Note: Originally, this was going to be part of Hawkeye's chapter, but it ran a little too long, so I made it its own, inputting Charlotte's portions in with it.

There are points in the game where it's mentioned that the beastmen used giant birds to transport themselves around (as Duran said that if you don't have him in your party in the original game), so I took one of the enemies from Final Fantasy and essentially made them their rides. Also, I think this will be mainly a chapter for Kevin with bits of Charlotte thrown in. I feel somewhat bad for Angela and Riesz, as they had theirs combined, but Riesz will get her own. Again, I'm going in order with these, yet also going to show a bit of how the characters get to where they all end up in Jadd eventually.

Also, things have been a bit dark, but the whole story won't be like that. I don't want this to be a total angst fest. Instead, there will be humor in it throughout and levity. It's all about timing, I guess. I just hope that I can balance it out. After all, even with the invasions, hunting for Stones, and all that, I want this to have something of a fun element to it. So please bear with me as we get through some of the more complicated stuff.

Kevin's Tragedy and Charlotte's Omen

Kingdom of Ferolia

"Hold still, beast!" Ludgar ordered, the large, darkly colored bird barking a deep but still shrill screech in his direction as he put the harness on. "I need to take you out for a test run. The bird and several others of its kind in the aviary were quite sizable, even for a beastman, and bore dark brown feathers and sharpened golden beaks. One would have mistaken them for massive eagles, yet these bore no relation to the bird, however like their appearance was. No, these birds were of an entirely different caliber, both in temperament and how easily they could render anything the size of a man into little more than a sliced-up sack of meat in mere moments. Dangerous, hard to control, yet given what they would be used for, there couldn't have been a better creature to make use of.

"Are they ready?" a new arrival asked, his violet mane contrasting heavily with Ludgar's.

"Soon to be." the newly appointed commander of the pending invasion replied. "These here will pick off what we missed." he let a slight, toothy grin come to his lips.

"We shall attack in mere days." the other beastman said. "We can't afford any loose ends."

"There won't be," Ludger assured. "Not with me at the helm." The bird let out another protest, yet it was silenced when the reigns came on, the blonde beastman giving it a whack to its backside, reminding it who was the master here.

The creatures were kept in a secluded but accessible area. They were allowed to travel and hunt as they saw fit, yet always returned to the castle because there was a guaranteed place to nest and feed. This symbiotic relationship had been going on for as long as Ludgar and every other beastman could remember; even in the times before Gauser had become King, these avian behemoths served them, and they, in turn, served them in a manner. Female birds were only kept for mating and the production of eggs; thus, only male birds were used in times such as this. They were fed quite a bit of red meat and protein and parts of the animal they were given that held quite a reasonable degree of testosterone. That, along with selective breeding, made them even more aggressive than they would've naturally been. Thus, their name was justifiably earned: Hell Riders.

"Have you heard?" the other beastman asked. "There's been reports of a strange figure lurking in the woods."

Ludgar raised a thickened brow. "What kind of figure?"

"I'm not sure, yet some say that he has a strange appearance. He's thin and lean, yet it's clear he's not from this area. Those that have gotten at least a decent enough look at him say that he looks like some sort of clown or jester."

Clown or jester? "Hahaha! That's ridiculous!" Ludgar chortled. "Poor fool would've been torn to pieces by now with what lies in these woods!"

"You'd think." the other beastman agreed. "But still...if all these others had seemingly seen him…."

"It's simply nerves." the blonde beastman said. "Everyone's a little on edge about this whole thing, and some are probably mistaking some animal for something else. Or hell, maybe some guy IS running around in a stupid outfit trying to get a rise out of people. And if that's the case…" he readied his ride. "Then I'll give them a REAL good laugh, that's for sure."

The other beastman stumbled back, the massive bird extending its wings and flapping. Then, rising off the ground, it soared high into the air; it and Ludger soon disappeared.

