Note: Hello, everyone! I would sincerely like to apologize for the long delay. But I couldn't continue with this fic until I did some serious editing. So, I went through and made corrections and alterations where it was needed. Nothing significant has been changed, but titles of royalty are all capitalized, the cursing has been toned down, and, overall, it's something I needed to do to be comfortable writing any further.

I do apologize for the long wait, so I'm planning on getting the next chapter out faster than the time it took to get this out.

Special thanks to co-writer and editor, Falchion1984!

To Nevarl

Though the sun shone in a clear blue sky, lending a gentle warmth that coupled well with the salty sea breeze and the gentle rocking of the ocean, the mood amongst the small company wasn't exactly cheerful or jovial. Even now, hours after the party of six had departed from Altena, no one had quite come to grips with what they had seen and experienced. Duran and Angela in particular had been badly shaken from their respective confrontations. Riesz noticed this immediately, but she also saw that Kevin and Charlotte had gone off to their own corner of Vuscav's expansive shell. Both look pensive, and much too quiet, tempting her to see if she might offer them some comfort. Before she could follow through, however, she noticed yet another troubling sign. Hawkeye, who sat nearest to the giant turtle creature's head, watched for any sign of his home country on the horizon, also looking solemn. Even if she was surrounded by those she could call friends, Riesz felt quite alone, and she didn't know what to do about it.

The silence was slowly but surely becoming unbearable for her; yet, conversely, Riesz was reluctant to bring up anything painful that might rub fresh salt in the others' wounds. But then she remembered that there was some information that they would need for the next leg of their journey. "Say, Hawkeye," the Amazon began, dsliking how tentative her words sounded as she approached the thief. "Since we'll be in Nevarl soon, what can we expect there? Seeing as you would know more than I, perhaps you can tell me about the terrain and hazards?"

"Hm, yeah. I guess we should be going over our plan of action," the violet-haired thief said, though his expression remained abstracted. "Of course, we'll have to be careful, considering how many spies Belladonna probably has," he exhaled. "At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if she has the entire guild in her hands. At best, the capital of Sirhtan will be under surveillance, since she knows by now that we're a threat to her plans and will be expecting us to drop by sooner or later."

"If that's at best, then what's the worst case?" Riesz asked, her tone steadier now that she was on familiar ground.

"At worst, she probably has Sihrtan occupied, just like Palo was. Maybe by the guild, maybe by more of those creatures she summoned at Laurent."

"So, you think we'll have to fight our way in?" Kevin then spoke up, curious about their next steps as well.

"Most likely," Hawkeye answered, with a rare serious tone. "Belladonna's not going just to let us waltz right in. She probably has some of my buddies waiting for us at the capital's harbor."

Riesz knew that getting into enemy territory would not be easy, as they had learned while sneaking their way into Altena, but she wasn't prepared to hear Hawkeye speak like that. Any trace of his customary optimism and blithe confidence was gone. And, while she wouldn't have believed she ever would, Riesz grew worried over the Nevarlan native.

"Hey, it's not wike we'ww have to kiww anyone," Charlotte said, pulling out her flail. "We can just bonk them ovew the head!"

"If you're lucky enough to catch them by surprise," Hawkeye countered. "Which you probably won't be. Flamekhan's guild is renowned throughout the land for a reason."

Riesz was about to speak, but Angela interjected before she could make herself heard. "He's right, you know," the Altenan Princess said, her tone as flat and grim as Hawkeye's. She had been rather solemn since they had left her home country. "We won't have the advantage of the Somnosa flowers from Laurent this time around," she continued. "The guys that weren't affected by the pollen put up quite a fight."

"And I have an inkling that those two guarding Belladonna before will be waiting for us too." Duran added.

"Bill and Ben." Hawkeye looked back at the Valsenan soldier, his eyes drawing narrow.

"Oh, yeah, right," Duran said, cringing at his faux pas. "I forgot. Sorry."

Hawkeye was quiet for a moment before answering. "Not your fault," he told Duran. "But, you're right. They're going to show up eventually," the thief said. "It's just a matter of when."

"Don't forget," Undine suddenly said, manifesting alongside the turtle and speaking between bouts of breaching. "If these people are looking for the Firestone, then Salamando might be in trouble."

