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Shades of a Dream Revolution:

Part Two

"The Biomancers"

By KDragon

_Asakai explained to Kevin many things during their stay in Homestead, among them being:

Aldebaran. A land surrounded by mountains to the north, sea to the east, and untamed forests to the south. Aldebaran, the center of human civilization. We have our industry as a united people, an enterprise of many facets funded by the Emperor and driven by the sects of St. Prodis. But, to the north there are the qualms of barbarians and fiefdoms with shaky ties, always edging into the affairs of the Aldebarans. And to the south there are the bird-like demihumans, the Fyries, in their reclusive sky kingdom of Escalia. I traveled there in one of their elaborate skyships, I remember. Once. My memory's visage of their capitol in the air is like looking into a snow globe. I wish I could go there again, the Fyries know a completely different world than we do. You see, where Aldebaran controls the sea, the Fyries control the air._

---

Breathe. Hot, cold. Breathe. In, out. Slow. Slow. Wait. Quick! Quick!!

Less than two decades ago, when Nyrus' father laid a wooden sword in his son's hands and shoved him into the care of a master teacher of the Court, these were the words Nyrus was told to follow with the blade. At first he loathed the words. He received a number of hits from the switch if he made too many mistakes. Yet, as time went by, the words permeated his skin, molded into his body, and ultimately became wordless and instinctive. It was then that Nyrus understood what the words truly meant. Being a swordsman wasn't just about strength, strategy, and quickness; it was also form, art, and abstractness. With every movement, with every breath, he attempted to incorporate the words he was taught from his training. They became his hands, his feet, his head, until his entire body became an extension of his sword, like a poem.

His thin but sturdy rapier whipped, singing various pitches depending on the direction of the wind. This was how acute Nyrus' familiarity of this particular form was. Some have said Nyrus had become a master swordsman, but he personally did not know. What he did know is that if he lived a long life he would have many more years to practice. Most of his personal swordplay had become routine, but it also temporarily eased the numerous worries which constantly plagued any good monarchy.

As evening crept beyond the Citadel gardens, the young Emperor wiped sweat from his brow. He finished the first of several artistic forms he had so diligently memorized. Several attendants stood around the courtyard, either merrily chatting amongst themselves or keeping watch to whatever needs their royal leader might have. As Nyrus huffed, one of his servants nodded to another, and the other ran inside to fetch some water.

The Emperor loved this next form. Just after the first form, his warm-up, he went faster with this one. He could move more slowly with it, too, but he enjoyed how the air rippled with each swing, how the design of this form was angled towards pure speed. He began by lifting his sword and drawing his free hand toward his breast. He closed his eyes in concentration, feeling his inner energy, his Ethera, seep through his hands and feet, the blood boiling from his heart, energizing him. Next he moved at superhuman speed with white streaks of steel.

Back and forth, and a pivot, there--but then his senses bucked and alerted him of danger. There was a flash of yellow light in his eyesight, a streak of it! The yellow was his Linesight reacting. The Linesight: a unique, divine gift passed down through the Pydia bloodline, an ability to see etheric colors in one's vision either for prescience or biological awareness. In this instance it alarmed him to an unseen presence.

Behind! he scarcely thought. In a split second he instinctively attempted to recover out of his latest swing.

Simultaneously, one of the aforementioned servants had procured a pitcher of water. But upon exiting from the inside he gasped, faltered, and dropped the pitcher. Its silver clanged down the steps as rivulets sprayed into the air. At the same time the servant affixed his eyes on an enshrouded figure standing right behind the Emperor. Meanwhile, Nyrus twisted his feet, extended his sword, and turned to face the person who had snuck up behind him.

The tip of his sword had arced directly over the stranger's brooch, resting scantly a centimeter from a mortal blow to the neck. Most everyone in the courtyard apprehensively stood at attention, ready to raise the alarm to this intruder who had come out of nowhere. Amazingly, in this span of a few seconds, the robed person did not flinch.