In the Castle

Such a weak fool. Indeed, the fact that he was his kin was nothing but frustrating to him. True, the midwife and all of the medics in the kingdom warned him of the potential consequences that could arise given his rather unique genes, yet even then, such a thing shouldn't have resulted in such a nature his son possessed. He had done all the necessary trials that his people went through in the early years: fending for themselves in the woods at a young age among the beasts there, fending against the others that posed challenges to them (bloodline or not, no one would respect a weak king), so many things that were the building blocks of rearing even a low-class member of their race, and yet it yielded no results for him. His child, the prince and future ruler of his kingdom was nothing more than a soft, naive fool. Indeed, it tormented him greatly. But, in his later years, it seemed he was finally coming around. All the training, beatings from his peers, and subsequent trips in the wilderness outside had begun to mold the boy into the appropriate image as his heir. Then...the pup was found.

Suddenly, he became aware that he was not alone in the throne room. The others in the castle were either elsewhere or preparing the armada for their subsequent invasion, yet his ears twitched, and he caught a strange scent in the room. It smelt of death, yet it bore no familiar stench of rot. Instead, it reminded him of dried flowers or puri. Something that one would perhaps find on a grave. And from the shadows, he emerged.

The first thing that came to Gauser's mind was strange, yet even that wasn't a strong enough term to describe what was before him. He had heard the reports and stories, yet he gave them no mind, yet lo and behold, the so-called 'jester' had emerged to present himself openly. He lived up to his, albeit shortly developed, but still relevant reputation, his attire perfectly mimicking that of a jester: a purple hood with two sections with golden ornaments and red bells at the end, a yellow, segmented collar, puffed up short sleeves and shorts segmented in vertical stripes of violet and yellow, two trails of cloth behind him mainly covered in black with a check pattern underside, and a tight corset-like middle with silver studs down the center as if they were elaborately decorated buttons. A pair of slippers with cuffs similar to his neckpiece and ends that curled upward was on his feet, and a pair of gloves on his hands and following the same appearance. Yet despite bearing the appearance of a jester, there was nothing about him that looked comical. His skin was a dulled grey, and his limbs held just enough muscle to support himself, yet aside from that, he appeared somewhat malnourished. His facial region befuddled the King the most. His face looked more like a mask than an actual face, angled down the middle with empty sockets save from glowing, yellow eyes and a lower jaw that appeared to be lined like that of a ventriloquist dummy; only the entirety of it was segmented like this.

"Good evening, dear Majesty!" the mysterious jester greeted. "Then again, it's always evening here, it seems." he giggled, his voice high-pitched and unhinged. Yet Gauser had no interest in hearing jokes.

"How did you get in here?!" he demanded, rising from his throne.

"Well, you know what they say, a magician NEVER reveals his secrets." the jester answered.

"And no one will EVER find your remains!" the King looked to the two large hounds on either side of his throne. "Fang, Thorn, he's all yours." the two wolves got the message and growled, approaching the jester.

It would've been so easy. So unbearably, insultingly easy to chop these two mutts up and have himself a light snack on their spirits. And the King….oh, his mouth began to salivate at the thought. Yet, painful as it was, he had a mission to do. Thus, it was time to put on an act. "W-Wait!" the jester cried out. "Wait! Mercy!" he held out his hands to protect himself. "I came here with a proposition for His Majesty!"

Gauser called off Fang and Thorn with a snap of his fingers, and the two, albeit disappointed in being unable to act out their natural urges, went back beside the throne. "Now THAT is a joke." the beastman chuckled. "Yet...go on. At least you may make someone laugh before you're ripped to shreds."

The jester smiled. "Thank you, oh kind King. Before we continue, allow me the introduction." he then bowed. "Call me...Goremand. And I come bearing important news for you as well."

"What kind of news?"

"News regarding the state of the world," Goremand replied. "Mana is fading and becoming unstable. You are planning an invasion, are you not? And your first stop will be in Jadd?" Gauser was silent. Just who was this person? If he could be called a person. "Well, I have the perfect solution to guarantee your victory. Not just for that conquest, but the whole world."

