Hey guys, it's miiake. I know this chapter took long, but i wasnt sure how i was gonna go about this. I wanted to add an important scene with Yoli and Isaac, but unfortunately, i had to exclude them from this chapter aside form 2 brief flashbacks. So, next one i promise. or the one after that XD. one of the 2 for sure. Anyways, this chapter was suppossed to show the true conflict. I hope im not confusing anyone besides myself with all these plotlines. XD, if i am, i apologize. I'm doing my best. Ok, no more ramblin right? You guys want a story! Disclaimer:

Miiake: I don't own square-enix or any of its characters, places, yada yada.. you know how it goes. No more author note. story time ) enjoy!

"She's back. Can you get a good view of her? The streets are too crowded. I can't see anything!" Complained a certain red headed hume boy.

"You sure it's her? I mean, it could be another red mage returning from something." The voice of another hume, a female this time, replied.

"The streets are full of people. Its gotta be her!" The red haired hume answered.

"Ok, Ryan. Gimme a sec to get over to where you are, ok?" Lynn said, putting away her link pearl.

"Yeah sure, no problem," Ryan answered, also putting his pearl away.

Lynn quickly moved away from her stake out point, which was positioned strategically on the roof of a shop. Then, she quickly jumped the short distance between a few buildings until she reached the main street in Lower Jeuno. She scanned the area and immediately saw Ryan's red hair. Then she looked down into the street. A woman wearing a red chapeau decorated with a white feather walked down the street slowly. She was clad in the traditional red mage gear as well. Around her were four Ducal guards, two in front of her, and two in the rear. All about the street, people shouted welcomes and praise.

"Welcome back milady!"

"Your family has waited long for you to come home!"

"Lady Annette! Over here!"

"We missed you ma'am!"

"Miss Chevalier! Look over here!"

Although around her there were words of encouragement and praise, Annette wore a stoic look on her face. She saw no reason to do otherwise. Isaac was the only reason she ever tried to smile, she was never truly happy at home alone. Now that he was gone, she felt there was no reason to fake happiness anymore. There was one little girl though, an elvaan child, looking up at her admiringly. Annette saw her, and waved, allowing a small smile to creep upon her face. The girl giggled and waved back happily. She continued her way towards the residential area of Jeuno.

Once she reached her neighborhood, she dismissed the guards and continued on her own. Jeuno was always busy during the day, so the only people you would find in the residential district would be adventurers or elderly folk. But today, her family would be there as well, waiting for her to give them news of her pilgrimage. She turned a corner and stopped. She had been gone for a year now, and yet… "Some things truly never change. It's incredible how this place has remained the same ever since I walked here as a child."

Annette reached a long set of steps and began her ascent towards the house. Soon, a maidservant caught sight of her through a window and quickly ran to open the door.

"Welcome home, milady!" She bowed low and led her through the house to where her parents awaited her.

"Ah, welcome home!" Her father welcomed her, and walked over to embrace her. Annette then saw her mother walking out from the kitchen. She was most probably directing the cook.

"Annette, darling, welcome home! How has your journey gone?" Annette walked over and hugged her mother before replying.

"It went well, though there were many things I had seen which trouble me. The people are in constant disagreement."

Her father smiled proudly and put his hand on his wife's shoulder. "We will discuss it all over fresh food."

Her mother nodded. "Yes, we had the cooks prepare a special meal for your return."

Annette bowed her head and entered the dinning room. "Thank you."

"So, Isaac, how did your training go today?" Annette asked, sitting in her chair, her soup lingering in front of her. She detested carrot broth and that was what was being served.

Isaac only rolled his eyes at her question and yawned. He slurped his soup, earning a glance from his mother. "It was the same as usual. Why do ya keep asking every day! It hasn't changed! Its just going to be the same thing, everyday! For the rest of my life!"

His father put down his fork and stopped eating for a moment. "I believe the son of such noble blood as ours would be proud to receive training to become a knight."

"Yeah, whatever." Isaac retorted, somewhat annoyed that this conversation was taking such a turn, as usual.

Annette giggled at his childish antics, and continued eating her meal. "Oh, mother, father, Isaac! Did I tell you? I learned another spell. I've been practicing it for a long time now, and I was hoping to show you all later. It's the first one I think I've truly mastered! Its called Dia. It creates a small orb of light that penetrates the flesh of the enemy, and deals light damage for a short period of time. Its amazing, really!"

"Cur!" Isaac answered, his mouth stuffed with his food. He had finished his soup rather quickly, and moved onto his favorite meal. He loved meat and potatoes, and it showed through his table manners. And although he meant to say 'Cool!', his stuffed mouth prevented this.

"Isaac, don't speak with your mouth full!" His mother reprimanded him.

"Sure, mother." He answered, not even truly paying attention to what she was saying. It was starting to become habitual..

The conversation had continued in such manner. Although Annette found most of the talk quite boring, it was the only time the children had to spend with their busy parents...

"Oh, by the way darling, the Ducal Guards came in with a message yesterday. It was from the archduke himself. You should go and see him as soon as you can. I'm sure it's very important." Annette's mother said, lifting up her wine glass to do a toast.

"Here's to our daughter, Annette. More than anything any parents could ask for, she is our pride and joy. We wish the very best for her future." Her father said, also lifting his glass.

Annette lifted her glass as well, although, the entire meal was spent, and she had not smiled once. There was no joyful little boy at the table to bring a grin upon her face.

"Thank you. As for the archduke's message, as urgent as it is, I'm very worn out from the journey. I believe I will see him tomorrow, when I am able to fully comprehend what he needs. I must be at full strength to aid my country, wouldn't you agree?"

"But of course, my dear." Her father answer.

