Note: Hello, everyone! This is the first of a few chapters dealing with going to Altena and finding/saving Undine, so just a heads up. I was also looking up some of the post-game content of the 2020 remake and think I'll add some of that into this. However, it'll be more of a hint than a full-out confrontation like in the game.

Also, I want to experiment with making scenes from certain parts of each chapter. I don't know how long that'll take me, as I'll need to find a site that allows for images. I can't do it here, and Ao3 isn't uploading them. So I might have to try out Wattpad or Tumblr.

But that also raises the issue of what style I should draw it in. The original 1995 game had illustrations done by Nobuteru Yuki. She, if you're familiar with anime, you might know from his work on Record of Lodoss War and Vision of Escaflowne (and Angel Cop for the character designs.) So I'm going to experiment with his style to see whether or not I want to try one of my own (albeit maybe with some of Yuki's influence, as I want to acknowledge some of his work at least).

Special thanks to editor and co-writer, Falchion1984!

The Frostbite Fields

The night had ended, and the beastmen's feral states, causing them to revert to their routine but hardly imposing forms. Despite the tension in the occupied harbor, Alrant was surprisingly quiet, the beastmen only just now returning from their search out in the tundra. Transforming back into a more humanoid shape and cringing at the cold snow and ice under their bare feet, the Ferolian warriors wished to get indoors as soon as possible, if only to seek a modicum of warmth. The difference between paws and feet in the cold was glaringly apparent; not one of Ferolia's troops wanted to step outside until the sun went down again. Luna's light was the only thing that made this place even somewhat bearable.

Yet Ludgar knew that he couldn't afford to waste time. If he couldn't find the Stone in his own country, how could they hope to find the one here?! "So," he began, staring intently at the bearded man trembling behind the wooden desk. "You insist that's the story you want to stick with?"

The human nodded nervously, swearing for a moment that the beastman looked as if he wanted to eat him. Disbelief tortured him nearly as much as he feared. He, the Mayor of Altena's most important (and only) port, was being held hostage in his own home. And by a small army of filthy animals, no less! When those disgusting creatures invaded Alrant, they wasted no time laying claim to the village. And while he hadn't seen it, the Mayor and everyone else in Alrant had heard of what these beasts did to Astoria far to the south. So, begrudgingly, the Mayor had no choice but to allow these scum in and let them run things for the time being.

"Yes, I'm telling the truth!" the Mayor insisted in a pleading voice, shivering slightly in his fur coat. Maybe it was due to his fear, but it had been feeling even colder than usual lately. And while his torturer wouldn't admit it, the Mayor could see that the beastman was also feeling the effects of the weather. "I have no idea where the Waterstone is!" he reaffirmed. "And no one else here does either! So you'll have to go to the castle if you want information like that!"

"So, you suggest we waltz right up to the enemy's doorstep? Do you take me for a fool?!" Ludgar gripped the desk's edges, his dark claws digging furrows into the carved wood. "Of course, there's already a fool here, isn't there?" he questioned sarcastically. "After all, even if you claim to serve her, your Queen of Reason has plunged you into this never-ending winter, hasn't she?" he asked, not bothering to let the bearded human answer. "And that has led to your people having to rely on the produce of others to survive, right?" he was quiet for a moment, wondering if he would get a response. The Mayor, however, remained silent. "Our King, on the other hand, has started this conquest for the survival of his people. Your Queen couldn't care less about you."

The bearded man's gaze drifted to the floor, unable to come up with a rebuttal. Indeed, everything Ludgar had told him was true. "But that doesn't change the fact that I don't know where the Waterstone is." he noticed the beastman's increasing frustration. "That said, I do have something that might help you."

Inside Another Home

Chichi looked outside the window, bundled head to toe in a thick fur coat and a pair of fur-lined boots. While the violet-haired child who'd literally, stumbled out of the Frostbit Fields and into their lives hadn't been around for long, according to her mother, this was the coldest it had been in years. While the girl didn't entirely understand, her mother had even called these frigid winds "unnatural."

"Is dinner ready yet?" an old woman asked wearily, her frail body shivering underneath her blanket.

"No, grandma." Chichi's sister said as she brought another blanket to put around her elderly relative. "We're still trying to get the fire started for the stew."

