Note: Just a bit more, and we'll (well, some of the characters) be out of Jadd. Then just a little bit more until they all meet. Just a heads up, I'm planning for them all to meet in Valsena, yet I'll be catching up with them, as well as the villains and side characters back in their respective lands and elsewhere. And with that, the meet-ups can begin fully while it's started technically.

I'll be going over events that were just talked about in passing, a la the retaking of Jadd and the incident in Wendel (which this chapter is about).

Kind of might be a bit of a cop-out, but in the game, Charlotte already has magic in the way of healing magic, so I thought maybe giving her just one little beginning skill along with that wouldn't be that bad, though it's the first time that it's emerged for her.

Thanks to all my readers both on and Ao3!

Siege of Wendel

There he was. At long last, he had finally reached him. Yet...what would the older man's reaction be? True, perhaps he was being overly cautious, yet given the treatment he had received in Jadd, he supposed that following Charlotte's lead was probably for the best. It got him this far, didn't it? "Weww, whatcha waiting for?" he heard the girl whisper; he then felt a push on his backside. "Go on! Tawk to him!"

Kevin began to move his foot, but he stopped himself from moving. Just what would he say? Priest of Light or not, would he have any hang-ups on what he was? After all, as Charlotte said, a barrier had previously been put up by him to keep his kind out. But just what had dismantled it?

"My son," an old voice suddenly said. "Come out. I know that something ails you." Kevin's voice nearly died in his throat. How did he know he was here? He hadn't been making himself all that scarce, or the older man's perception was better than he imagined. "It's all right. And you can bring my granddaughter with you." it was Charlotte's turn to be shocked. Great, she thought; her plan to form her statement had been ruined.

Well, there was no use putting it off any further; the two emerged from their hiding place and entered the worship area of the temple, the man in white robes locking eyes with both of them as they approached the podium.

Cascade Cavern

"Sure, you fine folks have been feeling some rather nasty quakes, am I right?" Lumina asked. "Well, you have Mr. Meanie to thank for that, but that's not all," he looked up to the ceiling. "The even MEANER Benevodon is probably the one that called that guy over here! I've never officially met them, but that Stone's ALWAYS given me bad vibes! It's like they've had beef with me since the day I was created!" the Light Elemental huffed.

Everyone was silent for a moment. Then, "Lumina," Faerie asked. "Where exactly IS the Light Stone?"

"Oh, yeah, about that…" the Elemental began. "It's just above here. Nestled in the heart of the old ruins up above."

"Wait," Hawkeye interjected. "There's a series of ruins in this cave?"

"Righty-o!" Lumina chirped. "Right at the very top! Only, you can't exactly get there."

"Why?" Riesz questioned.

"Oh, no, no, no! It's safe!" the Elemental assured. "For now, at least. The last time I checked, though, cracks were showing up on it. That guy's eager to get out."

It was then that Angela remembered. "Speaking of," she began. "How do you release the energy from the stones?"

"Huh?" Lumina tilted his "head." "Don't think I read you on that, hun."

"I mean, let's say...hypothetically, I wanted to receive power from the Stone. Like, all its power. How would I go about doing that? Because…" she paused, biting her lip, bringing her hand up to her cheek. She could still feel the sting of her mother's hand. "Because I heard of a spell that can let you do that."

"And I hope you're nice enough of a lady to not even THINK of using it," Lumina said grimly, heavily contrasting with his attitude. "There IS a way that you can utilize the energy from the Mana Stones...just, it's not the whole thing. You only get enough of the power, but none of you guys could handle it the way you are now! No way!" He noticed that Duran seemed to be frustrated at this point. "But if you wanted to release all the energy totally, you would need to perform a specific ceremony for it." Lumina seemed to shudder, his already spectral form wavering. "It's an ancient spell that, if performed right, could harness ALL the energy in the Stone and bend it to the user's will. But there was a catch."

"That the caster would die, right?" Angela said through gritted teeth.

"...yeah. But they found a way around this." Lumina continued. "If those that wanted to release the energy also wanted to stay alive, then they could make a...bargain." the wisp shuddered, clearly uncomfortable with this. "If they brought somebody, then, using their blood, they could make a 'pact' of sorts with the beast inside. If the life of the one whose blood stained the Stone is forfeit, it will be accepted, and thus, the energy will be unlocked."

"So...so that's how it is." Angela hissed, hands clenched into fists. "They...they were gonna…" the other three looked to each other, not exactly sure why she was having such a reaction, yet the young woman was upset. "Koren, you bastard…" she lowered her voice for that part, the others unable to hear it. Still, it seemed Duran had the beginnings of a suspicious eye on her.

