," she reassured them, and stowed her whip. Two large wolves bounded from the greenery that flanked the road, and leapt to her side, padding along and panting noisily.
Orior stared incredulously at his cousin. "Avani, have you lost your mind?"
She laughed, which only served to further convince Orior of her insanity. "Don't worry, I've worked his head in puzzlement. "I don't remember seeing them before…"
She wagged her finger at him. "I wasn't foolish enough to bring them out where my parents, much less yours, could see them. They live in the caves outside Garoh." Garoh was very close by now, so Avani sent her wolves off to their caves, after obliging them with a scratch behind the ears.
"I've never seen such well trained beasts," Shamira said admiringly.
Avani glanced at her sharply. "They're not beasts. And as for my training of them, I have a way with 'beasts'." Shamira acknowledged her error. "Anyway," Avani went on, "we are nearly at Garoh. And despite that I let you through, I must petition your cause to the pac- I mean, Master. Please wait here." With a bow, she departed, and the Fivefold sat down to wait.
Avani entered the torch lit cave of the Master and bowed. "Master Lupus, we have visitors."
From a rock pillar in the centre of the cave sprung a Psynergetic field, Revealing a hole in the rock. Footsteps sounded from within, and the Master came into view.
Wearing a long, leather hooded cloak, much of the features of the Master were indiscernible. From beneath the rim of the hood gleamed a pair of yellow eyes, shot with brown. The hands that emerged from the sleeves were very hairy, more so than any normal human should have, and bore pointed fingernails. A shuffling sound accompanied him as he walked, a sound like something sweeping the floor. The Master kind of smelled, but out of deference to his rank Avani never dared to say anything. In a rough voice he said, "Speak, child."
"My cousin Orior, a general of the Lilyveran army," she began, "and four companions have come to Garoh, presumably to seek an audience with you."
The Master nodded as if pleased and smiled, showing twin rows of sharp white teeth. "Ah, so they have come at last… invite them in. But speak no secrets of Garoh," he warned as Avani left the chamber.
Avani found the Fivefold sitting cross-legged in a circle, talking quietly. They looked up as she approached, and she smiled. "The Master will see you now. Follow me." The Fivefold rose and followed while Avani led the way.
Garoh was a city of cave-systems. Built into a mountain, the trails leading to Garoh were steep and unforgiving. One false step and it was a long way down. The paths were easily defended by pushing into place large pillars to block the route, thus making the city impregnable, and at the end of this treacherous path was the city of Garoh itself. It appeared to be simple huts, with a cheery smoke emerging from the roof. But it was so much more.
Each hut connected to the cave system below. This cave-system, like a giant anthill, sprawled throughout the entire mountain. The mountain itself was sloped with boreal trees, providing leafy camouflage for the hunters of Garoh, of which there were many. Garoh tends to like its seclusion and doesn't normally admit visitors, so the Fivefold felt fortunate to be allowed to see the city.
As they moved back and forth up the series of paths winding up the cliff side, Orior frowned and hastened his pace to talk with his cousin. He leaned over and said quietly. "Avani, what's going on? You're normally not so formal, in fact, you're usually rather… untameable. Just who is this 'Master'?"
Avani inclined her head towards Orior and responded, "The Master is the ruler of Garoh, and is most wise. He sees things far beyond his domain, even into the future. He excels in the martial arts of war, and is long-lived and courageous. None dare pass him. So when he decreed that all Garohans should raise their guard and allow the passage of no outsiders without his consent, all citizens followed this unquestionably. This was ordered just after we received news of the Dark One's ascent, and he announced that all who disobeyed this would be banished from Garoh."
Orior looked sharply at her, but she continued, "That is why it is of utmost importance that you tread carefully in the Master's presence. He sees much, and any foul intentions will be betrayed to him. Do be careful, cousin." She pleaded.
Orior laughed and winked. "Am I ever not?" With that, he fell back with the rest of the Fivefold.
Avani sighed to herself. "They're doomed…" She looked up at the great rock that marked the entrance to the Master's cave… it was a single, man-sized rock surrounded by six pillars, in the reveal insignia. She looked back. "Wind Adept, you have passed your trial, correct?" Shamira nodded. "Then, could you use Reveal for us?"
"Certainly," Shamira replied, and stepped up beside the Venus Adept. Raising her hand, she said clearly, "Reveal." A violet aura surrounded her and vanished, then a Psynergetic field sprung forth around them, Revealing the hole in the rock. As Shamira maintained the Psynergy, she indicated for the others to go first: when she passed through, it would collapse. Avani thanked her, and entered, followed closely by the Fivefold.