Chichi's stomach growled at the thought of food, but she knew she'd probably have to wait a while. Since it had been getting colder, it was becoming more and more challenging to keep the house warm, let alone even start a fire. It was almost like any warmth was snuffed out before it could even begin to banish the cold. The young girl had heard talk that this was a sign that the end was near, but her mother tried to shield her from such discussion, dismissing it as panicked naysay. Anna had told her youngest to pay no heed to such nonsense, but Chichi couldn't help but wonder, several troubling questions and ominous theories forming in her mind.

While it was a bit of a stretch, it did seem that things had been getting a little more dangerous since that pretty lady had come into her home. Chichi wasn't told why mages from the castle had come to Alrant, but the child suspected it had something to do with that lady. However, the mages and the man in the red cloak never found her, so she had presumably slipped their grasp. Chichi wondered what had happened to her, but when she had heard that the Princess had gone missing, she began to put two and two together.

"Still," she muttered, "that doesn't explain why it's so cold now." She groaned, frowning at the sight of the hamlet's empty streets. The beastmen didn't care much for the cold, so they had promptly occupied the homes that made up the small community until night came. The one with long, blonde hair claimed that what had occurred in Astoria wouldn't befall them if they housed them during the day. And seeing necessities such as food were becoming increasingly scarce, the Mayor had no choice but to relinquish control to the inhuman invaders rather than risk a fight that would only end one way. "But if they were in Astoria, or rather, Jadd, why didn't they stay there?" some wondered in very, furtive whispers.

While no one was brave (or foolish) enough to say it within earshot of the Ferolians, news had also spread of how the beastmen were run out of Jadd by the city's people. And even more, it was said that a beastman was among those that fought to reclaim the city! And while she couldn't be sure, she had heard that Altenan forces had been forced out of Valsena due to the efforts of six youths that supposedly traveled together: a soldier, a magician, a beastman, a cleric, a thief, and an amazon. And even more bizarre, one of these individuals was rumored to be the One chosen by the Goddess Herself. The One that had been selected to wield the Mana Sword.

"Maybe you'll come on by sometime," Chichi thought aloud. "We could use your help getting these guys out of town."

Then, she saw something out of the corner of her eye. The window had fogged over, but she wiped the glass to better look at what she thought she had seen. It was right around Alrant's borders and near the shoreline, away from the docks. Six figures dressed in heavy robes, cloaks, and hats walked through the dense snow, clearly trying to make themselves as inconspicuous as possible. So it was them, it had to be!

But where were they going? Indeed not out in the Frostbite Fields! They'd freeze to death for sure! That is if the beastmen don't catch up to them first. She then looked up at the sky. It was still morning, but she knew the sun would set eventually.

And then those six, especially the Princess, would be in trouble if she genuinely were amongst their number.

Frostbite Fields

While the six youths found their robes and cloaks rather cumbersome, they were thankful. After all, given what Angela had told the rest, they wouldn't have had a hope of surviving out here without the heavy clothing. Thick, dense snow that glimmered like crystals lay knee-deep in some places, with more snowflakes gently falling by the minute. The clouds above were white and fat with moisture, and the tundra was deathly silent, save for the crunching footsteps of the six travelers. Yet, even with their warmer wear, everyone knew they couldn't stay out here forever.

The soldier from Valena, Queen of Laurent, and Beauty of Wendel were dressed in white robes, while the Altenan princess, thief of Nevarl, and prince of Ferolia were dressed in dark cloaks with tall yellow hats. They all wore white or black gloves and wore thick, high boots to tread through the snow. "So, which way is it again?" Duran asked the Altenan princess; the young woman had been quiet since they departed from Valsena. In fact, on the way here via Gustav, the magician hadn't said a word outside of discussing what the group's next step should possibly be.

Angela took out the directions Jose had laid out in one of his letters, peridot eyes looking over every detail. "We keep going forward until we reach a particular, gnarled tree. Then we head north.'' She then folded up the letter describing the Stone and its supposed location, which Jose had penned in his final hours. Stifling her grief, she placed it back in the pocket of her cloak. "Of course, preparing for anything never hurt anyone, right, Riesz?"

The amazon was quite surprised to hear the Altenan Princess say such a thing. "Yes, absolutely," Riesz replied. "And with that said, given that you traveled through here before, albeit briefly," Riesz clarified. "What sort of creatures dwell here?"