"Do you now?"

"Yes." Goremand was practically giddy with anticipation. "Are you familiar with the Mana Stones?"

"What of them?"

Goremand grinned. He had him now. "Forgive me, but without them, I'd say your little invasion is doomed to failure."

Gauser rose from his throne again. "You DARE come here to insult me merely?! Now I shall SURELY feed you to my dear pets!"

"Wait!" the jester pleaded (planned to say beforehand). "I say this with the best intentions, Majesty," he assured. "For, you see, I am sympathetic to your cause. Me...and my master."

What was with this fool? One moment, he puts himself in mortal peril, the next, he says another thing that intrigues him. Gauser wasn't exactly a fan of feeling so indecisive. "Tell your master that we do not need any interlopers. This is for beastmen and beastmen alone."

"...tell me, how is your son?"

"Excuse me?"

"Your son, Majesty," Goremand repeated. "I've seen him at times in the woods. So unlike the others here. So young and yet...soft."

Gauser growled. "What he is and is not isn't your concern."

"But you must be frustrated with it." the jester pressed on. "Him being so weak. All he does is play with that little puppy all day. He doesn't even regard his training, does he?" he could tell that he was getting under the King's skin again. But this hook had the most succulent bait yet on it. "What if I told you I could help him achieve what he's truly capable of?"

Wendel

It was small at first: a missing pair of socks and some undergarments, yet when near the entirety of his wardrobe went missing, Heath suspected something was up.

'C'mon, Mik! Twy Hawdew!" He had a good idea of what it was.

"Charlotte?" the young priest asked, coming upon the half-elven girl and a young boy with green hair chopped short wearing a white, long-sleeved tunic, trying to close up the young girl's wardrobe.

"H-Heath!" Charlotte squeaked, Mik was about to run away, but he was forced to stay by her, grabbing him by the arm. "How...awe you today?"

"Missing a good deal of clothes," Heath mentioned, eyeing the wardrobe about to burst behind them. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about it, would you?"

"Uh...no! No, no!" the blonde assured. "Push hawdew!" she hissed to Mik.

"I'm trying!" he whispered back while Heath's eyes locked on them.

"Looks like you've got quite a bit of stuff in there." He observed, going over to the wardrobe. "Mind if I help out in-"

"No!" Charlotte answered, blocking the priest. "Thewe's no need! Nothing's in thewe!"

"Nothing?"

Charlotte shook her head, stepping away from it for just a second. "Nope! Not one thing!"

"I can't hold it anymore!" Mik shouted, though before Charlotte could protest and scold him for blowing their cover, it happened: a tsunami of clothing burst from the storage area, knocking everyone off their feet and filling Charlotte's room with strewn-about clothes, most of which were Heath's. Heath shook his head to get a pair of underwear off and then looked to Charlotte, somewhat amused but annoyed.

"Oh...wouwd you wook at that?" Charlotte sheepishly giggled. "Guess some wandry got mixed up."

"Some?" Heath raised a brow, the blonde girl not even bothering. She knew well she had been caught.

"Hello?" a muffled voice called out from underneath the pile. "If it's not too much trouble...how about someone help me before I suffocate here!"

Duskmoon Forest

The cool air of the constant night was always comforting for him, especially after a day like today. More training, more blows delivered to and from him. And yet again, he had, according to that with him, granted "too much" mercy. When he could, he retreated here, and Karl somehow always managed to find him. If there was anyone that he would happily spar with, it was him. Though 'sparring' usually meant little more than roughhousing, several ruffling of fur, licks, touches from a cold nose, and small yips. Both Kevin and Karl had finished one such session, Karl being the victor, though mainly because he knew to deliver licks to susceptible, ticklish areas on the young man's person. He enjoyed these sessions every time, yet he ensured they were all private. Goddess forbid anyone finds him doing such, let alone being brought down by something so, in his father's words and especially Ludger's words, "weak."