The cave was dark, lit only by the light of the odd torch. Avani led the way, hopping over the pits made to entrap careless intruders. Soon, the cave walls narrowed and funnelled the Fivefold in single file, to emerge in a relatively wide space, occupied solely by a large rock in the middle.
Avani bowed. "Master, they have arrived."
A Reveal field sprung to life around the rock, and footsteps sounded within, with the maker of the sound right behind them. As the Master stepped into the cave, Shamira was struck by the feeling that he held immense strength, and began to wonder if Avani was the same.
"Adepts," the Master began, his gravel voice reaching their ears effortlessly, "at last you have come. The resistors of Regnoare, at last in my chamber." He laughed. The Fivefold exchanged glances, and tucked their hands in their cloaks, near their weapons.
The Master suddenly stopped laughing, and glared at them. "You have no need for your weapons, Fivefold," he growled. "I could kill you before you could even blink. Be glad I am on your side. For now. I already know the purpose of your visit. Speak, while my temper holds."
Orior stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "We have sealed the power of Venus, and defeated Regnoare at the Battle of Three Forces, and he fled in defeat. However, he has destroyed Lilyvera."
The Master cocked an eyebrow at them. "And are you aware of the… repercussions… that sealing the Lighthouses will have?"
Aleos stepped forward. "Yes, Master Lupus. But it's a risk we are willing to take. Even if we leave one Lighthouse unsealed, Regnoare will still have the power to rule the world. We plan to seal every Lighthouse, destroy the fiend, and then relight them before anything can happen."
A faraway looked grew in the Master's eye. "I'm afraid… you will find that easier said then done…" The Fivefold pressed him to explain what he meant, but he said nothing. In fact, he even grew angry.
"I keep my own counsel! As the Master of Garoh, and you my guests, I am well within the boundaries of the host." Still steaming, he changed the subject and calmed down. "Fivefold… are you aware of the War of Alchemy?" Aleos nodded, and opened his mouth to say the history, but the Master cut him off. "I shall tell it, and maybe even you, scholar, could learn something." With a wave of his hand, he lit all the torches around with Psynergy, and began.
"Long ago, during the War of Alchemy two thousand years ago, the dark forces of Luna clashed with the light of the Void. Argyros, of the Void, and Gazimonus of the dark, rallied the whole of Weyard to join their cause. No one was left out, those who resisted the call to arms were slain. In this way, the world was divided in half. In those days, Sol Aurarius was unbound and every man had access to its power. With this power, man waged colossal wars: no city could be built, for as soon as it was constructed it was destroyed. This had gone on for millennia when arose Argyros, from a peasant family, and Gazimonus, from the royal house of Luna.
"They campaigned throughout the realm, and people flocked to them. In the end, most of the realm allied with Argyros, for Gazimonus promised darkness and great wealth to those who followed his dark ways. Only a few scattered cities were under Gazimonus' control, but that was of no consequence to his cause. Gazimonus, in a dark ritual to Luna, created the Mantrak, soldiers of pure evil, who once again walk the world today.
"But, there were some Luna who didn't want to side with darkness. These Luna sought friendship with the children of Light, and were of a honourable evil. Seeing the malevolence that emanated from what is now central Gondowan, they fled for away, to the desolate country of Osenia. Those Adepts, together, founded the City of the Moon, Garoh, beside Air's Rock – In case you are unaware, Adepts, Moon is another title for Luna-
"As I was saying… the Luna of Light, as they came to be called, settled here, aiding Argyros in any way they could. But Gazimonus bore them a special hatred for their treachery. At the height of his power, he invoked all his dark power and cursed our city, and even today we struggle with the effects of that curse. But I will not speak of its nature.
"Terrified and confused, the Luna of Light isolated themselves in this… this wild country, having no contact with anyone. But, after the fall of Gazimonus, most of the Luna of Light returned to Gondowan, where they reconciled with the other Luna, even Gazimonus' family. There, together, they constructed Mantium, with the aid of the Sol Aurarius of Argyros. Shortly thereafter, he helped build the other Elemental capital, as well.
"There were many more tales of struggle and peace, of triumph and loss, of happiness and woe, not the least of the tale of Yegelos," he said with a nod to Shamira. "But I shall not go into them. Mine was the tale of Garoh. Since that time, we have made friendship with other cities, most notably Lilyvera. That, Adepts, is my tale." With that, he ceased, and all the Adepts, even Aleos, learned.
Aleos bowed deeply. "You truly are a master."