"Relax," Shade assured the Water Elemental, sensing her worry. "Even if they find the Stone, I doubt they'd be able to snuff out his flame anytime soon."

"Actually," Angela then spoke up. "That's something I've been meaning to ask you," she told the Spirit of Darkness and Death. "So far, all the elementals have been found at or near where their respective Stone lies," the Princess explained. "But, even if it was…thematic, I didn't see the Darkstone aboard the ghost ship you were trapped on."

"Indeed," Shade answered. "For it is not like the other Mana Stones," he told the Princess. "Nor is the Beast inside like the others either."

"Why is that?" Riesz asked. "What makes that particular Benevodon any different?"

"A great deal, in fact," Shade answered. "I was not there to see the creation of the Mana Stones, nor the Goddess sealing away the Benevodons," the winged, red-eyed creature explained. "But I was present to see the Beast emerge from its prison."

The six mortals were both puzzled and intrigued, for, if the Benevodon was released, then why would whomever had awakened it not release the others? Sensing that they were more than slightly curious, Shade decided to relay the Tale of the Darkstone. Or, more specifically, just what made it unique amongst its contemporaries.

"At a time when civilization was just beginning, when the world was still healing from the Benevodons' rampage, Mana had grown weak. Thus, people turned away from the Goddess. As often happens when faith wavers, something malevolent rises to fill the vacuum. Some, and later many, began hearing a voice from a great Stone sealed away from the light of the sun. It promised great wealth and power to those that found it; all it needed in return was a sacrifice," even if it was subtle and fleeting, Shade saw Angela cringe upon hearing that word. "Sacrifices were made. Many, in fact," Shade continued, his tone as dark as he himself was. What he was recounting was far from pleasant, but the six young ones had to know what they were up against. "So much blood was spilt and fed to the Beast that the entire Stone was drenched in crimson," he said. "Then, as more and more blood was spilled, the Beast within eventually freed itself," all but the Element of Darkness fell into horrified silence. "The world was again facing destruction. Only this time, it was at the hands of a creature that could twist and pull the shadows of the world to do its bidding. As well as work to corrupt all creation." Shade explained.

"So, how was it stopped?" Duran asked.

"The Goddess sent forth a warrior wielding the Mana Sword to slay the Benevodon, and he very nearly succeeded," Shade told him. "But, before he could finish off the vile demon, it retreated back into its prison. Then, it did something none had anticipated: it split both itself and the prison into three."

"Three?" Riesz echoed, perplexed. "As in, both it and the Darkstone are in three pieces?"

"Yes, my young Queen," Shade answered. "It split both itself and the Darkstone into three. It then cast those pieces of the broken Stone to the dark, forbidden corners of the world."

"So, where are they now?" Angela questioned.

"Alas, I do not know, and I doubt anyone does," the Element of Darkness admitted. "As the beast's power is now divided, the energies of each cannot be as easily detected as the other Stones. But, wherever they landed, those pieces have surely turned those places into haunts for dangerous and foul creatures. And, it would not surprise me if your enemies can be traced to those very lands. That sorcerer, Koren, as well as Altena's Queen, are linked with the Dragon Lord, someone already seeking to open the way to the Holyland. His dwelling, the Dragonsmaw at the heart of the Crystal Desert, would be a perfect place for one of the Darkstone's fragments to reside," Shade then paused for a moment, closing his red eye. "Of all other Mana Stones," he said. "That one must never be made whole again. And it must never, ever taste innocent blood again."

Nevarl

He wasn't sure how long it had been since his capture, but it felt like he hadn't seen the sun in years. Even if it was blazing hot, the young priest was thankful to feel the rays warming his skin.

There had been days - or, to be more accurate, a succession of unnaturally long nights - where he could have easily been convinced that he was dead.

The warmth of the sun, stifling though it was, reminded him that he yet lived, but that his time in its light would be fleeting and that it would soon end, perhaps permanently.

"All right, this might sting a little," he told the dark-skinned boy sitting on his knee, who cringed visibly as his hands drew nearer the puncture wound on the child's kneecap.

