Disclaimer: I do not own Maplestory in anyway.

A/N: Chapter 12 is here! WARNING: This chapter is focused more on the other characters, so sorry about the no Eckhart! Hopefully he makes a comeback in the next chapter! We will see.

Anonymous: Thank you for the review! I'm glad that the specials are very good.

Zephyr Overlord: I thank you for giving my story a read and the advice to better my writing.

….: Thanks for the review. I'm glad that it's cute! What should I call you?

Chapter Twelve: Foreshadowing of Demise

Ereve Island

The bright sun shone over the majestic island. There has rarely been a day where the bright beautiful sun wasn't shinning, or the moon reflecting the splendid light on Ereve. Today was no different, only that the occupants were awakened by a loud scream coming from the Empress's sleeping chamber. Each of the cabins had their respective colors on the door; yellow, blue, red, and green.

In the Dawn Warrior's cabin, a few halls away from the chamber, the experienced blonde knight immediately jumped out of his humble sized bed. He was shirtless and dressed only in his pants. His hair was in a complete mess. His blue eyes were awake and alert. He grabbed the shirt that lay on the table and threw it on. He ran out the door, while snatching up his sword that leaned against the door frame.

Across the way was the Thunder Breaker's cabin, the tan knight's eyes snapped open. His dark eyes blinked once, getting his eyes adjusted to the bright sun. He was dressed in a pirate shirt and pants, both were blue. He stood up and grabbed his weapon that was on the nightstand, before dashing out of the room.

Diagonally from the Thunder Breaker's cabin was the red Blaze Wizard's cabin, the red headed mage glanced up from her pile of books that littered the small table in the middle of the room. She was dressed in her red wizard robes. She stood up abruptly and grabbed her wand and disappeared out of the room.

Next to the Blaze Wizard's cabin was the green Wind Archer's cabin. The green-haired owner was nowhere to be found in the room. The room was neatly organized. The green sheets on the bed were neatly made. The Wind Archer was already at the Empress's chamber door. In her hand held an earthly bow. Her fairy-ish outfit was green and golden. Next to her was the Empress's Tactician and the young Princess Cygnus. Cygnus was dressed in a night gown of white and cyan; she was holding onto the Tactician's pants. The three other knights came running over to the three.

"Katarina, what is going on?" The Dawn Warrior asked the Tactician. Katarina turned to look over at the warrior.

"I'm not sure, Alex; but I think you guys should get in there!" Katarina replied quickly. Alex didn't need another warning before he kicked the door opened and ran inside. The other knights followed swiftly after him. Cygnus could only stare at the opened door. Katarina took Cygnus's hand and walked inside carefully. In her other hand was a dagger that was always on her. The chamber had a small foyer, before the main chamber that housed the bed itself. "Alex, Jack!"

"Katarina, don't bring the Princess in here!" Jack yelled out. Katarina stopped walking and looked down at Cygnus. Katarina covered Cygnus's ears as she heard the Empress scream. "Damn!"

"Katarina, go to the Divine Bird! Get some answers from him!" The voice of the Blaze Wizard drifted back from the main chamber.

"Alright! Come Cygnus, let's go." Katarina said to the worried Princess. Katarina walked back out the door only to stop when Cygnus wasn't following her. Katarina looked over at the Princess. "Cygnus!"

"Mommy?" Cygnus whispered softly while walking toward the room. Katarina grabbed her by the arm.

"No, Cygnus. You can't go in there. Come, now. Let's go to Shinsoo." Katarina said worried. Cygnus struggled to get out of her hand. "Cygnus!"

"MOMMY! I want to see Mommy!" Cygnus cried out. Katarina embraced the Princess.

Somewhere Unknown

From the shadows of the different dimension, a young boy stood watching the scene unfold with grief plagued eyes. A strong womanly presence was standing next to him. The woman had black-blue hair and blue eyes. They, too, were full of grief. She was dressed in a white stola with a light blue transparent shawl around her arms. The boy had green hair and blue eyes. He was dressed in a dark sneak outfit and black lappy boots. His hair was underneath a black tiberian. The world around them was purple and the ground was made of clouds. The two stood in front of a circular screen.

"What's going to happen there?" The boy inquired softly. The woman next to him remained silent. "I don't even get to know?"

"It could change the future, if I told you." The woman returned sensitively.

"How could knowing it change the future? For all I know, I'm dead." The boy asked with a sad smirk. The woman glanced over at the boy.

"Just because you are dead, doesn't mean that you can't change it. Don't underestimate death, Ezekiel." The woman replied wisely. "I may be a goddess, but I can't control everything on that planet."

"You know what will happen in the future don't you, Minerva?" Ezekiel replied softly. A frown was plastered on his face. His hands were in fists.

"I only know fragments of the future, but not the entirety of the future." Minerva stated in return. Ezekiel sighed softly and glanced at the screen.

"It's going to be a rough year isn't it?" Ezekiel inquired softly. Minerva didn't respond; her eyes were fixed to the screen showing what was happening down in the other dimension.

Ereve Island

Katarina restrained Cygnus that was trying to force her way through to her mother. Her dress was all wrinkly. Cygnus could hear the screams coming from her mother. Lena, the wind archer, slid out the door. There was blood on her cloths. Her green hair had specks of blood it as well.

"Lena!" Katarina yelled out worried. Lena glanced back to see them.

"Get the Princess out of here. Shinsoo will protect her. GO!" Lena said calmly. Katarina nodded and picked Cygnus up and ran toward Shinsoo. Lena ran back inside and cringed. There was blood on the marble floors. Aria was sitting unconscious against the wall on the other side of the room. Jack and Alex were desperately trying to restraint their Empress. She was thrashing in her sleep. Jack glanced up at Alex. "Alex, Jack, we need to wake her up." Jack peeked over at Lena and signaled her over.