The Master smiled. "Thank you. As I said, I know your purpose, and thus give you free passage throughout our state. I'll even provide a guide to travel with you, until you enter the country of Anemos. Avani!" He looked at the female warrior, who was curled up on the floor, sound asleep, having heard this tale many times before. He sighed. "Avani… WAKE UP!" he growled, and she snapped to attention.
"Yes, Master?" She said innocently.
He smiled tolerantly. "You are permitted to leave Garoh and guide the Fivefold here to the borders of Anemos. You can leave tomorrow." With a flick of his cloak, he dismissed them and retreated to his personal cave.
Avani turned and grinned at them. "That went better than expected. Anyway, there's a good inn outside… well, good by our standards. Ready for nightfall, Fivefold? Heed no nightly noises."
Avani led them to the inn, and presented them to the innkeeper, a portly man with a thick beard. He smiled and said, "The Master told me to let you stay this night for free."
Avani smiled and bade them goodnight, saying she had to return to her home. "But remember Fivefold: heed no nightly noises!"
The Fivefold expressed their thanks, and settled into their beds. Which, as Avani had implied, were merely large piles of straw on the floor, covered with leaves.
"I don't know how Garohans can stand this," Maris complained as they climbed into their piles. But it was surprisingly comfy.
The Fivefold were just drifting off to sleep when a wolf's howl pierced the night air, soon made into a chorus as other voices joined it. Outside, Luna emerged from behind a cloud and the wolves' howl turned joyful. The Fivefold were on edge, but then remembered Avani's words to them: "Heed no nightly noises!" Thus reassured, the Fivefold drifted off to sleep.
---
The Fivefold awoke in the morning not too well rested, rubbing their eyes with fatigue.
"Blasted wolves howling all night," Cinaed commented.
"Ahem?" Cinaed turned around in surprise to see Avani standing behind them, tapping her foot. "It's nearly noon, sleepyheads!" She exclaimed. "Howling wolves kept you up?" She asked, grinning.
Orior sighed. "Yes, Avani. I'm sure it wasn't your wolves?"
She laughed. "Not at all," she said innocently. She sighed. "Well, let's go pay our respects to the Master, then we can leave." She left, followed by the still yawning Fivefold.
To their surprise and pleasure, the Master was waiting for them outside his cave, smiling toothily from under his hood. "Master! What are you doing here?" Avani said in surprise.
"I thought I'd see you off, considering your quest IS rather important, saving the world and all. Anyway… go. And good luck: you'll need it." With a wave of one claw-like hand, he cast Reveal and disappeared into his cave.
Avani smiled. "He likes you. It's not often the Master can drag himself out of his cave. Well, I suppose it's a good omen! Let's go!"
The Fivefold skipped out of Garoh in high spirits. Avani whistled, and her wolves bounded out from the undergrowth, tails wagging.
As they danced circles around the Fivefold, Orior broke out from the others and confronted his cousin. "Avani, what's really going on here? These are wolves, why do they obey your every command? Why is this 'Master' so odd? For that matter, this whole city is odd! What's going on!"
Avani smiled sadly. "Orior… it's too complicated to explain in one sitting. Tonight, I'll leave the camp. Follow, and then I'll tell."
Orior nodded reluctantly. "If you say so, cousin. But I'm worried…" With that, he fell back and joined the other Fivefold, who by some virtue of short-attention span had been left alone by the wolves.
Fortune smiled upon them as they left Garoh: the day dawned bright and clear and stayed that way. Avani's wolves, Sallah and Gorge – she had told them their names at Maris' inquiry – bounded ahead, scouting the trail while they ran in ever-increasing circles. Suddenly, the wolves began to growl, and their haunches raised.
The foliage rustled, and three monsters leapt out from the undergrowth: Demon Chimaeras, a Luna aligned mutation of the everyday beast. The damned heads of goat, lion, and dragon were fused into one foul monster, with the curved and wicked tail of a scorpian. It looked like any normal chimaera, except it was all in hues of red and black. They reared and cried aloud in the voices of all three creatures at once: the dragon's keen, the lion's roar, and the goat's… baah? Which sounded strangely out of place.
As the Fivefold were thrown off guard, the Chimaeras saw their chance. Lauching Dark Blessing, a black cloud of darkness travelled over the ground towards the Fivefold, withering the earth as it went. The Fiveofld nodded to each other and to Avani, and threw up defenses. Psynergetic shields sprung to life around them, shearing off the path of the shadow and diverting it on to the woods to the side, which withered. Avani's wolves retreated from the dark mist, growling.
