Note: Sorry for the late update, but I've been going over just how I want things to play out, specifically when it comes to the Three Evils. I always felt that it was a poor decision, storytelling-wise, that they only appear at the end of the game. It makes them seem like a last-minute addition, even if they're supposedly responsible for everything going on in the various countries; thus, they are the game's true Big Bad(s).

True, Trials of Mana/Seiken Densetsu 3 was a SNES game in the mid-nineties, but other games around that time had better execution for their villains. It's like comparing Zemus to Kefka: both are from games around that time, but one is one of the most revered bad guys of Final Fantasy, if not video games of all time, and the other seemed to have been just thrown in as an afterthought. Not to say that I hate FFIV; it's one of my favorites, but it's clear which one has the better villain. Even FFII's Emperor had more of an impact than Zemus did. Even Exdeath (at least that guy's performance in Dissidia is enjoyably hammy) had a more significant presence in FFV.

I'm saying that I want the villains not just to be revealed at the last second and then treated as if the characters are familiar with them. And given their backstories, there are several opportunities to have them connect to the main characters, which you'll see in this chapter.

Fight for a Mermaid

Seeing the red wizard's face was more than enough to enrage him, but the sight of the smaller blue creature in pain sent Duran over the edge. Is that Undine? He asked Faerie.

Yes, that's her. She answered. I can feel it; they're slowly draining her of her Mana!

"Release her!" Duran commanded, voice echoing throughout the icy cavern.

"Oh, we shall," Koren said. "Only when she has no more energy to give us." he raised a hand, and his outstretched fingers hooked into talons. The small mermaid-like Spirit winced; the binding magic around her felt like hot iron upon her blue flesh. "Although given the Waterstone's seal has already been broken, there won't be much left to extract."

Angela's green eyes centered on her mother. The Queen's glassy, cold eyes fixed upon Undine. The woman looked as frosty and detached as ever Angela recalled, but she did notice something else. Valda was dressed in her usual blue attire, which might've fended off a summer breeze but little else. Yet, she seemed utterly unaffected by the cold.

Since Angela was bundled head to toe yet still shivering, this struck her as unnatural.

She then turned to Koren. "Whatever spell you've placed on Mother," she readied her wand. "Remove it! Now!"

"There is no spell or curse that I've put on Her Highness," Koren told the Princess. "Your mother is very much in her right mind." the blonde sorcerer looked at his Queen. "She is the one who suggested that we not only harness the Mana from the Waterstone, we also make use of the Spirit of Water Herself." he then grinned. "It's all part of securing our kingdom's future…regardless of cost."

"Yeah, right!" Duran shot back. "Your aim is for domination of the world! You're no different than those beasts from Ferolia! Or that witch from Nevarl!" He shrugged on his shield and drew his father's sword.

"And you are the one that will stop us?" Queen Valda finally spoke up, voice even and emotionless. She sounded just as refined and beautiful as she looked, but her piercing and icy gaze was intimidating. And there was something troublingly… appropriate about how the cold chamber matched so well with her frozen blue attire and cold stare. "There have been many chosen by the Goddess before you. Your journey is neither extraordinary nor unique."

"You think, lady?" the wild-haired soldier asked. "And even if that's the case, that doesn't change that all of them ended in victory!"

"Is that so?" Koren then spoke up. "Then what of your father? Or better yet, how he failed?"

The chamber went silent; nothing but Undine's moans and sharp breaths was heard. "What are you talking about?" Duran asked. "He helped lead Valsena to victory over Pedda!"

"But what of afterward?" Koren asked. "When you were no more than a boy," he continued his malicious grin broadening. "And your father never came home?"

Outside the Cave

With a swing of his sword, the Darkshine Knight forced the four youths to jump back, separating them into two groups: Kevin and Hawkeye to the left, Riesz and Charlotte to the right. The twin golems then chugged into motion, each going after a different group.

The darkly-clad knight, however, did not move. Instead, he simply watched as the four youths engaged the automatons.

Why isn't he attacking? Riesz thought, she and Charlotte waiting for the golem they were facing to make a move. I thought he said he meant to fight us.

There was little time to contemplate his actions as the golem raised its arms and slammed its fists into the ground, creating shockwaves that nearly knocked everyone off their feet, save for the knight. It was as if he were a physical presence when he needed to be, yet ethereal in other instances.

"What was that?!" Hawkeye questioned. "I don't remember these guys doing that back in Valsena!"

"Watch out," Kevin whispered to the thief. "This knight's scent..." he paused for a moment, searching his memory for something similar to the fetid stench. "It's nothing that belongs to the living."

"These mechanical beings were not just constructed," the Darkshine Knight explained. "But these units have been imbued by magic," he continued, "Magic from beyond this country, and from beyond this world."

Inside

Duran froze. "And...and what of it?" He steeled himself. "Besides, even if he did die, he took the Dragon Lord with him!" Koren was quiet for a moment, his expression unchanged before he began chuckling. The sound grew louder and louder until, ultimately, he was doubled over and laughing hysterically. Queen Valda, by contrast, remained maddeningly silent. "Hey, what's so funny?!" Duran demanded. "Mock me if you like, but if you're insulting my father-"

"There's nothing funny about either of you," Koren said, finally calming down somewhat. "If anything, you're both pathetic. More so you, for your father caused quite the serious injury," he then crossed his arms. "My Lord needed a bit of time to recover from those wounds. He was rather dreadful to look at before your late father raised his ire."

