Part Five

Daunte quickly looked at Keiran and Mihr with Indigo's revelation, but they were both looking at Indigo. Daunte looked at Indigo but she didn't look vindictive. "It was for the best," she said plainly. "Lord Keiran and I didn't love each other. We would never have been happy together. I'm glad he broke the engagement, as it allowed me to meet and be with Trofim."

"Trofim?"

"My husband," Indigo said. Her expression became pained. "He's in trouble. My parents, they—after the engagement was broken, they tried to arrange me to marry someone else. An elderly cleric named Hile. I didn't want to marry him, but my parents wouldn't hear anything about it."

Hile? Daunte thought. That name…vaguely sounds familiar—

"Hile is a good man who would take very good care of you. Do you think that child out there can provide for you in any way?"

Daunte lurched and pressed a hand to his mouth. Oh. Oh no. Did she…was Indigo engaged to the same person who Tidur was engaged to as a child?!

"I married Trofim in secret," Indigo said. "Trofim, he—he's a foreigner from the Northern Continent. Naturally my parents did not approve but I love Trofim and I only want to be with him. I ran away with Trofim and we've been living Barakada, but we were found. Trofim took on the soldiers my parents sent and told me to run away." She exhaled sharply and rubbed at her arms.

"So they took him?" Mihr asked. "They didn't kill him outright?"

"They don't know where Lady Indigo is, so killing him would be counterintuitive," Caesar said. "They'll keep him alive so long as they don't have her. Once they get her, though…"

"Then they will kill him," Keiran said grimly. "I have caused you a great inconvenience, my Lady. Please forgive me."

"You're not at fault, but I do need help," Indigo said tearfully. "If I surrender to my parents and submit to this marriage, then Trofim will die. I d-don't want him to die. I…" she collapsed to her knees and moved into kowtow position before Daunte. "I beg of you…please save my husband!"

"Of course I'll help you," Daunte said. "You said you were ambushed in Barakada?"

"Yes, but they're transporting Trofim to the capital," Indigo said. "The escort should still be in the western part of Winter Hill."

Daunte stiffened. The western part of Winter Hill?

That was the area where the Battle of Winter Hill took place. Daunte wasn't exactly eager to return to the area of Winter Hill where thousands of his soldiers died.

But if that's the current location of Indigo's husband, then I have to go there.

"I'll assemble a party now, Lord Daunte," Caesar said. "Who would you like to—"

"I will go," Keiran said, stepping forward.

"As will I," Mihr added.

"I will be coming with you but I have no combat experience," Indigo said.

"Then you can be part of the support party," Daunte said. "As for the rest of the active party, I would like to add Sloan, Nian, and Evarr."

"You're bringing the Djinn with us?" Mihr asked, his eyes widening.

"A Djinn?!" Indigo exclaimed.

"Don't worry, she's not a threat to us," Caesar reassured her. He looked at Daunte. "I'll call everyone now."

Sloan and Evarr arrived quickly, though Evarr looked as though he were about to be sick. Nian appeared just a few moments after they did. "You will utilize me in combat, then," she said.

"I-I would rather be in a party with her," Evarr said weakly.

"We're going to go save someone who is being transported to Mlkwt Alsmwat," Daunte said. "The last known location of the escort was in the western part of Winter Hill."

"Where that battle took place?" Sloan asked softly. Daunte nodded. "I will do what I can to help," Sloan said, nodding. "I do not have much at stake with this fight, but you have my sword."

"Ah, actually," Daunte said, feeling a little embarrassed. "Sloan, I summoned you because of—um—who Indigo's parents were trying to force her to marry."

Sloan's brow furrowed in confusion. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

"He's a Cleric named Hile," Indigo said quietly. "Do you know him, Sheikh?"

Sloan stiffened, and a dark look crossed his face briefly. "Yes," he said grimly. "I do know him."

So Indigo's fiancé is most likely the same person Tidur's parents tried to force her to marry, Daunte though grimly.

"Then you should all be on your way before Trofim goes beyond your reach," Caesar said.