"Yeah. It's not a pretty thing." Lumina confessed. "The entire world went to war once over it. Everyone wanted to acquire the other Mana Stones that were elsewhere, so both fighting amongst neighbors and using their people as sacrifices went on. It got so bad that now, from what I was last aware by the last group of humans I knew, such a procedure was banned throughout the entire world." He sighed. "Though, I guess some things are destined to repeat themselves…" then, as if a switch had been turned, his tone was back to being chipper and pleasant. "That's why it's a good thing you're getting us all together!"

"Wait, what?" all four of them asked in unison. But, then, it seemed Faerie understood.

"Yes! Of course! Why didn't I think of it before?!"

"Think of what? What are you talking about?" Duran asked, eager to know what else they were potentially being pulled into.

"The Elementals!" the winged woman exclaimed. "The Elementals are Mana incarnate!"

"That we are!" Lumina confirmed.

"We don't even NEED the stones to open the way! We can just harness the powers of the Elementals and combine them with what little power I have left to open the portal to the Holyland! Then the Mana Sword is as good as ours!"

"Yep!" Lumina agreed. "Now, from what I'm aware, the last time I saw Gnome was in-"

"Hey, hey, whoa! Stop!" Duran suddenly spoke up. "I said I, no, we are NOT getting involved with all of this!"

Wendel

"My, so many visitors today." The Priest noted quietly, neither Charlotte nor Kevin able to hear him.

"Gwandpa?" the girl asked. "What happened to the bawwiew?"

The older man sighed. "That, I do not know entirely. But I have a suspicion." yet before either of them could ask, he continued. "Yet in due time. For now, who is this young man, Charlotte? Better yet, where have you been?" his tone grew more firm. "Do you know how rattled everyone's been since you've gone? You've had a lot of people very scared."

Charlotte lowered her head. "I'm sowwy. But...but you don't undewstand!" she explained. "I had to do it! Heath's in dangew!"

It wasn't exactly the most polite thing to do, yet he sensed that if he didn't get this in, he wouldn't ever get his chance. He didn't come all this way just to have the very reason he came at all pushed to the side. "Priest!" Kevin exclaimed, interrupting Charlotte. "Bring Karl back!"

The older man was both bewildered and befuddled. Indeed, it seemed more significant to this day and the subsequent visitors than he imagined. "Karl?"

"My...friend," Kevin answered, lowering his head, the sight of his grave marker still in his mind. "My friend...killed." he continued. "I...I didn't mean…" he stopped himself. No, he didn't need to know that part. The blood on my hands. He COULDN'T know that part! "He's...gone." Kevin went on. He knew well what Karl was, and he was NOT just gone, but dead. Even now, he couldn't let the word come in, a good portion of him still resisting even acknowledging it. "But...but you can bring him back!" his tone raised, clinging to the bit of hope that brought him all this way. "Please. I...I can't go on without him. Karl...Karl is everything." Charlotte could've sworn that, despite his attempts to keep himself together, the development of tears was beginning in the corners of his eyes. "You're the only one that can help me. Please...Karl…"

The Priest stiffened. This was nothing new to him; he had received similar pleas before. Yet there was only one answer he could give, painful as it was. "My son, such things are beyond my power. Even though however far word may reach about me, I am not a god."

"Wh-What?" Kevin stammered. "But...but…"

"Dear boy, I am deeply sorry for your grievous loss, but please remember, we are all tied to the cycle of life and death. We cannot escape it, yet that does not mean it has to be reviled or hated. Yes, we may hate the results and even shout curses against these forces, but they cannot be changed. They are the very foundations in which life functions. Your friend, Karl, has met his end, yet this does not mean that this is the end for him, let alone the end for you."

"But…" Kevin continued, shaking his head in disbelief at what he was hearing. "But Karl-"

"Karl's spirit lives on, both in places out of reach and in you." The Priest continued. "Try to remember what you two shared, and keep those times in your heart and mind. He shall always be with you, and in that, you will never be apart, for you shall be a part of each other."

Kevin went silent and merely looked to the ground, trembling. Then, he turned and made a beeline for the door, barging through the doors that led to the worship area. "Kevin!" Charlotte called out, about to go after him, only to feel a hand seize her wrist.

"You can go comfort him in due time." Her grandfather told her. "First thing's first, though." he narrowed his brows. "Just what were you doing outside of the city?"

Cascade Cavern

Both Faerie and Lumina's joy took a nosedive. "Uh...heh heh," Lumina laughed nervously. "What do you mean?"

Duran folded his arms. "Like I told that Priest, I didn't sign up for this, and neither did they!" he gestured to Angela, Hawkeye, and Riesz. "So no, we're NOT going to go on some crazy quest to open this Holyland and get some sword or whatever the hell you want us to do."

