Slight change in schedule but for good reason, trust me!

Originally to be put on Wednesday, I wasn't in a good state of mind (mentally and physically with a headache) so I couldn't write this before Wednesday.

This is literally a brand new chapter I wrote and read over about two days ago.

Paralogue Three

Oron Glacial Cavern

"Where are we Freen? Tell me, tell me, tell me!"

The man shook his head as he came to a stop.

"I realize we hardly ever go out…but the change in character is so drastic…you always seem dutiful and patient."

Freen took off Janie's blindfold, the young girl tilted her head as a giant cave stood before them "This is where you brought me?"

Freen nodded, the girl seemed crestfallen to which Freen kneeled next to her "Janie…"

"I know…so…where are we, exactly?"

Freen stood and pointed to the cave "This is the Oron Glacial Cavern, found on the Hijtam Front south of the Hijtam Shield and-"

"North of the Diamond Stream!"

Freen smiled at Janie, patting her head "Exactly. In here there are several fierce creatures. The Burrow Arkans and Umbarran Goreions of our mountain home are worse in their own rights but we know how to avoid them and dissuade them right?"

Janie nodded as Freen continued "The creatures here do not know us, we do not know them…"

Janie swallowed "We're going to cut through here?"

Freen nodded "This training will force you to adapt to a new environment, learn the mannerisms of creatures and if it comes down to it…you will use your magic in life or death situations."

Janie turned to the cave then back to Freen "You'll be with me…right?"

The Elder Sage just smiled and gestured for her to advance with him following close behind.

Soren and Mia's Troop walked along the rocky plains of Pozem, the Catacombs behind them and now with Ilan and Freen, the group made their way towards Ilan's Keep.

Soren turned frequently; Kay'Shera was being carried by Michalis. The woman Zey'Yu was at the roc's reigns and the bird seemed completely content with it.

Mia sighed "She isn't going to try anything."

Soren then glanced over to Tyazaer, the paladin was engaged in a pretty rough fight with Zey'Yu and wasn't too sure about the former Altar Assassin, but she assured Soren that Zey'Yu killed Fre'Han out of anger.

"Soren."

The sage nodded slowly "Alright…"

"I know your worried, so am I but I'm fairly certain we'll be okay. We aren't the kind of people who'd let a wolf in blindly."

As the pair continued walking, above, Zey'Yu turned to look at the unconscious Kay'Shera.

Years ago, Kay'Shera and Zey'Yu were inseparable even as they started their service under the Sarharan Crown. Kay'Shera went for the direct military while Zey'Yu joined the elite royal guard. Stealthy protectors of the King and Queen who are always near even though the populace can't see them.

"Woah! Careful!" Zey'Yu called as Michalis came to a rough landing, Kay'Shera almost falling over.

"You two never looked more out of sync then right now." The red haired woman stated, earning a screech from Michalis as Kay'Shera dismounted.

"The armor is throwing both of us off…Michalis isn't exactly fond of it."

Zey'Yu followed Kay'Shera's gaze to Michalis as the roc kicked off some of his armor and pecked at the rest of it.

"Michalis, that is to protect you…"

The roc knight turned to face Zey'Yu, a large smile as the pair hugged "How has your day been, Zey'Yu?"

"You know, basic training…I've been acing it. It's funny, for a group known as the 'elite royal guard' we don't have fancy armor or spears. We're more like Desert Wraiths…always there but no one can see us."

Kay'Shera laughed "Desert wraiths aren't real!"

"Parents lie…I've seen one."

The blue haired woman continued laughing "No you haven't!"

"Yes I have!"

As the pair continued arguing they got closer until Zey'Yu stopped Kay'Shera with a kiss.

Heading to Pozem's capital, Kror, Lyle's group remained mostly silent. There were many questions that needed to be answered but it would have to wait till they rejoined with Soren and Mia.

Lyle noticed To'Eltz nearing him "What's up?"

"Not much…listen, Lyle-"

"Is this an apology type deal? I'm fine, you, Orgoth and Soren are fine with me in my book. We don't have to discuss this-"

"Just let me talk."

Lyle nodded as To'Eltz shook his head.

