Only one chapter after this one. :( I wish I had more, but this is definitely low on the list of priorities. But maybe someday I'll get back to this. Heck, maybe in a month or two. I don't know. It just isn't right now. But for now enjoy what I do still have.

Along the road Rose hears the sound of footsteps. She tenses. She thrust her arms out in front of both Setie and Luanna. "Wait." She warns. Her hand flies to her side, fingers curling around her stiletto. "There's someone there." Her eyes narrow into slits.

Luanna and Setie draw closer together. They latch onto one another fearfully.

The knights behind them fan out and charge forward. They draw their swords and take a fighting stance. Their eyes dance with patriotic passion.

Out from the brush bursts a figure. For a moment everyone is prepared to jump them. Then relieved knowing sweeps over Rose's face. "Meru," She sighs. Her hand relaxes at her side. "What are you doing out here?" She even smiles faintly.

Meru jerks her head up. Surprise flashes across her face before cheer quickly settles in. "Oh, Rose." She hopes her face looks better than she feels. She has only been walking for a mile or two and the events in her home are still weighing heavy on her heart.

Luanna peeks out from behind Rose. "You know this woman?"

"Yeah," Setie wrinkles up her nose. "She looks pretty weird." She certainly isn't wearing enough clothes to be from around here. It gets far too cold for that.

Rose looks disapprovingly back at her. "She's my friend." Her voice holds a slight edge. "Don't make fun of the way she looks."

Meru practically glows at Rose's defense.

The knights stand down once Rose says this. They sheathe their swords, bow, and then step back.

Meru smiles thankfully at Rose. "So, are you going back now?" She hopes to divert the conversation from anything involving her. "I finished my business. So I can go with you." Her hands clasp at her waist.

Rose notes Meru's strange posture and expression. She seems happy enough at a glance, but looking harder it's difficult to ignore the micro expressions. "Yes," Still, she tries not to say anything. "We were going back now."

"Ok." Meru nods. She hops forward and aligns herself with Rose. "Let's go."

Setie does not appreciate being pushed back like this, but she keeps her mouth closed. She sees clearly how much closer the two are compared to Rose and the two of them. Luanna's pose also tells her that she is looking into this new girl's soul and judges her to be more than deserving.

A few minutes pass where Meru keeps her eyes forward and Rose stares intently at her. Then she finally can't stand it anymore. Rose's brows knit together and she asks, "What's wrong?"

Meru starts at the sound of her voice. She looks around at Rose with mild surprise. Quickly she covers it up with insincere happiness. She grins as she says, "Wrong? What do you mean?"

Rose shoots her a stern look. "You know what I mean." She shakes her head sternly. "Everything about you tells me that something or someone has upset you." As she imagines people being responsible a fire flares in her eyes and her hands clench into fists. "So what was it?"

Meru tries to meet Rose's fiery gaze. But her spirit is too weak. She sighs heavily and hangs her head. "It's just trouble with family." She murmurs. Remembering it she nearly chokes up.

Rose quirks a brow. "What. Did they kick you out?" She says it jokingly, but she quickly realizes that it is very serious. "Oh."

Meru jerks her head in the opposite direction. She bites her lip to hold in the pain.

"Meru," Rose says as gently as possible. "I didn't mean it." She tentatively reaches out and lays a hand on her shoulder. "I just…"

Meru chokes out a bitter laugh. "Yes you did." She shrugs Rose's hand off. "You just didn't mean to be right." She looks back at Rose, her eyes full of hurt and anger.

Rose is shocked that Meru can look like that. More than that, she can't believe that she is so docile. "Don't let it get to you." Rose tries again. "They probably have a lot going on." She thinks of the surging and ebbing of power, but she doubts mere humans can feel it. "I doubt it's personal."

Meru stares dully up at her. "It is." She mumbles. "They hate me. For…" She stops short. She nearly lets her origins slip. "It's just not fair."

Rose rolls her eyes, but it is not at Meru. It is toward those that treated her poorly. "If they treat you so coldly, then they don't deserve to be called family. Don't give them the satisfaction of upsetting you." She looks sternly at Meru.

Meru's brows lift on her head. "I…"

"Trust me." Rose smiles down at her. "You'll feel better afterward." She nudges Meru in an attempt at comfort.

"You know what…" Meru looks hard at the ground for a moment, thinking. "You're right!" She swivels her head around and her face lights up. Her eyes shine with renewed happiness. "Thanks Rose."

Rose nods slightly. "It's nothing." Gloom doesn't suit Meru anyway. That is much more her own department.

Meru peeks around her shoulder at those around her. Her face twists up in confusion, as if she really didn't notice anyone else until now. "Hey, who are these two anyway?" They look a little familiar.

"Oh, right." Rose glances at the pair. "These are Luanna," She points to the darker dressed woman. "And Setie." She points to the other. "They are Sisters of Mille Seseau."

"Oh, yeah!" Meru exclaims suddenly. "That's where I've seen you!" She laughs at herself. "Your faces are all over the place!"

Luanna smiles softly. "I suppose so."

"Isn't it great!?" Setie dives right into the attention. "We're almost as well known as the Queen! It's a really great feeling too!"

"Is it!?" Meru spins around completely. She is walking backwards now, but she doesn't miss a beat. She knows these woods like the back of her hand and could never get lost or misstep. "I've never known what it was like to get all that attention." Positive attention, that is.

Luanna shakes her head at them. "That's not what being Sisters is about. We are here to help people, Setie, not bask in the glory." She gives Setie a stern look.