Sloan relaxed then and he looked at Indigo. "I'm not a Sheikh anymore, my Lady, so you don't need to defer to me."

"I see…"

They hurried to Winter Hill. Daunte knew his surroundings and it turned his stomach. Even with the plains now clean and empty, he could still smell the lingering stench of blood and death. As his eyes scanned the horizon, for a brief moment he saw nothing but the piles of corpses of his enemies…and his friends.

He quickly shook his head to clear it. It's done. It's over it. It was worth sacrificing 30 years of my lifespan in reviving everyone I cared about.

"I smell a Beast," Nian hissed.

"W-What?!" Evarr squeaked.

"You're astute, Djinn," Sloan said, swiftly unsheathing his sword. "Here they come!"

Daunte knew that the monster of Winter Hill had started to congregate to the area of the battle because they were attracted to the stench of death of hundreds of thousands of people. But even he was taken off guard by the sheer numbers that attacked them. They were ambushed every meter or so by large parties of Rabid Boars, Dragons, Banshees, and even human bandits. It was exhausting and downright tedious, though Daunte felt himself gaining high levels of experience with each fight. But he didn't like how it was slowing them all down.

Maybe I should have brought Öt with us, he thought.

It was late morning and four hours of traveling when they found the escort. They climbed over a hill, and then all of them immediately dropped to their bellies onto the frozen ground when they saw a dozen Holy Army soldiers below them. There was a large prison carriage below that looked like a giant black box. Daunte didn't see any windows but he saw white pieces of paper covering the sides and the roof of the prison carriage. What the—

"Magic is restricted."

Nian was the only who didn't drop down to a laying position. She stood staring down at the soldiers behind them. "I feel the strain," she said. "They have wards that restrict Rune usage. I am not bound by a Rune, but I feel the attempted interference."

"So if we attack them, then we can't use our runes," Keiran said. He looked at Indigo. "My Lady, that feels quite excessive even with the treatment of a foreigner. Does your husband wield a True Rune?"

"…No," Indigo said after an uncomfortable silence.

"Then why are they utilizing rune restrictions?"

"I can't tell you," Indigo said, shaking her head. "Please, just help me get my husband back!"

"Is he dangerous?" Sloan asked. "If he's threatening to an extent that they're restricting rune powers, then we need to know. We need to know if he's a threat to Lord Daunte."

"He's not dangerous, I swear," Indigo pleaded softly. "He has an—unusual rune, yes. It's one that's permanently attached to him that can't be removed. But he can control the power perfectly! I—"

"I smell the Beast strongly now," Nian interrupted softly.

"'Beast'?" Daunte looked at her then. "I-I thought you were referring to the monsters we've been fighting."

"I was not. They are vermin. This is a Beast."

"Don't talk about him like that!" Indigo exclaimed. Then she stiffened and went pale, as though realizing what she just said.

Mihr frowned, and leaned towards Indigo. "I'm not moving from this spot," he said coldly. "And neither will my Lord until you tell us what's going on, Lady Indigo."

"Mihr—" Keiran said.

"The Djinn smells a "Beast" and those Holy Army soldiers are treating Lord Trofim as a serious threat. I need to know exactly what we are dealing with or else I'm not going down there and neither are you."

Anger flooded Keiran's face. "That isn't—"

"Tell us, Lady Indigo," Mihr said sharply. "How is your husband a "Beast"? Tell us about this rune that cannot be removed from his body! Tell us NOW or else I'm not moving from this spot!"

"Neither am I!" Evarr said a little too quickly.

Daunte saw someone in white Cleric robes walk around the perimeter of the prison carriage and Sloan snarled sharply. "That's him."

"Hile?" He asked him. Sloan nodded stiffly.

"They appear to be preparing to leave," Nian said bluntly. "I was ordered to help the boy—" she pointed to Daunte. "As part of the fool's third wish."

"Hey!" Evarr hissed indignantly.

"So I will not act until he tells me so," Nian said. "But you had best act now while their guard is lowered."

"Lady Indigo, tell us what is going on with your husband!" Keiran pleaded with her. "You can trust us, but we need to know why he is being given this treatment! What rune is attached to him!"