"I know when I see someone who fights for what they believe in. While most of my other instincts didn't want to trust you, my combat instincts showed me that you believe in the Troop; in our cause…in the people…I didn't want to acknowledge it. I'm never wrong about first impressions but…"

Lyle chuckled "This just isn't like you To'Eltz."

The trickster nodded "You're right. I think it'd be better for both of us if I just stopped."

Lyle turned to see Orgoth and Eminse walking with each other and Ranulf close behind. He turned back to To'Eltz "I know it seems random but it will be a while before we reach Kror…"

To'Eltz remained silent as Lyle continued "I'd like to hear more about you and Jyim'Son."

"Janie." The woman refused to look to her master. Freen sighed as he approached her "I'm not angry with you…"

Janie mumbled something Freen couldn't quite catch "Janie, you must know I believed in you from the beginning…you remember that. Right?"

Janie turned to face Freen and whispered "Yes."

"We can't do that!"

"It isn't your choice."

"It isn't yours either!"

Janie stirred, turning she realized she was lying down in a snow bank. The night was extremely cold and the girl realized her clothes were torn. Upon trying to move she felt extreme aches and pain, she cried out stopping the arguing from two figures nearby.

"Are you alright? Stupid question, I'm sorry. Do you know who you are?"

The girl whispered her name as the man took some wraps and ointments and began tending to her wounds.

"What…happened…"

"My name is Freen. I am Regalshin's Elder Sage."

"Elder…sage?"

"Freen!" Someone called from behind, the man ignored him as he continued to treat Janie.

Upon helping her up, Janie saw ruined bodies all around and everything came back to her.

"I can't remember when I stopped crying and screaming…I still think you knocked me out."

Freen chuckled and shook his head "No…you passed out…completely understandable."

"Peace…" Janie said lowly as Freen recalled the night.

Apparently, rouges attacked Janie and her family, killing her parents and brother. The girl tapped into dark magic and brutally killed all the attackers, losing consciousness in the process.

Freen was led to her by the release of True Elder Magic, he and the other Elder Sages never really thought of training successors, mainly because there was no one else. This showed that people with that ability were still in the world and did not know what they possessed.

"Ilan was against it from the beginning." Janie stated.

Freen nodded "He is my closest friend…I understood his counsel but what was I supposed to do? Return you to your home, alone?"

The Troop came to a stop at Ilan's Keep with Freen continuing.

"After it all sank in…you decided to stay…before I even explained the Elder Sages in their entirety."

Janie nodded remembering her much younger self's huge determination in spite of her horrors. Or maybe it was her horrors that steeled her in the first place.

Ilan turned to the Troop "Make yourselves at home and bring Kay'Shera, we have some vacant rooms, she needs rest."

As the Troop broke apart and entered the keep, Janie stood with Freen.

"I'll never lose faith in you Janie. You've always made your own decisions…you've always known right from wrong. Helping Soren and Mia was not a mistake…we may have lost Gungnir but we earned new allies."

Now fully facing Freen, Janie smiled; the older man wiped a tear from her eye and nodded before they entered the Keep.

"Pozem?" To'Eltz shook his head "Neither of us can go that far while we serve the Altar."

Jyim'Son nodded "I know…but we have to…the Pozem diplomat goes by the name Ernrile. He is necessary for our mission to succeed."

"How do you know of this connection in Pozem?" To'Eltz asked as he and Jyim'Son neared the Territory Oasis, a small pool of water surrounded by trees close to Sarhara's northern border with Regalshin.

"Our benefactor, the Anondye Senator established the connection while he was in Numengate during one of those peace summits. He also met a Numengatian scholar by the name of Orn Oshwa who was interested in the cause and provided us this intel."

To'Eltz and Jyim'Son came to a stop near the pool as the trickster sighed "Should I even ask how you know this? Did you go to Numengate and-"

"Not get noticed by anyone? Even you? Yes, I did. I still have some concerns that Peltzm'Jakq may be on to me so I told Orn and Ernrile to secure passage and meet us in Sarhara as soon as possible. From there we will all go together to Anondye."

Receiving a nod from Jyim'Son, To'Eltz dove into the oasis.

"That is where you found the Item?" Lyle asked.