"Your Lord?" Angela asked. "Must not be that smart if he's recruiting you." She saw Koren's eye twitch upon hearing that. Looks like I touched a nerve there. She thought. True, she cared not how her words affected him, but it seemed he took them quite personally.

Nevertheless, Koren kept his smile, continuing as if he didn't hear the Princess. "My Lord knows much of you and your champion swordsman, Princess. He has been rather curious about you." He said, pointing at Duran. "Hm, he's right. You do resemble your father."

Duran was quiet, trying to understand all these meaningless things Koren was spouting. But after a few moments, the pieces began to fall into place in his mind. The wizard's so-called Lord, his father, the beast he had slain. It was then that Duran realized, with dawning horror and disbelief, just who Koren was referring to. The beast that his father had faced twice, the same that commanded the winged monsters that terrorized those bound to the Earth. The beast that he had thought to have been dead all these years.

Outside

"Magic from where, then?" Riesz questioned the knight; the golems had momentarily ceased their attacks at his command.

"It is beyond even that of Altenan wizardry," the Darkshine Knight answered. "It is magic from the darkest and deepest corners of the world," he continued. "It has come from the Highest of the Fallen Ones: The Benevodon of Darkness."

Benevodon of Darkness?! Even if none could genuinely fathom what such a creature would look like, the party knew it was undoubtedly terrible.

But wait a moment , Charlotte thought. Fallen Ones? But, does that mean...?!

"Unfortunately for you all," the knight continued. "You shall not live to see it or its brethren, for your end has come!"

The golems then sprang back into motion and vaulted forward, fists and magic ready to go all out against their foes.

Inside

"You... you're lying," Duran stammered. Angela saw the soldier's hands trembling, but that fear soon gave way to rage. "You're lying!" A light engulfed him as he transitioned to the gladiator. "YOU'RE LYING!"

He threw off his heavy coat and lunged towards the wizard, sword wreathed in flames. "Duran!" Angela called out for him, but he was far beyond her reach. Her eyes turned to face her mother, the older woman staring back at her with an icy gaze. "Mother, er, Your Highness! Please, stop this!" Her eyes fell on Undine, whose features were contorted in agony. "You've already activated the Stone, so why take her life?!"

The Queen of Reason said nothing. Instead, her eyes appeared like that of a corpse: dead and hollow. Angela ran up to try and grab Undine, but the Queen raised her hand and, with a flick of her wrist, unleashed a gust of wind that sent Angela flying back against an icy wall. The impact smashed the breath from her lungs and left her back throbbing.

"Angela!" Duran cried out, about to run over to her, but spiked ice pillars burst from the ground at Koren's command, cutting the soldier off from the Princess.

"Abandoning a duel?" Koren asked. "That's not the behavior I'd expect from the son of a great knight."

"Call your Queen off, and I won't have to go through you!" Duran demanded.

"My Queen is currently giving her daughter some much-needed discipline. Theirs is a family matter." Still, the wizard was surprised that the gladiator would willingly abandon a fight, especially once he'd spent months chomping at the bit for. And, all for her sake. "It seems you've grown a little attached to the Princess. Am I right?"

Duran stiffened. Was now the best time to be bringing that kind of stuff up? "Now you're just stalling." He said.

"You didn't deny it," Koren retorted tauntingly. "Though I fail to see why," he scoffed. "That brat is nothing but a waste of skin and bones. It's only recently that she's become anything useful."

"You're wrong!" Duran argued back, momentarily forgetting whether or not Angela could even hear him. "You, your Queen, and everyone in your damn kingdom are fools for not seeing that!" He continued before Koren could get another word in. "It's no wonder Angela is how she is; she's never felt the simple decency of respect from her people, or even a mother's love! You and your Queen are vile for what you've done!"

"You speak as if she's never experienced love before," Koren answered. "But what about you? You seem awfully concerned about the daughter of your enemy." Duran went quiet. "Well, it matters not," he said, his gesticulating fingers conjuring several Ice Shards, ready to be launched at his opponent. "Because my Lord is interested in using her in the future, and to ensure that, I'll need to take care of you!"

Outside

A burst of water from below shot up like a geyser; the high pressure from the water stung Kevin's skin as he had just barely got Hawkeye out of the way. The two fell into the snow; their yellow hats tore free by the motion and landed a few feet away.

"Thanks." The thief told the beastman.

"Don't thank me yet," Kevin replied. "This thing's just not letting up!"

"No kidding." Hawkeye agreed. "One step forward, two steps back."

These golems didn't appear to be any more robustly built than those they faced before, but that didn't matter if they couldn't get close to them! Every time they saw a potential opening, the machines cast another magical attack that forced their fleshy assailants back.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm hoping the moon will show itself. At least it would give Kevin more strength, yet he knew it'd be another battle entirely to keep his savagery in check with the tenuous control of his bestial form.


"These coats are too cumbersome!" Riesz said, stripping the thick cloak of white and red off of her.

The cold immediately assaulted her senses, but she focused as hard as possible to transform. Thankfully, it seemed that the Mana energy coursing through her provided some degree of warmth despite the weather. Thankfully, it was enough to make the icy winds feel merely chilly. Having assumed the form of the valkyrie, Riesz ran up and ducked under a newly conjured bolt of electricity from the silver golem's outstretched palm.

"Charlotte! Transform and follow me!" Riesz commanded Charlotte, who nodded and transitioned into her Priestess form. "Once I get its attention, cast your magic!"

The two young women (despite one having the body of a child) were separated by a dark mass flung in their direction, but the two avoided the spell, along with the crater that it created, and continued their charge. The silver golem launched one of its fists in their direction while using the other to smash the ground, casting another earthquake spell. This jostled everyone (save for the Darkshine Knight); Riesz lost her footing and fell face-first into the snow.