"I-I—" she ducked her head and squeezed her eyes shut.

"…You will not tell us, even at the risk of losing our help?" Mihr asked her incredulously.

"You wouldn't understand!" she whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks. "If I tell you…then you won't help me anyways!"

"Lord Daunte, please give us an order," Sloan said. "Tell us if we are going down there to save this Trofim, and risk whatever threat he poses, or if we leave him to his fate and flee ourselves back to headquarters."

"If you leave then I will leave!" Indigo hissed at them. "I'll go down there and save Trofim myself!"

"Then you will die," Nian said bluntly. "And that would be your kindest fate."

"Lord Daunte, I will follow your order," Keiran said.

"As will I, despite my misgivings," Mihr said.

"I-I would rather not—" Evarr stammered, his voice trailing off.

Daunte looked back towards the Holy Army soldiers. He was deeply bothered that Indigo would not give them any information about Trofim, even at the risk of losing their support. It made him think that Trofim was in fact very dangerous and possibly a threat to their party and possibly the whole army.

But I promised Indigo that I would save him.

He silently debated whether he should go ahead and try to save Trofim, or if they should leave him to his fate. Ultimately he knew what the right decision was and he nodded. "Get ready. We're going to charge."

"Oh, thank you," Indigo said, gasping in relief. Everyone else gave responses in the affirmative, though Daunte saw that Mihr and Evarr were unhappy with his decision.

"Okay," Keiran said, drawing his sword and rising to his feet. "Let's not waste any more time."

They did not sneak into the makeshift camp. Most of them screamed battlecries and charged down with weapons drawn. They felt the restrictions on their runes, though Daunte didn't feel much pull on his Rune of Restoration. "Berate!" He shouted.

"T-The Liberation Army!" One soldier shouted.

"A DJINN!" Another shrieked.

Dispatching the soldiers took almost no time at all thanks to the experience they had all already earned from the many battles they had gotten into just that morning. While they fought Indigo ran over to the prison carriage and quickly began pulling off the white paper that had been stuck to the carriage.

"Sbe is trying to release the Beast," Nian pointed out. Her hand was cupped tight around a Holy Army soldier's face, who was screaming in absolute terror.

"That's the point!" Daunte shouted back to her. It was a few moments later when all of the Holy Army soldiers had been taken care of.

"Trofim, I'm here!" Indigo shouted as she pulled off another ward. "My Darling, I—AH!"

The group jumped at her shriek. Indigo quickly became locked in the arms of Hile, and he had a dagger pressed against her throat. "Liberation Army," he said. His voice sounded as slimy as it did in the memory Daunte had seen. "How nice to finally make your acquaintance, but we must be going now."

"I see that you are still unable to seek a woman your own age, Pig," Sloan growled, readying his sword as he slowly advanced upon them.

Hile looked alarmed for a moment when he saw Sloan, but he recovered and pressed the blade harder against Indigo's throat. "Stay back!" He said sharply. "Stay back or I'll kill her!"

"You want to marry her but you want to kill her?" Keiran asked him. "Do you not see how that makes no sense?!"

"She was unworthy of you Traitor so I do not think much of her," Hile snapped. "But I need offspring and I need money, and she can give me both. But if I can't get it from her, I will get it from someone else."

"Y—You're sick!" Evarr cried out, aghast.

"I'm a pragmatic man!" Hile shot back, dragging Indigo towards the back of the carriage. The group quickly followed him. "You will let us go and she will give me what I need, or she will die!"

"I-I would rather die!" Indigo exclaimed. "I w-want no one but my husband!"

Hile paused beside the back of the carriage, and he stared at her in disgust. "Unclean woman," he growled. "Eager to lay with animals and not men! Then I will purge your dirty—"

There was a loud "SMASH" and an arm of dark brown fur burst through the wood of the prison carriage and claws closed around Hile's neck. Daunte's eyes widened as he saw the claws squeeze and Hile gurgled as he was being choked. The hand holding the dagger trembled and slipped out of his fingers, and Indigo shoved backwards against him hard before rushing away from and towards Daunte.

