Note: Kind of unrelated, yet I sort of come to see beastmen culture as a sort of like that of Saiyans (warrior people that value strength and the thrill of battle above all else, tolerate no weakness, etc.) and social Darwinism.

Also, more wangst, sorry. There will be some fun, I promise. Charlotte will be helping me in that department.

I've been looking at the official game map as well and sort of altering how the characters get to where, as really, some instances are more effective than others, as you'll see here.

Another minor OC here, as well as a cameo of a famous Final Fantasy creature. Said OC is based on an NPC in the castle that flirts with Kevin.

Kevin's Quest and Charlotte's Preparation

His eyes fluttered open, his body sore, and as he tried to stand, he lost his footing and fell to the ground again. Where was he? His amber eyes shifted to see a stick embedded in the environment, surrounded by blooming flowers.

Karl…

He remembered everything now…


"Back already, Prince?" a beastman with blonde hair questioned, Kevin not responding. "Hey, I asked you a question." he roughly placed a hand on the younger's shoulder, yet still got no response. "Hey! I-" the beastman stopped upon seeing his clothes, more notably, the reddened spots splashed on them.

"Molar...not now," Kevin murmured, taking the other beastman's hand off him and continuing his way down the hall.

He passed through, already hearing questions of what had taken him so long, that his trip out was longer than usual, and even more, from the mouth of one unsuspecting child 'How was Karl today?'

Kevin balled his fists up and dashed away from everyone, not paying attention to the confused looks he was attracting. What did it matter? What did anything matter? Karl...all he could see were the tear-filled eyes of the pup, how he whimpered and moaned, and how, ironically enough, how sweet he still looked. He appeared to bear no animosity towards the one that had just slain him as if he had just woken up from a terrible dream and was relieved to see Kevin right there to assure him that was all it was. Maybe that was all he could comprehend at that moment: it was a bad dream, and he was just going back to sleep. And the aches and pains in his body...a good night's rest would ease them all away.

Kevin howled. And howled, and howled. How long, he had lost track, and when it did eventually end, his throat was raw and burning, yet he could not find it in himself to go and find some water. No, Karl had to be tended to first. He had tried to revive him already, yet even when he did so, he knew well that the pup was already gone. A small patch with white flowers was the perfect place, Kevin kneeling and digging furiously at the ground. It was far from deep, having gone down only a few feet, yet it was enough to cover the pup's limp form. Once he had covered him up after one last, final look at him, the young man covered him up and set up a marker consisting of a torn-off tree limb stuck in the ground. Even when the deed was done, Kevin could not move from that spot, falling to the ground and weeping on Karl's shallow grave. It was only when he realized that he might've been sought after and that others might have come looking for him did he go back to the castle. Yet he immediately regretted that decision, as it seemed no one was leaving him alone.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"Hey, watch it!"

"Take care to mind your way, Prince!"

"What a crybaby!"

Some of these weren't said aloud and would be denied if he confronted them about it, but Kevin knew well they meant every word. His title and relations to Gauser meant nothing to the kingdom's inhabitants. Even since he was young and had, at least according to his father, been more stalwart in his training, he always felt that everyone's eyes cast down upon him. They paid him little to no mind, and when they did, it was only to acknowledge his presence enough and then went about their business. He was 'prince' in name only, and to some, even less.

"Hey, Princeling!" Ludgar's voice said in his mind, remembering the sneer the beastman had. "How does it feel that the king's placed ME in charge of the invasion on Wendel and not you?" Kevin didn't respond to that, which seemed to only anger Ludger; he once again demanded a match between the two, which he won, leading to more ridicule and his father's disappointment.