"What sort of fight is that, Princeling!" he heard the beastman's mocking voice in his head. "That pup has turned you into little more than a simpering weakling!"

Then came his father's. "Heir to the throne? Only by blood. Though that may not be enough to save your position as future King."

Honestly, he couldn't care less. He couldn't care less about any of that. Yes, he didn't wish to be weak; strength was the core value of the beastmen. Yet their methods...all they generated was such apathy for them. In fact...there was a time when he had disregarded everything. Everything...until Karl came.

His thoughts were cut off by a series of licks delivered to his face, rousing him from his half-sleep. The wolf pup looked down with wide eyes, tail wagging behind him. He gave a yip. "Heh." Kevin chuckled. "Bit to go before you can bark." Karl provided a light growl before leaping on him and delivering a series of licks to the young man's face. "Ok, ok! You win. Again."

"Weak Princling…"

Kevin's features grew dark, Karl giving a slight whine. Kevin looked at the castle a short distance away. "Should be heading back." he then looked at the pup. "Walk with me there?" Karl yipped enthusiastically, the two beginning their trek back.

"Grr…" Kevin's ears twitched, and he turned to the pup.

"Karl?" before his eyes, something in the young wolf began to change. "Karl, what's wrong?" he approached him, the young wolf's body beginning to tremble. "Karl-" just then, he heard it. What sounded like joints popping was heard; the prince stepped back and watched what was taking place; he realized that whatever was going on was out of his control. Karl's body began to contort and change: muscles enlarged and limbs grew longer, teeth grew more enormous and seemingly sharper, and what once were the eyes of a young pup were replaced with that of a vicious predator. He barely resembled a young dog. Rather, a giant, savage beast that only bore the slightest bit of Karl's features was before Kevin.

Then, the beast pounced.

Wendel

She had been here before: the same flower field and lush, fertile landscape. And she had once again expected to see those two familiar faces awaiting her. Yet now...now there was only one.

"Heath?" Indeed, Heath was there, and the environment around her began to rot. Yet behind him, a shadow of some kind seemed to emerge. She couldn't quite make it out, but it was there, and the energy it was giving off made her blood run cold. "H-Heath…" she nervously began, legs trembling as the figure from behind grew closer. She still could discern little from him, yet a more solid shape was starting to form. Two large, curved objects grew from its head (horns?), and it was carrying something. A long stick with something sharp and curved on end. She believed that she had seen such a thing before. What was it called? Sickle or scythe? Whatever the case, the object wouldn't be used for anything good. "Heath!" She shouted, yet still couldn't will herself to move. "Heath, wook out!" The young priest appeared confused, yet the figure's hand gripped his shoulder; he turned with widened, horrified eyes at the glowing, yellow eyes. "HEATH!"

"...and that's what happened." Charlotte sniffed, recalling the horrid vision having more than upset her a little. But, frankly, Heath was left with little to say.

"Charlotte…" he began but was cut off by the girl throwing herself on him.

"Heath, don't go!" the blonde girl wept. "You can't! You can't go! I don't cawe what Gwandpa says! You can't go! Something bad wiwl happen!"

"Charlotte." finally managing to get her off him, Heath stood up and sighed. "Your grandfather has nothing to do with it. I decided to go."

"But...but you-"

"Charlotte, listen," he explained. "Strange things are happening. And things might be getting a little dangerous. Very dangerous."

"How dangerwous?"

"That's not something for you to worry about. The point is, I have to go. Your grandfather is too old, and there are rumors of…" he stopped. "Well, that's not something you have to worry about either."

"But Heath-"

"It's been decided, Charlotte." Heath sternly told her, though he felt guilty about seeing her eyes well up with tears. "But I'll try not to be gone too long."

"Hic...pwomise?"

"Promise." Heath's blue eyes then turned to the clothes pile, noticing something was poking. A hand? Wait...oh no! Going over, he grabbed it and lifted Mik out from the pile.