And, upon looking up, she saw the golem's fists raised high, poised to swing down and smash her head in.

"Riesz!" Hawkeye shouted, thanking the Goddess that the valkyrie rolled out of the way just in time.

"Now, Charlotte!" Riesz shouted; the golem then gave a great clang as a great force struck its back.

The priestess' flail had beaten the cover for the machine's control panel, denting it in several places. And thanks to the extra strength her class provided her, she was able to pry open the cover to reveal the golem's spinning gears. The half-elf looked around and saw a glowing, violet core hidden behind the gears.

"Stop!" The Darkshine Knight suddenly shouted, seizing Charlotte's flail and ripping it from her hands. "You'll kill yourself and your companions if you strike that core!"

He was rewarded with a Holy Bolt to the face, which appeared to cause him a great deal of pain; the knight fell to his knees and clutched his head in agony.

"Yeah? And who's to say we awen't gonna bwow YOU up?!" She said, charging up another Holy Bolt to strike the glowing core. "Hey, Kevin! Wip it's back panew off!" She advised, about to deliver her attack to finish off the golem.

But before she could, the more petite girl was lifted off the ground by the knight and tossed in Riesz's direction. Reacting quickly, the valkyrie caught her in midair. "Do you not understand? This is a fight you cannot win. The explosion would engulf this entire area and you along with it."

"Then what are we supposed to do?" Hawkeye asked. "Aside from just letting you win? Which, sorry to say, isn't an option for us," he then looked at the sealed entrance into the ice cavern. Then he looked at the golem that was already disabled but was still able to move. Still, perhaps that would serve them.

The now transformed ranger then looked at Riesz, then motioned towards the damaged golem, then to the icy barrier of the cave. Kevin, who had become a monk, examined as well.

"You're thinking of using these machines for something?" Kevin asked.

Hawkeye nodded. "Maybe an explosion is what it would take to get us inside."

"But what about the knight?" Charlotte asked. "He's not gonna wet us get past him so easiwy."

"We're too spread thin as it is," Riesz said. "The beastmen will surely arrive shortly. And even in our current states, we can't fight all of them."

"So, let's focus on getting inside. Besides, it's like Faerie said, that Spirit is in danger, right?" The violet-haired young man asked. "Look, there are two of those machines, right?" The valkyrie nodded. "And, if those things go off as that knight said, will take out whatever gets caught in the explosion, right?"

Riesz was now beginning to understand. "We'll need someone to take care of both the knight AND the other golem. And the first golem will have to be lured outside of this area. You can do that?"

"No problem!" Hawkeye said, giving her a thumbs up. "Hey, Kevin, think you can take care of the tin man while I go for tall, dark, and gruesome?"

The ranger hadn't even realized that the beastman had already transformed, the enormous Werewolf's eyes a far cry from Kevin's warm amber orbs. Nevertheless, the creature seemed to answer him with a nod and a low growl.

"All right, let's go," Riesz said, rising to stand. She then looked at Hawkeye and Kevin. "Be careful. I mean that for both of you." She was genuinely concerned for them both, but Kevin and Charlotte saw her blue eyes linger on Hawkeye. But she said nothing to him. "Move out!"

Riesz and Charlotte ran towards the golem they had already damaged while Hawkeye ran in the direction of the Darkshine Knight. Kevin stood where he was, the other golem obligingly approaching him. And while they were still quite far and out of the range of hearing for the others, the Werewolf heard the calls of his brethren in the distance.

Inside

Angela looked upon the bound Undine, whose condition seemed to worsen by the second. Still, she knew she wouldn't be able to do the Spirit any good without a plan. Yet if her mother didn't listen to her before, who was to say she would listen now?

"Your Highness, there's no reason for her life to be taken!" Angela argued. "You've already had a sacrifice! Isn't that enough?!"

The Queen said nothing. Angela tore off her cloak and ran towards Undine, ready to strike at the magical bonds holding the Elemental. Valda sent a volley of icicles in her daughter's direction, but her child transformed into the mysticist and cast Diamond Shards to knock the incoming projectiles off course. She had reached the small, mermaid-like Spirit, yet a red bolt of energy struck her hand as she reached for her. The eldritch shackles Koren had summoned wouldn't allow themselves to be undone so easily.

"Even now, you still are completely useless," Valda said coldly, thrusting her hand into her daughter's chest and sending her back against a wall of ice. Angela got herself up yet found her mother's soft but icy hand gripping her throat. "You have magic, finally, yet not enough sense to know how to use it. Koren was right: you ARE nothing more than a good meal."

Angela gripped her mother's arm, shocked by the woman's strength. The Princess never would've thought the Queen was this strong! But what she had said caught Angela's attention. "Good meal? What are you talking about?"

"You have received power from the Mana Stones, or rather, the Benevodon inside, so you now have a direct connection to Mana," the woman explained. "And because of that, we still have use of you. Or rather, my Lord does."

"Your Lord?" Angela questioned. Was it the same Lord that Koren spoke of?

"Yes," Valda confirmed. "And it is he who you shall be given to."


"You still insist that I'm lying?" Koren asked, sending more Ice Shards in Duran's direction.

"The Dragon Lord is dead!" Duran shouted, sword ablaze and melting the shards in midair. "How dare you slander the Golden Knight with such filthy lies!"

Duran was about to say more when a bolt of conjured lightning struck him in the chest, knocking him off his feet and sending him sprawling. He reached for his sword, but the red wizard placed a booted foot upon the blade.