"As far as I know, I've only seen a few rabites. Though Sahagins are said to make their homes out here."

"Sahagins?" Kevin asked. "You have water-thugs out here?"

"Water-thugs?" Angela questioned, having never heard the creatures being referred to in that way.

"Yeah, Water-thugs," Kevin repeated. "I've seen them only a handful of times, but farmers in Mintas have to watch out for them, especially if they live close to the lake." the beastman explained. "They look like green fish that can walk on land," he continued. "But instead of flippers, they walk on webbed feet like a duck."

"That sounds siwwy." Charlotte noted, unable to find the image of a walking fish, let alone one that waddled, the least intimidating.

"They're anything but," Kevin said firmly. "They might not look like much, but they're experts at using anything they can get their hands on. One farmer nearly lost his head when one of them threw his pitchfork back at him. But, unfortunately, he couldn't stop them from stealing his vegetables." Charlotte then found the image of walking fish not so funny. "And depending on who you ask, they can also swallow water and spit it back at you. But something happens in their gut that can make what they drink up dangerous."

"Dangerous? How?" Hawkeye asked.

"I heard that farmer lost sight in one of his eyes," Kevin answered. "And while I can't say for sure, I don't think the people here have it easy with them either."

Duran noticed Angela's expression grow solemn upon hearing this. But before he could say anything, the Princess spoke up. "Then we'd best hurry. After all, we're technically here on a rescue mission, right, Faerie?"

"Um, yes, that's right," Faerie answered, manifesting for a moment to answer. She quickly retreated to her host because of the weather. The group then continued along, no one saying a word.

Alrant

Mayor's House

"So, your princess has been declared a traitor?" Ludgar questioned, raising a thick brow. The bearded man behind the desk nodded. "But what use is that to me? I couldn't care less about your country's politics. Besides, you said that she had fled from the castle. Perhaps she's already dead."

"We all believed so too, but then a young girl was questioned and said her family housed a young woman matching our princess' description." Granted, "questioned" was a far more generous word than what was done. Lord Koren had made the not-so-subtle threat to burn the family's house if someone didn't confess. "Ultimately, it didn't matter in the end, as she had already fled the country by that point." the Mayor explained.

Ludgar nodded in acknowledgment. "But that still doesn't answer how your runaway brat will benefit my King or me."

"Well, as you've heard, Altena had invaded Valsena, but their forces were driven out, and Lord Koren was forced to flee." the Mayor explained. "And it's said that the Princess was among those that ensured Valsena's victory. And even more, a beastman was amongst those that helped!"

Ludgar's eyes widened. "A beastman, you say?" he asked. "Who else was with this princess of yours?" he continued before the Mayor could answer. "Was there a blonde human and a desert rat from Nevarl? And a pint-sized brat?"

After a moment's stupefaction, the Mayor nodded. "I take it you know some of them?"

"Oh, yes," the beastman answered. "I know one of them better than the others, but I am...acquainted with the rest of them, in a sense." But, of course, Ludgar wouldn't dare let slip the humiliating defeat which that group had dealt him in Jadd. He then grinned, reveling in how the human shrunk back at the sight of his canines. "And I believe you've just saved yourself AND your little community from further suffering."

The bearded human was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that we now have a common enemy." Ludgar clarified. The man still didn't seem to understand. "It seems I have to explain it for you," Ludgar huffed. "Your own Queen has abandoned you to the tender mercies of an endless winter. So, what loyalty do you owe her, let alone her daughter who, as you pointed out, has abandoned your country and aided its enemies?" The Mayor nodded. "She is of Altena, and thus, my enemy. But now that you've mentioned one of our kind being with her, I believe we can serve each other quite equitably."

The Mayor still didn't understand. "Is this beastman you speak of not with you?"

"No," Ludgar answered with a snarl. "He's barely even one of our race. But, like your Princess, this runt is a traitor to his people and his father, my King." he leaned over the desk, locking eyes with the human. "So now I must trust you to be especially honest, as now your princess' affairs are also that of my prince's."

Here, Ludgar paused for a moment and let his canines stretch into a smile of cunning.

"I believe the phrase is "The enemy of my enemy is my friend"?"

Frostbite Fields

"How has it evew been spring hewe?" Charlotte remarked, pulling her white robes around her for better warmth. "What couwd you evew gwow hewe? How do those peopwe in Awwant even suwive?"