Right before their eyes there was another explosion of a wood, and a half-dressed werewolf burst out of the carriage. It was surrounded by an ominous red aura. Hile shrieked as he was tackled to the ground. Daunte and the group stood frozen in shock as the werewolf raised sharp claws and quickly and furiously sliced the Cleric beneath him to ribbons. Hile only screamed brief but quickly silenced under the scratches and slices. Blood stuck to the werewolf's fur. Once satisfied that the other man was dead, the werewolf threw his head back and howled towards the sky, the sound echoing for miles around them.

"See?" Nian said. "That is a Beast."

Daunte continued gaping with an open mouth as the werewolf climbed off of Hile and turned to face them. His eyes were golden and narrow, and he was breathing throatily as he stared them down.

Indigo stepped towards him, her arms stretched wide and tears spilling down her cheeks. "Trofim," she called to him softly.

The werewolf—Trofim—flinched and stared at her. In almost an instant his posture relaxed, and after a few moments the red aura faded and his breathing calmed. Then he reached up and rubbed at his forehead. A yellow light burst up from his feet and swept up his body, and in a flash there was no longer a werewolf standing before them. Instead stood a man in his late twenties with shaggy dark brown hair and golden eyes. The clothes that clung to him were in tatters, and blood was sticking to his skin.

Despite his state, Indigo rushed to his side and embraced him. He held on to her fast, but he looked up at the party. "I'm sorry you had to see that," he said.

"So," Caesar said. "You came from the Lycanthrope Village, didn't you?"

"Yes," Trofim said quietly. He had an arm around Indigo. "What all of you saw was my true form." he rubbed at the rune symbol on his forehead. "The Rabid Fang Rune helps to keep me stable, and to maintain my human form at all times until I trigger the rune."

"So the werewolf we saw earlier is your natural form, and this human form is your transformation form," Keiran said.

"Yes," Indigo said. "But he is wonderful and I love him regardless."

"Werewolves who wear the Rabid Fang Rune do not want problems," Trofim said. "We want to live in peace. We did live in peace away from people in the Grasslands, but our village was destroyed by an evil mage and almost everyone died. I-I only know of two survivors; an older lycan named Bob who I tried to follow towards Highland—ah, Dunan—but I lost track of him."

"I think I know Bob," Silvano reassured him. "He retired to the Kobold Village in Toran, though we didn't see him the last time we were in Toran…"

"I'm glad," Trofim said.

"Who else do you believe to be alive?" Chinmaya asked.

"Our Alpha. The holder of the True Rune—"

"The Red Moon Rune."

Daunte smiled when Leknaat appeared, though he was curious by her comment. "Red Moon Rune? L-Like the Blue Moon Rune?"

"Yes," Leknaat said. "The Blue Moon Rune creates vampirism and raises the dead as zombies. The Red Moon Rune creates werewolves but it also births Rabid Fang Runes."

"'Births'?"

"For the control of power. Lycanthropy can lead to madness, as does vampirism. Vampires must in close proximity to the Blue Moon Rune to maintain their sanity, but some are able to maintain it without being around the Rune. The Red Moon Rune is largely the same, but the Rune realized that werewolves cannot be around the Rune at all times as they must hunt independently. So it began to birth Rabid Fang Runes as a gift to werewolves to give them a human form and sound mind when they cannot be near the True Rune."

"That—was awfully nice of the True Rune to do," Gunther said, his eyes wide. "Then why doesn't the Blue Moon Rune do that."

"Because it doesn't want to," Sierra said briskly as she breezed into the room.

Trofim tensed when he saw her. "Vampire," he hissed.

"I am," Sierra confirmed. "And you are a werewolf. You're not the first I've seen, though."

"Say," Daunte said, suddenly sensing tension. "Do you know where the Red Moon Rune is, Lady Leknaat?"

"I—sense it towards the northwest," Leknaat said. "Possibly in the country of Zelant."

