Another chapter coming up. Oh, and my creativity sometimes runs a little dry, so I can't come up with a better chapter title then this. Thanks Icedragon 777 and Sailor Astrallight for the reviews so far.

Remember, Dragon Quest was developed by Squaresoft.

Chapter IV: The Curse of the Ragin' Contagion

Raymond looked around as he and his friends entered Coffinwell"So what's all the fuss about this decease? Everything seems pretty normal."

"No, something is definately not right" said Arianna, walking ahead of her allies.

The four proceeded to the north west corner of town towards the mayor's house.

A voice shouted"Hey, Trent, is it you?"

A young man in his early twenties approached the group. He had a mop of brown hair.

Trent addressed him"Conrad, it's been a while."

"Same to you, it's been over a week" said the brunette.

"You know him?" interjected Arianna.

"Trent, Conrad and I know each other since when we were children" replied Alicia.

"Oh? Did you pick up a girlfriend in the last few days, you lucky dog? Nice to meet you, I'm Conrad" grinned the man.

"It's not like that. Anyway, her name is Arianna" sighed the Warrior.

Conrad shrugged"You sure you should be here? The decease is really contagious. Most of the Villagers are indoors, afraid the illness will catch on to someone else."

"Do you have it?" frowned Arianna.

The brunette man replied"Nah, still as healthy as a horse. I've been keeping my distance by hiding beside the church."

"I don't think that'd work for long, friend" smirked Trent.

"Big deal, so what are you guys here for?" inquired Conrad.

Arianna replied"I can't say for sure, but we needed to investigate the mysterious contagion and end it."

The brunette was astonished"You kidding?"

"No, and we really need to talk to the mayor about how we can help the town" said Trent.

Conrad shrugged"Well, good luck with that."

While the man went back to the church, Trent, Arianna, Raymond and Alicia traveled to the northwesternmost house where they met with the mayor.

After the introductions that followed, Arianna explained to the mayor regarding her, Trent, Alicia and Raymond's objective to help the town's citizens if they could.

Mayor Lorian spoke"I appreciate your willingness to help everyone. First I need you to check up on my daughter, Catarrhina and her so called husband at their house. He is working on diciphering an ancient scroll to find out more about unatural illness which has spread through the town. We hopr to find a solution to this problem."

"We understand" said Arianna.

The four left the mayor's house and went to Dr. Phlegming's house on the west side of Coffinwell.

Alicia addressed the woman who was relaxing on her bed"Excuse me."

"Oh, hi Alicia. How are things?" said the older blond.

The Priestess replied"It's been the same as ever for me and Trent up until the day before yesterday. We had hoped to help you and Dr. Phlegming find a way to save everyone from this strange decease. Though at this rate, I fear Coffinwell is on the verge of becoming a ghost town. How are things, Catarrhina?"

"It's been the same with us... My husband is very busy. What about you?" replied the older woman, turning away as she coughed.

Trent responded"my sister and friends Alicia, Arianna, Raymond and I asked the mayor how we can help the town. He asked us to check on you and the doctor."

Catarrhina walked towards the door"I'll go with you to visit Phlegming. His research lab is at the center of town."

As the group left the house, Raymond addressed Alicia"How do you know her?"

"Trent's and my mother was an old friend of Catarrhina and Dr. Phlegming" replied Alicia as they came to a stone wall with a door.

Catarrhina knocked on the door and stood back as her husband answered"Yes?"

The five entered the room, where a man with dark red hair was researching an old scroll.

Catarrhina addressed him"Hey, how is work?"

"Hm, I've made a breakthrough just now."

"Dr, my name is Arianna. The mayor asked us to see how you are doing with the scrolls he had your dicipher" said the Minstrel.

Dr. Phlegming got right to the point"Hm, according to what I've read, the decease is actually a curse. In fact, the source of the decease was sealed in an old tomb to the west of Coffinwell. There was no stopping the contagion which first struck Coffinwell with it's curse. If the source can be sealed away once more, the decease will be stopped."

"How to we re-seal the source?" inquired Alicia.

The man replied"I have figured out the spell which originally sealed away the Contagion, aside from some information about it. The Quarantomb was used to contain it a century ago, but the earthquake seems to have broken the seal. If I go and seal the virus again, my father in law should have reason to be proud of me."

Trent shrugged"Sounds like your family has issues. We'll help you out."