Riesz saw Angela stiffen somewhat upon hearing that, so the amazon tried to divert the half-elf's attention. "There's plenty of produce that can be grown in the winter. Food like chard, leeks, kale, spinach, Brussel sprouts-"

"Uh, yeah, no, thanks. I'ww pass." Charlotte answered, finding the fare Riesz was describing not appetizing at all.

"Oof!" Suddenly, everyone turned back to see that Kevin had fallen face-first into the snow. His robed form blended into the snow, making it almost impossible to tell where he had fallen.

"You alright there?" Hawkeye asked. "You've been walking a little funny since we got here."

"It's these boots!" Kevin answered after shaking off the snow covering his face. "I can't walk in them!" he stood up, though his posture was hunched and even less natural than before. "I can't see how anyone can stand having something so...restrictive on!" He could only spread his toes out so much, not to mention that his soles were thicker than his skin and hard as a rock, so he decided to take one off. But, unfortunately, he also pulled off a thick, woolen sock, the fabric suffocating his foot. He immediately regretted it; his tanned skin was overcome with a sharp sting from the cold that traveled from his foot up his spine and then spread chilling tendrils through his entire body. "On second thought..." he slipped the disagreeable footwear back on, albeit grudgingly. Kevin then looked up at the skies above, noticing that the sun had changed positions. "We need to hurry," he said, looking back in the direction they had come from and the small community being held hostage. "The second the sun goes down, the others will be searching."

No one needed to know just who "the others'' were. And indeed, they all knew that they would have to hurry. Otherwise, there would be worse things out here than rabites and Sahagins.

The party was unsure how long they had been out in the unforgiving tundra, their thick garments serving as their only protection. And even then, they were still shivering from the cold!

This wind...it isn't natural. Faerie told her host. There's some force influencing the weather. And it's not from Queen Valda's spell.

"Then what is it?" Duran questioned. "There was a storm back in Valsena that was out of season, right? What's so different about this?"

"It is the work of the Benevodon," Shade spoke up, forgetting that the conversation was between Faerie and Duran. "The winds of winter blow cold, yet they should not carry the scent of death," he spoke in a calm, soothing tone, though his words were anything but gentle.

"Don't scare them too much, Shady." Lumina urged.

"They are more than acquainted with death, Lumina." Shade answered his brighter counterpart. "And yet they've still seen very little."

Then, Angela stopped, clutching her hat with one hand to keep it from blowing away. "Wind..." she muttered softly to herself. "I wonder..." she then rose in volume. "Hey, Sylphid!" she called out; the Wind Elemental appeared before her in a cloud of pink smoke.

"Yes? How may I assist?" the chubby blue humanoid asked.

"You're, shall we say, one with the air, right?" Angela questioned; Sylphid nodded in response. "Then you can surely sense where this particular wind is coming from, can't you?"

"Hmmm," the Wind Elemental pondered this very thing as well. "I don't see why not. Let me see," he then rose high above the party and took an immense breath, his body expanding like a balloon. Then he "swallowed" all he had consumed, his body returning to its more diminutive but still rotund self. "It is being generated from somewhere in this land," he spoke, lowering himself back down. "Past the castle and hidden deep in this snowfield." He paused. "But…"

"But, what?" Angela inquired.

"This wind, the Beast generating it; it wishes you to notice its presence." the Wind Elemental explained. "It wants you to find its resting place."

"Why?" Duran then asked. "If we're here to stop it, shouldn't it NOT want us to find it?"

"Maybe it feels like it has nothing to hide anymore." Faerie suggested. She then said the rest of her statement to her host. Especially now that it's had its "meal."

Duran didn't need any clarification on what the winged woman meant by that.

"You know, it's a pity you kids don't have Salamando with you," Gnome spoke up, manifesting to sit atop Charlotte's head.

"Salamando?" Kevin titled his head curiously. "Is that another one of, well, you guys?"

"Yes, siree!" Lumina confirmed. "A little spitfire, that one." The glowing wisp looked around at the falling crystals of ice. "Though that might just be what you need."

"I know one thing." Gnome said again, taking shelter from the cold under Charlotte's hood. "He's going to explode if something's happened to Undine."

