Note: Here's a shorter chapter to serve as a transitional point to get to Palo. Plus, they still have to get out of Beiser.

To TheEmeraldMage, sorry, Matelo's not coming with Koren. Though rest assured, I'm not done with him yet. Also, while it won't all be given away, some peaks into Koren's past will be shown here.

To Palo

He stationed himself right outside the inn, several of his fellow operatives in both town and the Night Market by him. "All right," he said. "Does anyone need a do-over of the plan?" no one said a word of protest, just as eager as he to go inside and take care of this little 'problem'. "Ok then," he turned back to the inn. "Let's get a move on."

Opening the door, the salesman looked at the innkeeper. "Where are they?" he asked.

"Upstairs." the man at the counter said. "Just be quick about it. And don't get too much blood on the sheets."

"I can't guarantee anything. But you will be compensated if need be." with that, he and a few members of the mob went upstairs and opened each door until they found what appeared to be a collection of still, slumbering forms. "There," he whispered, a few members going into each room and standing over the conditions covered in white sheets soon to be drenched red. Then, raising their knives, they plunged downward, tearing through the fabric and the forms underneath. Yet as they did so, they noticed that the blades tore through flesh relatively easily. Too easily. And despite the constant stabbing, there was no sign or trace of blood anywhere. "Stop!" the salesman ordered, going over to one of the beds and ripping off the covers.

Pillows. They had been stabbing at pillows.

"Where are they?!"

Hawkeye looked over towards the inn, narrowing his eyes. "C'mon! We're almost there!" he said, passing the other five currently standing atop rooftops.

"Slow down, slow down!" Angela protested, not exactly exhibiting grace and agility at the moment, about to fall off the roof every other second. And had it not been for the others surrounding her, she probably would've. "I'm not used to going this fast! Especially on top of things!"

"Shh!" everyone said, Angela, in turn, huffing in response. Then, she looked to Riesz, scowling. "You just HAD to go and blab about reporting this place, didn't you?"

"Yes!" The amazon answered. "You would allow such horrid practices as selling people to continue?"

"I wouldn't go and say it out loud!" the other Princess argued. "Now we've got everybody out to kill us!"

Riesz went silent. While she still had every intention to alert King Richard of the atrocities being committed here, perhaps she could've been more discreet just because her brother had been here, locked in a cage and presumably being treated as less than human, so close to Palo and Laurent, she up and missed him. It made her want to scream. Yet now wasn't the time. Her frustrations could be dealt with later. But then, the party of six reached a gap. The ship was but a few yards away, yet they would need to make a jump. Hawkeye went first, urging everyone to follow. Simply put, not everyone was as eager to leap, but seeing as it was their only option, they didn't have much choice.

Hoisting Charlotte on his back, Kevin sprung forward and made it; everyone was impressed at how far he managed to travel. Angela looked down, feeling nauseous from the sight of the far-off ground below. There was no way she could do this on her own. "Hey." she tapped Duran on the shoulder, he being in front of her. "Let me hitch a ride," she said.

"What?" the soldier asked.

"You heard me," she responded, gesturing to Charlotte and Kevin. "I need a ride."

"No way," Duran said. "You're way too heavy."

"Excuse me?!" the Princess said, then measured her hips. "I am as trim as can be, thank you!" she gestured to her chest. "And I'm shapely in all the RIGHT places, thank you very much!" She thrust herself on Duran's back. "And I can't possibly make that jump!" She leaned closer to his ear. "Besides, need I remind you, you still owe me a favor."

Somehow, Duran felt this would be going on longer than necessary. Nevertheless, they needed to get out of here as fast as possible. Duran stepped back, surveying the distance between here and there. He then turned to Riesz. "Here," he said, stepping aside. "You go first."

"Are you certain?" Duran nodded. Seeing things wouldn't be moving any faster, she supposed that she would have to make that move. Bracing herself, she leaped and landed on the corner of the roof. Unfortunately, she staggered a bit yet found a hand clasping hers. Hawkeye pulled her up, pausing for a few moments before gently taking her hand away from his. "Thank you," she said, shifting behind him to join Kevin and Charlotte.