Setie sighs softly. "I know, I know. But I don't have powers or empathetic tendencies like you, Wink, or even Miranda. Well, not as much Miranda…" She taps her chin thoughtfully. "But even she connects with nature well." She slumps forward. "I don't have anything."

"Oh don't pout." Luanna scolds Setie. "You are the youngest. You just haven't found yours yet." She offers a comforting smile.

Setie can't help but smile back. She jumps from one emotion to the next with the blink of an eye. She is just like Meru in that regard. "I guess."

Rose doesn't know these people, but she feels compelled to say something anyway. Maybe she aims it at Meru more than anyone. "Everyone has a power. It doesn't have to be supernatural or even all that extraordinary. Sometimes it's even just the power to love despite all odds." She glances back at them. "So don't try too hard to find what makes you special. It's already there anyway, just buried."

All three women stare in awe at her. It is Meru who speaks. "That was…really deep." She breathes. She turns forward again to better see Rose. "Did you just make that up?"

Rose shrugs. "Maybe. I don't really remember. I just know I learned it a long time ago." And for once she isn't lying. It has been so many years that she can not place her words of wisdom. It could have been Zieg, it could have been a creation of her own devices, or it could have simply been a child she met on the road. Who really know anything anymore?

The one thing she does know is that they need to hurry back to Dart. The earth is trembling even more fiercely than before. There is no time to waste, especially if it is affecting Dart. She has to be there. In case something goes horribly wrong.

…

Back in Deningrad they all pile out of the inn and head across the street to the library. As they exit their eyes fall on Miranda almost immediately. She is already standing outside the library and waiting for them. She does not appear to be too irritated so they aren't too late if at all.

"Hey," Dart waves halfheartedly. He gives a small smile to accompany his greeting.

Miranda looks up at the sound of his voice. She glares at him, but her expression quickly softens. As much as she wants to be mad at them for dallying she's too happy at getting another chance at being one of them. "Hey."

Albert's eyes immediately fall on the library behind her. "Are we going to read through the books or what?" His eyes shine a little brighter every second. His hands clench in anticipation. "It sounds good."

Miranda grins at his excitement. "In a minute." It's been too long since someone has been so pumped over reading and knowledge. "But first," She seats herself on the top step leading to the library. "I want to tell you a story from the church."

Dart frowns deeply. "The church…?" It doesn't sound very relevant.

Haschel's brows knit together as he thinks. "You mean like the creation of the world?" It is something he never learned in the little town of Rogue. The world simply was.

Miranda nods shortly. "Yes, now have a seat." She motions a hand around her in a circle.

They all give her strange looks. They don't see why they can't go in for this. It's kind of cold after all. Still, they comply.

Miranda lets her gaze wander all their faces before speaking. "I suppose I should say before delving too deep that this is mainly about the Divine Tree."

Albert immediately throws his hand up. When she nods to him he says, "I've never heard of such a thing. Is it something unique to Mille Seseau or maybe even Deningrad?" He watches her intently.

Miranda smiles. "I'm not sure." She admits. "I've never traveled anywhere but Mille Seseau. But I suppose if you've never heard of it and you've traveled through Serdio and Tiberoa then it must be only here.

Albert nods thoughtfully. "I see."

Kongol tentatively raises a hand. "What it look like?" His eyes lock with hers.

"There are plenty of pictures in the church and library." She motions over her shoulder. "You can look all you want when we go in." She frowns slightly. "Of course it's all subjective. No one's ever really seen the Divine Tree."

Shana makes a soft sound of uncertainty. "Then how do you know it exists?"

Miranda shrugs. "We don't really. But we believe in it anyway. It's all about faith."

Dart gets progressively impatient. "So," He drums his fingers against his knees. "What about this tree? Does it have something to do with the Dragon Campaign?"

Miranda eyes him with something less than pleasure. She finds she likes him the least so far. "I don't know about the Dragon Campaign, but I can tell you about the beginning of the world."

They all nod in unison.

"The Divine Tree is the Tree of Life. All life comes from this Divine Tree. But in the beginning even it did not exist. Nothingness filled the world." She makes a sweeping motion with her hand as if wiping out all that exists now. "Then, the creator Soa descended from the sky." She moves her hand downward. "And he and his followers created the world."

They watch her gestures, but not half as much as they listen. They hang onto every one of her words.

"In the end, Soa sowed a seed on the earth. And the seed soon grew to be a great tree." Her voice seems to boom with her last words. "The great tree bore one hundred and eight fruits and various life forms arose from the ripened fruits. Thus, one hundred and eight forms of life were created to fill the world."

Dart can't help but interrupt. "Do you know what the hundred and eight creatures are?" He doesn't have high hopes, but it isn't because it is her. He doubts anyone could remember that many.

Miranda senses his doubt. She narrows her eyes at him, but keeps her tone relatively cheerful. "Only a few. Humans, Winglies, dragons, and Gigantos." She counts them off on her fingers. "Ones you probably already know." She shrugs. "Sorry."

Albert nods disinterestedly. "Yeah, so is there anything else you know about the tree?"

"Yes, while the Divine Tree's role ended here, the story goes on. Supposedly it is still protected by the Signet of Soa." She never really knew what that meant though. She hopes they don't ask. "This is so because the world was established with a fate determined by Soa. Whatever is to happen, everything is set up to one day bring it to fruition yet prevent it until then."