Lumina and Faerie went silent. "But…" the Elemental began to stammer. "But you're here. And with a Faerie no less...so, I thought…."

"Well, sorry, but you thought wrong." it was Angela's turn to speak, folding her arms. "I came here to learn-" she stopped herself. "To...learn how to better my magic."

"And I don't suppose you know anything about a 'choker of death,' do you?" Hawkeye added in."

"And all this won't get me closer to what I need." Riesz sighed. 'Elliot…'

"Aw, that's too bad." all of them froze up, looking towards the entrance to the chamber, a group of beastmen, the head of the group, who was garbed in a red robe and had long blonde hair atop of his head. "You guys look like you could make a pretty good team."

Everyone tensed up, the beastman at the front bearing a toothy grin. "And you are?" Angela asked, raising a brow.

"We'll be taking the Light Stone from you all, thank you!" Ludgar laughed, then directed his eyes to Lumina. "And maybe your new little friend too!"

"As if!" Lumina barked. "I'm not up for grabs!" then, to everyone's surprise, he disappeared.

"Where'd he go?!" one of the other beastmen questioned, he and the other one with him looking around.

"Hey, you!" the blonde rushed up, taking the nearest of the four, Angela, and seizing her by the shoulders. "Where'd that Spirit go?!"

"I don't know; why not ask him yourself?" the young woman asked. "Then again, he might not exactly be interested in conversing with somebody who's missing a few brain cells."

Ludgar snarled, showing his developed canines. "Then maybe I should make said brain cells even." He raised his fist.

Hey, watch it!" Angela shouted, grabbing her wand. "I'm a trained magician and HIGHLY dangerous! So you better back off before-"

WHAM!

The fist made direct contact with the underside of her jaw, and Angela flew back and bounced off the ground. She then went still and silent.

"Hey!" Hawkeye shouted, and everyone rushed to the young woman's side, seeing she was unconscious. "Hitting a pretty lady, you guys have got no class!"

"Class doesn't get you ahead in war!" Ludgar chuckled, then looked at the two beastmen with him. "Get them!"

"Yes, sir!" the two said in unison, charging towards the remaining, conscious three readying themselves. They held up their weapons and set forth to beat down their opponents, yet as they ran forward, they realized that, to their horror, the battle with the Full Metal Hugger had taken more out of them than they realized.

Duran drew out his recovered sword and shield; one beastman's fist stopped by the shield, yet his backside was left open, a blow upside his head being delivered and forcing the soldier to the ground. He attempted to get up, yet Ludgar seized him in a headlock, keeping him from moving and using either of his weapons. Finally, a knee to his mid-back caused the young man to loosen his grip just enough for them to drop to the ground. Riesz spun her spear and jabbed forward, the beastman moving out of the way and dashing forward. She put up the shaft of her spear to keep him from drawing closer, yet a strike to her back made her lose focus, the beastman in front of her headbutting her and sending her right to the ground. They then directed their attention on Hawkeye, one beastman leaping towards him and the thief leaping up and using his shoulders as a means to get over him, yet his plan was destroyed as even more beastmen came into the chamber, one shoving himself right into the young man, then another, and another. A group of them were now in the section, Ludgar looking down at Duran.

"I suppose I have you to thank for lowering the barrier." the commander sneered. "Thanks a lot, kid! Now the invasion can get underway!"

"B-Bastard…" Duran hissed, feeling his air being cut off.

"Yeah, yeah. Love you too." Ludgar continued his hold until the young man stopped struggling and went limp. Then, seeing he was unconscious, he let him drop to the ground alongside his weapons, the beastman looking upon the now downed forms of the four. "Take them back to Jadd. And fling their weapons in the sea!" he then folded his arms, Goremand coming to stand beside him.

"Ah...such fine specimens." he giggled. "Would you like to use any of these as an offering for the Stone?"

Ludgar shook his head. "No," he said plainly. "Once the Stone's acquired, that issue can be dealt with."

He didn't show it, but the jester was becoming frustrated. Still, in a little bit, perhaps it wouldn't matter. After all, the rest of the forces had been alerted that the barrier was gone, and had gone to prepare. And, as before, if he couldn't get Ludgar to act, he would take it upon himself to gather an offering. And, as before, he already had someone perfect in mind.

Wendel

"...and that's what happened." Charlotte sniffed, simply recounting the whole ordeal more than a little much for her to bear. Her grandfather soothingly rubbed the top of the girl's head. Despite the severe trouble she was in, he wouldn't deny her such a thing. "I...I don't know why that bad man wanted Heath, but I afwaid that he...he's…" she burst into tears again. "What if he comes back for me now?! Or wowse, what if he comes for you?! With the bawwiew down…oh, Gwandpa!" she wailed, burying her face into his robes.