His mother had told him that the boy received the injury from a Bulette who hadn't appreciated it when he'd started throwing sandstone rocks at her calves. The boy's ill-advised adventure had left him in urgent need of medical attention. But, unfortunately, the capital city was miles and miles away. Worse, even if the boy's mother could make it, she wouldn't have had the means to pay for a doctor. And if nothing was done, it was likely that the boy would either develop a serious infection, or lose use of that leg entirely. The young priest's hands were soon limed with blue light and, as they hovered over the boy's wounded leg, prompting a wince from the boy. The wound felt as if something hot was being pressed against it. Still, the priest was right in that it only hurt a little.

Then, to the amazement of both mother and child, the wound began to grow smaller, skin growing back, and, eventually, it was sealed up entirely without even the slightest hint of a scar. "Whoa, it's like it was never there." The boy said, amazed.

His mother, standing close by with her eyes misting in relief, went up to collect her son, quite oblivious to his squirming as he wanted to test out his newly healed leg. "You will never know how much it means to us that you're here, Revered Son." The dark-skinned woman told Heath, elated at her child's nigh-miraculous recovery.

Heath tried not to let the unsolicited title rankle him, but was not quite successful. His small but enraptured audience began using that title, and rebuffed any attempt on Heath's part to talk them down to something more humble, after being informed that he was not, in fact, the Priest of Light nor one of his immediate subordinates.

Considering the company Heath had been keeping lately, he sometimes felt unworthy of the modest rank he had amongst the Goddess's faithful.

"Oh, it's no problem at all," Heath assured her, pasting on a genial smile. "If anything, I'm thankful to be here as well." He said—anything to get out of that cold, dark place.

"Still, how did you come here?" Another young man, this one around the priest's age, asked. "You clearly don't have the supplies for crossing the desert and, if you did walk here, we would've seen you miles off," he said. "What's more, Chocobos certainly don't live anywhere near here."

Heath was quiet for a moment, pondering just how to answer such a question. Indeed, how he got to the small village of Diin was quite a story. But, it was a story he couldn't tell. Otherwise, the one who "escorted" him here might take him back to where he was being held. And, even if his escort was expressly forbidden from hurting him, by order of the dark fiend's Master, there was no guarantee for the safety of the villagers. If anything, Heath suspected that the horrid creature would love nothing more than to wreak havoc on this place, whether to silence any witnesses or to satiate his own foul hunger.

"Is he still here?" A female voice rang out from beyond the small crowd; the young priest turned to the left to see a blonde, tanned woman coming toward him. "Ah, yes! Good," she then moved before Heath and bowed graciously. "Begging your pardon, Revered Son," she said. "But you must be weary after traveling here from…what must've been so far away." She told him haltingly, seeing his lighter skin which indicated that he wasn't native to Nevarl. His priestly vestments were a giveaway that he came from the Holy City of Wendel but, aside from that, Heath had been quite closemouthed about himself. And, for good reason.

"Well, yes, you could say I have." Heath answered, once more painting on a serene smile and trying not to think about his journey. Or where he came from.

"Well, if I may be so bold, though the harvest hasn't been very bountiful in recent years, we've had a bit more luck this season than last. So," she extended a hand to him. "I'd like to welcome you into my home for a small meal, if you're in need of some nourishment."

"Oh, well," Heath pondered the woman's offer. Of course, it was just a hunch, but it seemed she had more on her mind than just offering him some hospitality. In fact, he sensed veiled urgency in her eyes and posture. She had something to say to him, something important. And she wanted to do so well away from prying eyes. "Sure, why not? After all, it would be rude to reject such kindness." He then rose from the flat boulder he'd used as a seat. "By the way, what's your name, dear lady?"

"Sarafina," the woman answered. "Come. My house is this way." Heath followed the woman, genuinely grateful for her offer. For even if he couldn't see them, he felt many eyes watching him from somewhere nearby. And, not all of them were friendly.


Gah! This damned sunlight! Goremand fumed as he hid in a dense mass of foliage not far from the village center. He then watched Heath enter Sarafina's home, disappearing from view. Do you think you can hide from me, priesty? Think again!

Still, despite his silent declaration, and the pangs of hunger at the sight of these tasty looking souls, Goremand remained hidden from sight. The sun's rays weren't deadly to him, but a creature like himself always detested any light, for it left him fewer shadows to hide in. I can't believe that Master actually let you come here! And, more to the point, I can't believe I'm the one that has to keep an eye on you!