Avani turned and looked with concern at her wolves, and her anger was inflamed at the sight of the ruined forest. With a shout, she leapt forward and drew her double short swords, twirling one in the air, with the other aimed at the serpent head of the lead Chimaera. The blade pierced the spine of the serpent, which writhed in agony. Avani flipped over the gaping jaws of the lion and landed on its head, bringing her other blade around to sever the neck of the dragon. Black blood gushed forth, staining Avani's forearms. She grimaced, and brought one blade across to slash the goat's head. As she smiled with satisfaction, the lion finally caught on and bucked, sending her flying forward to land in the dust. As the remaining head advanced on her, growling, she rolled back to defend herself. But a blur flew overheard as Orior leapt into action, bringing around Auraleo and impaling the Chimaera's last head, which let out a roar of agony before collapsing. Orior pulled out his blade, grimacing at the black blood staining it. He wiped it on the monster's fur.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Fivefold had also paired off to face the other Chimaeras: Maris and Shamira, Cinaed and Aleos.
Maris and Shamira prepared to release their Psynergies. Mari glowed blue for a moment, and then unleashed Froth Spiral; while Shamira glowed violet and used Spark Plasma. As the two attacks were heading towards the same target, the bolts of Shamira struck Maris' water attack, and electrifyed it. "Water conducts electricty," Shamira thought, and she watched the water bubbles flying towards the monster, each contaning a swirling bolt of lightning. The bubbles struck, forcing the chimaera back under their force, and then the lightning hit. It spread through the damp fur of the beast like… well, lightning, and charred its flesh. And still, the attack kept up, until the chimaera gave a mournful cry and keeled over, smoking. "Nice combo," Shamira offered Maris, and she nodded.
Cinaed and Aleos made short work of the remaining chimaera, each wielding his weapon. Aleos severed the goat head with Masamune, and Cinaed cleaved the lion head in half with his axe. Each Adept raised their other hand, mirror images of each other, and cast Psynergy. Aleos' Force tore through the dragon's neck, and Cinaed's Heat Wave burned the head beyond all recognition. Cinaed looked sideways at Aleos. "Overkill." Aleos nodded, looking with pity at the corpse.
The Fivefold and Avani hoisted their weapons at walked towards each other, meeting in the centre of their battlefield, surrounded by the bodies of their enemies. Orior twirled Auraleo and sheathed it. "That was easy."
Shamira nodded, and sheathed her own blade. "Too easy. I'd be on guard, Adepts. Let's hurry on."
And so, the Fivefold, with Avani, travelled along the southern coastline of the continent as it curved ever northward, while fending off the attacks of countless monsters. Luckily, Avani's wolves usually alerted them of incoming threats, so the Fivefold has ample time to prepare themselves and charge their Psynergy. This was done by tapping into the elemental veins of the world and meditating, gathering their element to restore their Psynergy power, a very risky thing to do in battle as it took some time. It was, however, faster than natural recovery.
Finally, night begin to fall as Sol made her descent after a long day's work. The Fivefold looked for some place to rest, and settled in a nice alcove of trees on the southernmost part of Indra. As the maple trees fluttered in the wind, the Fivefold, with the wood-fetching help of Avani's wolves, built a small campfire beneath the boughs. As the fire crackled and spit, the Fivefold drifted off to sleep. But Avani stayed awake, staring intently into the heart of the fire.
At last, when her keen hearing deemed most of the others to be asleep, she said in a soft voice, "Orior? It's time." Soundlessly, the Adept rose from his sleeping furs and walked over to Avani, who had also risen. "The other side of that hill," she said, pointing to a rise about fifty feet distant. Orior nodded, and they left camp, walking side by side. Avani's wolves joined them, but Avani warned them to make not a sound.
When they had descended down the other side of the hill, a pair of lilac eyes opened and shone in the firelight. With a soft rustle, Shamira sat up and listened intently to the sound of their receding footsteps. Attuning herself to the wind, Shamira closed her eyes and listened to what they said.
Orior and Avani slowly descended from the hill, lured by the trickling sound of a stream. Clear water bubbled over the small pebbles of its bed, and the two Earth Adepts sat side by side, looking into the water. At length, Avani spoke. "So, where shall I begin?"
Orior continued to stare into the water, not looking at her. "At the beginning."
Avani sighed, and rocked backwards before laying down on her back. She closed her eyes, then opened them and stared at the stars. Luna had not yet risen.
"As you know, I left Lilyvera seven years ago, at the age of ten. I was invited to be an apprentice under the master of Garoh, a kindhearted Luna Adept who had maintained good relations with Lilyvera for the past few years. My apprenticing was supposed to be a sign of goodwill between our houses, and I was honoured to learn from such a wise man. Or so I thought.