"Really? That is nice of you, Trent" said Catarrhina.

"My father-in-law has the key to the Quarantomb, which is what I'd need to get in there" said Phlegming.

"Trent and I will go get it" said Alicia.

The two siblings left Phlegming's room and rushed to the mayor's house.

Mayor Lorian was surprised"So that's the case? Took him long enough to finish diciphering ths scroll."

"Yes, and now we need to enter the Quarantomb to stop the Contagion" said Trent.

The Mayor nodded, then handed Trent a key from his pocket"Good luck with that."

After Trent and Alicia handed the key to Dr. Phlegming, he them, Arianna and Raymond to accompany him to the Quarantomb, a monster-infested ruin northwest of Coffinwell.

As Phlegming went on ahead, Trent and his group took a moment to check their supplies before leaving.

When they left Coffinwell, Conrad caught up to Trent"Hey, I was doing some thinking after our talk. Mind if I come with you?"

"Sorry, but you'll just slow us down" sighed Arianna as they walked to the Quarantomb.

"Look, I heard what was going on after you entered that grouch's house, just for a lark I decided to investigate. News from the outside world is scarce these days. Reckon there's treasure in that ruin?" wondered the man.

"You spied on us? Are you a Thief?" said Arianna, stopping for a second.

Conrad replied"Actually, it was getting kind of boring just waiting. I can do things besides treasure hunting if that's what you're asking."

"Treasure Hunter, huh? Sounds dubious" said Raymond.

"Heard that, Mage Boy" sighed the brown haired man.

"Quit bickering back there, now come on you two" said Arianna, annoyed.

The five soon came to a building at a dead end north west of Coffinwell.

Conrad spoke"Sorry if I'm such a troublemaker."

Arianna shrugged"I almost yelled at you back there. Conrad, this place is a tomb, so there won't be much treasure I imagine."

"Hey, it's no skin off my bones. Trent, I know you and Alicia left days ago to find a way to help save Coffinwell, but now you can, right?" said the brunette.

Arianna nodded"Well, let's get going"

The five entered the tomb to meet with Dr. Phlegming.

The man spoke"You're a bit late, but now let's get on with sealing the Contagion."

The group went deep into the tomb. As they proceeded, a metal creature appeared.

"A Metal Slime... Must be our lucky day" remarked Conrad.

"We don't have time for this... But good luck is one thing we can use" said Alicia.

As the slime fled, Conrad rushed after it"You lot go give whatever monster is causing the illness in Coffinwell what-for. I'm going after that slime."

"Not alone. Arianna, I will go with Conrad and Raymond to catch the slime if possible." said Alicia.

"Good luck with that, sis" said Trent.

Trent and Arianna went alone with Phlegming to the central room.

"So this is it" said Trent.

Arianna nodded"The Contagion shall not go unchecked."

The intermost chamber of the Quarantomb was small with a small, shattered pot in the middle.

"Hm, looks like the pot which imprisoned the monster broke" said Dr. Phlegming, bending down to investigate.

"What's the damage?" inquired Arianna.

Phlegming gave the jar a quick inspection when he saw a yellow symbol"Hm, fortunately, the symbol for the seal is intact. Hold on while I fix it with some glue, then I can seal the monster up again."

"Trying to put me back in that tight-jar, are you?" said a voice as a pink and green monster appeared.

"Hey, that looks like a pushover there" remarked Trent.

The monster growled"You'll never contain me. This contagion will keep ragin'".

"Great, I hate acidic jokes. Trent, you're with me, let's buy Dr. Phlegming some time to seal this beast" said Arianna.

Trent nodded, then the two heroes drew their blades.

The Ragin' Contagion cast a spell, which Trent and Arianna dodged.

The Warrior double slashed the monster, which retaliated with another spell.

Arianna healed Trent, while the warrior stood his ground.

"SIZZ!" A fire spell hit the Ragin' Contagion. Raymond, Alicia and Conrad had jumped into the fray.

"I still like my odds" jeered the monster, spewing a poisonous breath.

Arianna and Alicia quickly healed their allies, while Raymond slammed his attack rod into the monster, knocking it back.

"Any luck with that Metal Slime, Conrad?" said Trent.

"Nah, but I still got a strange medal from a treasure chest in the outer hallways" replied the brunette, tossing a throwing knife at the Ragin' Contagion.

The Ragin' Contagion dodged and spewed poison at Conrad.