"Good evening, your highness. I see your Linesight is as receptive as ever," a rasping voice funneled from a white hood. "I have told you, I have seen a lot over the past age, and I still haven't seen a finer swordsman than you."

Nyrus lowered his weapon, his eyes alit when the figure spread back his hood, revealing the delicate presses of an uncompromising face. "Who're--Runemaster Draous! By God, it's you!" That signaled Nyrus' audience to relax a little, his servants running towards the stairway to clean up the spilled water.

The Emperor panted and bent to his knees to sheath his eagle-hilted sword. Standing up, his heart immediately opened up to the person he once regarded as one of his greatest mentors. It was Draous, a fey demihuman of a race no one could name without a lot of practice. The pointed ears on the venerable Runemaster made him elvish, although the violet texture of his ominously youthful face and his crisp, gray hair made him unique--along with the claim that he was the last of his ancient kind.

"No, no, my sight's nothing really," Nyrus shook his head coyly to Draous' earlier comment. That made his mentor laugh.

"You are being too withdrawn with your heritage," he wisped as he stepped over to a stony outcrop to sit down. "The Linesight. You should feel fortunate that you have that, that you are a master swordsman. And I am not calling you a master swordsman just because you are the Emperor now."

Nyrus attempted to suppress a smile at the words he heard. Watching Draous spread out his white robe to sit, he decided to slouch next to Draous, pulling back his neck to loosen a few kinks. "Yes, you used to help teach me how to use my sight. But, Linesight or not, you almost scared me. It's been how many years? Two, three? My old mentor, what brings you sneaking around the Citadel?"

"So now you get to call me old mentor," Draous patted one of his legs. "Now you are a modern man. And look at your face," the elf turned to look at Nyrus a second time, his white pupils discerningly peering at Nyrus' goatee. "Yes, yes! I decided to stop by and visit for a few days. But there is also the matter of your birthday next week. That must make you and your partner excited. Or, potential partner?"

Nyrus waved a hand. "No, no noble queen. I've no thoughts to wed yet for these past couple of years. But...I'm looking. Hard."

"Hmm. And your father, how is he?"

"He still complains about his blindness and his lost love, but he astonishes everyone, he's as lucid as ever. He still wants me to tell him news all of the time. Hah, some people still debate whether or not his decision to descend the throne was a good idea."

"Ah, I see. That is wonderful to hear, some things should never change," Draous then lifted a finger with a wheeze. "I really want you to tell me everything I have missed. But, I must unfortunately add that I am also here on business. There is a message of a special sort I need to give you."

"A secret message? From the oracles?"

"No, I have to say that it's from the Aremitical Order. I have been hearing the oracle's announcement of the Black One. Although, there is not too big of a rush in my message, your highness," Draous motioned, hoisting himself up to stand with Nyrus, who interrupted the Runemaster.

"No, please, anything and anyone from Prodis, I must hear more news. And you need to tell me where you've been. Let us talk somewhere private."

Ambling to the staircase, the pair stopped as a servant approached and passed Nyrus a towel. When Nyrus wiped his face a peculiar reverberating hum rippled forth from the horizon. This grabbed everyone's attention. Draous' hair spilled back as he gazed up. "Hmm? A skyship?"

"Yeah," Nyrus nodded, scanning the clouds.

"Must be an emissary from Escalia. How has your business been with them?"

"It's my sister, actually," the Emperor skipped the question with his usual presumptiveness. Just then a massive lance pierced the overhead orange of the passing day, and immediately after it the rest of the majestic front of a skyship followed. The entire vessel crept over the Citadel's dome. This was a spectacle the Emperor's subjects knew they could be proud of, that they knew they were civilized. A typical skyship was more than a couple of seagoing Aldebaran frigates long and more or less just as wide, excluding the broad, serrated chevrons which gave the aircraft its glittering wingspan. A mixture of shining alloys, bits of stone, and carved decoration hinted at its ancient, mystical origin.