"Now, now," he told her, being as soothing as he could. "Nothing will happen to you, Charlotte. That I promise."

"But...but…" she stammered out.

"I swear to the Goddess Herself," he assured her. "Nothing will happen. Not if I can help it."

"PRIEST!" a young man's voice shouted, echoing throughout the worship area.

"Calm yourself, son!" the old man urged, going to him while Charlotte followed behind. "Now, what is going on?"

The young man from Astoria only panicked further, looking back from where he had come from. "They….here!"

"What?" The Priest asked though a part of him wished he hadn't.

"They're here! The beastmen! They're here!"

Outside

When Kevin had made his exit, he had remembered that he wasn't exactly supposed to be seen, so he tried to make himself scarce by sneaking by the priests that were standing nearby the door. However, he soon found such a tactic wasn't necessary, as they seemed distracted by something further ahead. And indeed, it didn't take long for Kevin to notice either.

From over the mountainside, large winged birds flew, the passengers aboard them very clearly figures he was familiar with. And in the city, it seemed that not all of the incoming invaders even came by Hell Rider; a good portion of beastmen had emerged from the mouth of the cave and began storming the area.

And the sun was starting to set, allowing the moon to take complete dominion over the sky.

"GAH!" The two men couldn't get out an entire scream as the scythe sliced clean through them, but surprisingly, it didn't draw any blood, let alone slice them in two. Instead, the blade of the scythe was glowing a ghostly white when it had done the deed, two spherical orbs rising from the now still forms of the unfortunate priests. Their attacker sprang forward and caught both of them in his gloved hand, opening his mouth unnaturally wide and shoveling them and his entire forearm down his throat.

"Ahh…" the jester moaned in pleasure, drawing out his arm and then rubbing his still lean stomach. "I haven't tasted such purity in quite a while." his beady, yellow eyes surveyed around him, noting the abundance of panicked souls running around, particularly a tiny, pigtailed girl that had just tripped. Pity that he didn't take a bite out of that young child he had seen earlier. Still, perhaps it was good that he waited until later. After all, what good was dinner without dessert?

"Mommy!" she wailed, the brick tiling below her having skinned her knees. "Daddy! Where are you?!" she lifted herself, looking around desperately for any sign of her parents.

"Dear!?" a female voice suddenly was heard. "Dear, where are you!?"

"Mommy?" she reached out, hearing someone coming, unable to see well through the crowd of hurrying people.

"There now…" the voice continued, though upon feeling the hand grab hers and seeing the owner of said hand, she saw it was the furthest thing from her mother. "See? Everything's ok now!" Goremand chuckled, holding the girl tight as she screamed and pulled, desperate to escape this inhuman creature.

"Not for you!" the jester suddenly found himself grabbed from behind, his grip loosening on the girl and allowing her to escape. Though he couldn't turn his head, he recognized the voice well.

"Well, well, fancy meeting you here, little Prince!" Goremand chuckled. "How was your trip here? Did you have fun? Was it nice seeing all your friends in Jadd?"

"Quiet you!" Kevin tightened his hold. "What are you doing here?!"

"Oh, not much!" Goremand answered. "Just on a little routine assignment! Speaking of, how did your visit to the old Priest go? Any news on Karl?" he noticed how the young beastman went silent. "Oh, I see. Well, isn't that just too bad? Guess my intel was a little off!"

"SHUT UP!" Kevin tossed him to the side, yet before hitting the ground, the jester extended his hands and flipped himself right side up again. "You lied!" Kevin roared, not even noticing another figure coming behind him.

"Hmm, maybe I did. You're here, so come on! Join the party!" Goremand happily cheered. "Everyone's gonna have a big ol' get together at the old ruins atop the mountain!"

"What?" Kevin questioned. Should he have even been indulging this creep?

"Yep! Just up there!" the jester pointed to the top of the hill in which the cavern was nestled. "Everyone's going to come! But first, we need the guest of honor…" he turned to face the large temple.

Kevin didn't understand, yet the jester dashed off a few moments later, and his eyes widened in terrible comprehension. Yet before he could go, he felt a hand seize his shoulder. "It's been some time, hasn't it, Princeling?"

Temple

"Charlotte, stay here." the old man said firmly, moving down the hall.

"But Gwandpa-"

"Stay," he repeated, the girl ultimately obeying, though he wondered for how long. Seeing as she pulled something like what had happened before, who knew what else she'd try? He was about to open the doors when a massive blade punctured one of them, the sword appearing to belong to that of a large sickle or scythe; it barely missed him by mere inches.