Since Heath's capture, the jester's Master had kept the young man under a spell of sleep. But, recently, the priest managed to shake off the spell's effects long enough to strike up a conversation with his captor. Goremand was supposed to still be in Ferolia, searching for the Moonstone and Luna, but had been flabbergasted when the Master told him to take the priest out of the Mirage Palace and into the world. Of course, the jester protested such a thing, for he was a deliverer of death, not a babysitter! But unfortunately, the Master's will was absolute, and there was no changing his mind. Not without considerable pain for whomever was contradicting him, at least. And even more, he was the one that had to make sure the young man didn't go and get himself killed!

D'oh, I hate you! Goremand hissed to himself, his unnaturally long tongue sticking out slightly in Heath's direction. As if Ludgar screwing things up in Altena wasn't enough!

That operation was a disaster. They found out too late that the Waterstone had already received its sacrifice of blood. Which meant the enemy had activated one Stone, bringing them that much closer to the Holyland. And, as if that weren't enough, the Master had opposition with which to contend. Altena's Queen and her little pet magician were of no concern; no, what the Master wished to know was just whom they served. After all, that dark knight, as several terrified beastmen had testified, was something that did not belong in this world.


"The knight is an undead ghoul," his Master said, sitting on his throne, face cloaked in shadow, though there were distinctly human features present hidden beneath his ever-present mask. "Our foe either has power over the dead, or it is some other form of dark magic."

Goremand pondered this, for he knew only of the Master's abilities to raise the dead. "So, do you believe he is a necromancer, like yourself?"

"Not exactly," the jester's Master said. "The beastmen spoke of a stench of death and decay. But there seemed to be no signs of further decomposition. According to those that would speak, that is."

"Indeed," Despite having lost one of the Stones, Goremand wished he could've been there to see whatever horrors lay hidden underneath the knight's helm. "So, what now? You want me to track these enemies of ours?"

"I shall deal with that," his Master said. "At the moment, Goremand, I have a task for you."


And thus, here he was: stuck in this stupid village in this stupid desert underneath the stupid sun! Nevertheless, perhaps it was good that he was out here, for, despite the sun proving the most damnable of distractions, Goremand had felt a most interesting presence ever since he set foot in this land. He could see the young priest sensed it as well, but he wasn't sure if the mortal regarded it with the same seriousness. The presence was dark, but Goremand could sense a curious familiarity to it. He tasted the air with his strange tongue, finding that, while prevalent, whoever or whatever laid claim to this land wouldn't reveal themselves.

Not while the sun was still shining, at least.

Atop Vuscav

"Just how long will it take to get to Nevarl?" Riesz asked Undine, the Water Elemental visibly enjoying having returned to the ocean. Despite the Spirit being quite ancient, the young Queen found the more petite mermaid merrily swimming around and working flips and twists into her breaching rather adorable.

Undine, sensing the import of the question, stopped flipping around and settled into a swift backstroke alongside Vuscav. "Probably a day, maybe a little more than that," the blue-haired fish-woman answered. "The waters of places like that are usually warmer, and right now, I still feel a bit of Altena's chill."

Kevin was curious and dipped a toe in the water below. The beastman immediately drew his foot back and shivered, hugging himself to get warm. "How can you tell the difference? It's been cold the entire trip!"

Undine giggled. "Well, I guess it feels different for everyone." She dove back underwater, though she was easily visible in the clear water.

Riesz looked at Hawkeye, who had fallen silent again. Although she had decided to give him some space after their talk about what obstacles might await them in Neverl, she now felt herself growing concerned. Before she could give voice to her worry, she heard Charlotte say something that caught her attention.

It was something she had never heard of. And, remarkably, the words that were not affected by Charlotte's speech impediment.

Had Angela's lower jaw dropped any further, she would have cracked it on Vuscav's shell.

"Pardon?" The amazon asked the young half-elf, her disbelief less extreme. Marginally.

Charlotte blinked for a moment, just realizing she had said those words perfectly. "Huh. I actuawwy," she paused, her brow furrowing in frustrated concentration. "A-ctu-a-wwww, Wwww," the blonde was becoming tongue tied trying to speak properly. "Actu…awwlly," it wasn't much, but, to her surprise, she actually managed to produce an "L" sound correctly. "Wook, I said it. That's what matterws."

