Belgae wandered through the Faery Realm on a random night in November. It was an odd habit he'd developed after Livane left. He supposed it was because he suddenly had no direction, and seemingly no purpose. He'd spoken with Keats, his best, and now, only friend on the matter only once- and found he didn't like being psychoanalized all that much.

So he wandered instead.

The Faery Realm was a nice place, especially at night, where everything glowed and shimmered with ethereal light. It was a calm and tranquil place, and after all he'd been through, Belgae figured he was entitled to a little relaxation now and again. He sensed that tonight would be different. The planets were aligned just right. Fearing another fiasco, the ancient Halflive considered forgoeing his nighttime stroll and heading back home, where he could ponder his now meaningless existence over a mug of ale.

But his curiosity beckoned him as much as it concerned him. So here he was. So far nothing was out of the ordinary, and he was just about ready to pass off his senses as paranoia, when something caught his eye. Well, someone, he supposed, would be the proper term. He craned his invisble neck around an outcropping of stone to get a better look.

What in the Netherworld was that?

What Belgae was staring at was Shu, the odd, raccoon like Faery from the previous chapter. He hadn't grown much in the time that had elapsed, but his voice had become much deeper, becoming a rumbling bass. It didn't suit his size whatsoever, a fact that his best friend Marine pointed out laughingly every oportunity she got.

And speaking of Marine...

The grey-skinned foreigner appeared just behind her Faery companion, carrying a basket filled with assorted nuts, berries and other herbs. The pair came to a large tree, but all the fruit was near the top. Belgae watched in stunned silence as the small Faery hovered up around the base, pulled back his small arm, and punched. With strenth to rival a Bargest, the tiny creature had managed to shake the tree hard enough to loosen a good number of fruits. Marine moved in, using her otherworldly speed to catch the treats before they hit the ground, placing them in the basket and appearing beside her friend in seconds.

"Hey, Shu?'

"Mmhm?"

"You ever get the feeling you're being watched?"

"Like right now?'

Marine nodded, "Yeah. You think we're being watched?"

"Yes. By an invisble man with gentlemanly attire. And a stick."

Marine raised her eyebrow, rubbing the back of her neck, "Ooookay. That's new."

"Nope. He's been in the netherworld for a long time."

"What are you talking about?"

Shu sighed his exasperation, "Old man, would you come out a second?"

Unnerved and confused, Belgae emerged from his hiding spot behind the rock, "Good evening," he offered, attempting to salvage the now impossibly awkward situation.

"Holy butterflies! He is invisible. And in gentleman's clothing! With a stick! Shu, you never told me you were psychic!" Marine peered curiously at her brightly colored companion.

"I'm not psychic, you flower-sniffing-nimrod. Sure, he's invisible, but he still casts a shadow. I chanced a glance around the rock he was standing behind while you were catching the fruit."

"Oh. Well.. Heya!" Marine waved cheerfully at the gentleman, shifting her basket on her arm to offer her hand, "I'm Marine. This is Shu."

"Pleasure to meet you both," Belgae replied cordially, shaking the young woman's hand lightly, "You do not look to be a native to this place. Do you come, perhaps, from the Undersea City?"

Marine wrinkled her nose and shook her head vigorously, "Not at all. I hate water."

"But your name literally means-"

"I know. But I didn't name me. My parents did. Blame them."

Belgae took a moment to digest this information. She looked exactly like the people that lived in the Undersea City.

"Ahem. If you don't come from the Undersea City, then where, praytell, do you come from? You're obviously not a Faery Folk."

Marine put a teasing finger to her dark purple lips, "That's for me to know."

"Oh, come now. I'm only curious."

Shu scoffed, "Good luck with that, mate. I've be trying to get that out of her for the last five years. How far do you think I got?"

"I will guess nowhere," Belgae replied, accepting defeat, "Then allow me one other question."

"Shoot."

"You say you've been here five years? Why is it I've never seen you before now. You are rather striking with that color scheme... Both of you, actually."

Marine grinned, "We keep to ourselves. We mostly do things at night, when all the folk are snoozing. I'm guessing you're new to the whole 'midnight stroll' thing?"

Belgae nodded, "Indeed. It is a new habit."