"Gwandpa!" Charlotte shrieked, about to run forward to assist her relative.

"Charlotte! Stay back!" The Priest ordered, readying himself, calling upon his power, two spherical lights forming in his hands. The youth that had come in to warn them of the incoming beastmen, both then and now, found his own feet moving to aid the older man.

The blade drew back, a yellow eye looking through the hole created directly at the older man. "Your Eminence! Look out!" the young man shouted, rushing and pushing the Priest back, just as a blade sliced clean through the doors, barely missing the youth by mere inches. The wickets fell, revealing the intruder, weapon and all.

Charlotte found herself unable to breathe. "Y-You!" she cried out, pointing to the jester. "It's you! It's you!" She then looked to her grandfather. "That's him! That's the guy that took Heath!"

"Oooh, hey there, darling!" Goremand greeted, sneering at the girl's obvious terror. "Long time no see! Fancy seeing you here." he then began to approach, yet he was stopped by her grandfather getting in his way.

"Don't you dare lay one hand on her or anyone else in this temple!" he ordered, only getting a mad giggle from the jester.

"Ohohoho! And the Priest of Light himself! Ah, how do you do, good sir?" Goremand questioned, giving a slight curtsey, his gaze fixed on the older man, predatory and longing.

"What are you doing here?" the old man asked firmly, clearly having none.

"Why, dear Priest, where's the hospitality? I thought this was a place that welcomed all forms of life!"

"And to protect those from harm. Of which you wish to inflict on the innocent souls here."

"Heh heh heh...you got me." Goremand chuckled. "But lucky for you, I don't intend to strike you down here." He smacked his lips. "Not yet anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"Your Eminence!" the young man shouted, having grabbed one of the torch posts. "I'll deal with him!" He dashed forward towards the jester.

"Wait, no!" there was no time to warn him any further; the jester sliced clean through the young man's means of defense and, with a push of his foot on his stomach, knocked him back several feet, sending him flying into the podium and knocking it over.

"Mistew!" Charlotte cried out, running over to the young man. From what she could see, he was unconscious but breathing. She then noticed her grandfather still contending with the jester.

"Holy Bolt!" the old man shouted, beams of light shooting from his hands. Goremand leaped upward, out of the way of the blasts. Despite his insistence on using this man, the otherworldly being had known well that those beams wouldn't be good for him. Again and again, the holy man sent blasts in the jester's direction, said jester only continuing to bounce and leap over them as the beams continued to tear through the room, searing Stone and blowing apart the furnishings where he'd stood but moments before.

"You're much too slow, old man!" Goremand laughed. "C'mon! C'mon! Give it your best shot! Hahaha! Is that all you've got?! You're out of your prime, grandpa!"

On and on, he continued to use the elemental attack, yet indeed, despite him trying to block them out and continue, the Priest found his energy beginning to wane. Still, he had to keep standing. For that young man and those in Wendel. And Charlotte. "Holy Bolt-AH!"

"GWANDPA!"

The Priest of Light fell to the floor, attempted to get up, yet was held firmly down by a pointed shoe. "Perhaps I should fill you in on something," Goremand said. "My new 'friends' and I are going to have a big ol' party up at the old ruins nearby! The Light Stone, at least from what I hear, is a super eye-catching attraction!"

The older man's eyes widened in horror. "You...you wouldn't. You know what'll happen if you-"

"Oh, trust me! It's going to be AWESOME! And," the jester grinned wide. "It's going to be even MORE awesome when the little guy inside and the rest of his friends come out to play when we FINALLY break them out! But to do that, we need to get a little bitty thing called the Mana Sword." Charlotte began to get herself together. "And to do that, we need to open a LITTLE place called the Mana Holyland! And to do THAT, we need to harness the energy of these LITTLE things called Mana Stones. And," Goremand leaned in closer. "As I'm sure you know, you can't exactly do that without performing a little...ritual first." his smile widened as the old man's brown eyes widened in terror. "And guess what? We were considering maybe inviting YOU as a guest of honor."

"GET AWAY FWOM HIM!"

Goremand whirled his head around and clasped the head of the young girl, lifting her off the floor, the rest of her body wriggling as she wildly punched the air in an attempt to hit him. He tightened his fingers around her head, causing her to emit a pained whine. "Then again," the jester looked to the girl he now held in his hand. "Maybe the Benevodon LIKES the taste of younger blood…"

"N-No!" the old man began to plead. "Spare her!" Goremand's foot pressed down harder on his chest. "Sh-She's still so young!"

"Not as young as she looks, isn't that right?" the jester questioned, bringing Charlotte just inches away from his mask-like face. "Your granddaughter here has a rather peculiar bloodline, doesn't she? And I bet an even more delicious soul…"

"You...you'we sick! You cweep! Wet go of me!" Charlotte demanded, kicking her legs fruitlessly.