"GAH!" the boy gasped. "Well, it's about time!" he then looked to Charlotte and Heath. "So that you know, this was all HER idea-"

"I don't care whose idea it was." the priest interrupted. "All that matters now is getting these back where they belong. Isn't that right, you two?" Mik and Charlotte sighed. This was going to be a LONG afternoon.

Ferolia

"K-Karl?" Kevin backed up, looking for any trace of the pup in those eyes. "Karl, what are you-" he leaped back, Karl snapping his jaws in his direction. He leaped in his direction, Kevin, in turn, rolling out of the way. "Karl! What's wrong?!" Another leap, bit, slash of the claws, it seemed that Karl was employing the skills and methods of several animals at once, all with the means to draw blood. Another lunge, and Kevin blocked it, forcing the mutated wolf to flip back onto its paws, snarling with strands of saliva dripping from his mouth as if he were rabid. "Karl, please! Don't want to-"

Kevin could get no more out before teeth sunk into his forearm. Releasing a cry of pain, the young man was forced to the ground, Karl finally in the suitable position to begin his mauling. Scratches and bites were delivered everywhere they could be delivered, the former pup's strength unnatural and weighing Kevin down; he was unable to fight against the mutant's superior power.

Castle of Ferolia

"Tell me...will this bring out my son's true power?" Gauser remembered asking the jester. That was before he went off to the Duskmoon Forest. That had been nearly half an hour ago. If this clown were toying with him, then the Beast King would see that both Fang AND Cerberus dined on the jester's bones!

"Trust me, your Majesty." Gauser also remembered hearing the jester say before he departed. "You WON'T be disappointed."

Duskmoon Forest

Heat. Overwhelming heat everywhere. "K-Karl!" Kevin cried out, the bites and clawing steadily being overtaken by the sensation of growing internal heat. "H-Hot!" he shouted, his hair standing on end and, while he couldn't notice it, it began stiffening and stiffening...and growing. Skin felt tighter, muscle felt denser, and teeth felt as if they were protruding more and more outward. His nose...or something on his face was extending outward, and while he always had a good sense of smell and sight, they were never THIS good. He could never have known how unique his blood smelt compared to the other creatures being hunted tonight.

Just as he was, he was being hunted. Or rather, he had been found and was to be prey.

Yet no. No, that would be unfitting. Unfitting for a creature such as himself. A powerful, robust, and unstoppable creature! He would show this filthy mongrel who held the actual title of predator!

It was as if he were seeing through the eyes of another. Kevin saw a strange, powerful creature covered in fur and rippling muscles bring its claws down and slash at the wolf attacking him, taking a good bit of hair from the swipe. The wolf came at him again, yet this time, the creature leaped forward and seized it by the throat, pinning it down to the ground. It kicked, bit, and fought, yet it was in the literal jaws of the beast now. Then, it bit down. Liquid fire poured down its throat, the taste and sensation like nothing he had ever experienced before. It wanted more. It bit, and bit, and bit, and bit, not caring if its opponent was dead already. It wanted it. It NEEDED it!

Just then...a whimper. The wolf's form began to change.

The beast stopped the fury in its eyes, his rage dying down at what it now saw before it. "K...Ka...rl?" it muttered, slowly regaining its voice. "Ka..rl?" It blinked its eyes, trying to process what had just happened, why it tasted liquid metal on its tongue...and why its friend was lying there, barely breathing. "Karl?" It spoke; its form had changed to the young man it once had been. "Karl?" the pup merely looked up, just as confused as what had happened. "Karl…" the former beast could do no more but repeat the pup's name, receiving a tiny lick on the hand before the pup's eyes rolled in the back of its head, and his breathing stopped.

Note: Going to be cutting it off here; next up is Riesz, then going into how each of the characters gets it into their heads to go to Wendel! I will have some minor OCs and some liberties on what happens between then and when they arrive at Jadd.