Chapter cover: Crow's and Kuan's forehead was beaded with sweat as they glared at each other in the field, their weapons unsheathed. One path of their sweat formed a reversed 5 on their cheek.

...

Location: Ellinia
Time: 02:04:00

Jake was sleeping in his apartment – reserved for researchers like him – on the floor, curled up with his ragged blanket when the window was tapped twice. It was soft, and Jake didn't stir from his sleep.

The pale moonlight which shone on him was partially blocked by a person, and that person's patience was running thin and rapped the window harder, with urgency behind it.

That did the trick as Jake woke up, his eyes still close – and his breathing sounded as if he was sleeping. It wasn't easy to do so, but years of training helped. Jake tried to heighten his senses and only to notice the light was gone. He groggily stood up and faced the window, and then smiled at the unwanted guests – but let open the window and back away.

There are only a few people he knows will do this, because the front door is always useless or rather, their mindset is 'no doors'. Why they think like that – Jake didn't want to know.

"Hola," Jake said cheerily, but with a hint of tiredness behind it. "What's wrong?"

Instead of answering him, the guests climbed in and tripped over his staff. One of them winced as she had scraped her knee. Jake helped her up while her partner entered smoothly, but cursed under his breath because his toe was stubbed with…how did he even get there? The table is clearly away from the window.

Then Jake remembered, Crow is a half-demon, definitely have better physical qualities such as strength than a normal human.

He caught a brief look at their clothes. Kuan was wearing her usual frilly dress, black like Crow's. And Crow, in his usual crow-coloured clothes and the red scarf, a memento of their father and the crow-insignia gloves.

"You have to help us, Jake." Kuan's voice normally has childishness in it, but now it sounded slightly deeper, a more mature voice. Jake sighed and his little brother sat cross legged on the other bed, twiddling his thumb. The younger looking girl helped herself with a comfortable chair and a cookie jar.

Jake, the bishop was slightly irritated the moment he knew the time. "Guys, it's early in the morning, and it's not even dawn – why?"

Crow dropped the bombshell. "Orders to capture Lea."

Jake facepalmed. "Congratulations, how are you going to explain? I'm pretty sure she was clear to you not to get found out."

"Precisely the problem, dear brother." Crow answered mockingly, before jerking his chin to his albino partner.

Kuan understood the message. "We can't leave our post – and yet, we did just to visit you. Where do you think Lea would be at this time?"

"Sleeping," Jake replied bluntly. Under Kuan's glare, he knew he was one snarky comment away from a painful kick.

"Calculations of jet lag." Kuan added helpfully, glancing at the moon.

Jake considered her suggestion. "Ossyria or on the way to Ossyria. Wait, how are you-"

Kuan cleared her throat and pointed at the sky and Jake realized they were going to call some huge flying companion – Griffons?

"We decided not to teleport there – in case of miscalculation and, it is highly possible there is a barrier to keep out unwanted intruders or if they managed to enter, trapped them there."

Jake nodded at her reasoning. "Need crystals?"

Kuan stared at Jake as if he had grown an extra head. "No."

With that tone of finality, the matter was closed and almost immediately, they disappeared from the room, leaving only two pieces of paper behind shaped like a human and that's when Jake knew it was Kuan's handiwork. She is excellent with summoning…things.

Jake looked at the messy room – he should pack up.

XXX

It was roughly five hours since he woke up, and Jake wouldn't notice the time unless he looked at the table clock on his desk, ticking away. Since he was fully awake, he decided to continue his research regarding elemental magic and the causes of it. He found it strange; despite extremely capable of using holy magic, he could also use other elements unlike most bishops.

Most bishops gradually lost their ability to use other elemental magic such as water or earth. It is not limited to mages like bishops; it even extended to other…people like warriors or thieves.

Why it happened – no one knows, and it is precisely the reason why Jake wanted to tackle the problem.

He scribbled down his theories, only to slash them as it was odd.

Finally, he decided to seek out his master for advice, the job instructor of magicians, Grendal the Really Old.

Or in Jake's terms, Grendal, the extremely old geezer.

Oops – Jake covered his mouth as if his thought was said aloud. He walked to his bathroom and cleaned himself as best as he could and changed from his pajamas to his more casual outfit, and later put on his mage robe. It was plain, brown like the earth and he pulled on a pair of fingerless gloves and slung his bandaged staff on his back – for any emergencies.

He looked at the now tidy room and a single lonely back on his unmade bed. On instinct, he brought it along and slung it across his front.

He stretched himself and ran, with every step, his sling bag bump on his knees, to the greatest library of Ellinia to meet with the old geezer.

But stopped at a distance when he saw a familiar looking mage – Luminous.