"Yeah," Kevin assured her. "It's not like you can't say it again. Charlotte smiled.

"Anyway, you mentioned these 'Fallen Ones,' what's that?" Riesz asked.

"Oh," Charlotte realized what the young Queen meant. "It's something that knight said." she explained.

"He did?" Riesz asked, Charlotte nodded in response. "Well, do you know what they are?"

"It's not weawwy that simpwe," the more petite blonde answered. "No one weawwy even knows if it's twue. Even Gwandpa has his doubts about it."

"About what?" Kevin asked.

"Whethew ow not it's the twuth," Charlotte said. "Heath nevew towd me about it, but I heawd him mention something befowe he weft fow Astowia."


Wendel

Temple of Light

"If the Stones are being sought after, then what of the Beasts that dwell within?" Heath asked the Priest of Light. "Is it possible that The Fallen Ones are real?"

"Not so loud!" Charlotte's grandfather warned. "Don't give them any sort of credence. They can gain power that way."

"But, if they are fed blood, they will eventually be released," Heath countered. "And, in that case, do you believe that they'll resume where they left off?"

"Heath, the First World didn't exist," the older man admonished. "There was darkness, and nothing else."

"Then why would the Goddess seal the Benevodons away?" Heath argued. "What destruction could they have caused, if there was nothing to destroy?"


Charlotte explained how she had listened to the two go back and forth on the matter for some time and, while the conversation led to the same conclusion with Heath going to Astoria, she did some research herself the night before his departure.

"Research?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah," Charlotte answered. "What? Just because I tawk weiwd means I can't do wesearch? I may not wook it, but I'm the same age as you."

"Well, yeah. That's true." Kevin conceded, seeing Charlotte's point.

"I may speak wike a kid," the half-elf said, "but I'm not stupid."


The Temple's Library

"Don't worry about it, Charlotte," she remembered Heath telling her. "I'll be back before you know it. Besides, it's a nice day outside. Go out and play with the other children."

But I'm NOT a child, the blonde girl growled to herself. In three years, I'll be a full-fledged adult! She stood atop a tower of books to reach the higher shelves. It's somewhere around here, I know it! She searched for the book she was looking for, squinting at the bindings for any sort of hint that it was the right text. Aha! Found you! Charlotte beamed triumphantly as she pulled the tome, which weighed nearly as much as she did, from the shelf…

…only for her to lose balance as the tower of books collapsed from under her.

She fell and hit her head on another bookshelf, some of the books being knocked loose by the tremors and cascading onto her head. And here I made myself look like a stupid kid.i But when she shook off her headache, she saw that the book she desired was right in front of her.


"It wasn't so much a book as it was just a bunch of texts thwon togethew," Charlotte explained. "But I did find it."

"What was it?" Kevin asked, his tone suggesting that the suspense was taking a toll upon him.

"It wasn't much, and it's mowe of a theowy than something that's been pwoven. But, with what Heath said, and then that knight, I'm beginning to wondew."

"Well, what did it say?" Riesz questioned, struggling not to sound impatient.

"Thewe wewen't any wowds," Charlotte said. "Thewe wewe pictuwes."


Pictures that she was both intrigued and horrified by. There was a note folded at the beginning of the text, saying something about how its contents would be reviewed for further discussion regarding its inclusion in what currently made up the Holy Texts accepted by the Temple. Charlotte's grandfather had told her that, even with all that's been collected, there was still much more to be discovered. Still, she was wondering why she was actively discouraged from learning and finding new material. After all, if she was the Priest of Light's granddaughter, shouldn't she, of all people, be well read and as knowledgeable as the monks and nuns?

Thus, she started digging into the texts she wasn't supposed to look through, her answer lying in the records of what was called The Fallen Ones. When she opened the book, she found that, instead of passages, there were images. The first few pages presented a blue orb floating out in a vast expanse of nothingness. Then, over the next few pages, it became green and covered in life. Creatures and animals, many of which she had never seen before, were painted with such detail that she would've assumed that the original artist had studied their subjects directly. Instead, from what she could see, this was little more than an artistic interpretation of the creation of the world. But as she went further along, she saw images and likenesses of beings and figures unfamiliar to her. They looked like people - at least, mostly - but not of any sort she'd seen or even heard of. Now even more curious than she was beforehand, she continued on.