"We're not going to Zelant," Caesar quickly said. "Apologies, but my brother's there and there's a host of problems in that country we shouldn't get involved in."

"I understand," Trofim said. "I knew that our Alpha had to have been alive. The Red Moon Rune…it was very fond of him. It produced several Rabid Fang Runes at a time when attached to him."

"That is a good sign," Leknaat said warmly. "He is a responsible True Rune user."

"Thank you so much for saving my husband Lord Daunte," Indigo said, bowing deeply. "I-I don't know how I will ever repay you, but if there's anything you need I will do it."

"Would you both like to join our Army?" Daunte asked. "I have a feeling neither of you can go home right away, anyways…"

"I owe you a debt so I will gladly fight for you," Trofim said. "I've been a werewolf for a long time and can control the Beast inside of me."

"I cannot fight but I will gladly help you," Indigo said.

"The person who destroyed the Lycanthrope Village fights for the Army we stand against," Leknaat said. Trofim stiffened upon hearing. "I thought you should know that."

Daunte gaped at her in shock. "You mean—!"

"Yes," Leknaat said sadly. "My sister, Windy."

It was quiet for a week as Daunte finally got the rest he needed and the Army continued to prep for the upcoming campaign against Keha Hale. The Army was not entirely quick to accept Trofim, but once he showed himself to be friendly and approachable then he was welcomed to meals and sparring sessions with open arms.

"D-Do you turn with a full moon?" Arn asked him with wide eyes.

"No," Trofim reassured him. "I turn when I myself activate my Rune."

Indigo also became popular because of her sweet personality, though many soldiers couldn't help but stare in awe of her beauty. And gossip amongst themselves in confusion.

"Lord Keiran rejected HER?!" Daunte overheard one soldier say. "Why?!"

"He didn't love her, did he?" Another asked.

"But who would reject someone that beautiful?!"

"Yeah, it's truly a mystery!"

They were incompatible, Daunte thought to himself.

During that week, Daunte purchased the remaining figurines from the Islands Federation War, and received the Heavenly Ring from Mooney. "This offers 30 Defense points!" Mooney gushed at him.

"So all that is left is the Heavenly Armor," Daunte said, accepting the silver and red ring.

"I have the fullest confidence that you will do it!"

At the end of the week Daunte went up to see Oboro, but the reception he received was less than enthused.

"NO!" Shou shouted, pointing towards Daunte. "No more jobs!"

"Uh—" Daunte said, looking at his surroundings. The office was in a state of chaos, piles of papers stacked to nearly the ceiling and people in every direction.

"Ah, as you can see Lord Daunte," Oboro said a lot more diplomatically, standing and walking over to him. "Ever since you gave us the task of running Investigations on the entire army, our hands have been full."

"I'm sorry," Daunte said sincerely. "I-I won't burden you further. I was just going to ask rumors about—"

"The final Star of Destiny?"

Daunte nodded. "We have 107. We just need one more to have them all."

"Yes, I understand. But I'm afraid that we have no information. The 108th Star of Destiny does not appear to be in Nagarea."

So I'll need to travel, Daunte thought. He nodded grimly. "Okay. I'll go and see Lady Leknaat about it."

"Don't worry about us, Lord Daunte," Masaru said reassuringly. "We're fine!"

"This report is AWFUL!" Umeko wailed, holding up a piece of paper.

"You should go," Oboro said, directing him towards the door.

14. Tensyo Star

Daunte traced his fingers over the letters. "The final Star," he said softly.

"Yes," Leknaat said. "Once you recruit the Tensyo Star, the Star of Destiny will be complete."

"Eresh is amazed that the bearer of the Rune of Restoration has been so successful," Eresh said.

"But the Tensyo Star isn't in Nagarea," Daunte said. "So I don't know where to start."

"Hmm," Leknaat said.

"Could you help me find them, Lady Leknaat?"

"It is…peculiar," Leknaat said, her brow furrowing. "The Tensyo Star has a great amount of power. I feel the connection, but they are far away. The Northern Continent, close to Toran."

"'Power'? Do they wield a True Rune?!"