"We can't. You have to wake her up. Alex and I are busy restraining her." Jack replied seriously. His cheerful personally was no long evident. Lena nodded slowly, still unsure of how to wake her up.

"Krystal, wake up!" Lena said urgently. Alex rolled his eyes. A smack resounded through the room, as the Empress's screams died down. Lena stared in shock at the red-head that was next to her. "Aria!"

"You can't wake her up like that Lena. For the love of Minerva just smack her, she won't mind. I'm I right?" Aria stated with a small smile. Empress Krystal was blinking at her knights in surprise. Alex and Jack released her as she sat up and coughed.

"Are you alright, Krystal?" Alex asked worried. "What happened?" The four waited patiently for her to answer.

"I believe I'm alright. It was a dream yet not a dream." She replied worried. Danger was coming, but what was it. Her head shot up and she grabbed Alex's arms tightly. "Where is my baby?"

"She should be with Shinsoo and Katarina." Alex replied slowly. Krystal let go of his arms and sat back. "Krystal, you should get changed into something less dirty and go see her. Aria and I will clean up the room. Jack, Lena, please stay with Krystal." Jack and Lena nodded and stood up. Jack helped Krystal down from the bed and over to her closet. Lena walked in with Krystal while Jack stood waiting outside. Aria looked over at Alex, who was already pulling the bed sheets off of the bed. Plastered on his face was not the smile she was so used to seeing. He looked ready to punch a wall or something. He folded the bloody sheets and left them in the pile.

"Alex?" Aria said hesitantly.

"Hmm?" He replied absently, while folding yet another sheet.

"Alex." Aria repeated trying to get the Dawn Warrior's attention. He stopped and looked up at her. "There was nothing you could have done. Stop blaming yourself."

"Tell that to someone that can actually stop blaming themselves." Alex replied softly, if not a bit coldly. Aria sighed and helped with the sheets. Lena helped Krystal with an outfit and they walked out to meet Jack. Jack smiled and walked next to them as they headed through the open hallways toward Shinsoo.

"Jack…" Krystal said quietly. Jack glanced over at his Empress. Lena continued to stroll along with them silently.

"Yes?" He replied.

"Do you think that the Knights can really defeat the Black Mage if he returns?" Krystal stated gently. Jack peeked at Lena, who merely shrugged back a reply.

"I believe we can, but we might need help." Silence…. "We are stronger united, and weaker as individuals. At least that's what I've always believed." Jack said softly. He smiled suddenly. "Now I'm going to make the Princess smile!" Jack ran ahead and disappeared quickly. Krystal chuckled softly and followed her knight. Lena strolled quietly alongside her.

"You've all matured since I've first appointed you to your positions." Krystal breathed out. Lena nodded gently.

"I agree, but it's good to be like this too." Krystal stared at her Wind Archer. Lena smiled. "We are knights, yes, but we're also human that need daily pleasures like laughing and joking to make life better. Don't you agree?" Krystal giggled and nodded sweetly.

"I agree. I am a bit worried about Alex though. It seems like he blames himself yet again." Krystal stated worried. Lena sighed and glanced at the scene in front of her. Jack had gotten Cygnus laughing on the ground. Katarina was sitting at her chair watching the scene amused. Cygnus saw Krystal and ran over to her. Krystal was embraced tightly by her daughter. She felt her dress getting wet from Cygnus's tears. Krystal bent down to her daughter's height and hugged her tightly. "I'm here, honey. Mommy is okay." Lena went over to Katarina and sat next to her. Jack stood there watching the scene. Shinsoo was sleeping due to exhaustion. "Honey, it's alright. Mommy is right here. I'm not going anywhere."

"Mommy! Are you okay? Why were you screaming?" Cygnus asked worried. Krystal smiled and gently patted her head.

"It's nothing you need to worry yourself over honey. Mommy is fine." Krystal said while looking over at Jack. "Jack, do you mind playing with her. I need to speak with Katarina."

"No problem. Come Princess. Let's go and play." Jack said smiling. Cygnus nodded slowly and glanced at her mother. Krystal smiled and motioned her to go and have fun. Cygnus nodded and ran after Jack who was already waiting for her a little farther away.

"What is it you wanted to talk to me about?" Katarina inquired plainly. Krystal chuckled.

"Always to the point, Katarina." Shinsoo perked up and opened his eyes. "I want to talk about this morning and what happened." Katarina motioned her to continue. Lena sat listening intently. "There's danger approaching and I don't know where it's coming from. It might be the Black Wings, but I don't know of any of them that can attack me from a dream."

"They attacked you through your dreams?" Katarina questioned worried. Lena glanced at Krystal and Katarina. Shinsoo's eyes closed tiredly. "How is that even possible? How did they get past Shinsoo's protective barrier?"

"I'm not sure myself. It shouldn't be possible." Krystal replied solemnly.

"It could be possible if it was an inside job." Lena pointed out calmly. She poured herself a cup of tea and took a sip. "Have you noticed anyone acting differently lately?"

"Lena, that's assuming that it was an inside job." Krystal said in protest. Lena glanced over at her. Her green eyes shone brightly with wisdom.

"Krystal, I can't think of any other reason for there to be room to hurt you otherwise." Lena replied briskly. Katarina sighed softly and rubbed her eyes.

"I agree with Lena on this one, Krystal. There's no other way for you to have gotten attacked in a dream, unless it was through someone on the island." Katarina stated plainly. Krystal looked down sadly.

"What should we do?" Krystal mumbled quietly. Lena and Katarina looked down dejectedly. What were they going to do?

A/N: Wahh! It's not as long as I thought! I'm going to make the next one in Kerning City. Eckhart might get mentioned in that one. Review! See you guys next chapter!