Dart taps his chin thoughtfully. "God's tree…" He murmurs to himself. "…sown by Soa…is the Divine Tree." He logs it away in his memory.

"Is that all?" Haschel pipes. "It is most intriguing." If he wasn't so old he'd tell the story to his children and them to theirs. Unfortunately he's pretty sure now that his daughter is dead and has been for years. And his grandchild heard the story just as well as he has.

"One more thing." Miranda's face lights up as she remembers. "It is said that the Last Fruit has been protected from evil by the Signets created by the ancient Winglies. The legend goes, 'When the Signet is broken, the end of the world approaches'."

Albert's brows raise up on his head. "The end of the world?" He gasps. "Are you serious?"

Miranda can't help but laugh out loud. "Like I said, it's a part of a legend. Most legends never come to fruition." She smiles. "So you don't really need to worry."

"No offense." Dart speaks up. "But with us a lot of legends have happened that never happen to anyone else." He doesn't expect her to understand. He also hopes she leaves it at that.

Miranda's brows knit together. She gives him a stern, confused look. "What do you mean?"

Shana shakes her head. "No, it's nothing. We can't tell many people." She half laughs. She ducks her head in anticipation of outrage.

Miranda scowls. A growl rumbles deep in her throat. "I'm not just anyone." She reminds. "I'm helping you every chance I get. Why can't you tell me something!?" Her fists clench and tremble slightly.

"Miranda," Albert lays a hand on her shoulder. "Don't let it work you up." He looks hard in her eyes. "Just focus on telling us what you know."

Miranda heaves an aggravated sigh. She stands quickly, sending her dirtiest look Dart's way. "Fine." She grits out. She just can't get a break with him. "Anyway, for the 'end of the world' to be a mere legend, we must supposedly remove evil from our hearts and live in honesty. The bishop taught me so every day. And since legend is reality to you, I'd follow it."

Albert shoots up into a standing position. His serious face breaks out into a bright smile. "Now can we step into the treasury of knowledge?" He holds his breath in anticipation.

Miranda briefly forgets Dart and his attitude. She grins and nods.

"Yes!" He throws his arm into the air. He stares in awe up at the large building. "I wonder if I am capable of receiving all this incredible luck and still remain calm…" He breathes, his eyes shining.

Haschel stares strangely at him. "Albert…" He half laughs. "Are you ok?"

Albert slowly shakes his head. It is not in response to Haschel, but to himself. "No! I can not." He fidgets in his excitement. "The treasure of knowledge is shining and calling me!" He runs past Miranda to the door, stopping with his hand on the knob. He looks back over his shoulder. "Let's go!"

Miranda again laughs at him. He is the funniest man she has ever seen. "Alright." She turns and heads to the door. She gently pushes him to the side and pulls open the giant doors. "Here it is." She spreads her arms out and steps to the side.

They are met with an amazing sight. Books line all the walls and reach high up above them. There are at least three levels with ladders leading up to each one. It is the biggest source of information any of them have ever seen. "Wow…" Shana breathes.

Albert's eyes light up like stars. "I-It's incredible!" He rushes in. He zooms down the short spiraling stairs to the first level.

At the end of the stairs is the librarian. He stops Albert with an outstretched arm. "This is the knowledge source of Endiness." He nods to Albert. The eagerness on Albert's face makes him quickly allow him passage. "Go look for anything you want."

Shana slowly heads down the stairs. She can not take her eyes from the walls. "The entire wall is filled with books." She half laughs from sheer amazement.

Dart looks intently at the ceiling. Besides the castles it is the largest building he's ever seen. "Maybe we can find out something about Virages and the Moon That Never Sets." He says half to himself and half to them as he follows Shana and brings his gaze down to the books.

Haschel looks over at the librarian. He frowns faintly. "Doesn't looking at these things all the time have an effect on you?" He laughs a little.

The librarian makes a face at him. He understands the implications. "It has made me wise!" He nods firmly before sticking his nose in the air superciliously.

Haschel rolls his eyes and heads further in.

Kongol holds his head. "Kongol feel dizzy." He shakes his head as he walks further into the library. He doesn't know where to start in this mess. "Gigantos lose to books."

Haschel snickers at Kongol. "Don't worry too much about it." He pats him on the shoulder.

"Oh!" Albert spins around from his place on the wall. "Here is something about Dragons!" He is holding a book. He bends over as he skims it again. Then he pops back up. "It also talks about Dragoons!"

Dart perks. His face lightens for the first time all day. "That's great. Surely we can find something to help us in all this."

Shana nods with the whole upper half of her body. "Let's split up and look."

Haschel laughs. "I guess I'll have to use my brain for the first time in a long time." He glances over at Dart. "You too, eh Dart?" He grins from ear to ear.

"Ha ha." Dart glares playfully. "You're hilarious."

Kongol scratches his head. "Can Kongol read human words?" He has never tried before now. He supposes there is no harm in trying.

A cloud passes over Shana's features. She sighs softly. "If Rose were here, she would tell us a lot." It's strange not having her constantly rattling off facts when they need them. It's an emptiness she never expected to feel.

Dart forces smiles, but a frown tugs at the corners of his lips despite his efforts. "She will be back when she finishes her errand. Meru too." He watches his feet intently, trying to not let her see how much he misses Rose as well. "We have to do what we can do now without them."

Shana nods slightly. She sees he too is downhearted by her absence. He could never hide it.

Miranda is quietly listening to them. At the mention of two others she can't help but want to find out about them. "Rose…Meru…?" She whispers to herself, quirking a brow. Her eyes drift to Albert. She then slowly glides down the stairs and over to him.