"Do you believe that?" He asked, looking down at the sword of the Golden Knight. "Or are you that deep in denial?" He leaned in closer. "He couldn't protect your mother from death, so what makes you think you can rescue your fair lady?"

"W-what?" Duran asked through clenched teeth.

"Your life is forfeit, yes, but my Princess has garnered the interest of my Lord. Therefore, he wants her delivered to him."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Duran questioned again.

"It means he wishes to have her alive and whole. And appropriately dressed. My Lord does have an affinity for tradition regarding sacrifices."

Sacrifices? Did he mean Angela? No, no, that wouldn't happen. It was then that Duran showed he didn't need his sword to go on the offensive. His fist collided with Koren's jaw, the uppercut making the wizard stagger back from the blow.

"How dare you-" the wizard's remaining words were lost as Duran kept landing blow after blow, fists driving hard into Koren's willowy form with furious speed.

The wizard felt a fist meet his face, followed by one to his gut. He was then kicked and sent careening into the icy wall that separated the gladiator from the mysticist. Koren then felt streams of blood running from his nose. He inspected it but found the area incredibly painful to touch. That bastard had just broken his nose!

"You're going to regret that!" The wizard roared, some of the blood running from his nose meeting his tongue, the rusty taste of his fluids infuriating him more. "You don't know who you're dealing with!"

Duran retrieved his father's sword, the blade aflame once again. "Fine then," the sword's wielder said. "Show me."


"M-Mother..." Angela strained, barely able to force the words past the iron, cold grip on her throat. "I-I can't breathe...!" Her pleading was rewarded with the Queen tightening her grip all the more. "Please...I love you...ah!" Angela was then tossed to the ground, landing on her stomach.

"I'm beginning to ponder whether or not I made a mistake using Jose," Valda said, walking over to her daughter. "The Dragon Lord may have set his sights set on you, but it's clear time out in the world has done nothing for you."

Jose. Upon hearing the old man's name, Angela's eyes widened. "Is it true?" She groaned. "Is it true that he's been...?"

"If he hadn't, it would've been Victor," Valda answered, as casually as if she'd asked who she'd taken tea with that morning. "There had to be some way to draw you and your companions here," she explained. "We have rivals besides you and yours in our bid for the Mana Holyland, so better to take care of you now than later."

Angela didn't beg or try to appeal to her parent. She didn't cry or become despondent. Instead, she grew angry. "So, it IS true. You did it." She then rose to her feet. "You killed him."

It was then that Valda, along with Koren and Duran on the other side of the wall, noticed that the cavern was growing dark. Angela stood facing her mother, the tails of her outfit rising as if stirred by a sudden wind. The cavern walls began to project the furious young woman's energy, turning a dark violet, and the air felt electrified.

Something had changed in Angela.

Outside

Riesz ducked as a projectile fist was launched in her direction. She kept herself a reasonable distance from the golem yet had moments where she had to get close enough to ensure the machine was focused on her. Thanks to the speed gifted to her by her class, the valkyrie dodged the incoming fists and magical attacks with ease, yet she couldn't deny that she had many close calls. But just keeping the golem distracted wouldn't be enough. No, she had to lure it to the icy barrier blocking the entrance to the cave.

Just a little more. Riesz thought, seeing that Charlotte was ready at any time.

The golem then thrust a fist in the valkyrie's direction, which she deflected with her spear. Unfortunately, this left her abdomen open, and the silver automaton took the opportunity to deliver a brutal punch to Riesz's gut. The blonde flew backward and smashed into the icy wall blocking the cavern, leaving a sizable imprint in the chilled barrier.

"Riesz!" Hawkeye called out but was quickly cut off from going to her by the Darkshine Knight, his mighty sword swinging down and blocking the ranger's path.

"She is not your concern," the knight told the younger man. "Your battle is with me!"

Kevin, the Werewolf monk, was kept back by the second golem casting nothing but magical attacks, forcing him to keep his distance. Kevin growled in frustration, the urge to tear into the machine more than tempting, but he couldn't let his mind become enveloped in such violent thoughts. He needed the golem as a means of defense against the other transformed beastmen coming their way. But first, he needed to get close enough to where he could get at its innards. Otherwise, they'd never be able to hold the approaching man-beasts off.

Riesz found herself cornered. Before she could react, the golem seized her by the throat and lifted her off the ground. The silver, beady-eyed product of Altena produced a sizable Dark Force in its other hand, ready to deliver it and finish Riesz off.

Riesz was about to call for Charlotte to strike, yet there was no need as the priestess had delivered a Holy Bolt straight into the golem's back, hitting the core. The machine, critically damaged, began to convulse and its grip went slack, releasing the valkyrie. She quickly made a run for it, scooping Charlotte up and bolting from the scene.

"Get down!" She yelled. "It's going to blow!"

Hawkeye and Kevin saw the golem Charlotte had blasted and saw it was spasming and convulsing, sparks flying everywhere. Even the knight and other golem noticed this, but only the golem ran along with the four youths to escape the imminent explosion.

The damaged golem felt its systems going into overdrive, and it could not prevent its internal mechanisms from catastrophically overloading. It was too late to stop what was happening. Its core was going to burst.

Inside

What's happening? Duran asked Faerie, the winged woman having been quiet for some time.

I'm not entirely sure, she admitted. But whatever this is, it's got something to do with whatever is happening on the other side of this wall. Faerie said, referring to the icy barrier set up to keep him and Angela separated.

Is it coming from the Queen? Duran asked.

I don't think so. Faerie answered.