"So...what will it be, old man?" Goremand questioned. "Either you or her, the Benevadon is surely growing impatient after being trapped after all this time. Surely, if you champion kindness and goodwill, you can spare some of yourself for others in need."

"I...all right! All right!" the Priest barked out, the pressure on his chest growing unbearable. "Take and do with me as you wish! But don't lay a hand on my granddaughter! Please!"

"Gwandpa, no!" Charlotte shouted. She looked at him with tear-filled eyes, his old form transforming into that of Heath. In the same situation. And she, again, only made things worse. "G-Get away fwom him!" she felt 'something' beginning to stir inside her. She was unsure what it was, yet her focus was on the creature that held her and her grandfather down. The half-elf balled up her fist, feeling a strange wave of energy rush to it. Just what WAS this? Whatever the case, she felt the power, and by the Goddess, she was going to use it. "I said…" she then opened her palm and thrust it in the jester's face. "Get away fwom him!"

A beam of hot, white light shot out from her palm and made direct contact with Goremand, the light momentarily blinding her from just how close it was, yet Charlotte could hear a yowl of pain come from the jester, letting her go and stepping back off of her grandfather. Upon being dropped, the attack stopped, Charlotte stumbling over when she tried to get back on her feet. Just what had that been?

"You...you little…" Goremand hissed, cupping his face. She couldn't see much, yet from what little she noticed, it seemed that part of his face had begun...peeling? "You DARE-"

He never got to finish as a form was tossed right into him, knocking him to the side as a blonde, familiarly dressed Werewolf was thrown inside of the chamber; his attacker, a larger Werewolf dressed in red, came forward, and the smaller of the two stationed right in the center of the moonlight coming from the circular, stained glass window above. Charlotte was staring at the creature with widened eyes, and when it gazed at her, she backed up, yet seeing how he was dressed and his hair, she realized who it was. And who it was she had also met in Astoria. "Kevin…"

The enormous Werewolf approached the two, and the smaller Kevin stood, though he had been through quite a tussle. Slashes and several scratches had covered most of his body, one eye was blackened, and a cheek appeared swollen. Having stepped into the shaded portion that stood over the door frame, Ludgar revealed himself, folding his arms over his chest. "One would've thought that time outside of your world of comfort would've done you some good." Kevin only said nothing. "Guess some things never change, no matter where you go." he then turned his attention to the Priest of Light. "Get up, old man. You're coming with us." he went to reach for him, yet, to his surprise, a burst of light emitted from him, blowing the beastman back to join Goremand on the floor, both blinded and blown back by it. However, it seemed the jester was the only one to be experiencing pain from it.

"Come! Quickly!" The Priest said, gesturing to Charlotte and Kevin. "Both of you!" After giving himself a good shake, Kevin was about to take Charlotte's hand, only to have her take his first. Nevertheless, the two followed the older man, surprised that he could run at such a speed in his old age. Up the stairs they went, and around several corners until they reached what appeared to be a simple bedroom, the Priest opening and digging through a chest at the foot of the bed. "Ah, here!" he then pulled out what appeared to be a silver flail with star-shaped objects on the ends of the chains, the hilt taking the appearance of a 'cup' at the upper portion. "Here, Charlotte." the Priest said, handing the weapon to her. "I was hoping to have never to give you this...but it seems that I've been in denial for too long."

"What?" though she didn't understand, Charlotte found herself taking the weapon. "What is this?"

"This was your father's when he was younger. Around your age."

"My age?"

"Well...more or less," he answered. Things such as that were probably things she'd always be delayed in, even if she had lived for fifteen years. "Your father always fashioned himself as something of one who would see the world one day." he sighed. "And indeed...he saw more than that in his travels." the image of a man and woman came to mind. But, by the Goddess, seeing her, she looked JUST like her mother...the mother that he had only scarcely met.

"Gwandpa?"

What was he doing, getting sidetracked like this?! He had a job to do! "This is now yours, Charlotte. You will need it."

"What? Why?" Charlotte questioned.

"Because you can no longer stay here." The holy man said.

"Wh-What?"

"I've denied the signs for too long. The danger to Mana and the world is too great. Your ability to perceive and sense these changes, I cannot express how much I wish for this not to be, as even with your true age, you're still so young." he then glanced at Kevin. "Both of you are. But…" he sighed.

"Gwandpa?" Charlotte bit her lip. He wished to say something yet appeared to be having difficulty wording it.