Albert is deep in a book. He does not see who it is, but he does see their feet. He looks up from his reading to see Miranda standing before him. "Oh, hey." He almost returns to his book until he sees that she is lingering. "What is it?"

Miranda glances back at Dart. He has already moved far away. "Who are Rose and Meru?" She doesn't beat around the bush.

Albert blinks twice and then his face breaks out in a smile. "They are two other girls in our group. They went off on their own for a little while right before we ran into you."

"What about Rose specifically?" She can't help but ask. If Dart is so affected by her absence then perhaps Miranda could use her somehow.

Albert frowns deeply. "Why does it matter?" Albert tilts his head slightly. He closes his book. His expression quickly becomes suspicious. "Are you trying to get under Dart's skin?"

Miranda rolls her eyes. "No." There is an edge to her voice that proves her wrong. "Look, he obviously likes her most. He has all of you yet he is missing her right now. If I find out who she is I can get on her good side and thus get on Dart's good side."

Albert can't help but laugh.

Miranda scowls with intensity. "What?" She crosses her arms heavily over her chest. "What's so funny about that?"

Albert shakes his head. "I'm sorry. It's just…you can't just get on Rose's good side like that." He grins. "She's more complicated than your average person. You'll have better luck duking it out with Dart the way he is now than getting her to like you."

Miranda's brows knit together. "What's her deal then?" Miranda has never met anyone she can't charm in some way or another.

Albert scowls faintly. "She doesn't have a deal." His tone is slightly defensive. "She's just who she is. Just like you, just like me, just like Dart."

Miranda sighs irritably. "Fine. Whatever." She turns to leave.

"You know you should just stop though." Albert says to her back. When she stops he adds, "Dart's not going to change his mind. There's…something off about him." Albert whispers the last bit.

Miranda turns fully around at this. "Something off?" She raises a brow. "What do you mean?"

Albert shakes his head. His gaze is intense and worried. "I don't know. He just…is." Albert thinks through all the things that could have happened to do this. "It started here, in Mille Seseau. Before he was letting people join us with barely any resistance. But, that's not just it. It's more than that, and I…I don't know why."

Miranda's face creases in concern. "So, he is usually nicer?" Upon Albert's slight nod, she says more. "Well," She licks her lips as she thinks. "It could be the dragon." Even though she doesn't believe it, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Albert's eyes widen. "You mean the Divine Dragon? But I thought you said it was a legend?" He holds his breath. He isn't sure if it is because he wants it to be true and act as an explanation or if he wants it to be a lie so that they don't have to worry about the threat. Which is worse?

Miranda shrugs. "It doesn't matter what I believe. It could easily be true. I don't really know."

"So, what if it is the dragon?" Albert picks his words carefully. "Why would it be messing with Dart's personality and not anyone else's?"

Miranda shrugs again. "You tell me. You're the heroes of Tiberoa. What is different about all of you? What made you able to kill the dragon there? Then what sets Dart apart from that?"

Albert shakes his head slowly. "I don't know…" If only Rose were here now.

Miranda sighs. "Well," She turns away from him. "I'll let you focus. You should probably be reading now." She walks smoothly from him. She seats herself in a stray chair.

Albert watches her for a moment before doing as she said. He starts to open the book again, but stops. He puts it back in its place and wanders over to a ladder. Perhaps height has something to do with usefulness. Really he just wants to explore every level. Then he goes to the wall of books to thumb through them. There must be something here.

Dart is on the first floor. He is skimming a book to see anything about the Dragon Campaign or the creatures from it. He lets out a heavy sigh. Unfortunately it seems to simply be a history of Serdio. He is no longer interested in such a thing. So he puts it back and walks to another section.

As Dart moves he notices Kongol thumbing through a book not far from him. He changes course and walks over to Kongol. "Hey, what have you found? Hopefully something better than I have." He means to laugh and be good humored about it, but his words only sound bitter.

Kongol lowers the book and glances over his shoulder at Dart. "It is about Winglies," He hesitates. "I guess." He shrugs.

Dart blinks up at him. "You guess?" Dart repeats. He frowns and his brows knit together.

Kongol nods. "Kongol can not read human characters. Me looks pictures."

Dart circles to Kongol's front. "Let me read it." Dart holds his hands out for the book. Dart's eyes find the paragraph the instant the book is in his hands. "Winglies are people with wings of light who employ magical powers. They had their glory eleven thousand years ago when their magical powers were strong enough to float colossal cities."

Kongol stares in intrigue. "City floats?" He says in disbelief.

"It seems so." Dart flips a few pages to another picture. "See?" He holds the book up. It is an image of one of the floating cities. "It is unimaginable today in our world." He can't deny that he would love to see such a magnificent place.

After another moment Dart draws the book back. He reads a part on the new page. "They became extinct after the war with humans who were seeking their liberation."

"What about Lenus?" Kongol interjects. "She a Wingly too."

Dart looks up and nods. "Yeah," He closes the book. "Besides, us Dragoons are supposed to be only legend too." Dart shrugs. "A legend does not necessarily mean nonexistent. It's just what most people believe."

Kongol takes the book back from Dart and turns away from him. He puts it back and chooses another.

Dart looks away and up to the next floor. He thinks he can just see Shana walking around. He then decides he'll go see exactly what she's doing. He climbs the nearest ladder and heads for her. "Hey, Shana." He calls.