What was the point of this so-called invasion anyway? True, it was common knowledge that their people weren't exactly well-received, let alone well treated by the other countries of the world. Their kind was, simply put, regarded as beasts. Dumb animals that were little better than the creatures that roamed the wilds. In the past, Kevin had to admit, what was done to his people made him both shudder and angered. Beaten, bruised, hunted, hung up, and put on display, hell, sometimes they were kept as attractions in traveling circuses and carnivals, being marketed as some freakish mistake of nature. Before the formation of the Kingdom of Ferolia, they were subjected to a slew of tortures and hunted for sport. It was only due to the efforts of his ancestors that the humans were driven out (many of which were reported to be killed) that the beastmen as a whole could finally live in peace. Yet, they remained branded, figuratively and literally, by the ignominious image outsiders placed upon them. But that didn't stop some beastmen from making contact with humans. Let alone taking some as their mates. It was a rarity, but it had happened before, and in some private parts of the world, it was perhaps still happening. And maybe, that was part of or the reason that the people here looked at him the way they did.

Whatever the case, history of his people, or the invasion, Kevin cared not for any of these things. He didn't care much for anything at this moment. All that dwelt on his mind was the sight of the grave he had just dug and the flowers that seemed to catch and reflect the pale moonlight above.

The lesser light shone down on him as if to offer him some form of comfort, yet it did him no good. There was nothing that could provide any semblance of comfort now.

Having taken the clothes he was wearing and put them in the fire burning in his room, Kevin stood upon one of the castle's balconies and simply looked out to the Duskmoon Forest. Where Karl's grave was nestled in, he had hidden away in his room for a good few hours, lest he actually is caught shedding tears of any kind, yet even now, it seemed that tears refused to leave his eyes. Kevin still had little comprehension as to what had happened in the forest. All he remembered was heat: boiling, flaring heat traveling all through him. Then something, some...creature had attacked the visage of Karl's mutated, twisted form. And next, the animal was gone; Kevin had taken his place, the wolfish monster also leaving and allowing Karl to take its place.

It was known that, while they were not the dumb animals that many thought them to be, beastmen were very much alike to the dangerous creatures surrounding them in these woods, primarily to satisfy their primal urges. While they were technically omnivores, they were in high need of a steady supply of protein, lest their muscles wither up. Their metabolisms were always burning; thus, an extensive food collection was almost always welcome. Kevin and several others knew not entirely why, whether it be chemicals in their body. These ancestral traits had passed down the generations, or simply how the Goddess designed them, beastmen always were itching for some form of combat and a means to display their skills. Whether it be hunting, sparing, or even a battle for supremacy (that sometimes led to death), nothing was more satisfying than to shed blood, sweat, and tears. If one could produce all three, then a beastman was a true warrior. His father, Gauser, had belonged to a royal lineage, but he did not simply become king by this alone. He had several rivals that wished for his spot, and in turn, he beat them all down. The beastmen lived, breathed, and worshiped the mantra 'survival of the fittest, they being at the top.

This was also evident in their most known skill: transformation. Due to the ever-lingering presence of the moon, they could do it at will. Still, in any area outside of their own, when the moon's light hits them, a beastman's body undergoes metamorphosis into a far more primitive state resembling that of an upright canine, a werewolf. While they still retained conscious thought, their already bestial nature grew even more so, and unless it was acted upon or worked out, violence and bloodshed were always guaranteed. Usually, this would include sparring amongst themselves, yet sometimes, unfortunately, humans would be used as means to curb these urges. Fewer deaths occurred over the years, yet there was no guarantee that they didn't happen.

And Kevin was a stranger to all of this. He was born into it, raised with it, surrounded by it, and yet found himself unable to fully integrate into what was decreed as natural. The forest allowed for a reprieve from all this, as did Karl. The Prince slumped down and lowered his head. Goddess, help him if his father saw him like this. Or even worse, Ludgar. He had already shown vulnerability tonight that garnered attention; even if many weren't openly saying it, he knew they noticed. They noticed and judged. And now, they were indeed talking.

"...so, was it to your liking?"