"Truth be told...I suspected that this day would come. Both this and your departure from Wendel." before she could ask what he meant, he continued. "I had a vision. Some time ago, yet for nights, it has come to me." he cupped his granddaughter's cheek. "You stood at the base of a great, mighty tree with five others, in a land far from this world. And in the roots of that tree rested a sword—the champion of all swords. And…" he sighed, his breath hitching. "And that's when I realized where you were. And what you are called to do."

"Gwandpa. I...I don't undewstand…"

"I'm so sorry, dear Charlotte. But it must be this way." he then turned to Kevin. "Take her from here and keep her by her side. If luck is with you, then they shouldn't have gone too far by now. If Jadd is being held, then there won't be much elsewhere for them to go."

"What are you talking about?" Kevin questioned, but the older man continued.

"Seek the one with the Faerie."

"Faewie?"

"You won't be able to see her, yet the young man she has bonded with is garbed in the attire of a Valsenian soldier and has hot blood with the mane of a lion to match. He carries a sword and shield and four other youths with him. A young woman from Altena, a young man from Nevarl, and a young woman from Laurant. Find them, and you'll be safe and where you're being called to be."

"But...but Gwandpa…" Charlotte began, shaking her head. She had been so sure of herself before when she started her trek from here, yet now? Now, everything was happening too fast. "I...I don't wanna…"

"Charlotte...oh, Charlotte." he then embraced her. "I'm sorry, but this is out of my hands. You...you must go. And if anything, you cannot stay here, either way. If what you said about Heath was true, then I doubt that jester will be so merciful on you now."

"Jester?" Kevin questioned. "Was he thin? Purple clothes?"

"And a weiwd face?" Charlotte finished, both of their eyes widening in shock. "...what did he do to you?"

"Please, such things can be talked over later." the Priest urged. "Please, my son." he addressed Kevin. "I beg you. Take my granddaughter and leave this place. Find the soldier of Valsena and the other three. There, you shall find what you are looking for." he then went on. "You may find a way to bring back your friend."

Kevin's eyes brightened. "K-Karl?" he asked. "Bring back Karl?!"

"Perhaps." the old man said. "But please, protect her." he took Kevin's hand. "I'm begging you." He leaned in closer, whispering in the beastman's ear. "I don't know whether or not I'll survive this night. So, should these be my last words, please assure me that I can trust her in your care."

Kevin was silent at first, frankly at a loss on what to say. True, the task in coming here had been due to a death, yet to hear such a thing from one another in such a short period? "I...I'm not-"

"Please." the old man said again. "I can't protect her anymore, so I need someone else, if just for a short time. She's all that is left of my family."

Kevin was silent again, though, after a short while, he found an answer coming to him. Albeit, it was said with a degree of uncertainty. "I...I will. Promise."

"Do not promise me this if you don't mean it, boy." the old man's voice was firm.

"I promise," Kevin repeated, voice firm (though lacking the parental edge).

"Guys!" a voice said from behind the entrance to the room, everyone peering to see Mik. "They're coming! And there's more of them!"

"We have to hurry!" the Priest of Light said; everyone rushed out of the room ahead of him, yet he seized Kevin by the arm. "I know I'm asking much of you already, but-"

"Yep." Kevin finished for him. "Mik will go too." he then gave a thumbs up. "Gotta protect young ones." he saw the old man's face relax somewhat, clearly relieved.

"We can take Springy!" Mik said. "I've got an extra parachute we can take too!"

Ludgar roared, his transformed state making him, like other beastmen, lose their voice; yet another language of grunts, snarls, and roars was more than understandable. Several Werewolves rushed into the temple to seize the older man that had gone up to the higher levels of the building. He began to take off as well, "Wait." yet a voice stopped him. Turning, he saw Goremand had risen, his face finally having healed up, flesh rearranging itself as if it were wax. "I'm going with you." a puzzled growl came from the commander, the jester not exactly sounding all that pleasant anymore. "That girl...she needs to be exterminated. Now." he gripped the handle of his weapon. "And if you know what's good for you, you'll exterminate that Prince as well."

"Ok, and...done!" The sewn bed sheets were tied to Kevin's back as they had been tied to Charlotte's some time ago. "Now, you saw where Springy is, right?" Kevin nodded in response. "Great! Now…" he looked to the Priest. "I guess….this is goodbye?"

"Gwandpa, no!" Charlotte wailed, holding her grandfather's robes. "I don't wanna! I don't want to go! What'ww happen to you?! I don't want to go! Not without you!"

"Charlotte, look at me." he gently but firmly took her chin. "I'm sorry about all this, but you must be strong. Please. I would let you stay if I could...but I cannot be selfish. For your sake, for your life, and perhaps the lives of others, you must leave."

"But...but…"

"Ask yourself: what would Heath do?"