Shana perks. She smiles up at him. "Hello, Dart." She meets him halfway across the floor. "I was reading about Divine Moon Objects." She shows him the page. It has an image of the Moon Gem. "But," A disgruntled frown flashes across her face. "They are just objects from a legend to begin with. There are no details."

Dart expected nothing more. "If only we could find out the meaning of them then we might be able to find out what Lloyd is planning." He sighs heavily. He feels a stab of anger, but he pushes it down before he can say anything he might regret.

"You're right." A spark of passionate anger rises in her eyes at the mention of Lloyd. Finding out his plans would be the biggest victory in her life, now that she already had Dart. "Here, at least read this part then." She gives him the book.

Dart reads it in his head. After the Dragon Campaign humans controlled the continent of Endiness. They then divided the continent into four sections before establishing three new countries. To the east –Serdio. To the south – Tiberoa. And to the north – Mille Seseau. The one unpopulated region became known as the Death Frontier, the untouched land. Each country shared three Divine Objects inherited from the Winglies as proof of their alliance. The Divine Moon Objects are said to conceal magical power, however, their usage is unknown.

When Dart looks up at her Shana knows he's finished. "His intentions must be hidden in the obscurity of the Moon Objects use."

Dart sighs softly. "Isn't everything?" He half smiles.

Shana frowns slightly. There's a certain quality to his tone that she doesn't like. What she knows is meant to be playful comes off as disappointed and even a little annoyed. "I'll look into it more." She takes the book back, shooting Dart a questioning look as she turns away.

Dart catches her look and stares at her back for a long moment. His brows furrow. Did he imagine that? Was he acting so strange that even Shana is unsettled? He shakes his head. It doesn't matter. He needs to focus on the information gathering.

He climbs the next ladder. At the top he sees both Haschel and Albert. Haschel is closest so he walks over to him. "What are you reading?"

Haschel doesn't look up. He appears to be reading even as he answers, "This book talks about the Dragoons."

Dart is mildly intrigued. "The Dragoons from legend?" He wonders what they were like. Maybe the old Dragoons personalities were similar to theirs. Maybe that was one of the qualities required for each spirit.

"Yes," He nods ever so slightly. His voice is vague and his eyes still roam over the pages. "The Dragoons from the Dragon Campaign." Finally he stops reading and looks up. "According to this, we are the first new Dragoons to come along since the Dragon Campaign."

Albert can't help but be drawn into the conversation. "Maybe…" He taps his chin thoughtfully. "Dragoons are to be called when history requires them."

Dart turns his eyes to Albert. He frowns faintly. "When history requires them?" He crinkles his nose as he realizes how often he is repeating them as of late. He quickly shakes the feeling off. "So history needs us now? Is what Lloyd is doing really so dangerous?"

Albert thinks back to their journey through Serdio and Tiberoa. "Lavitz was a Dragoon." He recalls. "Greham, Doel, and Lenus too." He grimaces as a thought occurs to him. "Were their deaths necessary?"

Dart tenses at the very thought. He eyes grow cold and his fists clench. How could Lavitz's death be necessary? Why did the Dragoon Spirit have to use him to get to Albert? It wasn't like Greham, or Doel, or Lenus. They were evil! It used them to get to good, but Lavitz…it just wasn't fair.

"That is what…" Haschel notices Dart's sudden tenseness and treads carefully with his words. "Only history can tell." He sighs to himself. "I of course don't know."

Albert ignores Dart's reaction and speaks mostly to Haschel. "However, it all began because of the Dragoon Spirit that Lloyd brought." He gave at least one to Doel. He could have also given one to Greham. "If Lloyd is a part of history that is necessary-"

Dart cuts Albert off. "Then our journey seems to be dragged along by his fate." There is an edge to his voice. He isn't sure if it's strange or if for once it's merely from the mention of Lloyd.

"Here." Haschel shoves his book at Dart. Anything to distract him from Lloyd. Lately he's been getting so much more intense over the tiniest things. "Look what it says."

Dart shoots Haschel a look before dropping his eyes to the page. In spite of the fact that they were humans, the seven heroes who led the Dragon Campaign to victory eleven thousand years ago crossed the sky and cast spells. After they fulfilled their roles they vanished with the Dragoon if it were some unavoidable fate. Dart lifts his gaze to Haschel as he finishes. A new look is in his eyes, one of fearful confusion.

Haschel reads his expression easily. "This legend seems to be telling us that after our journey, we will vanish." Saying it out loud makes it so much more real. He even feels a faint chill race down his spine.

Dart shakes his head, slowly at first. "No, just because it is in legend does not make it a fact." He shakes his head with more conviction now. "Even if fate drags us along, we still have the power to severe the chains that bind us."

Haschel nods thoughtfully. "I hope you're right." He goes back to the book.

"Hey, Dart." Albert motions him over. "I found something else about the Dragon Campaign. It's about the dragons. And it is quite interesting." Albert does not offer his book up. He reads it for Dart. "According to this, dragons are the second most powerful species of all hundred and seven creatures given life by the Divine Tree. Their attacks and life power overwhelm others." He takes a breath. "However, the creator Soa created a balance by reducing the dragon's intelligence. Therefore they were to be controlled by humans with their wisdom."

Dart fears Albert might talk on forever. It's not that the information isn't interesting or useful, but he'd much rather read it himself. "Let me see it."

Albert pauses at his interruption. He blinks twice at Dart. Then he begrudgingly hands it over.