Hm? What the-

"It was unexpected, I shall admit." that voice...his father? Yet the other was unfamiliar. They sounded close. Kevin leaned against a stone barrier that separated that part of the balcony from where he was currently, listening in on the conversation. "I didn't believe you were capable."

"Hee hee! As I said, my magic is yours!" the mysterious voice said cheerily, though it only served to give Kevin the chills. "And my Master's is even more powerful!"

"Hm," Gauser said. "To turn such a young pup into a killing machine…" wait a moment. Pup, Kevin thought. Did he mean Karl?

"Yes indeed!" the figure giggled. "It was great fun! And now, that child has finally unlocked that potential of his! His very first transformation!" he then sighed. Shame that he couldn't go and make his move when the pup was slain. Such a pure, delicious soul.

"Which ends your time here." Gauser suddenly said, Kevin hearing the figure gasp.

"Wh-What?" steps were heard. "M-Majesty! Wait! Master insists that he seek an audience with you!" the rest of the conversation was lost, Kevin having listened to enough.

Karl. He knew that wasn't him attacking him. He KNEW it! And he and that creature were both transformed into monsters. At the request of his own father?! He fell to the ground, a howl building up in his throat. Though unlike before, this bore no semblance of sadness in it. No, this was of pure, unfiltered rage.

"Then tell your 'master' that there was, nor will there be a relation with him," Gauser told Goremand, turning away from him. "This invasion is ours and ours alone. And should we consider the power of the Mana Stones, then that shall be for us to consider. Begone."

Goremand wished nothing more than to cut him down then and there, yet he had to relent once again. "Majesty, please!" he begged (reluctantly). "M-Master insists! He has sent me here to request an audience with you!"

"Then I shall send you from here, personally!" The king roared, losing his patience. "You are no longer needed! My son has finally become what he is to be. Now that said obstacle is no more; then there is no need for any sort of your magic here." Gauser took another step yet paused. There was a change in the air. A familiar scent, and yet there was something different about it.

It was then that he realized. "BEAST KING!" and he smiled.

Seeing a shadowy figure leap over the section that separated their part of the balcony, the figure landed and rose, nothing short of bloodlust in his eyes.

"Aiie!" Goremand put on the cowardly act. Gauser only looked on at Kevin with pride.

"Yes…" he nodded in approval. "Finally, at long last. I see one that is worthy of my throne."

"Bastard!" Kevin hollered. "You killed Karl!"

"Indeed." Gauser didn't deny it. "The pup was holding you back, boy. Your true nature couldn't be truly harnessed. Now, there is nothing that serves as a distraction. Your true strength can finally be realized."

"YOU KILLED KARL!"

Gauser frowned. "You cannot see this only proves that the creature needed to be dealt with sooner."

Kevin was seeing red, feeling his muscles begin to tense. The creature he had turned into was starting to emerge again. "SHUT UP!" with a mighty howl, he lunged forward, losing any human features save for standing upright, and slashed at the larger beastman.

Gauser smirked, catching the youth's wrist in his grasp. "Your power may have been unleashed." it was then that he too began to transform. "Yet you've only just begun to experience it truly!" He leaped forward, fangs biting into the boy's shoulder. Kevin howled in agony; it was stopped by a direct punch to his abdomen, sending him back and colliding with the edge of the balcony. Kevin rose and, despite his arm now feeling limp by his side, rushed at the king yet again, the even more beastly monarch seizing him by the throat and performing various slashes, practically carving in the boy's flesh. This, along with the ever-increasing grip on his throat, made his vision blur. "Learn your place, boy," Gauser snarled, tightening his grip. Kevin's form began to transition back into one far more human, his eyes fluttering as he finally lost consciousness. Gauser dropped him to the ground, shifting back to his more humanoid form. He then turned to Goremand. "I do not need your master's help," he repeated. "But...consider this a parting gift. I leave my son to you."