Steadying himself, Duran dashed forward and sprung upwards, soaring in the air and landing on the roof. Unfortunately, like Riesz, he stumbled a bit, and Angela lost her balance entirely and fell off the soldier's back. She nearly fell backward to the ground yet found a hand clasping her wrist, the soldier looking down at her. She kicked her feet to try and find some grounding, managing to kick off the side of the house and gain some air. This proved to be what she needed, Duran able to pull her back onto the roof, right atop him. She immediately got up and dusted herself off, though she gave the soldier a small look.

"Thanks," she told him.

"Yeah. No problem," he said back.

"Yes, now come!" Riesz interrupted, pointing to the ship. "We're almost there!"

All six began making their way towards the docks, finally reaching where they could get to the ground, a stand's curtain top serving as a safe place to fall and ease the way down. Yet just as they reached the ground, "There they are!" they turned to see the crowd with weapons charging right for them.

"C'mon!" the skipper hollered, urging the six to hurry it up. The party felt everything from rocks to knives being thrown in their direction, some making contact and scraping or cutting through their skin. Still, they continued to run, right up the bridge and upon the ship's deck. Bringing the bridge up, the ship began to sail off, everyone ducking as projectiles came their way. Yet slowly but surely, they moved out from the shipyard and out of the town of Beiser, leaving the bloodthirsty crowd behind.

Below Deck

He reclined against the wall of the room, the skipper, let alone anyone else that would happen to be on the boat, never knowing that he was here. The second that crazed fool had fallen asleep, Koren made his way to the ship and settled here for the night. The wound he had received from Richard had healed up, yet there were still some aches and pains in the area. It couldn't be helped, he supposed. At least the flesh had all come back together. And, to a degree, he was somewhat thankful for the crazed fool he had come across in that town. He was insane, sure, yet he was helpful. Not to mention desperate. Foolish as he declared it, Koren couldn't help but ponder about Matelo.

The young man was a nut job for sure, yes, but all the same, Koren found, to his shock, a twinge of empathy for him developing. His desperation and eagerness to learn all he could from him brought back rather unpleasant memories of his youth, especially with that old fool, Jose. He would have never gained magic from consuming the dragon's claw, yet he was so willing to ingest such a disgusting concoction that said much about him.

"Magic is not just about form!" the old man lectured. "You must put your heart and soul into it!" he heard Jose say in his mind.

Ironically enough, it was in one of the fool's books that he came across the mention of the dragon's claw, as well as the nature and magical properties of dragons as a whole. Which then led to him pursuing his means of channeling his skills.


Five Years Ago

The continent was avoided by ships at all costs, for tales were about deadly creatures and even deadlier terrain. Thus, he had to make the trip mostly by himself. Starting from Altena, he trekked his way west, essentially rowing the way there via a boat until he reached the shore of what appeared to be a vast desert with towering, crystalline structures and pillars. He knew of this place from Jose's books. The Crystal Desert, it was called. A dangerous place filled with monsters. Yet he was undeterred. He had come this far, and he couldn't turn around. Not until he found what he was looking for.

How long he had gone through the arid, dry land of sand and glass, he had lost track, yet Koren persevered. He had to find it. This was the place that such beasts were rumored to be. If he could just get one piece of them, just one bit of a claw, then maybe, finally, he could show his face in Altena again. But then, finally, a sign of hope came to him! It was in the distance and relatively small compared to the size he thought such a creature would be, yet it was unmistakably what he was looking for. A yellow, reptilian creature was seen but a few feet away, grooming itself. It bore a purple crest, tiny, yellow wings, a large, round stomach, and large, green eyes with a horn-like protrusion on its beak-like snout. A dragon, Koren thought. An actual dragon. Small, but it would do. He should've probably been thankful that it was so small and easier to take what he needed.

