Chapter 13

Qual's Icy Nightmare

The farms of the village were nothing short of large which reached out through a vast amount of acres. Ascal noted that Qual had been a lot more peaceful than usual this time. In fact, almost too peaceful...

"Who are you people? You dress so oddly." a young Vanguardian child who seemed to be the only child in the area was a little frightened by their presence.

An elderly woman who looked to be supervising the child scolded him. "Hush, Henry. Don't be rude!"

Her attention turned towards the group. "Oh. It's the Savior! Sir Ascal, thank you for visiting us once again. What brings you and your people here?"

Ascal smiled as he pulled back the strands of hair that fell over his headband. "Naw. You know this is like my home, Farina. Oh, and these guys are gonna be with me for a while. Don't have time for introductions though, we were just gonna pass through. So what's up with this place? It looks so... down-in-the-dumps."

"Er... It's n-nothing to worry about." Farina responded looking very gloomy.

Ascal insisted in finding out the truth. "Farina. What is it?"

"Speak to the elder chief, he'll explain everything. But it wouldn't suit us to waste your time, Sir Ascal."

The other areas were filled with huts and many farms in the outskirts of the village, the crops were healthy and most of the farmers' life was spent mostly on vegetation. One of the larger wooden houses was decorated with bright green ornaments and it was a little farther away from the other cluster of huts where the villagers resided. The elder chief resided in a wooden house in the center of the village. Mirage knocked on the wooden door as the others followed behind her closely.

"sigh Come on in." a sulky voice was heard.

They made their way through the door. The interior of the house wasn't nearly as decorated as its exterior. The village chief had small brown handlebar moustache with the same lengthy ears which all Vanguardians have. He paced around the house looking upset before setting his eyes upon Mirage, Xeim, Lieber, Welch, and Misty.

"Ah, Savior Ascal. Sorry for the empty welcome. I was given news just a few minutes ago that travellers had come to our village, I assume that must be the ones with you." he spoke as he took a seat in his rusty chair.

"Yes, that's us." Mirage said with a small pause in between. "Sorry for the disturbance, but could you tell us what has happened in this village?"

"I suppose I can share my trouble with you, Sir Ascal is the only one who can help us after all." the elder chief cleared his throat. "To those strangers who don't know me, I'm Chief Uzul. As you know, Sir Ascal, the history of Qual has always been remembered throughout generations for serving Rashfall. Thus, all the villagers including myself had nothing more important to us than the children, the future of Qual. They were even more important than our farms and vegetation. But recently one morning they were nowhere to be found. We've looked all over the village but i'm afraid something terrible must have happened to them."

"So did they just run off or something?" Ascal asked calmly.

Chief Uzul was clueless. "I don't know. Only one of them returned safely to Qual... he mentioned a stranger leading the others to Pagos Cavern. That place can get quite dangerous now and then and that is certainly no place for farmers like us to be lurking around. We are not built to be warriors, it would help immensely if you would could give us a hand, Savior."

"What do you guys say?" Ascal looked towards the group for confirmation.

Mirage looked back curiously. "Do you think the stranger could possibly be..."

"The Calamity, right? I seriously hope not." Ascal replied.

"We better go check it out ourselves." Lieber was ready to go just when the others agreed to Uzul's request.

The Pagos Cavern was just west of the outskirts of the village hidden behind a few trees of a tiny forest. Upon entering the cavern, Mirage set her eyes upon the frozen walls on each side of the cave and some areas of the ground were covered in ice as well. The frozen walls consisted of sharp crystal-like structures and large icicles were embedded on the ceiling of the cavern. Ascal explained that the mass of ice was created using the power of Fenrir crystals with Jindou to prevent the cavern from collapsing during an incident. Mirage was advising everyone in the group to stay cautious for the whole duration.

"If it is the Alliance, then we'll have no choice but to fight them off. Just be careful now and don't let your guard down." Mirage kept walking without looking back at them concentrating on what was ahead of her. "Exercise spirit and mentality... so take deep breaths and-..."

Lieber's yawn interrupted and annoyed Mirage. "Whoops, sorry. Heh, didn't hear a word you said capt'n. I just want to get past this cold and shivering place. Brrrr!"

"Oh no, I think it was more like you found it boring." Welch exclaimed.