Dart quickly schemes the last bit. During the Dragon Campaign eleven thousand years ago they had fierce battles against Virages, manipulated by Winglies, and couldn't avoid being annihilated. Dart scoffs at the inaccuracy of the book. "But they weren't annihilated like the book says."

"I know." Albert nods. "I'll look for more." He gives Dart a meaningful look before thumbing through the wall of books again.

Dart sighs. He moves to go look on the opposite wall. No one is over there. No one can give him any more of those looks either. As he approaches the far wall a figure suddenly pops up in front of him. He can't help but jump back in surprise.

It is Miranda. "You know, all your friends think you're acting weird." She doesn't beat around the bush. She dives right into the point.

Dart collects himself and scowls over at her. "What do you know about my friends?" He growls coolly. "You've known us a few hours at most."

Miranda smirks. "Let's put it this way then, smartass," She crosses her arms over her chest. "As much as I don't know them, I still know they're worried. That's how obvious it is." She grins triumphantly.

Dart growls beneath his breath. "So what? What's your point?" Is she trying to blackmail him?

Miranda rolls her eyes and sighs heavily. "My point is – why?" She raises a brow. "Is it because of me? Do you hate me that much?" Her words are laced with sorrow, none of it sincere. "Or what?"

Dart makes a face at her. "Are you that conceited?" He laughs coldly. "Of course it's not you. I barely know you. Why would I hate you like that?"

Miranda chuckles. "Well, you certainly don't like me." She notes. "I'm not blind." She plants her hands on her hips. "I see the looks you give me. You'd rather me be gone. Even though I've helped you so much."

Dart lets out a heavy sigh. "It's not like that." He drops his eyes to the ground. "I'm glad you're so willing to help. But I…I don't want to drag anyone else into this mess. We already…I mean, I…" He grips his head as it pounds.

Miranda sees real confliction for once. His face is strangely void of that irritation and mindless dislike. So she softens. "It's fine." It surprises her to find she means it. "I'm just trying to figure this out. I don't like it when people mistreat others."

Dart's brows knit together as he stares at her. There is a certain quality to her last words that strikes him. They're almost cold, wounded, or maybe bitter. "Well I don't know." He admits. "But I…"

Miranda perks. "What?" She watches him intently.

Dart shakes his head. "Nothing. I just need to do research like everyone else." He moves past her. "Thanks for your help." He mutters as an afterthought.

Miranda stares after him. Her brows furrow far down on her head. There was an idea on the tip of his tongue. He has his suspicions. He just won't tell her. Of course not. She is practically a stranger. If only one of the others would say something. Then maybe he'd say what was on his lips.

Dart heads nowhere in particular. He has no interest in reading books anymore. Miranda's words are irritating him almost as much as the strange power reaching him every so often. He sighs angrily. When is Rose coming back!? He kicks at the ground, stubbing his toe and making his anger rise further.

The librarian makes his way around his sanctuary. He is on the third floor now. It is as he is scanning his treasures of knowledge that his eyes fall on Dart. He watches the man for a little while before approaching him. "Do you need something?"

Dart looks dully up at the librarian. He shrugs. "I don't know. Not really. I'm just sort of walking around I guess. I mean, I don't know." He rambles on and on.

The librarian looks disapprovingly at him. Still, he does not comment on Dart's behavior. He simply speaks of what he has observed pertaining to his group. "It seems you are interested in the Dragon Campaign – Winglies, Divine Moon Objects, dragons and Dragoons – these all had something to do with the Dragon Campaign."

Dart nods vaguely. "Yeah, that's sort of what we're after. Mostly we're looking for information about a man. Do you think you know anything about the Dragon Campaign?"

The librarian's expression brightens considerably. "The Dragon Campaign is my specialty." He beams. "Maybe I can be of assistance."

Darts manages a smile. This could be useful. "Alright. Tell me." They only know fragments.

"Gladly. This is the legend of the Dragon Campaign that I know…" The librarian clears his throat. "There were seven tribal warriors in the legend of the Dragon Campaign – Dragoons reputed to be the incarnations of dragons. With dragons at their side, the Dragoons fought boldly." His face darkens. "However, in the age when the legend was reality, the Winglies dominated all, even the gods. The gods answered to Dictator Melbu Frahma's prayers and granted him ultimate power. But, the power was abused."

Dart can't stay silent. "Abused how?" He presses.

The librarian ignores him and goes on. "The earth of Saint Imperial Gloriano was scorched by the gods' fire and became ashen. Then, it was the anger and sadness of the people that was the fuel for the Dragoons' cause. After that, finally, they freed the gods." The librarians face lightens with relief. "Without the gods' power, the Winglies perished and our age, the human age, began. And thereafter the gods floated in the sky. For eleven thousand years, they have been looking over the world as the Moon That Never Sets."

Dart stares in awe. While he has heard a lot of it before, there are little bits that are new to him. "Amazing." He breathes. "So Melbu Frahma was at fault for most of the chaos?" He wonders fleetingly if Rose would have known had he asked her.

The librarian nods. "That is the story." He smiles faintly. "Did you find out something related to the man you are looking for?"

Dart frowns noticeably. He shakes his head forlornly.

The librarian frowns with him. "Oh well, that's unfortunate. But…" He grins despite the circumstances. "You are already here, so you might as well check the Reference Room upstairs." He almost laughs at himself.

Dart blinks up at him. "Are there more books?" He cocks his head to the side. He isn't sure he wants to read despite how much it might help. He has a killer headache all of a sudden.