Duran looked and saw that Koren himself was also puzzled by what was happening. Is Angela in trouble? Duran questioned his internal guide, growing concerned about what was going on and how it related to the Altenan princess.

Then, to Duran and Koren's surprise, an image of the two women appeared on the wall, revealing what was happening on the other side. Queen Valda gazed upon her daughter as surging darkness enveloped her like a powerful aura. The Princess's appearance changed as well, her green eyes shining intensely, but the change gave no reassurance to Duran or Faerie. The pair saw something quite alarming in the young woman's eyes.

Hatred.

And her baleful gaze alighted upon the Queen.

The image was hazy, but Duran swore he saw her appearance change even more. Her clothes began to alter, making him wonder if perhaps she was changing classes; maybe it had something to do with the released energy of the Waterstone? Regardless, he did not like the changes he saw in the mysticist. Or perhaps she wasn't that anymore.

Angela's attire seemed to darken and flow until it took on the appearance of black voids, having neither form nor shape, ever-shifting and writhing in maddening patterns. But the tails of her leotard, boots, and gloves remained, though her garb's alterations persisted in disconcerting directions. A second split train, bearing a disconcerting resemblance to demonic wings, now curved inward from the midpoint of her back. No less bizarre, what appeared to be curved horns emerged from her head.

Faerie...what's happening? Duran asked, genuinely unnerved at what he was seeing.

The Mana, Faerie said. The energy coming off of her is unreal! She then looked around from inside her host. Could it be that there's another source of power here somewhere?

From the other side, Angela gripped the wooden wand provided to her by Victor. Who was gifted it by Jose to take to her. Her fingers clenched at the carved wood so tightly, that one would think it would break any second.

"Duran was right about you," Angela then said in a low, cold voice. She then approached the Queen. "You're a vile, wicked witch. You've always been," She then was overcome with emotion, tears beginning to fall down her cheeks. "Well, I'm done."

Dark power began to course through her wand. And, despite her cold demeanor remaining unshaken, Duran could see that Queen Valda started to look slightly afraid. "I don't like this." Duran muttered, also beginning to fear what was happening to Angela.

"I'm done holding out hope that you'll change your ways," Angela spoke, the dark aura intensified along with her rage. "I'm done believing that, one day, you'll become the kind woman Victor and Jose said you once were," she was trembling with fury. "And I'm done thinking that you'll ever be anything close to a mother!"

She then raised her wand and struck the Queen in the chest, the woman staggering back from the overwhelming blast of the magic cast at her. She tried to retaliate, but Angela kept casting spell after spell, the black voids she shot from her wand soon had the hitherto composed Queen wailing in torment, shrieking as the surges of dark energy seeped into, and through, her flesh to assail her very soul.

"Angela!" Duran cried out. He had never seen her like this. She wasn't angry; she was downright murderous. "Angela, stop!"

"I hate you," Angela snarled, standing over her mother's form, the woman very nearly incapacitated by her daughter's blows. "I hate you," the aura finally reached its peak, completely consuming Angela in such darkness that would make a Benevadon quiver…either in fear or excitement. "I HATE YOU!"

At that moment, everything was released. Her fury, her sadness, her vengefulness, everything. As if a terrible storm had been unleashed to wreak havoc and death upon all in its path, a force of almost primal rage poured out from the Princess and obliterated the icy wall separating her and Duran. Even beyond the cave, the effects of this dark wave were felt, the golem's own explosion failing to rival that of the wave of pure Mana that billowed outward in smoldering rage.

Everyone outside, human, Werewolf, machine, and unnatural creature, were blown back, the barrier blocking the cavern completely destroyed. Then, as quickly as it came, it was gone and left no evidence that it was ever there.

Duran's eyes slowly opened. He'd had the wind knocked out of him and had reverted from his gladiator class to a soldier. He saw Koren was still unconscious and made no effort to disturb him.

Considering what just happened, and how it had scared the living daylights out of him, he barely gave his defenseless foe any heed.

Are you all right? Faerie asked.

"Y-Yeah. I think so," Duran said aloud, getting to his feet. As his pounding heartbeat subsided, and Duran was reminded just how cold this cave was, he belatedly realized that his gladiator class no longer provided him with extra warmth. "Just what the hell WAS that?"

I'm not entirely sure, Faerie admitted. But it all generated from Angela, and then-

"Oh, Goddess, Angela!" Faerie's speech was interrupted by Duran crying out the young woman's name, his eyes darting in all directions for any sign of her.

Look! Faerie exclaimed, and Duran saw Undine. The water spirit lay unconscious on the small stone altar, but no longer shackled by Koren's bonds. Hurry! While there's still time!

Duran took the tiny mermaid in his arms, the Spirit around the size of a human infant. Is she ok? Duran asked.

She's lost a lot of Mana, Faerie answered somberly. Right now, she needs someplace to heal. Someplace with a lot of water.

The ocean? Duran suggested.

That could work. But let's take care of these guys first.

Right. Duran saw that the red wizard was still unconscious but heard some low moaning not too far away.

The Queen of Reason stirred, her head throbbing in pain. She groaned, putting a hand to her temple to massage away the pain, and was astonished to find that it bled freely. Just what had she been doing? She became aware that someone was approaching her; the woman looked up to see a young magician standing over her.

"A-Angela?" Queen Valda asked, slowly rising to her feet. She then reached for her daughter's cheek. "What are you-"

SLAP!

The sound of the impact echoing throughout the cave drew Duran's attention, racing in the direction of the noise. He slid to a halt as he beheld a weakened but still standing Angela slapping the Queen across the face, the blow sending the older woman to the ground.