At least, that's what he thought the king told the strange, jester-looking figure. Getting up, Kevin saw that he was indeed covered in slashes on his chest and abdomen, his beastman blood allowing for them to be already healing up, yet still, the pain remained. He tried to stand but found himself struggling to do that, as that required that he bend his body; thus, he stayed on his back. Right next to Karl's grave.

"K-Karl…" he moaned, trying to rise. He turned over on his stomach and tried to prop himself up that way. He managed to at least get to his hands and knees and finally got up to his feet. Though he stumbled, he at least was walking again.

RUSTLE

Kevin's ears twitched, hearing movement in the brush. As much as he now cursed and damned the being to hell, the young man remembered his father's constant lectures about showing weakness. Show it, and he said you're no better than the prey you hunt. Kevin steeled himself, listening in and tracing the noises. Just then, he caught something. A leg. Thin and with pale flesh. "There you are!" he hissed, feeling some of his strength returning to him. He had no idea how long he had been unconscious, but the pain seemed to subside. Sure, there were aches, but he could work through them. For now, all that mattered was catching that jester!

And to think, he had such an easy meal on his hands. He had waited too long, and now his meal was after him. No matter, he could simply take him if he so wished. Yet his Master ordered him to take no life from anyone besides those he was allowed to devour. Yet this doesn't include the beastmen. Should they join me, their numbers will be vital.'

Damned restrictions. It was torture for a creature like himself. But still, even for one such as himself, Master's orders were NOT to be broken. Yet now, Goremand was in a dilemma. He had just been permitted to care for Gauser's son, yet his Master told him not to take any of their lives. What to do?

"There you are!" he heard a voice from behind, yet got no time to turn around as he felt a body plow into his, sending him to the ground. "You killed Karl!" Kevin roared, wrapping his hands around the fiend's throat.

Damned restrictions. "W-Wait! Wait!" Goremand hollered, making sure to sound desperate. "You misunderstand! Your father, the king, ordered me to cast dark magic on the pup! He organized the whole operation-ACK!"

"You're to blame too!" Kevin snarled, continuing to choke harder.

Goremand laughed to himself. Did he think his efforts did anything to him? Still, he kept up the act. "Wait, wait!" he pleaded. "I-I know a way to bring Karl back! ACK! Back from the dead!"

It was a lie. He knew deep down it was a lie. But when he heard those words, Kevin released his grip on the jester's throat. "Too good to be true," he said plainly, half tempted to go back to choking him. Yet he backed off the images of Karl's body and his father's satisfaction, if not for his reasons.

"Not for the Priest of Light," Goremand said. "He resides in Wendel. He has connections to extraordinary powers, from what I hear. Some that can rival the Goddess Herself if the rumors are to be believed."

Impossible. No one could rival the Goddess. Yet still, Kevin had heard of the man, even though human dealings were rarely discussed here. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"

Now Goremand could finally indulge himself a bit. "Truth is, you don't," Kevin growled. "But," the jester continued. "If you don't hurry now, you won't be able to find out. Didn't your father and that delightful fellow, Ludger, I think his name was, say that their first target in their conquest was Wendel itself?" Kevin stared at the ground, conflicted. "Either go and at least have some semblance of a chance to bring Karl back into your life...or do nothing and find your chance taken from you. The choice is yours."

Kevin was silent, taking in and pondering all that the jester had told him. Indeed, a good portion of him believed he had just spouted utter nonsense to him. Yet another brought forth Karl's large, wide eyes, the licks he delivered to his cheek, the way the two wrestled with each other. He took a steady breath. "Which way?"

Goremand smiled, pointing eastward. "Go this way, and you'll find Mintas. From there, you can follow the coastline. Then, in just a few days, you shall reach Jadd, and from there, head to Wendel through the Cascade Cavern."