To'Eltz nodded "The plan worked like it should've. We met with Ernrile and Orn…boarded the caravan and headed for Anondye. I don't know how the Altar or the Dune Guard learned of this…maybe someone talked…but the Item was gone, Jyim'Son, Ernrile and Orn were dead…I couldn't look Rey in the eye while we were in Numengate. She knows nothing of my involvement with her father's disappearance…but it sickens me to no end."

Lyle nodded slowly "I'm sorry, To'Eltz."

The trickster smirked "All of our pasts have been plagued by something…at least I can still recall mine…I'd give anything to forget it."

Lyle chuckled "Funny. I'd give anything to remember mine."

Entering Oron Glacial Cavern, Freen and Janie made fairly quick progress through the icy cave. Freen stopped her once to point to an Oron Knave, a two legged, fast creature that was protective of its territory, marked by large shards of ice it stuck through the ground.

The trip was easy enough, a few stops to observe creatures, learn their habits and then pass by them followed by extremely risky moves along thin ledges and over fragile ice floors.

That is until a massive breach in the cave ceiling caused Janie to fall one floor below.

"Freen!"

"I'm alright! Are you?"

"Yeah! What do we do? Can we smash through the rocks and-"

"No, that might bring down this entire section. We must continue separately, we'll rejoin near the cavern exit!"

"B-but Freen! Freen!"

The girl turned to face the dark cave depths before her. Swallowing she proceeded while whispering to herself "I can do this."

"Overheard?"

Soren shrugged "What can I say…my hearing is…advanced."

Freen smiled "Janie has been with us of her own will, she didn't need to become my student…but she did…"

"I understand…you all do quite an amazing job even if no one else knows about it."

Freen nodded as he sat down "It is better for everyone if we remain hidden…the other Sages weren't too sure about my desire to teach Janie…they all came around as she improved."

"What can you tell me about the others?"

Freen scratched his chin "Ilan is old and stubborn; he does things his way such as remaining far removed from humanity. He never bothers to go into town. Shaelin of Anondye is lazy, he has a good heart but no drive."

"Being the only True Elder Magic users around, you can't really complain can you?" Soren asked, to which Freen nodded.

"Teyron of Sarhara is very insightful, he meditates for long times and keeps watch over all of us. He is extremely attached to the black chests…he knows everything about them, where they are and such. Opstun of Numengate is…very old, but possibly the most determined. He seeks the second line of students."

"Second line?"

Seeing the look on Freen's face, Soren quickly came to a conclusion "Second line of students…of the Fell Lord."

Freen smirked and nodded.

Peering around the corner, Janie noticed what looked like a smaller Burrow Arkan type creature. It ran its claws against the icy walls for a few moments before moving farther away.

"He didn't tell me about those…but it must be the…Cavern Dirk. Cousin to the Burrow Arkan…I really wish I could remember if this one was violent or not."

Deciding against taking the chance, Janie proceeded in a different direction, catching herself as she tripped over the jagged cave floor's various cracks.

Unknown to her another creature was closing in, with no good intentions.

The girl kept her focus on why she wanted to do this, despite her fears. She could vividly recall when Freen's close friend Ilan last visited.

"Ilan…it's been a while."

The other Elder Sage nodded; before he spoke Janie turned and waved "Hello!"

Ilan regarded her then looked back at Freen who sighed "I'll be right back, keep studying, Janie."

Nodding, the girl returned to reading as the two Elder Sages exited the cave.

Freen: How many times do I have to tell you Ilan? This isn't a mistake!

Ilan: I've been here a few times since you've taken her in, I have not sensed any change…tell me Freen, has she used the magic again?

Freen: It could kill her if she did! She was lucky to unleash what she did, you know that!

Ilan: Has she shown anything? At all? You should be able to sense something; I can tell that nothing has changed since I was last here.

Freen: You're wrong…

Ilan: Then prove it. Make her cast a spell!

Freen: …is this how it happens?

Ilan tilted his head "What are you talking about?"

"Is this how our friendship ends? Ilan? Will you not trust the man who has been by your side since the beginning? We've been Elder Sages all our lives, we've depended on each other for company, something we can't have do to our jobs."

Ilan turned away as Freen sighed "I respect you Ilan…you know that, but I stand by the fact that on this, you are wrong. Janie will do it…she can do it…she wants to do it."