"No," The librarian shakes his head. "It contains the historical material of Mille Seseau."

Dart nods vaguely, as if he is wandering off to another world entirely. "I see."

The librarian notices the far off look in his eyes, but continues speaking. "For other people, it may seem to be mere trash." His gaze hardens at the mere thought. "However, for our country, they are all historical objects." His stare changes again, this time to one of uncertainty and sadness. "Mostly it is objects left behind by the Black Monster that brought an inferno down on this country."

Dart is suddenly very alert. His eyes widen and his heart beats double time. "The Black Monster?" He can scarcely contain his eagerness. His fists clench in anticipation. Everywhere he seems to learn a little more. He never imagined having such good luck.

The librarian raises a brow. "It has already been eighteen years." He notes. "It is surprising a young man like you knows about it."

"I was born in Neet!" Dart doesn't hesitate to say.

The librarian's eyes grow ten times larger. "God!" He gasps. "You are a survivor from the village?" It is an amazing feat that he never thought he'd hear of again.

"Yes." Dart nods fervently. "I was five when it happened."

Miranda stands not far from them. She eavesdrops while appearing to go through a book. Her eyes never leave them. Her gold orbs shine in intrigue and amazed disbelief. "Maybe that's it…" She whispers to herself.

"Come with me!" The librarian insists. "You must see the Reference Room!" He reaches out for Dart, just barely stopping himself. He drops his arm and coughs softly. "Please," He collects himself. "Follow me if you wish." He promptly turns and heads for a spiral staircase.

Dart stares after him for a brief moment. He then quickly follows after him. Anything about the Black Monster and his home is important to him. He'll do anything to find the monster and remember his home.

Miranda doesn't move. Only as they disappear on the stairs does she put the book back and go after them at a mild pace. It's slow enough to not make a sound, but fast enough not to lose too much conversation.

The room above is nothing like Dart has ever seen. It is very much a relic of the past. Drawings hang on the walls, of Dragoons, the Dragon Campaign and one even of the Divine Tree. So that is what Miranda spoke of.

Then there is a large model ship that sets on a table near the back, and an assortment of items sit in the center. It is a dim room that perfectly fits the mood. In fact, there are no windows. Only strange glowing stones hang from the ceiling. They stir faint memories, as if they too were somewhere around Neet before it was destroyed.

Dart stands motionless for more than a couple of minutes. He takes it all in. He remembers that wagon wheel. That stone too, it was the material that many buildings were made of. Many buildings that were now rubble and dust in the wind.

Dart swallows hard. While it's nothing like facing Neet, it still makes him quiver faintly. He breathes deeply in and out, steeling himself. He walks strongly over to the mass of objects at the center. He stops next to the librarian.

The librarian glances at Dart. His eyes quickly return to the items, one in particular. "This is the stained glass of the church in Neet." He says almost absently. Again he looks at Dart, this time more intently. "Do you remember seeing this?"

Dart stares into the glass. It strikes a chord of memory. He hears laughter – his laughter. For the briefest moments he even sees his mother's smiling face, just like in the forest. He shakes his head fiercely to rid himself of the memory. "Y-Yes," He mutters. "Faintly, but I do remember."

The librarian's face becomes strained. "It really is a monster." He murmurs. He reaches out and lets his fingertips graze the glass. "These are the only things that survived the black flame."

Dart shudders as the memory of screams suddenly assaults him. One of a little girl, another of an old man, and while he never heard it, he imagines his mother's now too. In an attempt to make the sounds go away, he tries to busy his mind with a question. "Do you know anything about what happened to Neet back then? Any survivors?"

The librarian opens his mouth to speak. Instead of his voice, a girl's reaches them. "Just one." Miranda's cool voice says. She is leaning against the far wall. Her arms are crossed and she has a hard almost guarded expression about her.

Dart looks to the librarian for the answer, but he has suddenly fallen silent. Dart makes a face at him before turning to Miranda. "Who is that?" He watches her expectantly.

"My sister." Miranda says shortly. "Luanna is her name."

Dart frowns deeply. The name sounds vaguely familiar. There is a brief flash before his eyes, but it is gone as quickly as it came. "I…I don't really know her." He finally says. "And, you say she is your sister? So, does that mean you-"

"No." She cuts him off. "We're not blood sisters. Only adopted." She stealthily hides their heritage. She doesn't want to be brought on to their team just because she's royalty, especially when she isn't even really. Only adopted.

Dart nods. "Oh, alright."

Miranda surveys his face thoroughly. "It's too bad you don't know her." She doesn't really care either way. It would have simply been an interesting fact for her sister and the leader of the heroes of Tiberoa to have had a connection. "Oh well." She shrugs.

Dart shrugs back. "I was really young." He reasons.

"I know." Miranda half smiles. "You're just as lucky to be alive as Luanna is. She was only four." She cringes at the thought of Luanna not making it. Then what? She would be one sister short.

Dart nods. "I know." His parents, unfortunately, weren't so lucky.

The librarian looks back and forth between them. "I-I don't know about connections or anything. But I can tell you a little about the Black Monster." He offers. "There is a legend about the Black Monster and the Moon Child."

Miranda walks quickly over to them. "Please," She nods to the librarian. "Luanna won't talk about him so I don't really know anything at all. And I…I'd like to." She glances up at Dart.

Dart meets eyes with her. He nods. "I'll take anything."