Kevin still looked at him with skepticism, yet after a few tentative moments, he began to walk the way the jester directed him. He looked back several times, only to see that the jester hadn't moved from his spot. He still couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't try something, but he sprinted off. Truthfully, one called the Priest of Light could be trusted. And while he surely couldn't rival the Goddess, he still sounded like someone with great power. Goremand looked on, a grin coming to his face. Yes, go. Go on, little Prince, he thought. Perhaps, should he be so fortunate, they would meet again soon. But, unfortunately, the Master required that he take a little trip himself.

But first, perhaps he could have a little talk with the king again. Or maybe that nice fellow always gives the little Prince a hard time.

Wendel

"Ow!" Charlotte winced, the needle piercing her skin again, with several other reddened dots on it.

"Geez, you suck at this," Mik observed, earning a glare from the blonde.

The two were currently huddled up in a closet, a sole candle being the only light source, and everyone else in the temple was asleep. However, they weren't alone in the closet, a strange, yellow creature with comically oversized, blue, toeless feet and wide, black eyes observed the two with intrigue. Currently, the two were sewing together bedsheets, said bedsheets nearly overtaking the entire closet.

"Just hewp me do this!" she hissed, picking herself again. Of course, what they were doing was risky, especially if someone caught them. But still, what other option was there? Heath was all set to go, and while he would be leaving come morning, she had to get at least where he was going before or at least around the same time.

"But this isn't gonna work," Mik complained. "If that's what he said, then the Light Stone's up above the caves, and there's no way you can reach there!"

Charlotte then huffed. "You said youw pet couwd get me anywhewe, wight?"

Mik turned and gave the creature a pet on the head. "Well, yeah, he can. But-"

"Then suwely it can do this too!" she began to sew even more furiously, thus sticking herself several times. It had been fortunate that she had discovered Mik's little secret; otherwise, she'd have no way to follow Heath.

Think, think, think! There HAD to be a way to keep Heath from leaving! "Charlotte?" the blonde half-elf heard Mik call, the green-haired boy coming into her room; she had received a firm but fair talking about her role in stealing the priest's belongings. "Charlotte, don't you think you're taking this too far."

Charlotte sniffed. "No," she replied. "And...and I just don't know what to do!" she wept. "Heath's in dangew, I know it! But no one bewieves me! I have to stop him! I gotta!" she slumped over on her bed. "But now, no one's awwowed to weave Wendew because of what Gwandpa said!" the old man had placed strict orders that, unless necessary, it would be wise to stay in the city and not travel abroad. And given his position and power, no one in the city questioned him. Yet this only made things infinitely more difficult for his granddaughter.

Mik pondered this, then looked to the closet near his bed. Would it be safe to show her him? "Hey, Charlotte?" the boy said, the girl stopping her tears for a moment. "I think I know something you can do."

"Sniff...you do?"

"Yeah. But before I show it, you have to promise not to tell ANYONE. Ok?"

Charlotte tilted her head. "What is it?"

"Just promise."

"Ok, ok, I pwomise."

Mik went over and opened the closet, beckoning Charlotte inside. He felt around for where he had placed the matches and lit a candle inside. It was then that she saw it and let out a yelp.

"YIKES!" Charlotte fell backward at the sight of a small, round thing of yellow and blue, two large, black eyes looking at her. As she got a better look at it, her fear died down. "Hee hee, you look silly!" She then looked at Mik. "What is it?"

"It's a Springstepper," Mik told her, sitting down to give it a pet, purring as a result. "I found it outside the city. I call him Springy. But I can only take him out at night; otherwise, they'll make me put him back where I found him."

Charlotte smiled. "He's cute! But how is he going to get me out of the tempwe?"

Mik then smiled. "Come see me later. But…"

"But what?"

"You might need a little something extra before you go."

"Like what?"

"Well…" Mik paused. "I don't suppose we have any spare parachutes around here, do we?"