The following few pages in particular drew her attention: one displayed a crowd of eight grand figures circled around the form of a woman. All of them were of various shapes, and she couldn't exactly make out what they were supposed to be, but they looked beautiful. One was painted to look as if it was covered in precious stones, while another had absolutely gorgeous wings. A brightly colored aquatic creature, and, of all things, what appeared to be a massive plant with a carved pumpkin for a head. They surrounded the woman, but they weren't depicted as aggressive; instead, the eight appeared to be bowing before her in reverence.

Charlotte was met with something entirely different on the next page. The eight figures were still surrounding the woman - the Mana Goddess, perhaps? - but they no longer had faces showing respect or love for the one they circled. Instead, some appeared angry, some wild and unhinged, and some seemed unsettlingly gleeful as they leered down at the smaller figure they surrounded. Were these really the same beings depicted before? If so, why had they changed? And, what had caused it?

She turned to the next page, which then presented an image of the woman. Only now, she held a sword in her hands, the eight figures recoiling back, either in fear or loathing. Then, on the next page was a gorgeous painting of a towering, incredibly lush tree that stood, seemingly as a sentinel keeping watch over all the world. The Mana Tree. And, thrust into its roots, a glimmering sword rested. The Mana Sword.


Grandpa, did you think you could keep me in the dark forever? Charlotte thought. You said it yourself that I would have to walk my own path eventually; she then looked up to the sky. If I had known, I would've prepared more.

"Charlotte?" Riesz's voice brought the half-elf back to reality.

"The basic gist of it is that thewe was a wowwd cweated by the Goddess befowe the one we'we in now," Charlotte said. "It's most commonly accepted that the Benevodons wewe seawed away because of all the twoubwe they caused, right?"

"Yes, that's right," Riesz said. "And, when the time came to confront them, the Goddess transformed the wand She used to make the world into a sword, the Mana Sword."

"Yep," Charlotte nodded. "But thewe's anothew bewief that says that's not the whowe stowy," before either Riesz or Kevin could ask what she meant, she continued. "And, instead of being enemies, the Benevodons lived alongside the Goddess and her creations. Befowe She tuwened into a twee."

Kevin was quiet for a moment before asking more. "You mean…?"

"Yes," Charlotte said. "The Benevodons seweved undew the Goddess once."

"Well, do you believe it's true?" Riesz asked, unable to hide her bewilderment. She had never heard of such a story before.

"I don't know," Charlotte admitted. "But that knight bewieves it," she said. And whoever painted those pictures believed it too.

Nevarl

"A demon has been coming here at night?"

Sarafina nodded as the young priest meditatively bit down on a fresh mango. "That's right," the blonde woman answered. "There are barely any women left in Diin now. Well, barely any living women, that is."

"Tell me," Heath began. "When did all of this begin happening?"

"Surprisingly, not too long ago," Sarafina said. She then proceeded to tell him of how Diin, as well as Nevarl as a whole, came to be as it was now. "Nevarl has never been a land of riches, but after the Peddan War, its people were hit pretty hard by their enemies in retaliation."

"I see," Heath said, lowering his head solemnly. "War is always a great tragedy, for all involved."

"I was just a child then. The War took both my parents." Sarafina recalled sadly.

"I am sorry for your loss," Heath replied. "I don't know much, but His Eminence has told me that my father was greatly affected by the war. Unfortunately, it seems that the wounds it left are still felt after all this time."

"Oh?" Sarafina asked. "What's your story?"

"Oh no, I don't mean to take away from your-"

"No, I want to know," Sarafina insisted. "What happened with your father after the war?"

"Well, first, tell me what's plaguing your land, there will be time for my story once this malady is behind you and your neighbors," Heath deflected.

"All right," the woman agreed. "After the Peddan War, Nevarl became a pariah in the eyes of the world. Our leaders had thrown in their lot with Pedda, hoping that they would win the war and lead our nation to glory. Instead, it only brought Nevarl down further than it was before," she continued bitterly, "Still, despite the after-effects of the war, we all picked up the pieces and carried on with our lives. Flamekhan, one of the few surviving leaders who'd sided with Peddan in the war and Olbex's Second in Command, established a Thieves Guild on the far eastern side of the desert, mainly consisting of those that had lost something dear to them because of the conflict. I heard many that joined were no older than sixteen when their families were taken from them."

