Disclaimer: I do not own Maplestory in anyway.

A/N: Here is Chapter Ten. Enjoy!

Fifteen Tails: Thank you for reviewing. It made me extremely happy to read first thing morning.

Haunani: Thank you for the review. I'm glad you liked it.

Chapter Ten: New Revelations

Eckhart followed Arec up the stairs to the main room. When Eckhart arrived in the room, he noticed Evahart sitting in one of the chairs. She smiled and waved at him. Eckhart walked over to her.

"It's good to see that nothing happened to you, Eckhart." Evahart said softly and touched his hand. He watched as Evahart flinched. She looked up at him; there was a knowing look in her eyes. Eckhart nodded and turned to face Robeira. She was radiating anger. Eckhart felt like shrinking at the look in her eyes. She checked him for injuries and sighed softly when he checked out.

"You are extremely lucky that you made it out unscathed." Robeira said softly, before facing Arec. "Arec, you are not allowed to leave him in that room ever again." Arec nodded silently. Eckhart sat down next to Evahart and watched as the other instructors resumed arguing with each other.

"Have they been doing this for a while now?" Eckhart whispered to Evahart. She nodded tiredly and sat back against the back of the chair. Eckhart looked at Evahart and noticed how pale she was. "Evahart, do you want to return to your room to rest?" She shook her head.

"I wanted to know if you saw it." Evahart whispered back. Eckhart looked at the instructors. "Eckhart, that place is a place that was once beautiful. I don't know how it became like that, but I believe that place can be restored to its former glory."

"How do you know so much about that place?" Eckhart asked quietly. Evahart laughed painfully. He looked at her, and saw her painful smile.

"I…was born there… I think anyway." Evahart stood up shakily. "I think I'll go to my room. Can you keep me company?" Eckhart nodded and helped her up the stairs. Umbra summoned himself as they neared to top of the stairs for the hallway was slightly green tinted. Evahart looked at him worried.

"Eckhart, someone is there." Umbra warned quietly. Eckhart peered into the darkness and saw a figure. Eckhart could only see the black dress shoes easily as the light shone on it. Evahart shivered as she saw the figure, and the dark black hair with green highlights with such shiny black eyes.

"Zeru Orpheus Erebus…what are you doing here?" Evahart whispered softly. Eckhart and Umbra were alert and ready to fight back. Zeru merely raised his hands in surrender.

"I must tell you to be careful. In the coming storm, there will be a danger that will hurt you, if you do not return to your village at least once, before it arrives."

"Zeru, wait!" Evahart yelled out as he was disappearing. He glanced back at her and Eckhart one last time, before vanishing into thin air. "…." Eckhart sighed softly and looked at Evahart.

"Let's get you to your room. You've gotten paler than when you were downstairs." Umbra opened the door and let the two of them through, before going through the door as well. Evahart lay down in her bed and breathed quietly. "What do you mean by 'I was born there'?" Eckhart asked as he sat down in the chair. Umbra stood against the wall, with his arms crossed, behind him.

"My mother had always told me that my father had found me when he accidently ventured to far away from the village. I was told that I was sleeping there as a baby in the middle of the snow, yet the snow could not harm me since I was lying in the shadows of the tree." Evahart looked at her hands. "So my father took me home. As I grew older, I became conscious of a voice always calling out to me."

"A voice?" Umbra stated quietly. Evahart nodded and closed her eyes.

"A voice belonged to a pained man. I never knew who it was until later. He came into my dreams." Evahart opened her blue eyes.

"Would that man be Zeru?" Eckhart asked in response. Evahart looked out the window. "Evahart?"

"Before you left the room earlier, did you hear someone? I believe they were hovering over me, while I tried to sleep." Evahart said softly. Her blue eyes were dull. Eckhart thought back and remembered the room turning green.

"Yes, I do remember seeing someone and hearing an airy voice. Why?" Eckhart asked quietly. Evahart turned to look at him.

"That was Zeru, before he was able to truly materialize. Isn't he weird?" Evahart said with a small smile.