Before Leknaat could respond, there was a 'DING' from the elevator. Futch emerged from it, Bright trailing behind him. "Lord Daunte, can I speak to you?" He asked. He sounded heavily stressed.

"…Eresh is puzzled as to how the dragon fitted into the elevator," Eresh said.

"Yes Futch, what is it?" Daunte asked him.

"Could we make a quick return to Toran?" Futch said. "Despite my best efforts Sharon still holds a grudge against me for what happened to Suna at the Battle of Winter Hill. Her baby dragons subsequently are hostile towards me. I cannot work under these conditions and so I feel I have no choice but to ask Commander Milia to intervene on my behalf to smooth things over between us."

"Toran?!" Daunte almost exclaimed. He nodded enthusiastically. "We'll get ready to go now!"

"Thank you, Lord Daunte. Hopefully we can clear the air between us so that we can function as a Dragon Knight unit again." Bright cried out in response.

"Eresh will go with the bearer of the Rune of Restoration," Eresh said. "Eresh wants to visit the Northern Continent again."

"Ah, okay," Daunte said. Futch headed for the elevators with Bright.

"And Eresh is curious about the dragon and the elevator," she added.

"Be careful," Leknaat said.

"A trip to Toran?" Caesar said.

"Yes, a request of Futch's," Daunte said. "And also, Lady Leknaat believes the final Star of Destiny may be there."

"We're nearly ready for the campaign," Peader said. "So you should be able to make one last trip."

"I'll go with you again," Caesar said. "And Futch, Bright, Sharon, Sun, and the baby dragons I imagine will be required party members. That will not leave enough room for you to take Arin with you this time, Lord Daunte. Or any other active party members."

"I understand," Daunte said. "But I believe we should be okay."

"Okay, I'll summon your party."

Futch, Bright, Sharon, Suna, and the four baby dragons arrived shortly thereafter. "This is stupid," Sharon huffed. "Crying to my mom just because you don't want to deal with your mistakes!"

"You're not listening to me and your attitude is detrimental to the Army," Futch said. "If you won't listen to me, maybe you'll listen to your mother."

"Do I look like a child?!"

"Enough!" Daunte said, waving a hand. "Sharon, I understand how you feel but Futch is right in that we have to work together! We're going on this trip and clearing the air once and for all!"

Sharon grumble but said nothing more. "Let's go and see Viki," Caesar said.

Despite the greater distance, Hero flew them to the Northern Continent and the Toran Republic in faster time than before, thanks to his modifications to the skyship. "Where should we land?!" he shouted back towards them.

"The Dragon Knight's Domain to the west!" Futch called back to him. "It's mountainous but I'll direct you where you can land!"

"We'll be seeing more dragons, won't we?" James said excitedly.

"It's a mountain fill of dragons, so yes!" Sharon responded obnoxiously. She was cuddling all five of her dragons to her.

"I can't wait!" Xi An cheered."

The skyship landed smoothly near a giant stone fortress. As they began to disembark, they were quickly surrounded by Dragon Knights. As Daunte raised his hands though, a familiar voice shouted, "Stand down!"

The Dragon Knights relaxed as Milia approached the group. "Dignitaries of Nagarea," she greeted them cautiously. "I am surprised to see you all he…" her voice trailed off as Futch and Sharon disembarked the skyship. "What is the problem? Why have you brought these Dragon Knights back?"

"Nice to see you too, Mom," Sharon muttered.

"Ah," Daunte said embarrassedly. "There seems to be a—conflict between them that we need to resolve."

"Yes, Lady Milia," Futch said, bowing slightly.

"You killed Suna" Sharon snapped. "I think I have the right to be upset!"

"Oh, not this again," Milia sighed, rubbing at her forehead. "All right, you are all welcome here at the Dragon Knights's Fortress. It's late, so rest and we'll get this resolved tomorrow."

"Thank you, Commander Milia," Daunte said. He glanced in the darkness towards the east and frowned. Something seems…peculiar.

"Our Dragon's Den is in that direction," Milia said. "You may see it tomorrow, but for now please come with me."

"Thank you."