Heath nodded in solmen acknowledgement. It was a shame that Wendel hadn't done anything for this land's people.

But, then again, if creatures like the jester and its master were prowling about - and had the ear of the Ferolians, no less - then he had a bad feeling Wendel might soon have troubles of its own.

"Since then, things have become a little better for us," Sarafina said, snapping Heath back to attention. "I used to live in Sirhtan, but some…marital issues arose. Eventually I'd had enough. I took my son, Parth, and came here," she explained. "It was then that I learned about the guild's true mission."

"True Mission?" Heath echoed, curious.

"Yes. Those few that can afford a better life usually manage it by taking advantage of those less fortunate. So, Flamekhan's guild takes from those that have more than enough, and they present it to us," she explained. "Of course, we only use that money for the betterment of the village. It may look like a spit of land in the middle of nowhere, but it's where much of the country's food and water comes from," Sarafina said. "Life continued like that for a while, not glamorous but tolerable. However, recently, things have been changing, and not for the better. The water in the wells began to dry up, plants and wildlife, both beasts and game, were dying, and just after Flamekhan met a mysterious woman some weeks past, the guild began changing too."

"Yes, I heard that this Flamekhan had established a kingdom," Heath recalled. "Quite strange for the head of an organization of thieves."

"Exactly," Sarafina said. "After that woman - Isabella, I believe - came, everything changed. And that's also when the attacks at night began."

"Yes, just what is the nature of these killings?" Heath questioned.

"Well, I don't know if we can call them that, as there's been no bodies left behind," the blonde, dark-skinned woman replied. "But those who were fortunate enough to escape, or see it take someone else, have reported seeing a shadowy, nightmarish creature. Oddly, once or twice, they've also said that it can't stand sunlight. The creature would either shy away from the sunlight, even if it had a woman in hand, or even begin to smolder if the rays touched it."

Heath thought this over. An aversion to the sun was almost always indicative of something not of this world. But he needed more information before he could work out what to do. "And, does this shadow come often?"

Sarafina nodded grimly. "Every night."

Atop Vuscav

After Charlotte's fascinating, if baffling, tale, Hawkeye had once more lapsed into grim silence. Yet, though Riesz found herself wanting to do something about her unlikely ally's low spirits, she still wasn't sure just what that "something" ought to be. Thus, she directed her attention elsewhere, although she knew she would have to talk with him eventually. The sun's going down, Riesz noted, the sky turning shades of orange and pink. Nearer to Altena, the nights were much longer than the days, but now sunset is coming much sooner than before. We must be getting closer to Nevarl, as Undine said. The blonde young woman looked and saw that Angela was studying Vuscav's shell, conspicuously far from everyone. "Are you all right?" Riesz asked.

The Altenan Princess sighed in response. "I can't really be sure," Angela admitted. "I'm still just trying to remember what happened back in the cave."

"Oh, yes. That," Riesz remembered coming upon Angela in a frenzied, and frankly terrifying, state, choking the life out of the Queen. Her mother. Even taking into account what Valda had done, that image had been downright shocking. "Charlotte mentioned that you were possessed. What did she mean by that?"

"It means that whatever dark force was in that cave worked its way into Angela and took over," Faerie explained, emerging from Duran. "From what I've observed, every place a Mana Stone is kept, something is off about it." she said.

"There have been stories about that cave for years," Angela added. "It's deathly cold, but the ice is so smooth and flawless, it's like looking in a mirror."

Riesz thought back on it and realized that, indeed, the icy pillars and walls were crystal clear. "Well, what does it show you?"

"Yourself," Angela said. "I don't really know what that means. Whether it's idealized, twisted, or something else entirely, it's ultimately a reflection of who and what you are at that very moment," she then gazed at her gloved hands. "And, at that moment, I…" she was unsure how to express what she was feeling. "I was just so…so angry," she balled up her fists. "Angry at her."