"Crack!" Raymond's ice spell hit the monster dead on. The Contagion cast Decellerate, slowing the group down before spewing more poison.

"Accelerate!" cried Arianna, casting a spell on herself and her allies.

Raymond cast Crack on the monster again, while the Minstrel and the Priestess kept their allies on their feet by repeatedly casting Squelch to neutralize the poison.

Conrad spotted a treasure on the monster and snatched it.

"That's gross, why did you have to touch it?" said Alicia.

"It posessed some Royal Soil, rare monsters often carry rare stuff" replied the brunette.

The Ragin' Contagion spewed even more poison and lashed out with physical attacks.

Trent stood firm and launched himself forward.

The Ragin' Contagion warped out of the way. Raymond intercepted with another icy Crack.

Nearby, Dr. Phlegming managed to fix the jar, then recited an ancient spell.

The Ragin' Contagion felt itself being sucked into the jar. Locked away by the spell which was cast upon it.

"That wasn't so hard" breathed Trent, sheathing his sword.

"The curse should now be broken" said Arianna.

Dr. Phlegming addressed the group"Thanks. There is a ruin downstairs I'd like to inspect before I head back to Coffinwell. You lot go on ahead."

The five left Quarantomb and went back to Coffinwell.

"Hey, Conrad, you were really good back there. But what made you decide to fight? Treasure Hunters are not known for their skill as warriors" said Trent.

The brunette shrugged"I needed the excercise. Besides, what are friends for? I could not just stand by and watch you hog the action."

"Well, now Coffinwell is saved" said Alicia.

Conrad shrugged"Now I don't have to hide. I'm lucky I didn't catch the decease."

When they got back to Coffinwell and went to Catarrhina and Phlegming's house, they were in for an unpleasant sight.

They found the woman's body lying deathly still on her bed.

"Oh no, oh gosh" gasped Alicia.

Trent scowled"First our parents, and now this."

Arianna placed her hand on Catarrhina's head for a second, then sighed as she withdrew"I pray she'll find peace."

Dr. Phelgming entered the room shortly"Catarrhina, I'm home. Catarrhina?"

He approached his wife's deathbed"Catarrhina? The decease can't have gotten you..."

Arianna felt the man's despair as he cried"No... W-why didn't you tell me you caught the decease? I could've worked faster had you told me!"

Conrad sighed as he left the room.

Alicia and Trent left with him.

Raymond sighed"Why is fate so cruel?"

Arianna bowed her head"I can't say... The whims of fate are but a quagmire. The mayor is going to be heartbroken when he finds out. Catarrhina, may you rest in peace."

That evening, Catarrhina was given a funeral and buried. Though Mayor Lorian, Trent, Alicia, Arianna, Raymond and Conrad attended the funeral with the other villagers of Coffinwell, Dr. Phlegming was not there.

Arianna suspected that the doctor was grieving in his own way.

At the inn, an hour later, Arianna and her group paid to stay the night.

Trent addressed Conrad"Well, Alicia and I will leave Coffinwell to go back to Stornway. What about you?"

"I heard that Patty registers Adventurers at her Party Place. Maybe I'll join your group" replied the brunette.

Alicia shrugged"It's a small guild based in the parlor at the Adventurer's Rest inn, regular guests can use it too. Nothing too glorious if it's what you're after, Conrad. Besides, only a limited number of Adventurers may join."

Conrad thought for a moment, then said"I'll go to Stornway and ask this 'Patty' to register me if possible."

"Why not? We could always use help with our impromptu Adventuring guild" said Trent.

Conrad smiled"Just so you know, my specialty would be dungeon delving or spelunking. I don't do so well in big fights like the one we had with that blasted Contagion."

"Well, let's go back to Stornway tomorrow then after we visit the mayor one more time. Good night everyone" said Arianna.

As the group went up to bed, Arianna could not help but feel a light sensation coming from the southwest corner of town.

Okay, this chapter is now up and running and ends in a cliffhanger. Sorry for the wait, I wasn't too sure how to proceed. As for the OC I just added, you might have guessed, but he is a Thief-type character.

I know this chapter was kind of sad, but it couldn't be helped as it was kind of a tragic side-story in DQIX.

Just to clear up something, Sentinels of the Starry Skies only lets you have up to four characters in the party. I know you might already know, but I'd thought I'd say it anyway.

Well anyway, please feel free to review.