"He said that we can always go there if we wanted to right? Do you know how to return there?" Eckhart asked in reply. Evahart shook her head.

"I can only reach that place by my dreams. I'm not sure how to get there by merely thinking it."

"I see…." Eckhart said quietly. Umbra sighed softly and nudged Eckhart.

"That's enough, Eckhart. You're keeping her awake. She needs her rest." Umbra whispered quietly. Eckhart nodded and left after telling her to rest. Eckhart kept his face neutral as he walked to his own room. "What is bothering you, Eckhart?"

"Umbra…do you remember the day after we pulled the trick on the instructors with Master Arec?" Umbra nodded slowly. "Then you remember when Zeru was partially materialized right?" Umbra nodded again. "Do you remember what he said?"

"He said, "failure, loser, and coward…," if I recall correctly. Why?" Eckhart closed his door and removed his mask. Eckhart gently laid the mask on his nightstand. Umbra sat down on the window seat and watched him. Eckhart paced back and forth in his room thinking. "Eckhart?" He continued for a few more minutes, before sitting down next to Umbra.

"Why would he tell her those things? Why did he try to materialize when he could barely hold it for only a few moments? What is his purpose…? Who or what in the world is he?" Eckhart said softly. Umbra looked out the window with no reply. Eckhart sighed and went to lie down on his bed. Umbra glanced over at him. After minutes of merely laying there, Eckhart fell into a restless sleep. Umbra stood up and walked over to his side. He touched his forehead against Eckhart's. Umbra opened his eyes and saw that small Eckhart standing in front of him, just like the time when Eckhart first started on his journey. The small Eckhart looked at him and touched his hand urgently.

"What is the matter, Eckhart?" Umbra asked worried. The small Eckhart looked away only to see memories floating past him. Umbra looked at the memories and gasped. There was blood in every little memory screen. Umbra could hear all the screams and cries. The small Eckhart looked at them with haunted eyes. Umbra watched as he touched one of the memories fondly. Umbra watched the memory unfold itself.

The room was beautifully decorated. It's stone columns rose high and the ceiling was even higher. The small Eckhart looked at the little baby girl and smiled brightly. The mother that was holding her smiled at Eckhart.

"Remember Eckhart, this child will help you when she is old enough to." Eckhart looked up at the mother. She had long black flowing hair and cyan blue eyes. She had a gentle and warm smile. "No matter what happens, she will help you." Eckhart tilted his head and glanced at the baby. She smiled at him. He let her grab his pointer finger. Suddenly a man with armor came rushing into the room. The mother looked up worried. Eckhart glanced over at the man.

"Ma'am, your husband has died during battle. We've brought his body back however…." The man said solemnly. Eckhart watched as the mother stood up abruptly with the baby. She looked down at Eckhart and motioned him to follow her. The man glanced at Eckhart as he left.

"Eckhart, come with me quickly." Eckhart followed her as she went through hallways he had never been in. Her hand had grasped Eckhart's as she walked briskly. As she neared the end of the hall, she opened the door and pushed Eckhart through gently. She closed the door quickly. She laid her child down on the bed and grabbed a warm blanket and wrapped her in it. Eckhart stood by awkwardly. She then took a clock and wrapped it around Eckhart and his small frame. "Eckhart, please do me a favor." Eckhart nodded quickly. "Take her and leave this place. I had hoped that it wouldn't come to this, but it seems like I must do so." Eckhart nodded. The mother smiled and looked at her child. She wrapped a necklace around her child's neck. She kissed her forehead, before handing her to Eckhart. The mother touched Eckhart's forehead and muttered a spell. Eckhart's eyes widen when he caught the words to the spell. "I'm sorry, Eckhart…, but it is better this way. It will keep you both safe." Eckhart shook his head viscously. She smiled, before opening the hidden door and shooing him out the door. "Eckhart, take care and live alright." Eckhart looked back and saw the door close quickly. He stood there frozen as he heard the enemy yelling at the mother. Eckhart closed his eyes tightly and ran out into the forest with the baby in his arms.