Mintas

The large, yellow bird trotted along, occasionally picking at the ground for some spare worms she might've found. Her rider bore tan skin and wild, blue hair, amber eyes, pointed ears, long nails and toenails of black that resembled claws, and attire that consisted of a top with two pieces of cloth tied around her chest, one sandy brown and the other yellow with blue stripes, her bottom half consisting of the same sort of style; only it was a short wrap and a torn-up, skirt on the bottom. She wore silver braces on her wrists and ankles and pink pearls around her neck and right arm. On her ride's person was a basket filled with an assortment of foraged berries and other items, freshly picked and ready to be taken and made into dinner.

BOOM!

Though perhaps that would wait, as a sudden force knocked over her and her mount, what she had collected in the basket tumbling over and falling to the ground. "OW! Oww…" she moaned, looking up. "You ok, Coco?" she asked the large, yellow bird; she only squealed in pain. Her blue brows furrowed as she peered over the bird's body. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?! How about you watch where you're going!?"

"Ow…" the figure moaned. "S-Sorry," he said meekly, though mainly due to the pain. The young beast woman lifted herself and saw Kevin on the ground and rubbing his temple, though what drew her eyes were the marks on his chest and abdomen and the mark on his shoulder.

"Whoa…" she began, hopping over Coco to get a better look. "Eugh." she grimaced. "What happened to you?"

Kevin winced. "Not a pretty story."

"Here." she extended her hand, hoisting him up, surveying his wounds. True, they had long since stopped bleeding, and the beastman's rapid healing would eventually take care of it, yet she couldn't deny that it was pretty severe looking. "That...looks pretty bad."

Kevin bit his lip. He then noticed the giant bird that she had previously been riding. "A Chocobo?"

"Yeah, she's mine." the young woman told him. "Say hello, Coco." the bird squawked and nodded to greet the boy. It was then that she realized. "Hey!" she cried out. "You're the Prince! Kevin, right?" Kevin didn't get the chance to either confirm or deny her exclamation. "What are you doing out here?"

"I... I don't want to say." the young man sighed, clenching his fists. "And I'm not going back."

She was about to ask but thought better of it. His eyes were red and swollen, clearing having cried for some time. That, and the wounds still healing, indicated that he must've been through something rough just a short time ago. "Hey, seeing as you don't have anywhere to go," she didn't exactly know that, but she had her mind made up. "Why don't you swing by my place? I'm bringing some stuff back, so I've got food." she grinned at seeing the young man's expression lighten up, if not just a bit. She couldn't blame him. Food was one of the best things one could offer a beastman, and such an offer was one of the highest forms of friendship and affection one could make. He still seemed somewhat reluctant, but he ultimately took her hand. "Name's Anati, by the way, and you've already met Coco." she gestured to the Chocobo. The three then began the trek to Mintas and, in turn, her home.

Wendel

"And...done!" Charlotte held up the sewn-together bedsheets with pride. Mik only sighed.

"My fingers are gonna hurt for weeks…" he whined, Springy only looking at the boy's fingers littered with red dots.

"But we did it, wight?" the blonde said with pride. "Now, I can fowwow Heath for suwe!"

"Don't you think we should, you know, do a test run?" Mik suggested; Charlotte, in turn, shook her head.

"No time," she said. "We'd be caught fow suwe." she explained. "Besides, we can't afowd to mess this up. Evewything has to be pewfect." indeed, she had come this far; there was no way that she could screw this up. And getting a firm scolding was the least of her worries.

She could only hope that this plan would work. Otherwise, there's be more than just a Charlotte-sized imprint in the ground that she'd have to worry about.

Mintas

Though they were still beastmen, the residents of this farming town were far more mellow than those that resided near the castle grounds. Simple homes and fields lived in the quaint village bathed in the same moonlight as the rest of the land, beastmen, and women, along with children going about their business, and while there was some rough treatment, it was all in good fun and brotherly affection. Kevin saw a husband and wife punch themselves on each shoulder before laughing about it. Immediately, despite having just arrived, Kevin found this place infinitely more pleasant than the castle. He had tried to keep himself hidden mainly, least he needed was someone pointing out that the Prince had been outside the court for some strange reason and had somewhat nautical wounds on him. Though, through his eating, he noticed that, despite being at least a few years older or younger than him, there was no sign of any parents or anyone else in the home save for Anati herself and Coco. He didn't ask.