He slowly approached the dragon whose back was turned to him, making sure his steps were small and soft, with a pair of pliers in his hand. He wasn't counting on getting an entire nail or claw, but just one sliver of it would be enough. At this point, he was willing to take any amount he could get. He approached the dragon, going slowly and softly, nearing it more and more, ready to take a piece of it with his pliers. Though, it was then that its back stiffened, Koren stopping as well. It was then that, from out of nowhere, he felt a surge of electricity assault him, blasting him back against the sand and landing hard on the ground. The small dragon turned and leered down at him, then rose its head and let out a high-pitched roar that echoed throughout the desert. Hoisting himself up, Koren saw, to his horror, that several other creatures began to emerge from the darkened areas in between the crystal structures. All manner of beings such as giant insects, unnatural reptiles, massive worms, and what appeared to be unearthly creatures bore no place in this world. Koren was left speechless. Yes, he knew that this place held dangerous animals, yet some of these beings were supernatural. What could've drawn them to such a place? Whatever the case, it seemed that he wouldn't get the chance to find out, the creatures inching closer and closer to him, undoubtedly ready to tear out his throat.

Just then, they all stopped.

"Leave him." a voice suddenly said; all the creatures, both native to the land and those not of the world, heard and seemed to obey this command, parting way for a figure drawing close to the young, blonde man. "Well now," the figure said, Koren's eyes widening at what he was seeing. "I'll say this; you're the first outsider I've seen willingly come here in over a century."

"Wh-Who…" Koren stammered, feeling rather pathetic at the moment. "Who are you?"

The figure seemed to smirk, though its features were so twisted, the young man couldn't exactly tell. "It depends," he said. "Depending on your reason for being here, you shall live another day or only for another few moments."


Koren allowed a sigh to escape from his lips, though this caused a sting of pain in his chest. Damned Richard. he thought. Granted, perhaps he should've known better than to turn his back on one that took on the Dragon Lord, let alone a significant player in saving the world from Pedda. But it was that damned boy's fault. Had he not been distracted, Valsena and the Earth Stone would have subsequently been his! And even more, Richard would've been the perfect sacrifice, especially pleasing to his benefactor.

"Do not tell the Queen," Koren remembered his Lord told him. "I don't want any news of our plans regarding little Richard to be known. Lest she starts having some reservations."

"But she only knows what we wish her to," Koren remembered arguing. "And with your power being all over the kingdom, there's nothing that she can do." he also recognized the glare he received for his response.

"Do not underestimate human emotion." the humanoid figure on the stone throne told him. "Attachments and drive are some of the most powerful things encompass the human spirit. After all, that is what led you to me, was it not?" though he could not see it, he swore that his Lord smiled at that fact. "I will not risk any faults in this plan. You are to speak nothing of Richard or what we plan for him. Now, gather your troops and make way for Valsena."

Koren found himself shuddering at the thought of returning to him now. It would have to be done eventually, yet he wished to put it off for as long as he could. He only hoped that he could at least bring some semblance of news to keep him from being too badly damaged.

Deck of the Ship

It had been some hours since their rather hasty departure from Beiser, and while there was still some tension regarding the place, it was unanimously decided that thoughts should've been directed as to what was ahead.

"Ah…" at least, for some of them. "I forgot how good the ocean air can feel!" Duran looked at Angela, the young mage beside him, and stretched her arms out. She then noticed the soldier looking out at the sea. "What's with you?"

"What's with you?" Duran asked her. "You seem to forget that we just escaped certain death so close to my home."

"Yeah, but that's all over now." the Princess retorted. "Besides," she then giggled. "I at least got a sweet outfit out of it!" she sighed as she felt the wind dance through her hair, though she still noticed that Duran still hadn't responded to her. She leaned over to look at him, seeing his somewhat furrowed features. "You're thinking about him again, aren't you?"

Duran's eyes widened for a moment. "I-I'm not thinking about anyone." he stammered. "Besides, even if I was, why is it any of your business?"

"But I AM right, aren't I?" Angela asked, her company responding with silence. "Anyone tell you that you're VERY easy to read?"

"Anyone tell YOU that YOU'RE very nosy?"

"I only state what's obvious," Angela answered. "Hey," she whispered. "What's with him?"

"Faerie peeked out from, of all places, Duran's ear. "It's the red wizard again."

"Hey!" her host cried out, stuffing her back 'inside.' "Stop peeking in my head, all right?!"

"Kinda impossible," Faerie answered.