Miranda doesn't miss the rise of bloodlust in his crystal blue eyes. Revenge, it is consuming him. It has been slowly eating away at him for years. Now, however, something has stirred it up with a vengeance. Was it really the legendary dragon? Regardless of the reason, his body language puts her on edge. She remains alert and guarded even as the story progresses.

"It is ironic," the librarian decides to say before delving into the story. "But…the people who visit the church in Neet pray for their own happiness by looking at this stained glass which shows the legend of the Black Monster and the Moon Child." He smiles wanly.

Miranda and Dart don't smile. Their eyes lock on the man before them. Nothing else but another section of legend matters to them in this moment. Besides, Miranda already knows about the ways of the people. Just tell the story!

The librarian's mouth falls into a frown at their unresponsiveness. Then he delves into the story. "Why did the gods created him? The Black Monster." His voice takes on a different, deeper quality. "He appears in various legends, as a demon who rebels against and devours the gods, an evil plague that rejects peace in the world. That peace is the god that is the Moon That Never Sets."

Dart notes that the Moon That Never Sets is supposedly a sign of peace. He wonders what that really means. If it glows red, then shouldn't peace descend rather than the Black Monster?

"The Moon That Never Sets glows red every hundred and eight years. It is a sign that a herald will be sent to earth, a herald known to us as the Moon Child."

Miranda's eyes widen slightly. Moon Child? She thinks back a long way. She swears she saw and heard moments where Queen Theresa spoke of such a thing. But why would she? Stranger still Miranda remembers the queen talking bitterly and yet fondly about the Moon Child all at once. Why? Such a thing can't be both.

"The legend says the Moon Child revives the gods on earth and purifies the world." A dark scowl passes over the librarian's features. "But the Black Monster abhors, hates, and despises it. And kills the Moon Child." He shakes his head and sighs sadly. "This sad karma is endless. This god stays forever in the sky, and the world is in never-ending chaos."

After the librarian's words fade into obscurity, silence falls like a blanket over them. Each thinks about the tale laid before them. There are little things here and there that give more clues as to the truth. Such as the 'killing' of the Moon Child. Did that mean it was a human like anyone else, only not? Had the Moon Child lived in Neet or Deningrad? Or where?

The librarian watches them for a long time. Then he finally leaves. He moves silently. He doesn't dare break the peace. He slips smoothly down the stairs, leaving them perfectly alone in the suffocating silence.

Many more moments slip by. Finally it is Dart that breaks through the silence. "Where did you live then?" He mumbles.

Miranda starts. Her eyes are wide as she jerks her head up to look at him. "Huh? Oh." She settles. Her expression becomes solemn once more. "Somewhere far away. It was…much colder." Her tone is likewise cold. It is not something she talks about.

Dart might have been irritated by her dismissal, but he is barely able to keep up with reality right now. "So you didn't even know about it then?" Why does he even care?

Miranda shakes her head. "No, not until I was adopted." She almost laughs at her next thought. "Not even for a while after that to be honest." She sighs, lowering her head and clasping her hands near her stomach. "It wasn't a very up to date place."

"Yet you want to know the things about it." Dart's eyes narrow. "Why?"

Miranda scowls right back at him. "My sister was in it. What more reason do I need?"

Dart keeps his eyes trained on her for a long time. Then he sighs. He drops his gaze. "Yeah, I guess you're right." He shrugs. "I just…" Just what? Hell if he knows. "I guess I don't want strangers sticking their nose into it and pretending to care when they only want to know just to know."

Miranda scoffs, but it has an edge of amusement. "Trust me, I'm no bookworm. If anyone, you'd need to worry about Albert down there. He likes to learn everything for no particular reason." A smile spreads across her face. "He was even reading about politics at one point. He only stopped when he saw you coming."

Dart half smiles. He can't laugh. "It's harder for me to care with him. He's my friend, he…" He looks to the side. "Well, he deserves to know more than other people I guess. Because he knows me at least."

Miranda reads the words underneath the words. "Other people like me." She challenges. She raises a brow. She is one step short of unimpressed.

Dart grimaces. "Not exactly." He says slowly. "I mean, at least you know Luanna. Look, I…I'm sorry." He goes from talking slow and carefully to speaking quite fast. "I didn't mean to say who deserves to know or not. I was just, I'm just-"

"Oh, hush." Miranda rolls her eyes. "It's nothing." She reaches toward the mass of objects in the center. "It was your tragedy…" She says softly. "So you own it. You live it every day. I…" Her fingers curl around a slab of stone. "…can relate."

Dart's mouth is half open to ask what she means, but he senses it is not his place to delve. If she is willing to let his coldness over his own bitter past go, then he should do the same for her. Besides, there is a shadow over her face now. It reminds him of his own. So it must be a source of much contempt, just like the Black Monster. Whatever it is, only her friends deserve to know.

"Well," She shakes her head slightly. She stands straight. "It's dank in here." She turns. "I'm going." She doesn't ask him to follow. She hasn't forgotten she still doesn't belong with them. There's a lot of strife here anyway. He might need time to settle things.

Dart watches her form disappear around the stairs. He sighs heavily, giving a last longing look at the pieces of his memories. You should pay attention to the present. Lavitz's words echo in his head. However the voice he hears is a combination of his late friend and mother.

"Yes," He breathes. "I know that." It's just harder than it looks. He snaps a piece of the stained glass off. He tucks it in his pocket. "Just let me hang on a little longer…" Then he walks out.

What did you think? I remember enjoying writing this chapter. Dart-Miranda interactions are my favorite. I hope you liked it too. Please review!