Still, the main preoccupation was filling his stomach, which both Anati and Coco shared. Hence, they immediately started digging in when they entered her home near the river and dumped everything.

"You like?" Anati asked through mouthfuls of food; Kevin only nodded in response as his mouth was so full that he couldn't even respond. Coco only watched as she ate her birdseed. Though she had seen it many times throughout her years, she never understood why beastmen were such sloppy, voracious eaters. Indeed pigs had better manners. Culture, she supposed. "So, anyway," Anati began, only after swallowing a big handful of berries. "You said you're going to Wendel? What for?"

"For…" Kevin suddenly stopped eating, this immediately garnering Anati and Coco's attention. "For a friend."

She wanted to pry further, yet if her question managed to distract a beastman from his food, that said something. "Well, how do you plan to get there?"

"Someone…" Kevin said tentatively. "Someone told me. He said to go along the coastline. Then I'll reach it."

"The coastline?" Anati questioned. "Sounds like he doesn't have that good of direction." Kevin was puzzled. "You can just travel away from here and be at Lake Astoria."

"Lake Astoria?"

"Yeah. And hey, lucky for you, I've got a boat you can take."

"Um...couldn't I just swim?" Kevin asked, Anati laughing at this.

"Sorry, but I don't think even you can swim that far. Lake Astoria's got a good few miles on it," she explained. So much for his initial plan. "It's just southeast of here. Yeah, you have to go through some woods, but you'll reach it from there. And the boat ride might take a bit, but at least you won't drown."

Kevin was silent for a bit. Then, "You...do that for me?"

"Sure." the blue-haired young woman confirmed, swallowing another portion of food. "I don't know what's going on with you...but it looks like you need a friend right now." she placed her hand on the shoulder that wasn't wounded, Kevin somewhat taken aback by her forwardness, yet nonetheless, appreciated the gesture. Hell, he had his cheeks growing warm at her touch. She giggled. "Anyone tell you you're cute when you blush?"

Oh geez, had she seen that?! At his embarrassment, she giggled again.

Wendel

"All right," the Priest of Light began, standing outside the temple; everyone gathered to see the young Heath off. "Be careful. Strange happenings are going on, and once you leave Wendel, I can no longer help you."

"I'm well aware," Heath answered, adjusting the sack on his back and tightening the straps. "But I shall return."

"I pray for that to be true." the old man nodded. "Be careful, Heath."

Suddenly, sniffing was heard, the source hiding behind the leg of another temple resident to conceal her tears. "Now, now," Heath said, beckoning Charlotte out. "What's all this now?" Charlotte said nothing, just throwing herself into the lilac-haired priest and weeping into his chest. "Hey, listen," Heath told her, wiping away a few stray tears. "Don't worry. I'll be back."

"But…" the girl sniffled. "But…"

"I'm doing this for everyone, Charlotte," Heath explained. "Even you. It's to ensure everyone is safe." He gently pulled her away. "I'll be back."

"You...you had better pwomise." the girl demanded, though her tone was anything but firm.

"Promise," Heath answered, rising from kneeling to her level and giving everyone a nod before turning and leaving the temple grounds, Charlotte only looking on.

I promise too. Charlotte said nothing short of pure determination in her inner voice to herself. An inner voice that wasn't hindered by her speech. I promise that I'll save you.

Note: Ok! Next is everyone arriving in Jadd and the last part of Charlotte's beginning! Thank you all for your comments on this, as they are the best motivator for me going through this. Here's hoping that I hear from you all and more in the future!

UPDATE: I gave Charlotte the quirk of her thoughts being normal speech, as it will play up to her growth later.