"Though, why is it such an issue to you?" Angela asked. "I mean, yes, he invaded your kingdom and took out many of your fellow men…" then she paused. "And...drove me from my home." She then turned to him. "But...that doesn't mean you have to beat yourself down over it."

Duran clasped his hands together, his knuckles whitening. "I had a responsibility…."

"Koren's the best wizard in the entire kingdom...aside from Jose, of course," Angela argued. "If anything, it'd be foolish to think you stood a chance when you-" it was then that the soldier turned away from her, and she realized that perhaps what she said wasn't the best way to word things. "...or I...for that matter," she murmured. Indeed, she was just as foolish for believing she had a chance against him. Finally, though, at least he saw that she could do magic, authentic, genuine magic. She at least had some gain in it. Duran however... "Ah." she sighed. "But...hey, you can only get stronger, right?" She took out her wand, maneuvering her fingers around the curved edges. After all, after all this time, finally, she could do magic. Not strong magic, but still, it WAS magic. And courtesy of the Spirits of Mana themselves, no less! "Oh, c'mon! Snap out of it!" Angela said, finally having enough of Duran's silence, smacking him on the back of the head. "Is this the guy that's gonna take up the Mana Sword?"

"Shh!" the soldier hissed. "Not so loud! You want the entire ship to hear you?"

"It's true, isn't it?" she asked. "How are you gonna take up such a legendary weapon sulking about like this?"

'Is this Loki's son?' Duran heard in his mind, though it came from himself, not Faerie. 'Is this the youth that has taken up such a man's sword? What chance does he have in wielding the Mana Sword?' Duran then punched the railing, both Angela and Faerie concerned, yet upon looking at his face, it seemed that this wasn't an expression of frustration. Not entirely.

"I am Duran." the young soldier affirmed. "Son of Loki, hero of the Peddan War, and slayer of the Dragon Lord." he then raised his fist in the air, not caring who heard or saw him. "And soon, to be the wielder of the Mana Sword!"

Angela nodded in approval. "Not to mention, conqueror of the Crimson Wizard," she added, Duran surprised at this yet nonetheless accepting of it. "Though, despite that, you're gonna let me get in a few swings at him." her expression then got more serious. "I need to pay that bastard back, too." she stared at her wand, a slight glow forming at the tip. "He'll see what we both can do."

A small distance away, Riesz had her arms on the railing, looking out at the sea while the wind gently played with her hair. Images of when she first boarded the ship flashed in her mind, reaching for her ribbon and undoing it. Although her blonde locks flowed and danced in the breeze, she shuddered slightly when a slight chill came over her. "Ah!" she cried when a sudden gust came her way, the green ribbon flying out of her hand. "No!" she shouted, rushing to try and collect it, only for a tanned hand to snatch it. Hawkeye grinned and handed the amazon her prized possession, quickly grabbing it so she wouldn't have to contact his hand for too long lest more red come to her cheeks. "Thank you kindly." she then went back to staring out at the ocean, her breath stiffening when the thief joined her. 'You insist on making this difficult, don't you?' she thought.

"You look deep in thought," Hawkeye noted, Riesz sighing. It was apparent what she was thinking of. "It's not your fault, you know. There's no way you could've known."

"That's not an excuse." the young woman retorted. "He was THAT close." she then gripped the railing. "It was those damned invaders, no doubt, who did it too." she hissed.

Hawkeye looked away for a moment, his expression surprisingly growing solemn. "I...I'm sorry about all that." Riesz only remained silent. They're not bad people, though. he wished to say. It's all that Isabella's fault. She's the cause of all this. She's the one who killed-

If you tell anyone of what truly happened…

It was far from anything helpful, yet it was all that Hawkeye could say at the moment. "...what do you know?" Riesz suddenly said. "About the Peddan War? Or rather," she turned to him. "What do you know of Flamekhan's actions during them?"

This somewhat put off Hawkeye. "Where'd this come from?"

"Just tell me," Riesz repeated. "What do you know?"

"Well...I know that Nevarl sided with Pedda." the thief answered. "And...I know that after the war ended, Nevarl wasn't exactly in a better state than when it first started," he explained, the amazon listening and analyzing his every word. "But aside from that, I don't know much." He sighed, seeing she was still skeptical. "I'm not exactly a native to Flamekhan's guild, let alone related to anyone there."