Umbra glanced down at the small Eckhart, who had tears in his eyes. He had refused to let them fall down his cheeks. Umbra kneeled down next to him and hugged him. The small Eckhart stepped away from Umbra suddenly. Umbra saw his sad smile and disappeared. Umbra blinked and noticed that he was standing inside the room again. Eckhart bolted upright, breathing heavily. He took a few forced breaths to slow down his rapid breathing. Eckhart peered at the clock and sighed. He was covered in cold sweat. He leaned back and let his head fall onto his pillow. His left arm automatically went to cover his eyes.

"Eckhart?" Umbra whispered silently.

"…." Silence engulfed the room. Umbra sat down on the bed and waited patiently for Eckhart to talk. "Umbra…spar with me." Umbra's eyes widen in surprise. "My muscles are all tense; I want to spar in order to relax them." Eckhart starred at Umbra's dark purple eyes. "If it makes you feel better just a light spar would be fine with me."

"Alright, but only until your muscles relaxes." Umbra stood up and followed Eckhart out the house and into the freezing air. He immediately started attacking Umbra just as the door closed. "Relentless I see." Umbra sighed as he dodged another attack. Umbra's dark purple eyes focused onto Eckhart. Umbra dodged a punch and returned one to Eckhart's gut. Eckhart's eyes widened, before he slid away from him. Umbra stood up straight and looked at him. "Well, you asked for a spar and you got one." Eckhart smiled briefly and disappeared from Umbra's vision. The two of them sparred for an hour. Eckhart was lying on the snow and looking up at the night sky. "You're going to get a cold if you lay on the snow like that." Eckhart stood up and walked back to the house.

"Thank you, Umbra." Umbra nodded and followed him inside. Eckhart went to the bathroom and turned on the water for a bath. Umbra sat near the window and stared out. Eckhart locked the door and removed his wet clothes. He looked at the bandages that wrapped chest and arms. Eckhart blinked at the sight of blood staining a part of the bandages. Eckhart sighed and unwrapped the bandages, letting them fall to the floor carelessly. He touched the wound and sighed yet again. The steam from the hot water appeared on the mirror. He turned off the water and let himself soak in the bath. He let himself sink lower into the water. His eyes and hair was the only thing above the water line. He started blowing bubbles as he let his mind wander.

Ereve Island

The Divine Bird was sleeping peacefully at the Empress' Road. Walking elegantly along the pathway toward the Empress' Road; was a beautiful slender woman. Her light long flowing green hair flowed through the air, while her striking golden eyes shined brightly. She was dressed in a silky lime green top and matching skirt. Upon arriving at her destination, she noticed her fellow Knight looking off into the distance. His light short orange-ish yellow hair really made him stand out. She walked closer to him and saw exactly what he was looking at. It was a photograph; a really old and loved photograph.

"Lena is the third one awake. Our crazy tactician has been up since five in the morning." The knight mumbled loud enough for Lena to hear. The knight watched her sigh softly.

"What is that woman doing so early in the morning, Jack?" Lena asked. Jack was about to reply, but a feminine voice beat him to it.

"I've been working on the monthly plans and finishing the paperwork that has piled up on Alex's desk." Her voice was calm. Lena and Jack looked at their tactician. Her silver-purple hair was tied into ponytail, and her startling magenta eyes that sparkled with annoyance. She was dressed in a regal navy blue jacket and matching slacks. Covering her shoulders was her cream cape.

"Good morning, Katarina. I suppose Alex is wading in deep waters?" Lena inquired with a knowing smile. Jack returned the photograph in his hands to its rightful place, somewhere safe.

"Good morning, Lena, Jack; and yes, Alex is in dangerous waters." Katarina replied while smiling sweetly. Jack shuddered at the look that was on her face. Jack could only think one thing; Alex was screwed. "Now then, this smell of breakfast means that Aria has also woken up." The three noticed the Shinsoo's feathers moving. They stared at the area for a while, and noticed little Cygnus poking her head out from underneath Shinsoo's wing. Cygnus was smiling and chuckling at Shinsoo's quiet joke. Cygnus detected them staring and waved happily. "Ah and the Princess is also awake. So that pretty much leaves the Empress and…Alex…still sleeping." She sighed and walked off; mumbling ideas on how to punish Alex. Lena and Jack shared a look, before both shrugging it off. Jack walked over to Cygnus as she stood up and dusted her dress. She looked up at Jack and smiled cutely.