The Elements then went silent. Gnome hadn't meant for his words to be taken seriously, but the silence of his fellow Spirits reminded him of their friend's peril.

"And even if he'd never admit it, Mando's probably in trouble too," Lumina answered gravely.

The party had been out in the Frostbite Fields for hours by this point, yet despite Sylphid leading the way as he followed the unnatural wind, they seemed nowhere near their destination.

"Not to doubt your intuition, Sylphid," Faerie began, popping up underneath Duran's hood. "But are we at least somewhat close?" The other Elements had disappeared for the time being, if only to escape the cold.

Sylphid breathed in the icy air, though not to the same credulity-straining degree as before. "The Waterstone is close," he confirmed.

The party was relieved to hear this, though they suspected that the darkening skies and increasingly treacherous terrain would surely mean that the path to the Stone would become more dangerous. Kevin looked up at the skies, grimly confirming, even though the leaden overcast, that the sun was dipping westward. Then everyone would have to face the very familiar threat of the beastmen.

Not to mention the, if anything, the deadlier threat of being out of doors at night in this land of eternal winter.

"Hey," Charlotte spoke up. "What's that?"

Despite the wind and snow, the group looked to see a small group of creatures hopping through the dense white power with ease. At first, the party assumed they were rabites, yet they realized that the "ears" were horn-like crests. Upon drawing close enough for a better look, everyone realized these creatures possessed forelimbs and legs, unlike rabites. They also lacked the fluffy tail of the just barely dangerous lagomorphs. However, they did have fur: a teal color, though some of the strange animals had patches of pink or brown in their coats. In addition, their eyes were large and prominent, lending a certain "cuteness" to their appearance.

Angela squinted her eyes to confirm what she was seeing. "Those..." she began. "Those are Potos!"

The others were confused. "What?" Duran asked.

"Potos," Angela repeated. "They're close relatives to reptiles and aquatic creatures, but I've never heard of them living here." she watched the small herd make their way through the snow, hopping around on their hind legs. "Usually, they prefer warmer climates, but they have fur, so maybe they could survive in these conditions."

Charlotte then pointed to the Poto with the pink patches on its coat. "Is that one wosing fuw?"

"No, that one's female," Angela explained. "All Potos are born either green or blue, but their fur begins to change when they reach maturity.'' The Princess then pointed to the creature with brown patches. "So, once he turns completely brown," she pointed to the one with pink patches, "he'll try to hook up with her. And a few weeks later," she then centered her gaze on the purely teal Poto, "they'll be a bunch of these guys hopping around."

Charlotte and Kevin were fascinated, while the others were surprised by such warmth from the Princess. "Did you read that back in Valsena?" the beastman prince inquired.

"No, actually," Angela answered. "It's from Bestiary of the World." Angela then chuckled. "The Old Man said that book would suit me because I was already a little monster." It was funny that she could laugh about that now. Funny that she could laugh about anything related to Jose. "Still," she said, eager to change the subject, "I wonder why they're even here."

The Potos she referred to continued on their way, not even stopping to acknowledge the six. It seemed they tolerated the party's presence, but no one wanted to see what would happen if they were provoked.

But no one knew whether or not the other creatures in this tundra would be as "friendly."

"The sun's nearly set," Kevin said aloud. He could no longer see it, but he felt his blood growing hot: a sign that night was drawing nearer.

"How much further, Sylphid?" Angela asked, the Wind Elemental still leading the way.

"We're close now," he told everyone. "Just another mile or so, then we'll be there."

The party continued, the wind and snow seemingly increasing in intensity. Just then, Kevin stopped, sniffing the air. His senses had become much keener, signaling that the night was close. But, more to the point, they warned of danger. "What is it?" Charlotte asked.

"There's a scent in the air." the beastman answered. "Several. All different, but," he paused, eyes scanning the area. "All predatory."

Then, as if to validate his statement, a long, sharp object was sent flying in their direction. Everyone ducked or leaped out of the way to avoid being skewered by the sharpened piece of wood. "The hell?!" Duran shouted, eyes spotting several stout, green figures emerging from behind snow-covered boulders and gnarled trees. All of them carried a long weapon, ranging from sharpened sticks or spears to tridents. They looked like walking green fish with orange flippers, an orange crest, yellow fins, a white stomach, large blue eyes, and prominent red lips.