This got her attention. "You're not?"

"No." Hawkeye shook his head. "Truth is, I don't know my parents. I'm an orphan. Flamekhan took me in when my parents died. He was close to them, so he integrated me in with the rest of his guild."

"Along with his children, this Eagle and Jessica?"

"Yeah." the thief sighed, Riesz sensing that this was still quite a sore subject for him. True, it was to be expected, seeing as this Eagle had tragically died, yet still, he left out quite a bit of detail regarding his death. "But aside from that, I don't know much about what he did or his superior during the war."

Riesz was silent for a moment, analyzing the young man's face. He was skilled in pulling a poker face, yet she had to admit he had been honest with her so far. He admitted he was from Nevarl, that he was part of the thieves' guild, that he had come for completely unselfish goals, and so far, he had been nothing but helpful for her and all of them. Still, that didn't entirely erase her doubts about him. She couldn't afford to let her guard down TOO much. After all, truthful or not, this young man was crafty; if need be, she had to be ready to strike him down.

All the same, though, she had hoped that it wouldn't come to that.

A short distance away, Kevin and Charlotte looked at the two separate groups engaged in their conversations; it was clear that each was dealing with their issues. "Can't we do something?" Charlotte asked, looking at both groups.

Kevin sighed. "I don't know what," he explained. "I guess we all have problems we need to sort out."

Then, the short, young girl appeared to be pondering something. "Suffewing is the wot of all man," she said as if reciting something she had heard. "Yet thwough this, only then can we achieve someone gweatew than we once wewe.'' She looked at Kevin. "It's something Gwandpa said once."

"Sounds like a smart man." the beastman answered. But, had things gone differently, perhaps he would've gotten more time to hear from the older man. He then noticed Charlotte's features fall.

"Do you...think he's awwight?" Charlotte asked, biting her lip. "I mean...yeah. Gwandpa's the Pwiest of Wight and aww, but stiww…" She looked to the ground but felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Your grandpa seems like a strong man," Kevin told her. Still, she seemed to be down. Not that he could blame her, but seeing as he couldn't do anything for anyone else's problems, perhaps he could at least alleviate hers. "So," he began. "How about you tell me about your friend. The one you're searching for."

"Heath?" the blonde girl asked, Kevin nodding. "Oh, he's wonderful!" she said. "He's a pwiest at the tempwe, and one of...no, THE gweatest thewe. Aside from Gwandpa, of course."

"He sounds like a good man too," Kevin noted.

"Oh, he is!" his small company attested. "He's taww, smawt, nice…" she went on, listing his qualities before pausing. "I...I guess you could say that, aside from Mik, he's my best friend." she then began to whimper. "But...but that stupid jestew...he...he took…" tears started to develop in the corners of her eyes. Kevin needed to act fast.

"Hey, it's ok," he said. "That's why we're here," he explained. "It's like Faerie said, the Mana Sword will answer all our problems."

"Sniff...even...even for you?" the half-elf asked; she then noticed that Kevin seemed to be stricken with a sense of hopelessness. "Oh, wight. Karl…" she averted her eyes for a moment. "Sowwy."

"No, it's fine." the beastman answered, fist-clenching at the remembrance of how Karl to even be in the state he was now.

"Is he youw best fwiend?" Charlotte asked.

"Yeah," Kevin answered. "He was...my only friend." Then, suddenly, he felt a hand take his own.

"Weww...that's what we'we going to get the Mana Swowd fow, wight?"

Kevin was baffled for a moment, yet nonetheless, was receptive to her touch. Neither could get too caught up in the painful memories of what brought them here. What mattered was the journey there, and even more, what, or in both their cases, who they were fighting for.

Later that Night

Now it was near wholly healed. Yet, after all this time cooped up, the wizard needed some fresh air. Rising from his corner, Koren made his way to the deck, taking a deep breath as the cool night air met his face. The stars lit up the sky, the ship continuing to sail away to its destination. While his wound had nearly been taken care of entirely, the young sorcerer found that he simply had to get used to the heavy scent of salt permeating the air. Despite no pain in the area anymore, he still clutched his chest, reflecting on how he managed to heal such a grievous wound. Let alone how he discovered such a thing.