Outside

"What was that?!" Charlotte asked, she and everyone else seeing that the golem by the entrance had been obliterated. "Hey, wook! We can get inside!" Indeed, whether it be from the golem's self-destruction or that strange dark wave, the icy barrier had been destroyed.

Then the chorus of howls started up once again.

"Quick! Get inside!" Hawkeye told Riesz, the blonde hesitant to do so. "Duran and Angela probably need you more right now. We can take care of this."

Riesz bit her lip. "But..."

"Don't worry, we won't be too long," he gestured to the other damaged but still functioning golem that miraculously survived the frightening conflagration. "Besides, Kevin here's got me covered, right?" He gave Kevin a small pat on the head. The Werewolf growled in response, feeling patronized.

Riesz was silent for a few moments before answering, "All right, then." She then stood, the others following afterward. "Just promise me that you'll be here when we come back."

"And promise me that you will come back." The ranger told her.

Riesz's cheeks grew warm, a slight tint of pink coming to the skin. "I shall. Charlotte! Let's go!"

She and the priestess bolted for the entrance to the cavern. The Darkshine Knight raced to stop them, but his path was blocked by Kevin, who slashed at the unnatural specter with his claws. The knight beat back the Werewolf monk but found the ranger had come up from behind, a dagger plunging into his back. This didn't affect the knight, but it allowed his two opponents to go and start luring the golem to where they could use it to counter the fast-approaching beastmen.

Inside

The Queen gazed up at her daughter, bewildered as to what had happened. "Angela, what's going on-" this time, Valda was answered by her daughter lowering herself onto her knees just above the prone woman and, with one gloved hand, grabbing her throat, the other still holding her wand. "A-Angela?! Ack!" Valda was robbed of her words. She looked up to see her child's face contorted with rage, fresh tears still streaming down her face.

"Angela, what are you doing?!" Duran yelled, but Angela didn't acknowledge him.

"It's too late to feign ignorance now," the Princess growled. "Much less beg for mercy."

Valda let out a pained gasp as her daughter's grip on her throat tightened. "W-Wait...! Wait, I-"

"Shut up, witch!" Angela shouted, bringing the tip of her wand to the Queen's face. "You want me to show you what I've learned?"

Duran saw that the darkness that had consumed Angela before still lingered despite her having reverted to a magician. Faerie, what's wrong with her?

I don't know, but you've got to stop her!

"Oh, I've learned much," the Princess said darkly. "Contrary to what you believe, I listened to Jose's lessons. I remember anything and everything I've studied under him," the beginning of a Dark Force was forming at the tip of her wand. "And I also remember how the Element of Darkness destroys anything in its path-" Before she could continue any further, Duran grabbed her by the shoulder and whirled her around.

"What are you doing?!" He asked Angela, puzzled and startled at what he was seeing.

"I should ask you the same thing!" Angela responded. Her eyes still shone green, yet it wasn't a natural shine. "This woman has taken many lives in both Valsena and Altena! She cut open a defenseless old man's throat just to activate the Stone! She doesn't deserve to live!"

"Angela, you've got to calm down!" Duran begged. "This isn't like you-"

"Shut up!" Angela roared, leveling her wand in his direction to get him to back off. "Stand in my way, and I won't hesitate to-GAAAHH!"

Duran whirled around to find that Charlotte had blasted Angela in the back with a Holy Bolt. As soon as Lumina's light struck her, the dark energy exuded by the Princess abruptly dissipated, her mouth opening as if to scream, but only a swirling, dark mass poured out from her throat. Then, the energy was finally seared away by Lumina's light, reduced to glossy motes that vanished into the cavern's icy walls.

"Angela!" Duran rushed over to catch the young woman, momentarily knocked unconscious by the white magic. But not before seeing Riesz and handing Undine to the amazon. He then turned to Charlotte. "What was that about?"

"She was momentawily possessed," the priestess answered. "And I just cast whatevew it was out." Riesz knelt to allow the priestess to examine the Elemental better. "Oh, you poow thing."

Duran was about to question what she meant, but he never got the chance.

"Koren, what's going on?" a disembodied voice spoke, echoing throughout the cavern.

Outside

The ranger had been darting about the Darkshine Knight, keeping the unnatural warrior's attention fixed upon himself…and trying not to get cut in half by his spectral blade. But, the deadly dance abruptly ceased upon seeing his foe had stopped in his tracks, glowing eyes turned towards the Ice Cavern. Kevin looked up from the golem he and Hawkeye had successfully disabled, only needing for its core to be set off.

"Uh, hello?" Hawkeye asked, confused by this sudden turn of events. "Hey, is somebody home up there?" He asked, lightly knocking on his own head.

The knight didn't respond, his eerie gaze fixed upon the entrance to the cave. Then the howls started up again. But before Hawkeye or Kevin could do or say anything more, the knight went for the golem and picked it up, carrying it away from the confused ranger and Werewolf monk.

Just what was this knight doing now?

Inside

Duran froze, and it wasn't due to the cold temperature. Duran? Duran, what's wrong? Faerie asked, sensing her host's fear.

That voice. Duran thought aloud, not even bothering to conceal his thoughts from Faerie. That voice...it can't be...!

In that instant, displayed in the reflection of the numerous icy crystals all around, the image of a humanoid shape began to take form. Colors of red, green, and gold swirled in the image, coming together to present a clear picture for all to see. A tall man, apparently human, was projected, dressed in green and golden robes coupled with a mantle of blood-red silt. He wore an elaborate headpiece that resembled a flying reptile or serpent, the tail coiled around his waist and ending just where the robes ended. He was a man, yet those who recognized him knew well that he was no ordinary man. And, indeed, despite his appearance, he was far from human.