"Then, there's your answer. Now it's our turn for questions."

"Fair enough."

Marine paused, "Walk with us. I'll make some tea when we get back to the tree... Unless you prefer something stronger?"

Belgae felt his mood pick up, "Do you have ale?"

"I make my own from the berries and a particularly potent root that grows way up high. It's delicious, if I do say so myself."

Shu nodded, "It is good. But strong."

"No, you're just tiny," Marine teased, "So, will you walk with us?"

"I will. I would like to see where you've been living so secretly all this time... And I wouldn't mind a drop or two of ale."

The trees in the Faery Realm are famously large. The one that Marine and Shu called home was no different. It was hollowed out, making two large rooms per level. Belgae noted that there were two levels. The first held a sitting room, furnished with pieces that had been painstakenly woven from the reeds and grasses. The other held a small kitchenette, with several vents carved out above the stove and oven. How they had managed to get these items to work would forever elude Belgae, as the tree was not a source of electricity. The second floor was where the bedrooms were, beds made with the same care as the living room furniture.

Presently, the trio sat in the living room, Marine cupping a mug of wildberry tea while Shu and Belgae sipped from generous mugs of her special ale. Belgae was always one for good ale, and he had to admit- this stuff could give Ganconer a run for his money.

"So... Why start walking around the Faery Realm at night?" Marine asked once everyone was situated.

Belgae paused, sipping from his mug, "Recently, I lost my friend and commander. She... Well, it was time for her to go. Since then, I've found my life has no purpose. My existence has been meaningless without her to guide me... If not to serve her, then what do I exist for?"

Marine tipped her head to one side, deep in thought, "Well, you most hold some purpose. Otherwise, you really wouldn't exist. You would have faded with your friend. Maybe this was only the beginning, and your real meaning has yet to be uncovered. You were the student before, right? Maybe now it's time to be the teacher."

Belgae froze, stunned at the sudden wisdom that this odd girl had presented him with, "Perhaps you're right. My fate was always decided by Livane. I never minded, of course, as I would've done anything for her... But now..."

"Now you control your fate."

"Indeed... When you think about it like that, it's kind of exciting."

Marine nodded, a small, secretive smile playing on her dark lips, "I know the feeling."

"Have you ever met the new messenger?" Belgae asked suddenly. He had a feeling that Ellen and Marine would get along quite well. Their mutual love of tea alone was a promising sign.

"No. I've seen her though. And that man she travels with sometimes. Do you know them?"

"They are friends of mine," Belgae replied, "Ellen and Keats, respectively."

"I see... Why do you ask?"

"You remind me of Ellen, a little bit. She could use a companion in the Netherworld."

"Isn't that what Keats is for?"

Belgae grimmaced, even though his companion couldn't see, "Keats is... Well, let's just say that he is his own man. Sometimes I think Ellen would like to have someone not so rough around the edges."

"What about you?"

"She is not as close to me as Keats is. A female companion would be best... Girl talks and whatnot."

Marine sniggered, "Not equiped for that, are you, old man?"

Belgae remained unfazed, "Not in the least. She likes tea."

"Alright. I'll apply for the job."

"I will introduce you posthaste. She should be visiting Keats tomorrow, I believe. She likes to keep tabs on him. He enjoys her company as well, though he would never admit it."

Marine raised an eyebrow, "Oh. One of those."

Belgae laughed, surprising himself, "Yes. As I said, he is his own man. I will return here tomorrow, around noon. From here we will travel to Keats' part of the Netherworld. Ellen should be there by then, and the rest should fall into place. She's a likeable young lady, I think you'll end up as good friends."

"Alright then. We'll be ready."

"Good, good. Thank you for the ale, as well. It was just what I needed."

Marine showed him out, then turned to Shu, "I think an ear was what he needed. Poor guy."

"It isn't fun to feel as lost as he does. It's good that he has friends to talk to."

"Now that's us," Marine reminded him, "Since it seems his former confidant wasn't so... What's the word?"

"Sympathetic?"

"Sure. Well, we'd better turn in. I'd rather not have the appearance of a zombie tomorrow."

Shu chuckled, "Right. Because your complexion isn't zombie-like."

Marine glared at him, "At least I don't look like the skittles machine malfunctioned!"