The skyship slowly floated its way over the city, but Draous couldn't look at it any longer as the Emperor was already making his way down the nearest corridor. The two strode side by side, with the Emperor indicating to his guards not to follow. The guards snapped their rifles next to their chests as they returned back to their places at attention.

"It's the Ecclesia," Nyrus turned his head. Both of them walked through ornate archways with the wall of the main building on one side and the palace gardens on the other.

"I do not think I've heard of such a ship. That is, a Fyrie skyship of such a name."

"That's because it belongs to Aldebaran."

"Is that so? But Escalia is so reclusive, they make me look very social in comparison. Especially because of 15 years ago. I doubt they would just hand something like that over. Unless it was not only a gift?"

The Emperor folded his hands behind his back, shaking his head with a little smirk. "Forgive me, old mentor, but you're spouting a string of incorrect assumptions, and things that I already know. We recovered the ship from ruins not far from here, from the ruins at Pydia." This raised the Runemaster's brow.

"A magnificent artifact from the Ancients, and in one of the holiest sites in all of your country. That must have been a startling discovery."

"Yes, I was hard pressed as to what to do with it. It took years to unbury the ship and we had kept it a secret. I was thinking you would hear about the Ecclesia in the Circle, but then again, I let it slide solely under Henri's jurisdiction until she was ready."

The elf was silent for a moment as he tested his familiarity with the name of Henri. "Ah, him. I'm not surprised you would hand it over to the military. Despite Pydia's renewed consolidation and practices, Aldebaran still has no air power to speak of."

Nyrus huffed and shook his head with another smirk.

"Draous. I sometimes don't like listening to my father rabble on. But he is right on one thing. The war 15 years ago has been over, the age of war is finally over. I need to make sure someone in the military ensures that such a potential weapon doesn't sit and collect dust only for the sake of future war. I gave it to Henri not for the military, but to ensure that the military doesn't let such a bird get caged with their own agenda. That ship is now our symbol of peace between Aldebaran, Escalia, and the northlands. I have told the Fyries that we humans are more civilized now. Now the purses of the Court are fatter as a result. Aren't we all glad."

"It's a very exquisite transport ship, then," Draous wheezed.

"In a way, yes. But, in the end, the way I sometimes look at it is an emissary from Escalia," the Emperor smiled yet again.

"Like I supposed? Your sister--?"

Nyrus nodded. "It's a real beneficial alliance, Escalia and Aldebaran. I'm a little glad my sister gets more excuses to get out. She can be...difficult."

---

In another corridor of the Citadel, Choto arched his slender ear-tufts in disappointment as the belly of the Ecclesia cast darkness over the adjacent garden. The scarce evening light was stolen by the shadows, turning the flowers and well cared brush into black silhouettes just as if it was midnight. The Fyrie shook his head, his beak ajar as he accidentally kneed the easel of the picture he was working on. He steadied the frame of his unfinished work with the nails of his bird-scaled hands, sighing in defeat as he bit on the length of his paintbrush with his mouth. He was almost done with the painting! Just thirty more minutes would have done it. Maybe tomorrow.

Choto was a distinctive Fyrie because he wore the almond robe of a lowly Biomancer, the symbolic crescents on his sleeves denoting him his status. His robe's visage covered his gryphon-like features. Ironically, his baggy uniform made him seem a little bigger than his hidden lithe build.

Many declared the Fyries to be the most beautiful race in the entire world. Their origin from the jungles of Escalia shone through some similarities with their avian kindred, namely through color. Colors of all kinds, often intermingled to create the most surprising hues, told of their tropical nature. A Fyrie often had many bright colors, and such colors were obviously important to their culture in denoting ritual and social status in the Clans. With this known, Choto was a typical Fyrie, but to foreigners still beautiful nonetheless: his orange, raptorial beak was surrounded by the blue feathers of his head, though his long ears ended in fuzz touched by emerald green. Excluding his wings, his robe covered the rest of him, but underneath his garb his blue feathers faded to verdant gryphon fur, and his cat-like feet and the tip of his leonine tail were reddish. With the yellow on his avian hands completing his appearance, he was a rainbow in disguise.

