Author's note: I don't own Dragon Quest IV

Battle For Glory

Chapter 9: Foul Magic

Alistair wasted no time, casting his Evac spell as soon as everyone gathered close, clutching the handle of the gas canister and his love close. He could still see regardless of the healing spell, she was just exhausted. "Zoom… Riverton!"

With the spell in place, they returned to the river town that was on the way to Diabolic Hall. Psaro looked around uneasily, "Why are we here?"

Alistair introduced everyone before explaining, "We need the hot air balloon that someone here was making. All he needed was the gas canister. Airlia's knowledge of this world set us up for a great deal of success in stopping the evil."

Psaro looked at the aforementioned brunette and saw that she was nearly unconscious. "What did she tell you of me then?"

The green haired man shook his head while Meena explained. "She said that you weren't at fault. You were driven to it… I didn't believe it at first."

He smiled at her, "At first it was just to rid the world of the humans… because so many tormented my kind and they tormented poor Rose. But now… now I realize that they were but a handful of people in comparison to the rest of the population. If I can reverse the magic on Zamoksva – I will. You have my word Tsaravina Alena, Kyril, Borya."

Alena nodded, "I appreciate that. Please." The ship was guided to the eastern bank near where the balloon maker was.

Alistair took his now sleeping love and pulled her into his arms before taking her below deck and into the cabin. Tucking her gently into the bed, he kissed her forehead. "Rest my little love from another world. You did well… you saved so many lives… now we can help the rest of our people."

He walked outside and up to the deck as Kyril approached with Meena, "We'll stay with her while you go with the others to present the canister and get us new means of travel." The cleric said as Alistair nodded.

Psaro looked at the green haired hero, "Alistair, should I really come? It may not be safe… given what I've done…"

Alistair shrugged with a friendly smile. "They can try to say something, but I won't let them finish the sentence. Airlia tried really hard to help you and I won't waste her efforts."

Rose smiled genuinely, "Thank you Alistair. I'll stay with her so that she'll know her efforts weren't wasted. Besides… my tears attract trouble…"

Psaro nodded before kissing her gently. "At least our new friends won't hurt you. Please make sure if she becomes ill to let me know immediately my love."

Rose nodded before leaving to go below deck to sit with her friend who had done everything in her power to protect the elf.

Alistair took the tank and went into the far house on the eastern side where a man was researching his balloon. "Hey John… I got a gas tank! We can put together the hot air balloon and use it to help me to find the sword…"

The man looked up before pushing his spectacles up to the top of his nose. "By the goddess! Perfect. Give me a night and I should have it done. I don't have much space here, but you're welcome to rest if you need it."

Torneko smiled, "We'll sleep on my ship. It'll be grand that it'll be done so quickly." He bowed out and went back to the ship as Alistair merely gave him a smile and a nod.

"Thank you John… We'll be back in the morning first thing. I have a few matters to attend to first, but wanted to get you that as soon as possible." The green haired man said as the group left the man to his work. Once they were back on the ship, he held onto the ship casting his magic, "Zoom… Zamoksva."

The ship lifted into the air and sailed quickly and quietly among the clouds to slowly descend just before the castle. Once they arrived, Airlia moaned as her eyes opened. She sat up slowly, putting a hand to her head. "Where are we?"

Rose smiled as she sat next to the girl, "We just flew off somewhere by the feel of the ascent and descent of the ship."

Airlia pushed herself off the bed as Kyril checked her over for injury. "You seem to be better, but if you don't feel good, tell me right away."

The brunette smiled at the cleric, "Thank you so much Kyril for your help."

He gave her a goofy grin, "You're welcome. Let's go tell them you're better. I'm sure Alistair will be much happier."

She laughed as the large group went upstairs to find themselves staring at the castle that was seemingly empty. "Zamoksva…"

Alistair saw her standing and walking about as he walked up to her and wrapped his arms about her, putting his chin on her shoulder. "I'm glad you're better Airlia… I was so worried."

Airlia leaned against him with a gentle smile, putting her arms around him. "Alistair… I'm sorry I worried you. I just couldn't let her get hurt… I couldn't let her die when I had a chance to save her…"

Psaro looked at her, "Thank you. I never really got to say it before, but thank you for helping her… for showing me that not all humans are bad. Now let's see if I can undo whatever happened to the people of this kingdom."

Alena nodded as they walked off the plank and over to the castle. Inside it was eerily quiet as Psaro smelled the air. He could smell magic as the tsaravina cut through his reverie. "Who did this to my people?"