Riesz nodded in both acknowledgment and understanding. "There's no shame in experiencing such emotions," she told Angela. "The first thing I wanted to do was slay the red-haired witch that caused my kingdom such suffering," she then looked back at Hawkeye, then whispered the next part to the Princess. "As well as the ones that took Elliot." Riesz finished. She was thankful Hawkeye didn't hear; the discovery that few, if any, of his old guildmates had acted of their own free will had tempered that anger. Besides, Hawkeye's spirits were low enough without fresh salt being rubbed into the wounds. Still, even if Bill and Ben weren't truly responsible for their actions, she still didn't care much for them.

"Yeah, but Belladonna actually hurt you. Not just you, your whole family and people," Angela responded. "Mother didn't lay a hand on me, except for…." The magician paused for a moment, the memory of the Queen announcing her daughter's role as a sacrifice flashing through her mind. "But, in the end, it was Jose's blood, not mine. And he was my teacher, not my father. Or even grandfather, but…."

"Isn't that enough?" Duran suddenly spoke up. "You had no family outside of the Queen, so he was as close as you could get. Of course you would want to avenge him."

"I suppose, but still," Angela trailed off sadly. "I don't think I ever want to experience that again."

"I don't think any of us would," Riesz said. "So let's move on from such things."

"Yeah," Angela agreed. "He wouldn't want me to sulk."

Riesz smiled. "That's a good attitude to have."

With that, she left the two alone, watching from atop Vuscav's shell for any sign of land. Her gaze fell once more upon Hawkeye. She knew she would have to talk to him eventually, but she also knew she had to approach the subject delicately. Still, what would she say? For that matter, how would she say it?

Better yet, was there anything she could do to prepare him for when he would inevitably have to face his friends again? We; it'll have to be done eventually she affirmed. We can't go in unprepared. And, the blonde Queen gazed at the thief, his length of violet hair dancing in the breeze. And he'll need someone he can trust in order to face what's to come.

Riesz decided that she'd wait until later, but she kept her eyes on Hawkeye, wondering whether or not he had always looked that appealing against the light of the setting sun. The way the golden star reflected off of his bronze flesh and toned arms. His hair flowing in a long coil of brilliant purple. Riesz found herself listing off every feature she could catch, her blue eyes captivated by the young man looking out at the sea. She then decided that now was the time; she had to talk to him.

Nevarl

"Oh? What's this?" Goremand asked himself, seeing that Heath had finally come out of the house he had entered hours ago. He had grown tired of hiding in the bush, so he climbed a tree, granting him a view of the entire village. The sun was beginning to set, and the young priest seemed to be waiting for the sun to go down. "You had better not be getting yourself in trouble because I am SO not bailing you out!"

That was a lie; the Master specifically sent him to guard the young man. Still, despite his assigned role, Goremand would only intervene if absolutely necessary. Besides, from the determination he saw on Heath's face, the jester suspected that he also sensed a dark force pervading this land. Perhaps bringing the priest here could serve the Master in more ways than one, Goremand thought. After all, given the young man's lineage, he would be up to the challenge of using his powers to help others.

"Like father, like son. Isn't that what they say?"

And in doing this, perhaps they could get the drop on any rival forces that could be working against them.

Atop Vuscav

"Hello," Hawkeye swiftly turned to see Riesz peering over his shoulder. "Oh, sorry. Did I surprise you?"

"Huh? Oh, no way," the thief said, rather unconvincingly. "I knew you were there the whole time."

Riesz raised her brow, a small smile creeping onto her face. He's actually pretty adorable. So she thought, but she wouldn't dare say it. "Right," she said, teasing sarcasm stealing into her tone. Then, to her own surprise, she sat next to him.

"What the-" Hawkeye began, realizing that the blonde was right beside him.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" Riesz asked, noting how, despite the thief's claim of being a Casanova, he seemed unsure of how to react when given attention, especially if it was her.

"Oh, n-no. Not at all," Hawkeye told the young Queen. "Go right ahead."

The amazon scooted a little closer. This is how you flirt, right? She wondered. The tan thief didn't push her away. If anything, he seemed to invite her company.

"So," Hawkeye began. "What's up?"

Note: Again, so sorry for the wait. I will be getting things out faster now that I have edited the previous chapters. Thank you all so much for being patient and sticking by me through all this! Thank you to Falchion1984, and I hope to hear from you all later!