He creaked in his chair as he leaned over to open up his paint box, which he kept incredibly clean despite the messiness associated with his hobby. At least being a Biomancer gave him one advantage: given access to so many products from around the region, he was able to naturally produce over half of his brilliant paints without having to pay anything. Of course, this made his box smell anywhere from dry berries to sharp, oily chemicals, but he enjoyed such smells. Wiping off his brush with care, he was entirely distracted until he heard the scrapes of footsteps.

"Oh-ho," an upbeat, middle-aged voice rung down the corridor, "there you are Choto. I've been looking all over for you. Enjoying yourself?"

It's the caretaker! Choto sat up in his chair, finding the familiar voice comforting as a venerable man stood over the Fyrie's shoulder with his arms folded over his chest. The collared longcoat the human wore gave him the air of a rustic soldier. His long, black hair was frilled with silver on the sides. A full beard accompanied his heavyset jaw, along with a pair of eyes which had become accustomed to gazing on fearful things over the years. For now his dark irises glittered with gentleness.

"Alright! You mind if I look at what you've made this time?"

Choto rolled his shoulders in a shrug.

The man's eyes flicked from the painting--which was harder to see due to the overcast--and to the gryphon. "Huh. So you haven't finished this one yet?"

Choto turned his head to the painting, then to the coat looming over him, and nodded silently. He stood up and pushed his chair out of the way to invite his caretaker to come closer.

"Oh-ho! Now, let's see what masterpiece you've been working on this time," Choto's friend leant over, careful not to touch the painting.

The unfinished work still needed some refining, but tints of all intensity and color were apparent. It was a picture of the courtyard in front of them, blooming with flowers with the delicate, touchy details of moisture, though the paint gave the entire picture a rough texture. In the middle of the picture of the courtyard were splotches of blacks, grays, browns, and peach. This ominous middle was a peephole into a dark world: in the center of the picture was an ensnared human bolted against the ground by ghostly chains. Despite his powerful, burly figure, the man in the center could not free himself, and yet still he struggled. The human's expression wasn't noticeable, for his face was gazing towards the heavens, as if desperately seeking some divine consolation. This made Choto's friend pale a little, with the darkness of the center of the picture not matching the lucid nature all around. It was as if the chained person in the center never knew his surroundings existed.

"Hmm, that looks really powerful. I don't think I've ever seen you do that before," the man shifted in his coat. "How're you feeling, Choto?"

The Fyrie nodded rapidly to show that he was OK.

"Just making sure you're alright. Your picture...it really touches me. Now don't you go throwing this one away like you did the last one," the man bobbed a finger a few times near the canvas. He then turned his attention to the city that loomed ahead. "Hmm, that skyship up there. Looks like they've been taking good care of it. Must be Lady Alana on board. I wonder what she's up to nowadays."

The gryphon's brown eyes widened as he whistled through his nose. His heart began to ache. Alana. Alana! Her. Here? Now? Yes. There were memories of times long ago. A few of them. Ones that made Choto almost cry with joy.

Choto was extraordinarily astute and obedient. Yet, being orphaned and adopted into the tutelage of humans without remembering a single thing from his early childhood--this did not help matters. It was as if he was born after his caretaker found him and took him in, and not before. After entering the company of humans, he was targeted, ridiculed, and on occasion, hurt. But then there was Alana. Memories. Years ago, they were fellow students at the mystic schools of Prodis.

He recalled those times well. One memory stood out:

"Hey! Prettybird!" the Fyrie painfully remembered that surly, aristocratic voice of Nils Grysen. He was the top student who was a grade level above him at the time. Back then, Choto was sitting in a garden not unlike the one he was near at the present. He remembered he was carefully drawing something on a piece of paper in that schoolyard.

"Hey!!" the voice snapped ravenously. "I know you aren't a lout, you're the warden's prettybird, that little experiment everyone's talking about. Hey, do you know who's talking?"