"Good morning, Jack." Jack smiled and picked up the young princess. She giggled adorably.

"Shall we head to the kitchen? I'm sure Aria will let you take some food from Alex's plate." Jack suggested mischievously. Cygnus smiled and nodded. Jack, Lena, and Cygnus talked animatedly toward the kitchen. Aria looked up as the three walked in. Cygnus ran over to Aria and smiled brightly.

"Jack said I should ask you for some of Alex's breakfast." Cygnus said. Aria looked at Jack with a raised eyebrow. Lena merely sat down and poured herself a cup of tea. "Can't I?"

"What part of his breakfast would you though?" Aria said gently. Jack snickered as he sat down next to Lena. Lena lightly hit his head. He returned it with a bright smile. Aria noticed Cygnus was thinking deeply.

"I don't know." Cygnus replied truthfully. She watched Aria walk around the kitchen in thought.

"Hmm…." Aria smiled playfully. "This should do it." She handed Cygnus a lollipop. "Remember don't eat it until he comes in alright?" Cygnus nodded happily. Katarina came walking in with some papers in her hands. Cygnus giggled softly. Katarina glanced up and saw the four fighting an urge to laugh. Cygnus motioned her to bend down to her height and she wiped the ink off of her face. Katarina's cheeks turned pink in embarrassment.

"Katarina has been working very hard." Cygnus said smiling sweetly. "It's time for breakfast. I'll go and get mommy." Cygnus ran off toward her mother's room. Katarina sighed softly and looked at the knights. They were smiling gently.

"She's amazing isn't she?" Jack whispered. Lena sipped her tea and nodded. Katarina sat down in her spot and sighed.

"Yes. I'm going to chew Alex out, if he doesn't get out here before the Empress." Katarina stated tiredly.

"Well, I guess that means I get off the hook since I'm here." Alex replied from the doorway. Katarina glared at him with annoyance. He laughed sheepishly, before walking over to his spot and apologizing. Aria glanced at Jack and Lena. Jack had a huge smile plastered on his face, while Lena sat there as elegant as always. Empress Krystal tried to keep up with Cygnus, as the little girl pulled her over to their chairs for breakfast. All of the knights greeted Krystal, in return she smiled brightly. Empress Krystal sat down, while Aria passed out breakfast. She left Alex's plate empty.

"I'm sorry, Alex." Aria voiced sadly. "I made you some breakfast, but our adorable princess said she wanted your meal so I gave it to her without telling you." Alex looked at her exasperated.

"You mean to tell me that Princess Cygnus took my breakfast?" Alex said incredibly.

"Yup! I took your breakfast Alex." Cygnus said with such innocence that Alex merely looked at her with a raised eyebrow and disbelief. Cygnus showed him the lollipop that was supposed to be his breakfast. Alex fell out of his chair in shock. She merely stared at his chair in confusion, before looking over at Aria. Aria winked mischievously. Jack started laughed brightly at the display. Empress Krystal and Lena chuckled softly. Katarina sighed with a content smile.

"Alex? Your real breakfast is going to get cold if you sleep there." Empress Krystal said delicately. He popped up like a stick and sat down embarrassed. The group ate while talking among themselves. Cygnus finished her meal quickly before excusing herself. She walked over to Shinsoo and sat down next to him.

"Shinsoo…are you awake?"

"There is no need for you to worry about that young man, Cygnus." Shinsoo said sleepily. "He will be fine." Cygnus nodded and lies down on Shinsoo's feathers and fell asleep. Shinsoo wrapped his wing around the young princess and returned to his sleep.

A/N: Wow! Chapter 10 is done! I hope this chapter is good! Gave Empress Krystal and her knights some love. Review/Criticize. Thanks for taking your time to read this. I really appreciate the support.