Freen moved back towards his home, waiting for a brief moment to see if Ilan would say anything more. Once he realized the talk was done he entered his home.

Ilan began to exit the cave when he heard someone kick a pebble. Turning quickly, the Elder Sage spotted Janie "You heard that…didn't you?"

The look of sadness on the girl's face revealed that to him, the older man looked away. While he didn't think she should be here, she was still a young girl and seeing her expression, he felt horrible.

"Listen I-"

"I…I understand mister Ilan. I'm trying really hard not just to let Freen or myself down…I don't want to let you down."

Ilan looked back at Janie in shock as she smiled at him.

Ilan found himself on top of his keep, reminiscing as the moon rose high in the sky. He was glad that Janie proved him wrong all those years ago and ultimately he was pleased with the hope that there are others out there.

Sighing he whispered to himself "This is a burden I wouldn't want anyone to have…the odds of finding someone as determined as Janie…"

The Elder Sage turned to get off the roof to see someone else there.

"Ah! Hello, Ilan."

"You must be Mia. I trust you and your comrades are comfortable?"

The trueblade nodded as Ilan stopped in front of her "Yes, after everything we've been through, it is wonderful just being able to relax for once."

"Though the road will only grow harder from here…"

Ilan and Mia turned to look over the horizon with the woman sighing "Indeed. Though I can't imagine what being an Elder Sage for so long has been like for you, Freen and the other three."

Ilan smirked "I don't know how I've made it this many years myself. But I'm still here and we still have work to do, more vital now than ever."

As Ilan moved past Mia he stopped and with his back to her, spoke "You and Soren…are unlike any people I've ever met. On the inside…you harbor unimaginable power…"

Mia turned slowly as Ilan continued "It is both a terrible power and a…terrific one…I can tell the two of you will use it the right way."

With that the Elder Sage vanished into the keep, leaving Mia with her thoughts.

"No!" Janie screamed as she fell on the ground. A massive creature whose body was made of flesh and icy rocks roared at her. Raising one of its clawed hands, she rolled aside as it crashed into the cavern floor.

Getting up on her feet she began to run only for the creature's tongue to shoot out, grab one of her legs and cause her to topple over.

Feeling the tongue begin to reel her in she turned herself quickly and slammed her fist into the ground. A portion of the cavern floor near the monster exploded with several shards shooting into the beast. It's tough skin and rocky body parts were unaffected as it continued to pull her in.

"Elder magic it is…" Swallowing she held out her right hand and focused on it with all her might, purple smoke and black sparks began to appear. "Please. Please work!"

"Flux!" A black ball exploded in her hand, screaming she hurled it at the beast's face. The creature roared, releasing her, it stumbled back, arms quickly covering its face.

Standing again, Janie took off. Feeling something warm she held up her right hand. It was blackened and bleeding.

A loud roar caused her to run faster until she came to a giant ice wall. "Dead end? No! Not here!"

The beast tore through the cave, reaching her quickly as she backed up against the ice wall.

"Think…think…think!" She whispered to herself.

The monster didn't give her a chance and opened its mouth, releasing long and sharp ice crystals.

Diving to the side, Janie fired off another flux with her left arm that caught the beast in the belly and caused it to stumble back.

Trying to stand, Janie screamed, looking down she noticed one of the ice crystals in her leg.

The beast began moving towards her, the girl looked back to the ice wall then to the beast. Acting quickly she summoned all her strength and brought up a rock wall behind the creature. It turned just as she brought the wall forward, catching the beast and pushing it until it was pressed up against the ice wall.

Roaring the beast struggled and pushed against the rock wall as Janie held it in place and limped away.

Looking back at the creature she shook her head "You aren't getting off this easy…"

Moving her free hand in a circular pattern she created a long sliver of Elder magic, almost like a blade. With a small push she forced it forward, through the rock wall and into the beast. A massive screech was followed by a few more struggles before it fell limp.

Janie fell to her side just as Freen walked towards her. She smiled at him as bent down and picked her up. Whispering he removed the ice shard from her leg.

"Did I…pass?"

Freen just chuckled "You've done more than that…you've proved much to me…and Ilan even if he doesn't know it yet."

Janie smiled to herself as she turned in her bed to face a picture of her and Freen. Whispering, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.