"From the moment I arrived, I sensed something was wrong. Every person in the city regarded me warily, as if I wasn't human but some strange monster. Doors slammed in my face, the shops wouldn't sell to me and the inn I couldn't stay at. I was a bit confused, but tried to seem as if everything was normal and waited outside a large rock in town, my travelling bags beside me. To my surprise, a hole opened in the door and the Master walked out, looking a little less careworn then he does now. When he noticed me, he put up his hood, but not before I caught a glimpse of a very hairy, wild-looking face. Suffice to say, I was a bit apprehensive.. Without saying a word, he picked up my bags and carried them inside. Of course, I protested that I was not worthy for such an honour, but he insisted. He beckoned for me to follow, as well. With no choice but to do so, I walked in after him.
"As we walked down the dark caves, I asked him why the citizens of Garoh were ignoring me. Without turning around to face me, he said 'It's simply because they're not used to you… we Garohans don't normally see outsiders. We are… a race apart.'
"I had to be content with this vague answer. We wound through the maze of caves, often doubling back until I was dizzy with confusion. At last, we ascended a staircase and emerged in a cozy-looking inn, with sturdy beds of cotton sheets. He deposited my bags and turned to me. 'We'll talk in the morning, after you get a long rest. I look forward to teaching you.'
"I didn't know it then, but during the whole time he was appraising me, using every inch of his senses to determine my strength and potential. Fortunately, I passed. I hate to think of what would have happened if I failed…
"I had been very exhausted, and collapsed gratefully into the soft bed. The torchlight dwindled to a comforting flicker, and I drifted off into sleep…
"A deep snarl woke me up. I was wide awake and alert instantly. In the dim remanants of the torch, I saw a great hulking beast six feet in size at the foot of my bed. It looked vaguely familiar, but how I couldn't say: it was covered completely with a coarse fur and its jaws were wide open. I could smell its breath, like rotten stinking meat. I tried to scream, but no sound came up.
"The wolf, for that's what it was, advanced on me slowly. I was paralyzed with fear; but keep in mind I was only ten. Perhaps things would be different if it happened today…
"It climbed up on my bed, and promptly sat on me, immobilizing me with its weight. It pinned my arms with its forepaws, and its oversized head reached out to my face. I think I whimpered.
"It sniffed twice, and seemed to grin. It opened its jaws wide, its five-inch fangs bare inches away from my face. The stench of its breath almost choked me as it extended its neck, lightly resting one fang on my cheek. Slowly, carefully, it moved the fang across my cheek, drawing the smallest amount of blood while making an incision a eighth inch deep. It left off below my ear, and then made the same cut on my other cheek. As my vision swam, I thought "Poison!" The last thing I saw was the beast withdrawing, while seeming to melt. I thought I hallucinated it becoming humanoid.
"It was no hallucination.
"The next morning, I promptly awoke with a burning pain on either cheek, and staggering to a window I vomited. I washed my face in a cistern of water, and then studied my reflection.
"My eyes had lightened from a light brown to hazel, and were shot with a bit of yellow. I drew back a strand of my hair to examine the cut. It looked unsightly, probably infected. I rushed outside my room, stumbling through the myriad maze of caves, before finding my way to fresh air outside. There, the citizens saw me and swooped down, and took me to the healer. I wondered at this unexpected turn of favour, and then it clicked.
"The myths were all true, of a cursed race who dwelled in Osenia. Every night of the waxed Luna, they transformed into wolves if they looked directly on her. Rumours said they had an insanitable taste for human flesh, but I soon learned this was not true.
"They were werewolves. Every one of them. And now, I was one too."
Orior looked sharply at his cousin, who had drawn up her knees and crossed her arms over them, looking pensively into the stream. She drew back a strand of her silky hair to reveal a white scar that ran from her cheek to her jawbone horizontally. "I screamed, and my wounds reopened. Then I fainted.
"They cared for me with a tender touch. After all, I was one of the pack now. Faces swam into my vision during my fever: the kind face of the healer, many citizens, and the Master several times. All werewolves. All of them.
"In later times, I would often inquire of the Master who the werewolf was that performed the ritual of the wolf. He wouldn't say, but I believe now it was the Master himself.
"Anyway, after I recovered, the Master took me under his wing. He taught me to use dual shortswords, and instructed me in the use of the Trainer's Whip. A simple copy, though. He held the true, first, Whip.
"In time, I grew to love Garoh. Thoughts of Lilyvera slowly faded from my recollection. I was given two wolf cubs to train as my companions, and eventually we grew to love each other. The Master, too, was very kind to me, and my sense of loyalty grew.