"So, that is what you seek?"

The terrified Koren nodded, the twisted, malformed figure seeming to grin through its misshapen, toothy mouth. "Y-Yes," he said, looking rather pathetic as he was on his hands and knees in the coarse sand, several of the creatures surrounding him, seemingly ready to pounce at any given moment. "I...I heard that there was a powerful source of magic here."

The figure seemed intrigued. "Indeed, there is," he answered, gesturing to the creatures. "That is how all these little ones can be so strong." he gave a small pet to one of the small dragons there, then gestured to a floating eye. "And how these beasts can come in from the plains beyond this world." he then turned. "Come," he ordered. "Unless you wish to give yourself to these little ones. Food is scarce here."

Wasting no more time, Koren got up and followed the figure. How long he walked, he knew not, the frigid air around him making him wish he brought more than just one layer of clothing. On and on they went, the young wizard (a rather pathetic one, if he had to be honest) analyzing his environment. The area was dry and barren, crystal pillars seeming to take the place of mountains, the sand beneath his feet crunching as if they were composed of shards of glass. From between the pillars and crevices, he saw several eyes peering out at him, yet nothing came to touch him. It seemed that the presence of this figure was enough to prevent them from attacking. Finally, after a lengthy journey, the figure stopped; Koren looked to see what lay in front of him.

A massive rock or stone lay buried in the sand, radiating dark and terrible energy; Koren could feel it. "This is what you seek." the figure said, placing a hand on the surface, the energy seeming to part from him. "I trust you know what this is?"

Koren could scarcely believe it. Yes, he knew what they were; everyone did, yet never in his life did he think he would ever be able to see one. Hell, he hadn't even seen the one in his native homeland! Yet here one was, right in front of him. "Mana Stone…" he breathed out.

"Very good." the figure said. "Granted, you are far from ready to harness its power. It is not complete; this is only a third of the original stone. But even that is too much for you."

It was then that the young man grew indigent. "Why not?" he then got up and tried to touch the stone. "GAH!" only to be blasted back, landing in the sand.

"Again, you're not ready." the figure said. "But it is why you've come, right?" He didn't turn to him, but the figure smirked. "You've come to learn magic. Or...have you come to gain it?"

Koren's eyes widened. "What...what do you...how do you?"

"You have the stink of Altena all over you, boy." the figure interrupted. "And if you were like the lowest of mages, you would've performed at least ONE low-level spell to try and protect yourself." Koren was silent, lowering his head. Then, suddenly, a hand rested on his head, almost parental in fashion. "Fortunately for you... your plight has interested me."

The wizard was left speechless. "I…" he finally was able to say. "I don't understand…."

"The time of my ascension is at hand." the figure answered, helping the young man up. "And," suddenly, footsteps were heard. Stepping out from the darkness, a towering, intimidating knight clad in black armor stepped out, looking upon the wizard with glowing, violet eyes. "I need extra help." The figure then grabbed what appeared to be a fragment of a human ear and, to Koren's disgust, tore it off. He then handed the ear to the magicless wizard. "Eat."

"Wh-What?" Koren's nose wrinkled, the ear reeking of rot.

"Eat." the figure commanded. "And you shall be able to gain power from not only the stone," he said. "But also from me. So no one will be your equal; you shall reign over all others, not only in Altena but soon, over everyone."

Koren was stunned, unable to stay anything. "I...I don't understand."

"You shall gain all you wish for." the figure told him. "All you have to do…" he placed the ear in his hand. "Eat."


Indeed, the regenerative power of dragons was not to be doubted. Let alone their power.

It hadn't been long since then, yet so much had changed. Koren clenched his fist, reminiscing on all that had led him there and where he was now. It was due to the figure that he could finally, after years of struggling and failure, succeed in casting magic. And with that, he had returned Altena, practically a hero. No one could match his power save the Queen herself. And even then, that was of no consequence now that he held his current position. Once he had consumed his present Lord's flesh, the stone's power could come to him, and with it, magic. And true to his word, now Koren heralded the forces of Altena. After the tremendous failure in Valsena, he pondered what his position would be now. Queen Valda was of no concern, and there were more troops than he could get. No, the main problem lay with his Lord. He would not die; no, he was still needed. Yet still, he needed to think of something. The area of Palo and subsequently Laurent held another Mana Stone, so perhaps he could curry favor by releasing its energy.

