(Author's Note): Is it strange to listen to dragon quest ost and write this at the same time?

XX

Chapter 6: The Crypts (Finale)

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Quest - its very clear you know! Especially when one keeps writing Dragon Age on accident from time to time.

XX

Yggdrasil's plant was right in front of her!

Serena was thrilled and while that might sound strange coming from someone who lives right under Yggdrasil, it wasn't the same experience. In Arboria the world tree was actually completely unreachable as it floated so high above into the skies. So to be this close! To be even able to reach out to something that was previously so unattainable by many before her was simply breathtaking.

She was also able to witness it's parting gift to the Luminary. Trunks had expressed how the plant had showed him the password they would need to get through the door blocking their final path. Serena was happy because she knew just beyond that door they would get their answers. She could now more than ever before feel her sister's trapped essence calling out to her own.

Soon.

Serena began to trace her right fingertips over the plant and as she did, Trunks peered over her shoulder. He had asked her if she witnessed any spark, or jolting sensation similar to the link that was formed between the both of them earlier.

The young priestess shook her head.

"The gift of vision from Yggdrasil's plants is intended solely for you, the Luminary."

"And the ones you have?" He questioned and Serena shrugged.

"They are just dreams. Nothing more, nothing less."

"That can't be right. You clearly witnessed how to get here didn't you? That was no dream." Trunks said earning a hum of disapproval from Serena.

"In honesty Trunks I just want to say that was just a fluke."

"Fluke? How does that even make remote sense?"

"Well," Serena began as she drew away from the plant and placed right hand under her chin to think of how to explain her theory correctly. "Perhaps what we experienced was solely because my last dream mostly revolved around you and this ruined town."

"...Cobblestone..." Trunks managed. "It was my hometown. Heliodor soldiers came and destroyed it upon learning that is where they housed me as a child…"He trailed off, looking sullen at the reminder. "If I hadn't…"

"Were they aware of the truth?" Serena asked carefully. Trunks brows knit at the question.

"What do you mean? That I was the Luminary? Yes the townspeople knew." Serena once again shook her head.

"No. I mean, did the people of your village know the Heliodor men had come with the intent to harm?"

When silence followed, Serena couldn't help but sniffle.

"Those poor people." She muttered, whilst brushing a lone tear away from face. With a heavy sigh, she placed her hands together in prayer before the Yggdrasil plant. She knew Trunks was probably too deep in thought to be listening to her but she wanted to try to make him feel better. "In Arboria we have a saying that when a person dies, a leaf from Yggdrasil's branch falls down to the world. This plant might just be one of those people..."

"I hope not." He replied stunning Serena. She looked up to see him standing aside her, searching her face for telling answers. "I really hope that they managed to escape before the attack." Serena felt her throat constrict but managed to swallow and hold her ground. She met his gaze with a smile.

"Yes, I hope so too." She responded and after a long pause of silence - finally did Trunks drift away from her. It was a good thing too because Serena wasn't sure she could keep her facade on any longer. She had never been good at keeping secrets. Serena bit her lip and glanced one last time back at the plant. "Please, save them." She whispered under her breath.

According from texts she had also read in Arboria, it was also said that Yggdrasil had divine healing properties. If anything could bring those villagers back into this world, Yggdrasil could. Serena swore she saw a sparkle from the plant and so the priestess smiled. She closed her eyes, whispered one last final prayer in thanks and turned to leave.

Serena was pleasantly surprised to hear her sister call out to her, waving so vigorously. Erik was balancing the pint-sized Veronica on his shoulders as he skidded to a stop in front of both Trunks and herself.

"Piggy-back huh?" Trunks teased making Erik grumble how much of a pain it was to lug her around with her constant need to squirm at every enemy they flitted through. Even the sleeping ones, a real drag. He complained. "Well...It took you two long enough, still I'm glad to see you both unharmed. " Trunks said, grinning.

"Oh please. There was hardly anything in our path. Erik here simply got lost." Veronica replied as a matter of factually. Serena couldn't help but laugh as she moved over to the two and offered to help Veronica down. The mage in question wiggled away from Serena's outstretched hands and jumped down off Erik's back on her own accord. "Serena please, I am capable."

Serena retracted her hands feeling embarrassed.

"Oh of course! Sorry Veronica you just look so helpless."

Veronica humphed and turned to Trunks with bright eyes.

"So did you find whatever you two decided was so important to leave your most valuable teammate behind in the dust. I'd rather not be stuck with old unreliable."

"Tch."

"Have a look for yourself." Trunks told her, pointing back towards the glowing plant behind him. Veronica scurried over to it and began to examine it. There was a series of oohs and aahs that followed.

"She's totally a kid. You cannot convince me otherwise." Erik commented, arms now crossed. Serena aside him chuckled.

"You won't be saying that when you see the damage that her magic produces." Erik rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, shaking in my boots...So Trunks, what did that plant show you this time around?"

"This is not your first encounter?" Serena cut in, glancing between the two "There have been more plants like this one?"

"Yeah. We actually discovered another on the way through the Manglegrove. It was with its help that we were able to continue our journey. Really nifty thing if you ask me." Serena hummed. She never would have expected there would be more of them.

"The plant actually showed me how to get past the magical seal on the door over yonder. I suspect that's where the big boss is."

"As well as my magic. In case you forgot." Veronica reminded. She had finished her examination of the plant. "So let's quit fooling around and get on with it. Besides, I'm pretty sure that lost girl's father is being held here. So we should hurry and get him home to her."