"I take it these are the Sahagins, right?" Riesz asked, Kevin, nodding in response.

The fish-like brutes continued to advance on the party, raising their long-range weapons and throwing them in their direction. Everyone immediately scattered, but the Sahagins gave chase, surprisingly fast on their large flippers. Simply chasing these six creatures wasn't enough; they would all make sure that the intruders in their territory would pay! The walking fish continued, chasing the group and proving they adapted to the environment much better than the six companions.

"Why awe they chasing us?!" Charlotte asked, ducking underneath a spear that was thrown in her direction. "These guys awe weal monstews!" her words were cut off when a long, sticky object shot out from seemingly nowhere and latched onto her robe. "WAH!" Suddenly, she was dragged off her feet, pulled towards a creature that had just made itself known.

A bipedal reptile with short forelimbs and large, blank, dark blue eyes had lashed out with its tongue, which seemed more akin to a tentacle, to catch whatever it could snag. Its scaly skin was light blue, with a long tail, a yellow fin at the end, a yellow stomach, and a purple frill around its neck. It also bore a yellow crest atop its head, though it was the long pink tongue everyone focused on.

"Charlotte! Hit it on the head!" Angela shouted, knowing well what would happen if the more petite teen came too close to the creature's mouth.

Charlotte gripped her flail, and she swung and bashed the creature over the head when the time was right. The lizard-like animal was knocked senseless, allowing his prey to escape. "And what's THAT thing?" the half-elf questioned, disgusted at the thick mucus that was now coating the front of her robe.

"A Liizardon," Angela answered. "A male one, to be specific. The girls don't have a crest," she explained. "But I'm sure these guys are not native to Altena."

The Lizardon's tongue shot forth again, yet this time, everyone managed to move out of the way in time, the blue reptile catching a sahagin instead. The long tongue caught the fish and pulled it into its mouth, the creature vanishing down its gullet and into its stomach. But, of course, it didn't stay in its gut for long, the fish thrashing wildly, its flippers tenting the yellow flesh of the Lizardon's stomach. Eventually, the constant movement became too much, and the lizardon spat the sahagin out, not caring much for the nausea the fish was causing it. The Sahagin was thankful to be fre, but wasn't too happy about being covered in slime.

"Well, where are they found if they're not native to this area?" Riesz asked Angela; the Altenan princess had more knowledge of the beasts.

"They usually prefer warmer climates, like the Potos." Angela explained, the group racing away from the scene as the Sahagins had focused on attacking the lizardon. "Like tropical islands or beaches. They're semi-aquatic," she explained. "But there's something that bothers me about them."

"Like what?" Duran asked.

"The Sahagins are one thing and Rabites are common enough, even if we haven't seen any of them," she then looked back at the band of Sahagins, who had gone after the fleeing lizardon. "But Potos and especially Lizardons? Those types of creatures running around are dangerous."

"Yeah, you'we tewwing me." Charlotte replied, grimacing as she tried to wipe off the slime from the reptile's tongue.

"Not to mention that they-" Angela continued, but she never got the chance to finish. Instead, a blast of water shot out at high-speed hit the Princess right in the face. She was knocked off her feet and fell into the snow, practically buried in the dense white powder.

"Angela!" Duran cried out, rushing over to the Princess' side and helping her up. He then looked in the direction the jet of water had come from and saw yet another group of monsters not native to this country.

What appeared to be giant yellow seahorses with blank, yellow eyes and green fins glowered at the youths surrounding them. "Sea serpents?!" Angela exclaimed, getting back on her feet.

"I take it they're not native to this land either?" Riesz said, readying herself to fight if need be.

"No, they're not," Angela answered. "These guys, the Lizardons and Potos, shouldn't be here!" she exclaimed. "Even more, they-"

She got no further as a series of loud, piercing howls echoed throughout the barren snowy tundra. The party knew what this meant; their fears were quickly confirmed when they saw Kevin hunch over and transform into his more beastly form.

"They're coming," Hawkeye said, unable to see them, but he knew that the beastmen had come into the Frostbite Fields. "Run!"

The howls distracted the sea serpents, allowing the six youths to escape. But they couldn't afford to stop just yet, as they now had the beasts of Ferolia on their tail. And, it stood to reason they hadn't forgotten the scents of the youths who routed them in Jadd. "What was it you were saying?!" Duran asked Angela as they ran, wanting to hear what she would say before being interrupted.