Charlotte was shocked by such a question, yet she remembered well the night he left. "He…" she began shakily. "He would do what he needed to."

The Priest then looked at Kevin. "I trust you with her life, as well as the life of this young boy. Please, do not fail me."

"I won't." Kevin assured, moving towards the window with both of them in tow.

"Gwandpa...good-" Charlotte began to say but stopped herself. "I'ww see you water." and with a wave, she, Kevin, and Mik all exited through the open window, climbing the ivy down to the ground, yet when they were at a reasonable enough distance from the ground, they dropped and made a run for the Springstepper.

The Priest of Light could only look helplessly, seeing the three go off. Yet he couldn't stay. He had to reach the temple's highest point, and fast, lest his plan for all the people here, Charlotte, that young man, and Mik included, come to nothing.

Outside

"There he is!" Mik shouted, the Springstepper just ahead. The monster jumped slightly, happy to see his owner. "Hey, boy!" Mik gave a light pat on his head. "You miss me?" Springy nodded, the "spring" in his middle causing his head to shake back and forth wildly. "Listen, boy," Mik said. "I...I have to go." the Springstepper tilted his head. "I don't know when...or if I'll be back." the monster seemed to be panicked at hearing this, his head shaking 'no.' "Hey, I'm sorry, I can't do anything about it! But if I don't," he hugged the monster. "Keep yourself safe, ok?" Springy cooed, rubbing his head in the crook of Mik's neck. After a few moments of this, though both wished it could've been longer, Springy lowered himself, ready to be used.

At the top of the Temple

The sight of the city being overwhelmed shattered his old heart; the weight of it, as well as the dreadful news Charlotte had delivered to him, threatened to crush his venerable spirit. Heath...taken by the same monster that now sided with these invaders. And yet, Charlotte didn't speak of him harming the young man. And indeed, a good portion of him doubted that the young priest was dead. But for what reason would the beastmen invade? Had not their king assisted the world in the Peddan War? Had this rage and feeling of not being treated as equals to their human brethren been under the surface all this time? And what of the ghoulish creature with them? He was of no natural origin, the dark energy practically radiating from him. Such darkness...he would put a stop to it.

"Ah-ha!" he heard a voice from behind cry out. "So, THIS is where you are!" he didn't need to be told who the voice belonged to. "And here I was worried you were a poor sport and ran away!"

"Hardly." the Priest told Goremand, turning to face him; Ludgar was also there, the moonlight unable to touch him in the shadow of the doorframe. The three of them were the only ones on the high balcony. "This comes to an end, here and now."

"Oh, does it now?" Ludgar questioned. "Well, perhaps you're right. It WILL come to an end. You, and this city." He stepped out, the moonlight shining down on him, allowing his hidden, bestial side to emerge.

"The only thing left is the Stone!" Goremand giggled. "The game's up, gramps! Come with us nice and quietly, and maybe, just maybe, a COUPLE of souls will survive this night!" he positioned his scythe to where the moon glimmered off its blade. The Priest of Light was silent. He only extended his arms outward and took in a heavy breath. Ludgar looked to Goremand, releasing a confused growl, the jester had little idea what he was trying to do, but now, even he was ready to admit that it was high time for things to get done. "Come on, old man!" the jester shouted. "The Light Stone awaits!" he then seized the man by the wrist. "Of course...I could always make a short trip to show you to the Master!" the Priest said nothing, yet his eyes opened in response. "Oh, so THAT got something out of you!" the jester giggled. "Yeah, you might not recognize him now, but he said you two go WAAAY back. Back even before the War." the Priest's features stiffened. "Ah, so you DO know who I'm talking about." Goremand laughed before shaking his head. "Shame it ended so badly between you two. But hey, before our little rendezvous to the Stone, we can drop by! Heath's there too! They've both been curious about you!" he smiled. "Maybe we can bring that pretty granddaughter of yours too." he smacked his lips. "She tasted so sweet…."

That was it. The jester's chattering had given him time to prepare, but now, there was no longer holding it back.

Goremand stepped back, the Priest's whole body becoming enveloped in light. Ludgar let out a shocked growl while the jester only stepped back. He knew well what sort of magic this was, already feeling his flesh growing hot. "RUN!" he shouted, yet it was too late.

Though they were high in the air now, Charlotte, Kevin, and Mik looked back, only to see a white, hot light emit near the top of the temple, then rush out to consume all of Wendel, the two being engulfed and feeling a tremendous force push them forward, everything turning white.

"I don't know if I can deliver anything but goodbye. Charlotte...please, forgive me."

Note: This might be one of the longer chapters, yet I wanted to get all I could in it. That said, here's hoping you enjoyed it, and I hope to hear from you all soon!