"Right." Trunks and Erik said in union and Serena tilted her head.

"There's a lost girl?" Veronica waved her hand to dismiss Serena.

"Don't worry about it. You missed out. You'll see once we get to Hotto again later." Serena nodded numbly.

"...If you say so."

XXX

Jarvis was a rather large beast. A blue skinned Jargon to be precise as well as with some type of brand fashioned on his belly. Their element of surprise had all but backfired when she of all people got frightened by one of Jarvis's shadows behind her. Now because of that tiny little mishap the three of them were currently trying to fight off the other two shadows and their master.

"I'm sorry about this." Serena said as her hands moved over Trunk's wounds. She began to heal them as quickly as her mana would allow. "I've never been one for spreading good luck."

"It's alright Serena. We've got Erik and it just so happens Erik teems with it. Believe me." Trunks responded weakly with a smile. "Besides you are our healer. I'm not about to let anything harm you."

"...Still." Serena pressed. She did not expect for Trunks to have jumped in front of icy blast directed at her. "You should be more careful especially with Veronica out of action..." She trailed off as she glanced down at her sleeping sister.

One of the shadows had put Veronica to sleep and no matter what Trunks, Erik, and Serena did to shake her out of it - Veronica just wouldn't stir from slumber. Jarvis would go on to gloat that she wouldn't wake until he himself was defeated. A task to which he also claimed was impossible.

"I'm fine." Trunks responded, rising from his one knee. He then extended his hand down to her. "Come on can't let Erik take all the credit, can we?"

She accepted it happily.

"I suppose not." Serena responded glancing outwards to see Erik had already made quick work of dispelling both shadows and now was currently back-flipping out of the way from Jarvis's strong right hook. "He really is something else."

"Which is why a little more oomph can make a big deal!" Trunks cried out as he charged forward and cut Jarvis down while he was so distracted by Erik.

"W-why you sneak attacks are forbidden!" Jarvis snapped as he held onto its hurt left eye. A nasty gash left open where Trunks swung blade. "Fight fairly and I'll mince your meat!"

"It's not his fault that your constantly sleeping on the job." Erik commented as he landed behind Jarvis gracefully before using his dagger to cut through the beast from behind. "No wonder your at ends meet with this so called, Dark One! You really don't do a very good job at finishing the job, do you?" Erik added while smirking at his handiwork - another just as large gash etched into Jarvis's back.

Jarvis growled angrily. He jumped back from the two men and went to reach for giant pot that rested on the floor beside him.

"Woosh!" Serena cried out. A strong burst of soared past both men and sent Jarvis rolling away.

"Nice!" Both complimented her and she nodded, moving to their sides so they would all be lined up once more. They watched as Jarvis would struggle to his feet, cursing all the more.

"Just give up, your out numbered!" Trunks called and Jarvis roared angrily, stomping his feet, and began summoning what little strength he had left to out do them.

"Enough! Enough! Enough!" Jarvis cried out. "No more! I will see that you three are dispatched with this final blow!"

A blue aura surrounded the monster, enveloping the area with its brilliant glow. Jarvis would stand there and channel his attack and the three - Trunks, Serena and Erik moved together to prepare themselves for whatever would come.

"So what now?" Erik questioned, and Trunks smirked at the thief. "You have a plan? O-oh that's good. Tell me more."

Trunks nodded. He moved over to Serena and suddenly entwined his right hand into her left.

"Serena," He began as he glanced at the startled priestess. "Let's combine our magic so that we may allow Erik to really outshine and take center stage."

"W-Wha? What are you saying?" Erik wondered as he glanced between the two. "What am I doing now?" His brow further arched when Serena nodded in agreement. The two turned to him and extended their freed arms out to him. It was then that two brilliant golden orbs appeared and began to flow slowly towards Erik. Erik wasn't sure what was going on but still he reached out to both orbs and as he did an enormous surge of power rippled through him. "Oh yeah!" He exclaimed excitedly.

Serena and Trunks gasped, but quickly became all smiles when Erik unsheathed his blade. His lone dagger had transformed itself with the powers of Trunks and Serena's combined. It was now glowing a brilliant golden aura.

A step forward from Erika was all Serena could see before Erik had seemingly disappeared from sight and when he reappeared... Jarvis lay defeated and dead.

Once Jarvis's corpse fizzled out, Erik had finally returned to previous state. "Now that was awesome...Can we do that again?" He asked, "I can still feel the tingling sensation. It's pretty wild."

Trunks rested a hand on Erik's shoulder, laughing.

"Now, now...Some of us are spent." Trunks responded, and Erik tilted his head in confusion to which Trunks gestured over to Serena. She was currently sitting on her bum, gasping for air. Her mana completely depleted after putting in her all with that last attack.

The good news though was that Veronica had finally stirred from her slumber. A little shaken but all in all alright. The best part of all of this was they managed to get the jar opened and Veronica was back to being her old self. Well not completely.

Veronica was still a child. One brimming with immense mana. From her hand sizzling straight up into her pigtails. A good thing in the long run especially when it meant they could leave.

Maybe now she could enjoy a trip to the sauna without any worry.

Serena had hoped at least.

The second time is always the charm...Right?

XXX

TBC

XXX

(Author's Note) I was going to write more truthfully but my boyfriend is really needy. If I focus on this too long he really starts to hate on me hardcore so I gotta stop it here. Spend some time with him and maybe tomorrow pick it up again. Thanks for being understanding. Till next time.