AN: Argh! The overly long journey to Nuuma was very much a part of the original story as well. But fortunately, it's a bit different. Also, I had to include Igneous' fanclub, because just the existence of them was pretty funny.

28- The Road to Nuuma

Hunter, Corona, Igneous and Sparkle crowded around the bed where the page was lying. Lumen was already in the room when they got there.

"Thank goodness you're alright," Hunter said.

"I'm thankful too," he replied. Though he acted bold during the whole ordeal, the page thought for sure he wouldn't live through it. "I guess Spirit Oracle had mercy on me."

Corona, though hesitant, decided to speak as well.

"You had something you were trying to tell me, right?"

"I did," replied the page. "Your name is Corona, isn't it?"

"It is," she answered.

"Not a very common name," he said. "It has to be you. Many years ago, you lived in Nuuma. You were in training to become an Oracle Handmaiden."

"An Oracle Handmaiden?" asked Corona. Well, that would explain a lot, like how she could glow and grant Hunter with the Oracle's power, how she would get these bad feelings sometimes.

"But… I don't remember that," Corona said. "I've never been able to remember who I was as a child. Where I lived, what I did, who my family was. Even if you tell me that, I still can't recall it."

"Amnesia?" the man wondered. "How terrible. That must be why you never returned. Had we known before now that you were still alive, we surely would have searched for you. I guess word doesn't really travel much between the nations."

"You're a handmaiden?" Hunter questioned. "That's pretty cool."

"You think so?" asked Corona. She was leaning more to the opposite conclusion.

"Yeah," said Hunter. "You're like Aqune. Handmaidens have amazing powers. With your help, now I'm positive we can save Nuuma!"

"Oh," Corona said, disappointed. Why did he have to bring up Aqune, Corona wondered to herself. Hunter didn't find her cool for what she was, but just because she was 'like Aqune.'

"Maiden Corona!" said the page. "You must go to Nuuma. I'm sure the queen would be overjoyed to see you."

"Right!" Hunter exclaimed. "It's our duty as true Spider Riders to go there. Don't worry, we're going to save the queen, and protect the Oracle Key."

"I agree," said Igneous. "I'm going to try and convince as many people as possible that we should go."

"As will I," Lumen added.

"You guys!" Hunter exclaimed, grateful for their cooperation.

"I… guess I should go," Corona said, her voice troubled.

Hunter looked at her, concerned.

Buguese walked over to the parlor where Aqune always chanted. Aqune was there, but she was sitting still rather than working.

"Aqune," Buguese said. "Is something wrong?"

"Oh," said Aqune. She wasn't sure how to reply. For, what exactly was wrong? She was feeling very uneasy for some reason. But she was supposed to be focusing on her work. She didn't think Buguese would accept that excuse. Still, it was enough to keep her from working.

"Honestly… I'm a little afraid," she said.

"Afraid of what?" Buguese asked.

"I don't know," she said. "But I feel like bad things are going to happen soon."

"Get up, Aqune," Buguese said. He reached his hand to hers, which she took, and lifted herself up from the ground. "Nothing bad is going to happen." Naturally, he had his own worries, but that was besides the point. Buguese wrapped his cape around Aqune, who felt a little calmer.

'Why do I feel comforted around Buguese?' Aqune thought to herself. She'd always wondered, where did she meet him, why did he show her sympathy, when she was a human, and just his servant?

Buguese stepped away from Aqune, and said bluntly, "We're leaving for Nuuma. Come with me."

And then, he turned away.

Igneous had arranged to meet with Grey at the castle.

"Fang!" he heard the voice of Grey call, as he ran to the meeting place.

"Claw," Igneous replied. The two shook hands, and smiled, always glad to see each other.

"You really want to go to Nuuma, don't you?" Grey spoke.

"Yes," replied Igneous. "But, I understand I'll be leaving a burden on you and the others. As a Spider Rider, it would be hypocritical of me to abandon the people of Nuuma. But I'd be abandoning Arachna all the same."

"No you won't be," Grey assured. "It's true that we soldiers rely too heavily on the Spider Riders. It's a weakness we've always grudgingly acknowledged. But, we're going to try our best to become so much stronger. Even with you away, Arachna will not be abandoned."

"Grey," Igneous said, moved by his friends' words.

It was then when a group of young girls ran into the room.

"Igneous, you're really leaving?!" one of them yelled.

"It's not fair!" another chimed in.

"Please bring me back a souvenir," said a third.

"Hey… calm down," Igneous replied.

"I see you still have a fan club," Grey commented.

"Igneous, is it true that you're gay and you're really dating Grey?" one of them asked.

Igneous stared at them, stunned.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, looking at Grey, who shrugged back.

"Aww… but Grey is cute too. I would've taken him as a consolation prize," one of the girls said.

"This is getting out of hand," said Igneous, flustered. "Yes, I'm going to Nuuma, but I will be back. I'm going to miss you girls. Also, I'm not into boys."

He swore to himself that he'd figure out who spread that rumor in the first place.

"Hunter!" Lumen came into the room, with Sparkle at his side. "We've got a ship ready for the voyage."

"A ship?" Hunter asked.

"Well how else will we get across the sea?" Lumen replied.

"I just never knew we had one," said Hunter.

"It's a ship that belonged to our father," said Sparkle, excitedly. "It's really big." She made a motion with her hands to show its size.

"That sounds awesome!" he exclaimed. "Don't you think, Corona?"

"Um… yeah," she replied, unenthusiastic.

So, she was still depressed, Hunter realized, frustrated.

"Hey, Corona," Hunter said. "I want you to know, I meant what I said before. I think it's cool that you're a handmaiden."

She looked surprised.

"You can do amazing things that I'm not able to. I think, if not for you, I wouldn't have even made it this far. And I also think we might not succeed in Nuuma without your help. I need you."

Corona blushed. Regardless of what way Hunter meant it in that last sentence, she felt really touched.

"Oh, Hunter." She smiled at him. "Thank you!"

"No problem," he said. "So, you're coming to Nuuma, right?"

"Of course I am," she said. "I'm not just a handmaiden, you know. I'm also a Spider Rider."

Igneous came to see the group soon after.

"The Arachnan army has agreed that we should go," he announced. "They're going to take care of the country in our absence."

"Alright!" Hunter exclaimed. "Then we're good to go!"

"I'm also coming," Sparkle asserted.

Lumen had a defeated look on his face.

"Don't forget," he said. "You have to be extremely careful. Don't stray away from me ever, unless I say it's too dangerous. Then get as far away as possible."

"Yes, Lumen," she sighed.

Meanwhile, Magma was wandering, a distance away from the castle. When a shadow suddenly came over him, he looked up.

"Brutus, did you see that?"

"I did," replied Brutus. Above them was Buguese's transport.

"It seems to be headed toward the shore," said Magma. "That must mean that Buguese is headed for Nuuma. And if Buguese is there…"

"Portia," Brutus said.

"Yes, surely Aqune and Portia are with him," Magma agreed. "It looks like we'll have to head to Nuuma after all."