He shook his head, "Forgive me princess. Let's see if we can put this to right with my powers because it's another magic who did this. Turned the people mute… then invisible so you would walk through them as if they were clouds." Psaro focused on his powers before trying to break the spell as voices could be heard, but people could not yet be seen. After a few minutes, they could finally be seen as he fell to his knees in exhaustion. Airlia hurried to his side and helped him up, leaning against her.

The tsaravina ran off into the castle to see if her father was visible yet while Alistair helped support the man on the other side. "You okay there Psaro?" The green haired man enquired.

Psaro gave a grim smile. "That was Aamon's magic, and I never said that I wanted them gone… He must have done this to encourage three of the chosen to go out into the world… and ultimately unite with you. And as for if I'm okay… I'm just exhausted. Some sleep and I'll be fine."

Airlia nodded understandingly as the trio left the castle while some of their friends checked on the many inhabitants to ensure that they were alright. Rose saw them approaching the ship and didn't need to know what was wrong. "Psaro, you can rest in my room down below." She said before the group went down to the rooms to find Rose's room next to Airlia's room. Once in there, they laid him on the bed as Rose just laid next to him, cuddling with a quickly slumbering silver haired elf.

The pair left with smiles on their faces, knowing now that he was no longer a threat to the world, and that they had another powerful ally. Alistair took her hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Leading her to his own room he gently led her to a chair near his bed. "Airlia… I'm so glad you're okay… I love you my darling and it would have killed me to lose you."

She blushed softly, "I love you Alistair… I'm sorry I worried you. We have to chase Aamon into the realm of Nadiria and end it. And now we have friends who will help us." Getting up she wrapped her arms around him, the cool metal beneath her not fazing her in the least. Perhaps this was why she never felt any affection for anyone in her world…

Alistair removed the hard external armor before they laid down together to just hold one another and comfort one another. Feeling her in his arms it brought him such a comfort that he didn't quite realize he needed in his life. He could almost see why Psaro was willing to go so far over the edge for his love. Sleep quickly claimed the pair until a knock came to the door. Getting up, he looked down at the sleeping brunette and smiled as he brushed her hair gently from her face and kissed her temple. The man stood up, grabbed his armor and went to the door to find Ragnar. "Ach I wanted tae let you know we're near Riverton again, it's morning."

The green haired man smiled, "Thank you Ragnar. Let her sleep as long as she needs. She has done a lot of good, and now it's our turn to do equal amounts."

The soldier nodded, "Yes she has. The hot air balloon should be about ready."

"Right, and we'll go to the east beyond the mountains…" Airlia's voice came as the silver eyed girl spoke. She came over to them. "I'm better, thank you for letting me sleep."

Alistair smiled as he kissed her forehead. "You're welcome darling. I just wanted you to rest as much as you could."

The door nearby opened as Psaro and Rose walked out, both showing equal amounts of relief from sleep. Rose hurried to Airlia and hugged her again. "I'm so thankful you managed to help him… I'd stay at the tower… but…"

The brunette nodded, "Who knows if another attempt might be made to get you killed again. It's okay, stay near me and we'll be fine."

Psaro nodded, "And I'll help keep you both safe. It's only the beginning of what I need to do to make amends to things done for the wrong reason."

They walked upstairs to find everyone gathered as Alena came over to the silver haired elf. "Thank you for making things right again for my kingdom. Now I can do this without worrying about them."

Kyril nodded as he and Borya came up to them. Both men nodded while Kyril extended his hand. "Thank you for helping my friends and my Tsar to come back. Truly."

Psaro gave a strange smile as if unused to smiling happily. "I'm just glad to right some of my wrongs. There are things I can't fix, but at least there are things that I can now."

The group left the ship, heading for the giant hot air balloon with the inventory, John standing next to it, smiling at them. "Welcome my friends, it's ready to go! I pray you put it to good use. See the world!"

Alistair nodded as they all got in before he explained the instructions of how to rise, and land. Upon finishing, he untied the balloon as it raised into the air.

Airlia grinned widely as she looked over the railing, seeing the beautiful world before her. "It's amazing." She was looking over the sapphire blue ocean and felt the sun on her face. Looking up, the orange balloon was well constructed and the basket was sturdy enough to hold everyone in it.

Meena nodded, "Yes it's so lovely! Wow… look how the water glistens and the emerald green of the land… The mountains are so beautiful!" She pointed out at a few distant mountain peaks. "It really gets us around pretty fast doesn't it?"

Rose nodded, "The winds are strong, and he said to turn we merely do this…" She moved the weights around to make it go north as they reached along some of the mountains. Once they began to go north, Torneko smiled.

"This was the one treasure I could never get my hands on. I was always dreamed of seeing the Zenithian Sword with my own eyes. Now it's coming true at last." He said with stars in his eyes.