Jake sighed inwardly. He knew Luminous loves Lania – to the point his fatherly instincts kicked in whenever Jake talked with Lania. It was not impossible to miss his murderous intent oozing out.

Luminous spotted him and approached him with his usual expressionless face. Jake waved his hand in greeting half-heartedly because Luminous…looked sad. Even his posture spelled tiredness and heartache even it was straight and confident.

Luminous pointed at the nearest bench and left Jake, compelling him to follow out of curiosity.

"What's wrong?" Jake asked before sitting beside the hero. The light mage smiled faintly, but his eyes were telling him otherwise. There was pain in them, and fear – but not directed at Jake.

"I know we…start off with the wrong foot, but I want to thank you for keeping Lania safe." Luminous hung his head in shame. Jake merely nodded, sensing it wasn't the end.

The light mage took a deep breath. "If possible…can you help me?"

Jake raised an eyebrow.

"I…am contaminated from the previous battle from the Black Mage. The sole reason why I left Lania alone in the first place." Luminous continued, looking straight in Jake's eyes.

Jake tilted his head, unsure what was Luminous trying to say. He decided not to speak until Luminous spoke his problems…properly. Jake gestured for Luminous to continue.

Luminous looked nervous. "The darkness I took from him…he told me it would swallow me up." Jake looked concerned, but it wasn't enough to push him into action.

"It's strange, because I never thought it would be true until that day – when it began." The left red eye glowed with power. "Although I am able to control it at my own whims with the auguries, it's still not enough. I spend almost every waking hour, wondering about my fate – because I am not supposed to be here in this era."

There was silence as Luminous searched for the words to express his feelings and his thoughts. Jake merely unslung his staff and placed it on his lap as his back was getting uncomfortable with the baggage.

Finally, what seemed like hours which was actually minutes, Luminous continued, "The contamination affected more than just my body – it affected my heart, it has a personality. If I don't steel myself every day, it will devour me from the inside."

Like a parasite, Jake thought.

"It took control a few times, and the battle is tiring – even now, as we speak, it is telling me to give it control."

"Hmm…" Jake tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Can you elaborate on your battle? What does it try to do to make sure you relinquish your body?"

Luminous's face darkened – and Jake shuddered.

"By showing me my fears coming to life, and…decisions I regretted not taking. Very effective – and convincing me it could do a better job." There was sorrow in his eyes and Jake did not press for details.

Jake hmmed again – these descriptions sounded like Lea's – except more of cold sweat and screaming when waking up.

Now, several citizens of Ellinia should be waking up and doing their jobs. There was a teenager, standing guard at his own home, giving the duo misgiving looks.

"How often does it…appears?"

Luminous's eyes were sharp, and piercing. "When I'm weak."

Jake sighed, not hiding his exasperation. "Too vague, do you have any headaches?"

"Used to…until Vieren took it away. Come to think of it, the headache was there the moment I broke free from the ice."

Jake's eyes narrowed briefly. "I see…I will do what I can. But answer one question,"

Luminous shrugged – thinking it wouldn't harm him.

"Take care of Lea." Jake said rather nonchalantly. The older mage's eyes widened, his jaw dropping to the ground if it was possible. Jake patted his shoulder once and walked to the library – effectively cutting any possible questions from Luminous.

And if he was right, Luminous would be leaving today – while Lania is still asleep. Jake tapped his chin again, and looked up – maybe he should go on an adventure instead of holing up in his room…besides, maybe he will have his answers out there.

Maybe.

Jake turned around and chased after the light mage who was already outside, walking on the path leading towards the six oath crossways. With the staff in hand, Jake teleported behind Luminous and grabbed him by the arm.

"Luminous! Can I follow you?"

Luminous was startled at the sudden touch, and with strength, Jake managed to pull the light mage around – or at least the upper body.

Jake knew he was gaining weird looks, especially one in front of him. Luminous gauged him, considering his options.

"What about Lania?"

Jake grinned. "The ghost will take care of it – or," He did a shrill whistle – which echoed for miles in this quiet town, and let go of Luminous's arm. For a moment, Luminous looked furious, but then a rush of wind and the sudden chirping reply came.

A white dove landed on Jake's shoulder, nudging him affectionately. "Take care of Lania."

The dove blinked its beady eyes and spread its wings once more to Lania's house direction. Luminous smiled, a real one.

"I suppose it will do. Nice…companion you have there." Luminous turned back, slinging his bag to the front and took out his weapon, both pointed at the end – a kind of rod, specially made for both hand-to-hand combat before they entered the infested monster areas.

...

A/N: I made a draft for this and let's just say it was too boring for me. So I deleted that and created a new one. A short chapter - you may think it's a filler, think of it as a prelude for plot progression. I introduced most of the OC's I planned and the heroes too - I promise they are not useless.