"Hey, I don't know whether it was boring or not... but if we had the time, I would make you all exercise physically as well so consider yourself lucky!" Mirage said before storming ahead deeper into the caverns.

Ascal stopped to throw a chuckle. "Man, she must be the only non-lazy person out of this bunch huh? Guess we better get moving quick. But I must admit, she did get pretty stiff. Fhaha!"

"Fhaha?" everyone gave him an odd and creepy look.

"What? Got a problem with the way I laugh?" Ascal shrugged.

"Well, thank goodness atleast I didn't suffer from a slap on the head." Lieber said with relief.

Mirage kept walking straight trying not to let the others' laziness bother them. A lurky shadow with the same figure of a Vanguardian descended from above just a few feet across from her. He was dressed in torn clothes and large dirty boots as he wielded his dagger to stop her.

"Who the hell are you!" he asked rudely.

Mirage was reluctant to give a dignifying response. "And what if I asked you the same?"

"Don't be a wise ass. You don't look like those weak pests from Qual. So tell me who you are! Or i'll do you in right here." he pointed his dagger in Mirage's direction with a smirk on his scarred face.

"You know... it's rude to point a knife at a lady." Mirage said repeating something that was becoming a catchphrase to her. "Let me guess. You're the ones who abducted the children of Qual."

"And what if I did?"

Just then, Ascal and the others caught up with Mirage and saw the funny looking bandit with the dagger. Mirage informed them about him and his deeds.

"Alright, filthy rat." Ascal unsheathed his sword. "Spill it. Where'd you hide them?"

"Can't we settle this without spilling any blood? Look, I did this for a reason." said the filthy bandit. "Tell your village elder to bring me the Fenrir crystal... only then will I return these kids safely in your hands. Got it?"

"You're not going to get away with this!" Ascal yelled back at him.

"What's that with your sword? You have a Fenrir crystal as well. Ohhh, I see. You must be the stupid Savior. Hahaha this is perfect! Listen, just hand me over that one you have there and it will do. It'll save you the trip of going back to the village. Convenient, huh?"

"Killing you is more convenient for me!" Ascal thrust his sword in the direction of the bandit which he was just barely able to dodge.

He stood up and brushed himself off as he started walking away deeper into the cave. "Tsk. It's a shame. You should have sticked with the deal."

A white wolf sneaked out behind the bandit glaring at everyone in front of it with its red beady eyes. It charged towards its opponents in an attempt to knock over atleast one of them.

"Flaming Missile!" Lieber shouted as each bullet left a trail of fire in its path before connecting with the wolf-like creature. It howled with pain as the flames began to burn its skin.

The wolf began moving in a zig-zag path to confuse its enemies which caused almost everyone to miss its target. The icy creature however made its biggest mistake once it was cornered by two large icicles.

Xeim found his chance to rush in and attack while the wolf was left defenseless. "Eagle Smack!" He leaped into the air and dived straight towards the wolf delivering a strong headbutt knocking it over its feet.

After the quick and easy fall of the swift wolf, everyone ran after the bandit deeper into the cave. They reached a dead end in the cave... and there they were, the children. They all seemed to recognize Ascal and were delighted he came. Although the bandit was still there, he wasn't willing to fight.

"How'd you guys get past Shimmy!" he said in a frightened voice.

"We're gonna go back to Qual! Thanks so much, Sir Ascal!" the children chimed in before scurrying off. "Hey let's play tag on our way back."

"H-Hey wait!" shouted the bandit.

Mirage walked towards the cunning bandit as he slowly backed to the wall feeling the cold chill in his spin. "What did you intend to use the Fenrir crystal for?" After not getting a response, she grabbed him by his collar and lifted him a few feet in the air with his back against the wall.

"Keep him there." Ascal told her. "Alright now, my sneaky pal. Tell us everything."

"Alright, alright!" he replied with an even more frightened tone. "I'll tell you all I can! I-I needed the Fenrir crystal for a bunch of odd-looking people that look just like you guys. I'm from Gernn, and these guys are sprawning all over the place looking for Fenrir crystals. I told them I got get a hold of one in Qual and they said they'd make me rich if I could bring one to them."

"So they WERE behind it." Misty said.

Xeim nodded. "No doubt about it. Tell us, why is it you brought the kids here then?"

"I n-needed a way to get the elder chief to hand over the Fenrir crystal. cough That's why."

