MADELYN'S POV

It was a bit strange, how I came across the gemstone. "It was about a month ago." I explained, looking at the green glow shimmer. "It seemed almost like a dream. We were camped in the woods, Perseus and I, and it was the dead of night. He was sound asleep, and snoring, might I add." I said, jabbing a finger at the accused. Perseus rolled his eyes.

"Anyway, I was woken up by the same light that Vert is giving off before me. A figure with white hair dressed in full armor was sitting there, watching. He quickly put a hand over my mouth to prevent me from screaming. I don't think he wanted to wake you up because you'd probably attack him." I said, once again looking at Perseus.

"He didn't say much. I believe the exact quotation was: 'This is Vert. Keep it safe, as I no longer can. Use its power to your advantage, but when the time is ripe, give it to the Ylisseans so that they may purge the land of darkness and restore it to its former glory.'" Augustus nodded. "Sounds very profound. Do you know who this man might have been?"

I nodded. I knew exactly who it was. "The man who gave me the gemstone… was Yen'fay."

VALIDAR'S POV

"You have done well, Validar." The hissing voice of Grima echoed in Aversa's ears and my own. However, as the shadows across the land grew long, Grima had grown a form. A mere shade, but he walked the earth again. The shade walked over to his doppelganger, which was lying spread-eagled on a cot.

It had not been an easy feat, recovering Robin from the Renegades. The Plegian forces had been greatly reduced and Robin had been wounded even more severely than the wounds Walhart inflicted in the first place. "He is still in critical condition, Lord Grima, but I am certain he will make a full recovery." Aversa said smoothly. The shade nodded. "When will I be able to merge with him without his puny mind collapsing?" he asked, prodding the body with a finger. It barely made contact before the finger dissolved to mist.

Grima hissed, and recoiled, as if he had been struck. Aversa rushed to his side. "Milord!" she cried, worriedly. With a roar, Grima instantly solidified- to a solid, and sent Aversa flying. She soared into a marble pillar, which collapsed on top of her. I hesitated, not sure if going to Aversa's aid would invoke Grima's wrath or not.

Grima had reverted to his shade form, cursing. "That outburst cost me some of my power…." He glared at Aversa. "That foolish man's heart is filled with… virtue. And hope. And KINDNESS." He hissed, staring down at his doppelganger with contempt. "I can't even touch him without feeling pain."

I bowed deeply. "My apologies master. I should have warned you that his time with the Ylisseans had swayed him." Grima scoffed. "I knew that, imbecile. I had just hoped it wouldn't have been this severe. I will have to merge with him tomorrow. The more well he gets, the more he will resist my power. I must do it before it is too late."

I gulped. Did I truly want to sacrifice my son to this fiend? Of course I did. It wasn't even my choice. The choice of inheriting Grima's power had been decided long before my father's father was born. "As you wish, Lord Grima."

Jack's Corner

Hiatus. What an ugly word. I've been terribly busy what with cramming a year's worth of learning into finals, preparing for my school's yearly musical production (Which was the 29th. It was Godspell if anyone was wondering.) and a bunch of other excuses which doesn't excuse my horrible negligence. I despise incomplete fanficiton and I don't want you all to go through the horrid no-ending. I will be uploading three chapters today so don't worry. 1/3