Of course, that would require finding an appropriate sacrifice.

"Can't sleep?" he suddenly heard a voice say, young and feminine.

"Hm." a young man hummed; Koren turned to see a shocking sight.

That same young soldier that had survived his attack that night and Princess Angela stood together, and while she mainly was concealed, a small, fluttering object was resting on the young man's shoulder.

"Hey, I thought you were over this." he heard Angela say. The spoiled, pampered little brat. She had the same affliction as he, yet she lived a life of luxury. He would've outright disowned her long ago if he were her mother. "What happened to the 'I'm the son of Loki' and all that?"

He saw the young man sighed. "Stuff like that doesn't just go away, you know," he told Angela. "I KNOW what I said. But…" he paused, reaching back to feel the handle of his sword. Indeed, he seemed attached to that thing, Koren thought.

"But what?" his Princess asked, the young man simply shrugging.

"It's not like this is something that can be easily swallowed." the small figure on his shoulder seemed to say. "But still...we do need to hurry."

"I know, I know." the soldier said. "The Mana Sword isn't just going to be waiting on us to be ready."

Koren's breath hitched. What did he just say?"

"That's right." the figure on his shoulder said. "And the Benevodons will be released from their prisons if nothing is done at all. Or the Mana Sanctuary will be opened by forces outside of us."

Koren was left speechless. Was he genuinely hearing what he was hearing?

"Hey, now, let's not get on that doom and gloom talk," Angela said. "I mean, none of them have been gotten yet, right?"

"We don't know that." Faerie retorted. "The beastmen and the mages of Altena are forces to be reckoned with. They won't stop because of one setback." she then sighed. "And if Riesz said about Laurent's invaders is true, they'll be giving us trouble too."

Ah, yes. He had heard of Ferolia's overtaking of Jadd and their journey to Wendel and Laurent's fall. Yet he would've never imagined that these two would've been aware of them. Let alone that they are on this very ship.

"Hey, like I said. No doom and gloom." Angela told the small, winged woman. "We'll worry about that when we get there."

Duran felt the hairs on his neck rising, instincts kicking in and telling him that they weren't alone. Granted, other people were on deck, yet this sensation was different. As if there were something dangerous. He turned around and away from the ocean, jostling Faerie from her perch.

Only to see nothing and no one.

"What's up?" Angela asked. "What are you looking at?"

Duran's eyes surveyed the area, looking around before turning back to the mage. "...nothing," he said. "It's nothing."

From behind the door, Koren looked at the duo from a tiny bit of open space created by keeping the door slightly open. That was too close. He could deal with them, King Richard not being around to protect that boy, let alone his dear Princess, yet he wasn't ready or willing to cause a scene. If the ship were damaged, the journey to Palo would potentially be jeopardized. And despite his powers, it was hundreds of miles before they would reach the port town. He couldn't teleport far enough before he would eventually sink. Yet still, he could kill them when they were in their beds. It would be so simple, yet it would also draw unnecessary attention to him. A couple of dead bodies would arouse suspicion, and he would possibly be found out. But, again, he couldn't risk any damage to the ship. His Lord allowed him full permission to destroy Valsena, yet for the most part, to remain obscure.

But the fact that the boy and his Princess were aware of and were going with the goal of obtaining the Mana Sword and, in turn, opening the Mana Sanctuary...no. What was he worried about? What could they possibly do? Yes, he had witnessed Angela displaying magical abilities given to her by the Mana Spirits, or so she claimed, yet she was pathetically weak. And the boy was once again beaten. Had he not been forced to flee by Richard's blow, Koren would've indeed succeeded, he told himself. These two were of no consequence. Still, this was news.

News that he could perhaps use. It was something he could tell his Lord, after all.

Note: Kinda shorter than the others, but I feel it was a necessary transition to the next point. Next up, we arrive in Palo and see the state of the town captured by Nevarl!

Review, please! Thank you!