Duran didn't notice it at first, but he saw why he had failed to recognize the projected image. There was a patch of shaven skin, just above the lips, where a distinctive and all too familiar mustache should've been.

The man with the clean-shaven face turned his gaze upon the young swordsman, his eyes red and reptilian, hinting at the inhuman monster this being truly was. Duran found fear seeping into his very blood; tales of winged creatures and fire-breathing demons he had heard long ago returned as surely as if they were fresh memories. Tales that his father had told him. Stories that also spoke of the most incredible, most terrible beast that commanded and ruled the demons of the skies.

And that demon had just noticed him, presenting him with a smile that held neither mirth nor warmth. Only the promise of death. "Hello there, son."

Outside

They had to be close now! They could practically smell them! Ludgar, despite his feral state, commanded his troops with a series of growls and roars, telling them to press on. The Stone was close, that much he knew. Then, finally, Ferolia would have laid claim to a Stone, snatched from under the very nose of one of their deadliest rivals! And if not, then they could just rid themselves of those who came before and claim it then.

But before they could go any further, one of the transformed beastmen saw a silver machine walking towards them, its steps clunky and slow. Then, a shadowy figure emerged from a dark void that manifested on the snowy ground, seemingly from nowhere. The golem had walked its way to the troops, now but a few inches away. Then, the knight plunged its sword into the golem's back, the blade piercing through the back panel easily. The machine began spinning its head wildly and flailed its arms, its detachable fists firing off in separate directions.

Ludgar roared as if demanding to know the meaning of this, but he saw the golem begin to tremble and shake. The Werewolf's instincts alerted him of the terrible danger they were now in and bellowed for his fellow beasts to run away, and fast! Everyone scattered as the golem's tortured mechanical innards finally ruptured. Then, its body was engulfed in light, and all the magical energy it had stored was released in a blinding, magnificent explosion.

Inside

Duran scooted back, all the while clutching Angela tightly. "No," he muttered. "No, no, no, no, no," he repeated, his mind unable to comprehend what he was seeing. Yet as much as he tried to deny it, he knew it was true.

The man with his father's face was him—the Dragon Lord.

Koren immediately bowed before the projection, but Valda appeared just as startled as Duran. It was almost as if she wasn't even aware of where she was. "Yes, my Lord?" The wizard asked with reverence for his master.

The Dragon Lord noticed the blood running down Koren's face. "Hm," he smirked. "Looks like you got into a bit of a skirmish," Koren said nothing, but he lowered his gaze, both out of subservience and to try to conceal his embarrassment. The Dragon Lord then noticed the disoriented but very fearful Valda. "And you," he began, looking the Queen over.

"L-Loki?!" The Queen stammered, unable to believe what she was seeing. "But...but you're...!" She gasped, realizing who she was talking to.

"It seems you haven't changed a bit since your dear Richard stood against me," he grinned, displaying unnaturally long canines. "You know, Loki took the blow meant for the little prince because of you," he told the Queen. "You," the green-robed "human" set his sights on Angela. "And your precious daughter."

As if on cue, Angela stirred, shivering due to the cold. She nestled into Duran for warmth, opening her eyes to find herself in his arms. "What the...what just hit me?" She asked, her eyes no longer smoldering with bloodlust. Then, she looked to see the projected image of the Dragon Lord. "Who are you?"

The Dragon Lord smirked. "Loki's son and Valda's daughter," he said, perhaps contemplating how to use them. Of course, the girl would serve his purposes regardless, yet the boy would be trouble. But then again, he WAS the one to wield the Sword eventually. And to do that, he had to make it to the Holyland first.

"My Lord?" Koren asked, waiting for the humanoid beast to speak.

The Dragon Lord had reached a decision. "Koren, my dear Queen," he addressed them both, though Valda held no reverence for the monster. "Give them what they want."

Outside

A growl from one of his troops alerted Ludgar that someone was approaching them. They all saw the darkly clad figure stand before them, blocking the way to the sought after Stone. Ludgar stepped forward and snarled, keen to determine whether or not this strange figure was a challenger. He had insulted them plenty by daring to use that toy as a bomb, and that insult would not go unpunished.

The knight gave no answer to this wordless challenge. Instead, he faced the Werewolf in silence. Hawkeye and Kevin ran to look and see if the golem had successfully either eliminated the threat or forced them to retreat. Unfortunately, the beastmen were still there and now even angrier. But despite the numbers arrayed against him, the Darkshine Knight didn't move, nor did he draw his sword. Instead, he reached up for his helmet, slowly removing it.

Everyone froze.

What the beastmen saw wasn't entirely known to either Hawkeye or Kevin, but they had a view from the back. From their perspective, what lay underneath the knight's helmet were some horrid, sickening patches of dead flesh that didn't little to hide the skull underneath. It looked like the head of a still rotting corpse, but Kevin saw markings on the skull's surface. The markings appeared to have been made by sharpened teeth. As if the flesh was peeled off. And, quite possibly, eaten.

Much like vapors escaping from a freshly uncorked bottle containing some abominable concoction, a putrid stench of rot and decay wafted from the ebon armor to permeate the air, causing all nearby to choke on the stench. Due to their heightened senses, the beastmen were the most affected, two of their number falling into a swoon from the choking odor. True, the sight they beheld was startling, but it was the aura that the display seemingly unleashed that was even worse. It presented a brief but terrifying glimpse into the depths of pain and suffering, a soul that stood in the physical plane despite his condition. It was an unflinching look into the eyes of death itself.