"Yes, darling. The maids have cleaned your room, and prepared fresh bedding. Your night gown and clothes are in the drawers still. We made sure nothing was moved while you were away," Her mother added.

Annette bowed her head, and slowly walked up the stairs. She found all her things neatly placed in her room, just as her mother had said. She took the nightgown out of a drawer, and sat on the bed. Being in this room again brought back so many memories.

Thunder clapped loudly outside the house. There was a downpour all around Jeuno. It had been storming a lot during that season. Everyone in the house was asleep. Everyone aside from Isaac. He slowly walked down the corridor, avoiding all the creaky floorboards . He was used to going to her room at night and knew exactly where each creaky spot was. Finally he reached her door. Thunder clapped again, making him jump. "Ah!" He yelped, though he made sure it was no louder than a whisper. Then he quickly knocked on the door. "Please be awake…" He prayed to himself silently. "Sis, are you asleep?"

A silence ensued.

"Come on, sis, please wake up!"

"Mmmm…" He heard a yawn and saw a female figure sit up. Annette stretched her arms and rubbed her eyes. "Isaac, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be asleep?" A loud clap of thunder answered her questions. "Ah, I forgot you're afraid of lightening. Come 'ere." She said kindly, motioning to the spot next to her.

"I'm not scared!" He whispered loudly, still standing at the doorpost. Another loud clap of thunder sent him running towards her bed though.

"I can see that." She giggled. He wrinkled his nose at her and frowned. She loved the way he did that. He was such a cute little boy, and she just wanted to hug him when ever he made that face.

"It's not that I was scared. Its just loud. I don't like that noise."

"So… why did you come here then?"

He looked down, blushing with embarrassment. He was hoping she wouldn't see, but Annette caught it anyways. She knew he was scared, but he would never admit it for all the world. "I… The noise is louder from my room. And… ummm… There's a draft there! Brrr, it's freezin'!"

Annette only giggled to this and patted the spot next to her. He quickly jumped in and pulled the blanket over his head. "Yeah sure, just the noise!" She laughed, before lying back down and snuggling next to him. He hugged her and fell asleep peacefully.

"Lady Annette, I'm glad you could come so soon. How was your pilgrimage?" The archduke asked, not out of curiosity, but out of common courtesy.

Annette bowed and answer him. "It passed well although I have some questions about the people. They seem at dis-"

"I'm sorry, but this will have to wait milady. There are more serious matters at the moment." The archduke interrupted her.

"As of late, there have been strange activities in the Eldieme Necropolis and in the Upper Delkfutt's Tower. I have sent the Ducal Guards over to the Necropolis, but I desire that you travel to Qufim Island and investigate the Delkfutt's Tower. With your magical talents, it would be much easier to maneuver the area, and would put les people in danger. I ask you on behalf of all of Vana'diel."

Annette remained silent for a moment before responding. "I accept the task you bestow upon me."

The archduke nodded. "Very well. You are to depart immediately. Go now."

"Yes my lord."

With that said, Annette slowly walked out of the Ru'Lude Gardens.

People waved, but Annette merely passed them by, her face completely stoic still. Although behind her cool exterior, she was quite worried. What could be happening that required such investigation? To send the Ducal Guards on such matters was not something to be taken lightly.

But it also helped prove one of Annette's theories. During her travels, she had taken notice to the number of undead Beastmen. They had risen in the last week or so. It was alarming to suddenly see such a change in their number. Not only that, but the undead were not normal. There were more than just human skeletons, ghosts, and werewolves. There were undead orcs, goblins, quadavs, yagudos, and others of the kind. Needless to say, this was most certainly not a normal occurrence.

Annette continued such thoughts as she approached the entrance of Delkfutt's Tower. She sensed, due to her magical abilities and awareness, something sinister. It took her a second, but once she looked up, she saw it. A dark aura was coming from the top of the tower. Not only that, but little dark orbs fell down from the dark cloud, disappearing midway from the ground. It was terrifying, and most likely explained the lack of adventurers near by. "I wonder if the same thing is happening at the Horutoto Ruins and Eldieme Necropolis…"

She entered the tower with caution. The sight that waited her was gruesome. Dead bodies littered the ground. Skeletons of giants and other monsters lay about everywhere. Alongside them lay a few bodies of poor adventurers who probably could not escape the tower before this occurred. The only living creatures that stirred were bats. Annette shivered and continued. "… How horrible!" She yelped, as she almost stepped onto the body of a dead mithra.

Normally, in the tower, the stairs were safe. Perhaps because of this fact, Annette lowered her guard. She didn't realize that the dead bodies behind her were all slowly rising. They silently made their way towards her. The dead adventurers drew their weapons, the undead monsters did the same. One dead tarutaru cast a sleep spell, and because her defenses were lowered, Annette could not resist it. As soon as she was asleep, she was brutally attacked by the monsters. This awakened her, although she would not be able to remain conscious for long. She pulled out the link pearl the archduke had given her, incase something like this occurred, and gave a cry for help. A scream could be heard from the tower. At the moment, things looked very grim for the lady red mage, Annette. Her world slowly dimmed to black, and her cries on the link pearl were heard no more…

so, i bet your all, (or most of ya) are like "wtf? where r yoli and isaac? Well, plz be patient P this is a super important chapter . i had to get through this for the story to move at all. But next chapter, theres definitly gonna be our favorite mithra and thief. also, i hve to apologize for the abbreviations im usin in my author's notes. I'm just tired, and my b-day is comin in 2 days. rly happy and i wanted to get this done before then. please don't stop reading if you didnt like this chapter. I promise the next one will make up for it (or the one after that; depends how i can make this work). Please read and review. I hope you guys at least sorta liked this chapter...