"These creatures," Angela began. "They shouldn't be here, but they all have something in common! I don't know if it means anything, but I can't help but notice it!"

"Notice what?!"

Angela was cut off by the sounds of howls growing closer and closer. But while Duran wouldn't hear her, she knew what the monsters they had seen all shared. They were all related, albeit loosely, to dragons.

"It's close by!" Sylphid said, the party following the Elemental and fighting against the ever-increasing wind.

Kevin's ears picked up sounds of a struggle, the beastmen having presumably run into some of the tundra's "less-than-natural" inhabitants. Or they could've run into the hyper-aggressive Sahagins and were dealing with them. Either way, it seemed that the beasts here would serve them somehow. Nevertheless, everyone knew they couldn't stay here long. They had to make it to the Waterstone by any means necessary.

"There it is!" Sylphid finally cried out. The party stopped to see the mouth of a cave covered in ice; icicles descended from above the cave entrance, making the hole resemble a gaping mouth filled with fangs. It was almost as if it were beckoning the party to step in, unaware that they would be devoured. "The wind and snow are coming from there." The Wind Elemental explained. "This is as far as I can lead you. What lies in that cave is what you must face." He then disappeared.

The six gazed at the entrance to the cave and stepped forward. But they took a step back upon seeing a dark silhouette rising from the snow from a portal of blackness. The Darkshine Knight had manifested from nowhere, and everyone readied themselves to attack when necessary.

Only that never came. "They are here." the knight spoke, shocking everyone as the darkly-clad figure had been silent up until now. His voice was aged, husky, indifferent, and cold. But there was also a twinge of weariness. As if he was tired of living.

None of the six youths got the chance to ask what he meant, let alone prepare to counter, as a powerful blast of air suddenly erupted from the cave. It knocked everyone back except, curiously enough, for Duran and Angela. "What the hell-" Duran got no chance to say anymore as he and the Altenan princess were literally swept off their feet and seemingly "captive" by the wind.

The others ran to try and catch them, yet a swing from the knight's sword forced them back. Duran and Angela were sucked through the mouth of the cave, which then proceeded to "shut" itself, icicles rising from the ground and joining those above. Almost as if the cave had just "eaten" them.

"The Queen and Lord Koren have summoned them. But as for you," the Darkshine Knight said, then drew out his sword. Then, from behind a pair of boulders, two silver golems, similar to those seen during the Altenan invasion of Valsena, emerged. They took their places by the knight. "You shall deal with me!"

Inside the Ice Cavern

Once the soldier and Princess had regained their senses and realized they now lay on solid ground, they immediately rose to their feet, struggling to keep upright on the thick blanket of ice coating the environment. They were unsure how far they were from the entrance, yet it looked like the wind had carried them far into the cavern's depths.

"Where are we?" Angela groaned, clutching her head. The cold was beginning to give her a headache.

"Where are you?" a familiar voice suddenly spoke, and a blonde wizard with a billowing red cape emerged. "Why, you're here to witness something extraordinary." Both Duran and Angela glared at Koren, yet their attention was quickly diverted to what was happening behind him.

The Queen of Altena was present, staring blankly with beautiful but cold amethyst eyes at the ritual, not even acknowledging her child's presence, let alone Duran. But she wasn't the main focus either.

A massive, monolithic rock in a triangular shape floated a few feet above the icy floor, yet the Mana Stone wasn't all there: a small, mermaid-like creature with long, blue hair and blue skin held in place by binding, red magic. A purple, heart-shaped top covered her chest, and her tail was purple with fins and a dolphin-like caudal fin. Her "ears" were blue fins, and her long, blue hair was tied in a low ponytail with a golden ring in place. She appeared unconscious, yet her expression contorted in winces and grimaces nonetheless. She was in a great deal of pain.

"You are about to see the answer to a question I've been pondering," Koren said to the soldier and Princess. "It's whether or not a Spirit can be called that when it's almost already dead."

Note: I'm trying to keep chapters no more than 8-9k words, though I usually fall into the 5-6k range. Anyway, I'll also be working on this story, but I'm really into my Mega Man work at the moment and want to also focus on that. I've got so much I want to do; I just need to make time.

Thank you for reading, and I hope to see you next time!