Ludgar, to Kevin's surprise, backed up, visibly disgusted and fearful of what he saw. Those of his troops that hadn't been paralyzed with horror did so as well. After another moment of staring into the abyss, they turned and fled, snatching up their stunned fellows and scattering in search of any possible route of escape. The sight of the knight signified that there was another predator on the hunt, one that even the fearsome Ferolians didn't dare challenge for this piece of territory.

Inside

The red wizard was baffled by what he had just heard. "W-What?"

"I said you are to give them what they want," the Dragon Lord said. "And from now on, you are not to bother these children."

"My Lord, you can't be serious!" Koren protested.

The disguised dragon shot the wizard a piercing, red gaze. "They are to be left alone for as long as I see fit. Is there a problem with that?"

Koren lowered his head with a sigh. "No, my Lord."

"Now, it's time to go. But first," the Dragon Lord then set his sights on Valda. "She still has some use to us. Take her."

Valda didn't even get a chance to protest as Koren warped behind her and caught up her delicate neck between forearm and bicep. "W-Wait!" She cried out, struggling against the wizard. She then saw her daughter. "Angela! Run!" She cried out.

Naturally, this left the Princess somewhat confused. "Your Highness?"

Valda was puzzled as to why her daughter had not called her "mother," but the dread in her eyes was unmistakable. "Angela!" Valda reached for her daughter, but her efforts to get to her were futile.

Koren vanished in a burst of red light, and he, the Queen, and the image of the Dragon Lord were gone, the cavern silent once again.

"Hey, are you guys ok?" Suddenly, Hawkeye and Kevin entered the cavern, still in their ranger and monk forms respectively. "That knight and the beastmen are gone, so we should-" He saw Undine in Riesz's arms. "She's not looking too good."

We need to get her to the ocean, quickly! Faerie urged Duran, who gently released Angela, grabbed his white coat that had somehow survived the dark blast from before, and put it on.

"Well? Come on! Let's go!" He commanded, running out of the cave.

The others knew that they had best be getting out of here, yet all that had happened would not soon be forgotten.

Sometime Later

She was sinking and sinking into the depths. It felt heavenly. But it was then that she realized where she was. She was no longer in Altena, let alone the cold, even if she had an immunity to it. She was clearly well beyond that icy realm, having apparently been taken somewhere warm and sunny, and with nary a flake of snow in sight. The sun's rays reflected off the water's surface and, in the distance, she was fairly certain she could see the swaying forms of palm trees. She swam up and broke the surface, leaping high into the air.

"Oh, that's MUCH better!" Undine cried out, feeling life returning to her again. She then looked back to see six young people atop the back of a sizable turtle-like creature. They were no longer in heavy, thick garments and had reverted to their natural forms. "You are my rescuers, are you not?" The mermaid then saw Faerie sitting atop Duran's shoulder. "Wait, you're..." she then looked at the winged woman's host. "But that means you are...!" Undine then realized. "Oh, thank goodness you're here! You're finally here! Now everything can be all right again!" She said happily. "But...who are you?"

Silence.

"Who wants to go first?" Angela asked.


By the time everyone was done recounting their stories to Undine, the Elemental was in tears, sitting in the circle of larger bodies. "That...that's so sad," she sniffed. "You poor children."

We're not THAT young, lady. Charlotte thought.

"Your tales are so moving," Undine wiped away another tear. "Of course, I'll help you. I swear my undying loyalty to you." She then floated over to Duran and gave a slight bow.

"Sheesh," Hawkeye muttered under his breath, "who'd have guessed the Elemental of Water was such a drip?"

He snickered at his unwitting pun but nearly choked on it when Riesz's elbow promptly found his gut.

"Now, look what you did!" she chastised, pointing to the, apparently rather sensitive. Undine who had started bawling again. "And, what an atrocious pun!"

"Hey, the ladies always said my wit was one of my better attributes."

"Did they say that before or after you fed them the "It's not you, it's me" line?" Angela quipped, causing several of the companions to start choking on stifled laughter.

Hawkeye was about to retort, but Duran broke in, saying "You already let yourself get tricked into hitting on a woman old enough to be your mother, so stop digging your own grave."

This time, even Undine couldn't help laughing.

"Well, where to next?" Angela asked, trying to think about what a splendid target Hawkeye made instead of all that had transpired.

Judging by how forced Duran's laughter had sounded earlier, and how nary a drop of mirth had reached his eyes, he didn't relish that particular train of thought either.

"Well, if I may make a suggestion," Undine spoke up. "I'm a little worried about Salamando."

"And where would he be?" Kevin asked. "Like a volcano or something?" He thought back to Beuca Island, pondering whether or not a Mana Stone would be there.

Hawkeye then looked away from the others, staring far off. "Or a desert."

Riesz was quiet for a moment before speaking. "Does anyone have any objections to going to Nevarl?" No one protested. "Then it's settled. Vuscav! To Nevarl!" The turtle-like creature didn't move. "Oh, if I may ask you kindly, of course."

Vuscav now found the motivation to move, speeding off in the direction of the desert country which now lay in the thrall of Belladonna.

Note: I will confess that I get somewhat burnt out when I begin reaching the 5k word mark, so I decided to split my chapters in half to see if I have enough material for two or if I should fit it all together. It also tricks my brain into thinking that I'm writing something new.

Thank you to Falchion1984 for editing, and I hope to hear from you all!