"Then, Regnoare rose to power. Since he was of the line of Gazimonus, it bode ill for Garoh. The Master decreed… well, I told you this. Long story short, life got harder.
"Then you came. Our hunters spotted you coming a mile away, and the Master wanted you killed. But I recognized your description, and pleaded for your cause. Feigning ignorance, I ambushed you on the road with the purpose of leading you to the Master. Luckily for you, you made a good impression, and so you lived. You could have been torn apart in your sleep had you been rude or malignant. That's what Garoh has come to.
"The curse Gazimonus placed on Garoh… that its people would turn into wolf/humans on the night of Luna's fullness, at her maximum strength. And that whomever they bite would also suffer this curse. So it has been for the past two thousand years. And now that curse is on me," she said with a sigh, and hung her head.
Orior laid a reassuring hand on Avani's shoulder. "Don't worry.. but wait, isn't tonight a full Luna?"
Avani looked mournfully at him. "Yes. That is why I must leave you for tonight. Goodnight, cousin." Luna breached the treetops, and her silver light poured over the land. Even as Avani faded into the shadows, fur was rippling across her tanned arms, and soon a humanoid white wolf with tawny and light brown stripes bounded into the woods, free from care.
Orior returned to the camp, lost in his thoughts. He silently sat down and curled up in his furs, contemplating Avani's story.
Suddenly, an alto voice pierced the air. "So, Orior, what are you doing so late this night? 'Barking at the moon'? 'Running with the dogs'?" Shamira was leaning on one elbow and looking at him, her eyes twinkling in the darkness. Around her, the other Fivefold rose from their furs and facing Orior.
Orior was shocked. "Shamira! How much do you know!"
Shamira grinned and absently twirled a lock of her violet hair around one finger. "Everything. The rest of the Fivefold know as well. We can't let a wolf run unknown in our midst, now can we? Although," Shamira said thoughtfully, "it does answer some questions. Like how she could train those wolves so damn well."
Orior gathered himself up. "I hope you're not opposed to her staying with us. Any of you," he added.
Shamira shook her head. "Of course not. It would be helpful to have a werewolf on our side, and it's obvious she's not an enemy. They could have killed us all back at the Garoh inn if they were. So, when she returns, probably in the morning, we'll reassure her and continue our journey."
"Glad to hear we're all united then," Orior said drowsily, and drifted off to sleep.
Shamira stared unbelievingly at the Earth Adept. "Humph. Anyways, Fivefold, let's give Avani a warm welcome when she returns. Fivefold?" She said, looking around. Everyone was asleep. She sighed. "Ah well." With that, she too, lay down and soon was in dreamland.
The night sped by, with the chirps of countless crickets going on unceasing, though the Fivefold slept peacefully enough. When day began to dawn, a lone wolf-like woman wearing a green tunic walked into the camp, and sniffed. Her hazel eyes regarded each of the sleeping Adepts in turn. "I'm surprised they're still here… I guess either Orior didn't tell them, or they accepted me. Either way, I should lay down to sleep, if only to allay their suspicions." The wolf quietly slinked over to her empty sleeping furs, and curled within, and was soon fast asleep. Minutes later, Sol broke through the eastern horizon, and her golden light spilled over the sleeping Adepts. The werewolf curled in the sleeping furs underwent a transformation: the fur shrank and withered, her fangs returned to normal size. Elongated snout receded to a normal nose, and tail disappeared. In mere moments, the sleeping form of Avani, leaves still tangled in her hair, had replaced the wolf/human.
Midmorning arrived, and still she slept on. Finally, she stretched and yawned mightily before beginning to pick leaves from her hair. "What time is it?" She asked sleepily.
"Just before noon, sleepyhead. Where were you, out and about all night?" Shamira said, arms folded and wearing a grin. Avani snapped fully awake, and looked around, seeing each of the Fivefold awake and grinning.
"I was… uh… umm… hunting?" She offered.
Shamira laughed. "Perhaps. But don't worry, Avani, we know. And we are willing to allow you to continue to travel with us. Besides, I have a feeling you could trail us even if we didn't." She walked over and offered Avani her hand.
She took it, and the Anemosian helped her to her feet. "So, you have no problem with my… wolfishness, then?"
Maris smiled. "Not at all. In fact, Cinaed here," she jerked her thumb in his direction, "is part dragon, but we don't complain. Lest he torch us with his non-existent fiery breath." The Proxian grinned, showing pointed teeth.
"Then we shall be going?" Avani asked, a bit excited.