"Hmph. Filthy thiefs have only filthy intentions." Ascal said grimly. "Looks like the kids have left safely. So what do you suppose we do with him now?"

Mirage freed him from her clutches dropping him to the ground. "Leave him. Let's hurry towards their north base before they drag others into another mess like this."

After leaving the Pagos Cavern, the group headed back to Qual immediately to make sure everything was well. By the time they reached the village, it was already nightfall. Chief Uzul asked them to meet him so he could get a chance to thank them personally for saving their children.

"It's good to hear you've returned safely. I don't know how to show my appreciation towards all of you, but why don't you spend the night here? It's getting dark, you wouldn't want to leave the village at this time." Chief Uzul asked affectionately.

"Yes. That would be nice." said Mirage.

"Chief Uzul," Misty called out to get his attention. "Is it true you have a Fenrir crystal?"

"That is true. Just like the Savior, I hold a Fenrir crystal as well. Although we are just farmers, it was handed over to use by the royal Requiem Code for the protection of Qual." he replied as he reached for an identical Fenrir crystal that Ascal was carrying.

Misty narrowed her eyes onto the Fenrir crystal. "Why is it you didn't to protect your children then?"

"I-... I've never used it. I couldn't." he replied nervously as if he didn't understand what he himself was saying.

"But why?"

He continued to look at the crystal in his hand nervously. "Fenrir crystals... they are a new form of Jindou used for nothing but destruction. Ever since the Fenrir war, these crystals have become more common than you think. I lost my wife during the war twenty years ago. I couldn't bare to see another destruction being ensued by the power of Jindou."

"The Fenrir war... the war which resulted just after discovering the last yogen which stated that Gernn would supposedly be responsible for inflicting a curse upon the world. Many fought over it, and Gernn was almost put into ruins during the war. That's why you'll see that continent in nothing but in poor shape." Ascal informed every other member of his group.

"Right." confirmed Chief Uzul after hearing Ascal's words. "That's why i've restricted myself from using the power of Fenrir crystals ever since the death of my wife. I'm certain she'd want the same."

"You can't expect to protect any one of Qual if you restrict yourself from such things. You have the Fenrir crystal for a reason." Xeim said.

"Yeah. Some elder chief you are. How can you allow the people to suffer from the hands of those thieves?" Welch replied as she shook her small glove-rod which she constantly kept in her hands.

"sigh Yes. After what happened today, i've realized how foolish I was. To bind myself from using Jindou could mean more suffering like how our children did a while ago." Chief Uzul said looking convinced.

Ascal grinned slyly. "That's great. Hopefully you guys will be able to take care of your problems now. Man... i'm exhausted. Let's call it a day, shall we?"

"Yeah. It's been a long day." Mirage said batting her eyes. "You go on ahead. I want to discuss some things with everyone."

"Suit yourselves. Just don't oversleep." Ascal said as he walked out.

------------------------

Mirage, Misty, Lieber, and Xeim were just outside their rooms discussing while Welch and Ascal had already gone to their respective rooms for the night.

"The Alliance, they shouldn't be too far off now." Xeim said.

Misty felt a little uneasy, she looked like she wanted to say something. "I've been thinking about the Black Art recently. I felt there was something familiar in the immense power we sensed in the battles we've fought against them."

"What is it, Misty?" asked Mirage.

"I didn't realize it until now... but the belts strapped around Cliff that bounced back everyone of our attacks was undergoing alchemic reactions everytime we would attack him." she replied.

"So what does that mean?" Lieber turned to her curiously.

Misty shook her head. "I can't say for certain, but their technology is based on parts of alchemic laws... that's for sure."

"Just a little longer hopefully, and then we'll find out everything." Mirage sighed as she looked down at her feet. "Then we won't have to meddle into Vanguard's matters anymore."

Lieber looked a little puzzled at Mirage. "Hey capt'n. Do you think we should let Ascal know about the Alliance. I mean we didn't go by the UP3 law before taking Welch along with us."

"We can't. Ascal is a descendent of a royal family and the Savior, which means he is probably amonth the most famous Vanguardians. He's probably their only hope to help them from the Calamity everyone strongly believes in."

"The Alliance base is just up north now. It won't be long before we confront them once again." Xeim said as he walked towards his room. "Let's hope we get some more answers out of them."

Mirage nodded as she watched Xeim take his leave. "I hope Marietta and Steeg are alright as well..."