Orior smiled and clapped a hand on his cousin's shoulder, who grinned weakly but managed not to flinch. "Of course. Just how long will you stay with us, anyway?"
Avani did some quick calculations. "Oh… I'd say till Anemos River or so."
Orior nodded. "Good. Let's go then."
The Fivefold set their path through the treacherous paths of Tundaria, a country tortured by constant icy winds from the south and beset by icy currents from the west. Though surrounded by tropical Gondowan on the west and warm Indra on the east, it seemed exceedingly odd to be so cold, though in fact it was reasonable. A highly mountainous country, its peaks served as a buffer to block the frigid air and keep it from entering Gondowan, Indra, and Osenia, the three countries it protected. It was so cold, that even snow fell in this odd wasteland! Thus, it's name: Tundaria. Imil had a small colony here, the inhabitants mainly living in the tower named for the country: Tundaria Tower.
The Fivefold, with Avani, trudged through this wasteland, after crossing the Indra bridge over the river that marked the border between the two countries. With cloaks fastened and hoods up, providing ample protection against the wind, the Fivefold made it through Tundaria and crossed the Gondowan-Tundaria bridge into the southernmost tip of the dark country. The Tundar Range, through which the bridge was cut, provided a shield against the chilling wind.
Travelling along the sunshine shore of southern Gondowan, the Fivefold, by some good fortune, escaped most of the monsters that roamed the country. The innumerable rivers that spidered through Gondowan, were, thankfully, mostly bridged by simple constructions of wood, though more than once they were forced to travel upstream to find a suitable crossing point. The terrain was rough, and the going was slow. The tropical forest held poisonous snakes, piranhas in the water, tigers in the trees, pits on the road… and so much more. It took all the ingenuity of the Fivefold and Avani to blaze a trail through, but eventually they succeeded and broke through the dense green foliage, and heard the roaring noise of the Anemos River. They had arrived.
With the endless greenery of the forest behind them, and stretching as far as the eye could see to the left and right, they were relieved to see a change in scenery. Spanning almost two miles was the swift-flowing river of Anemos, so named because it was the eastern boarder of the Jupiterian nation. Its immense length spanned from the north shore of the entire continent to emerge from the south shore. No one knew the exact location of its source, but many suspected it to be somewhere in the Loho Mountains. The river was well known for its swift speed, and such was why the Anemosians chose it for their border.
Shamira turned to them. "Now, this will be very difficult. We need to combine all our strengths and open the border. Normally, it requires at least thirty Adepts to reveal the way, but I think, with our considerable strength and the power of the Elemental Stars we can do this. Ready?" She stretched, and rotated her shoulders.
"What do you plan to do?" Avani asked skeptically.
Shamira smiled. "A little Anemosian hocus-pocus. Watch. Line up behind me in the following way: Orior and Avani, the Venus Adepts, behind me; Maris and Cinaed, opposing elements, behind them. Aleos, with the Elemental Stars, at the rear."
They soundlessly organized as per Shamira's instructions, and waited. "Raise your arms, Adepts," Shamira said, and outstretched hers forward. Then, she spoke in a clear voice:
"Jupiter, Lord of Wind! Heed our cries! We seek to enter your country grant us passage! So asks your vassal, Princess Shamira. Reveal the way!"
Each of the other Adepts began to glow the colour of their respective element, even Aleos glowed silver. The mythril bags he held emanated a pure blue glow and a steady yellow-green one; the Stars were responding. A fierce wind whipped up, tossing about the hair of the Adepts. The wind gathered strength, and raced across the breadth of the river, rippling the waves as it went. Shamira glowed a deep violet, and the ripple deepened, cutting a path through the entire river, from surface to riverbed. A fierce froth rose as the current impacted with the wind, but the current rebounded on itself and dissipated. The water on the south side of the ripple slowly petered away, revealing the bed of the river, worn smooth by centuries of fast-moving water.
Still glowing vividly, Shamira turned to the others and motioned them forward. "Come. I will guide us through the wind." With that, she descended into the path, the wall of water on her right.
The aura around Shamira glowed fiercely as she took the first step into the whirling path, and the wind sheared of around them. The Fivefold with Avani passed behind, smiling at the sheer power of Jupiter. A roiling wall of water rose some eighty feet to their right, frothing but held back by the barrier of wind. Shocked fish swimming along the river would be thrown backwards by the might of this wall, something that was quite comical to see.
At last, after nearly half an hour, Shamira was growing tired. Fortunately, they had reached the other side, and were now ascending the bank on the other side, which proved to be fairly difficult since it was worn smooth by the river's power. Eventually though, one by one the Fivefold reached the other side, and pulled themselves up, panting.
Suddenly, a strangled cry sounded behind them. The Fivefold turned around, hands on their weapons, and gasped.
Regnoare was floating behind them, an amused and malicious smile on his face. His demon wings flapped slowly, keeping him aloft, and his eyes gleamed with merriment. With one powerful arm, he had Avani pinned to his torso, his forearm across her back. She struggled against his iron grip, but to no avail.
"Hello again, Fivefold," he spat. "Surprised to see me? You shouldn't be, using your Elemental Stars lights up your position in the great grid of Alchemy like that!" He laughed, then looked at them evenly. "The demonstration of your might at the Battle of Three Elements impressed me: you almost decimated my entire army." He chuckled. "And now I'm here to make you an offer: join me, become my lieutenants of darkness, or Avani here," he said, reading her mind, "will experience untold realms of pain."
Avani twisted her head from Regnoare and shouted at them, "Don't give in! I don't fear death, and this bastard should get what he deserves! Don't forget the ones he has taken from you!" She turned around and spat in Regnoare's face.
Regnoare glowered. "You'll regret that, whelp! Impertinent fool!" He clamped his other hand over Avani's mouth, silencing her. "Now, Fivefold. Submit, or she dies."
Aleos stood forward, his eyes burning with hatred. "Never shall we give in to you, scum!"
Regnoare smiled malevolently. "Is that so? Then, I'll just keep Avani here with me until you change you minds. Maybe destroy a city or two," he said, looking at Shamira and Cinaed. "Until then, I bid you adieu."
Shamira suddenly cried, "I don't think so!" She clapped her hands together, and the wind holding back the river dissipated, the force of the held-back water rushing at Regnoare, roaring with the sound of a released dam (which is what it was).
Laughing, Regnoare spiralled upwards and disappeared in a puff of black smoke. The Fivefold heard his voice in their heads: "Remember, surrender is always welcome." Of Regnoare and Avani, no sign remained.
The Fivefold were despondent over their failure to save Avani. Shamira berated herself again and again, "I should have sensed him coming, I should have sensed him coming…"
Orior also blamed himself, regretting his failure to save his own cousin. "We defeated Regnoare when he was at the head of his army, but we couldn't when he was alone…" Aleos hated Regnoare more than ever.
The three moped about, watching the campfire they had made, depressed. Maris rounded on them. "Fivefold! Come on! Avani's loss is tragic, I know, but there is nothing we could have done! With the power of Jupiter and Mars still in his hands, Regnoare is still out of our league. We caught him by surprise at Lilyvera, but this time he ambushed us. You heard Avani, she didn't want us to submit, she'd rather face death. That is real courage. Will you dishonour her by sinking into depression, getting nothing done? No! She is one more added to the list of crimes that Regnoare must atone for! All of you, have you forgotten so easily what he has taken from you!"
Cinaed rose, his eyes flashing. "Maris is right. Our quest is not over, there will be time enough to mourn when we have succeeded. And maybe, we can still save Avani. Come on, Fivefold! Are you heroes, or are you wimps?"
Orior slammed his fist against a nearby tree, cracking it. "Damn straight, Maris and Cinaed. Damn straight. We can't sink into darkness, we must quest for the light. Let's go!"
Shamira rose. "Come! Anemos is nearby! There, maybe we shall defeat Regnoare once and for all! It is my city!"
"Aquina, Vale, Imil, Lilyvera, Avani, and so many more… you will be avenged," Aleos said quietly.
"Amen to that," Shamira responded, and their spirits restored the Fivefold dissembled camp and headed towards Anemos. A network of mountains and rivers, bridged by sturdy wood bridges, surrounded Anemos. Skirting the inland Gulf of Anemos, the Fivefold finally saw the city of Anemos glittering below them, pristine and unharmed, with the far-off Jupiter Lighthouse in the distance.
Shamira looked with something like love on her native city. "Anemos, city of the skies."
Somewhere, on the isolated peak of a mountain near the river of Anemos, a being stirred and opened his golden eyes, which glittered as if made of ice. Slowly, he gathered himself up and surveyed the country below him. "So. The darkness of this realm draws nearer to me. I think I have recovered enough: the time for action has come. But those Adepts," he thought, looking down on the Fivefold, "hold immense power. Perhaps I should trail them, and see if I can obtain that power." So saying, he clenched his fist and thrust it at the Adepts.
The being was surrounded in a violet aura as he cast Volatilis. Violet wings of Psynergy sprung into being behind him a she took off, his silver hair streaming behind him as rode the air currents. "Soon."