Choto slowly raised his head. The people before him, their features were blurred due to the age of his memory. There were three school kids at first, maybe four. But the little Fyrie remembered every stern line on Nils' face, the strong dye of his skin, those leery eyes of his. Choto nodded to Nils.

"That's right, it's good for you to show some respect to a Grysen," the older boy grinned wolfishly. "Now, you'd know what's best for you if you'd get up and go. This is Grysen's yard, and you're too good to hang around the likes of us, aren't you? Shouldn't you be around the warden's office since you're his pet?"

The gryphon swallowed, shaking his head to indicate that he was an equal, just like them, and that he wasn't any better in the least.

"What? No? So you aren't moving?" Nils stepped forward and Choto stood up in reaction. But with a swipe the bully knocked Choto's clipboard out of his fingers, causing the gryphon to stumble backwards as the gang crept closer to him.

"You're going to learn to never say no to a Grysen!" Nils hissed through his teeth. "Go! Get his beak!" Before Choto could react, both his arms and legs were restrained by Nils' thugs as a loop of metal wire was tightened around his mouth. The wire must have come from somewhere in the alchemical department since it numbed and shut his mouth by magical and empirical means. The only body parts he could still move were his tail and his wings, but he would regret whipping those around.

"Think you're better than us because," Nils reached down low to give Choto's tail an agonizing tug, "you won't talk!" The helpless Fyrie mumbled in pain as his eyes watered, his tail yanked multiple times as he attempted to kick his legs. It couldn't be helped, his attackers were too many.

"Come on, prettybird, sing for us!"

"Prettybird useless if he ain't singin'!"

"After we're done with you, you'll never mess with the Grysen gang ever again!"

They tore up his shirt. They plucked off feather tuffs, they threatened to tear off his wings. Choto even thought they were going to rip off his ears. A small crowd was gathering around. He was forced to close his eyes as they punched his face. Fortunately, the tingly numbness the wire gave him removed some of the pain as they struck his head over and over. He kept his eyes closed, but instead of praying for hope he prayed for nothing. What am I supposed to do, Choto felt. I don't know what to feel, I don't care what you do to me.

Cheers and cruel encouragement continued until a shriek emerged somewhere behind the group. "Stop it! Stop it this instant!" it cried.

"Oi, who's the little lady to order us around?" one of Grysen's punks protested.

"Alana Pydia, I order you all to stop this at once," the voice grew calmer, but sterner.

"And what's to prove you're royalty?" Choto opened his eyes. The tall Nils Grysen held his arms akimbo, facing a girl who was dressed in a school uniform similar to his in color. Alana reached into a pouch to pull out a slender golden slab with a symbol Choto could not see. This unsettled the group of boys as they turned their heads and murmured amongst themselves.

"Well. I'm sorry, little princess, but this is Grysen's yard, and everything here goes by what I say," Nils patted his chest. "My pop's high up in the Court, he tells the warden here what to do, this is my place."

"You're probably forgetting what country you're in!" Alana struck back. "This is Pydia's yard you moron, my father can arrest your pop, dishonor your family, and can buy off this school if I tell him to. Now let that poor boy go."

"Make me little princess," growled the tough guy Alana faced. The whole group murmured even louder, both surprised and encouraged by Nils' audacity. But Nils did not faze her. Gasps resounded as she punched him straight on the nose.

Nils wiped his face as he bumbled backwards, blood dribbling down his fingers. "Why you--!"

"First! You can't hit a girl. Second, if you touch me or that boy anymore, Nils, very bad things will happen to you, I promise!"

Choto held his breath as silence filled the corner of the courtyard. Nils popped his neck, baring his bloodstained teeth right at Alana. "Consider yourself born lucky. Come on, guys, little princess and prettybird are 'too good' for us anyway." Then they dropped Choto and left the two alone.

"Prettybird?...Oh my God," Alana whispered, her long, golden hair collecting around her cheeks from the breeze. She was surprised to figure out that the person the Grysen boys were beating up actually wasn't human. Her dirtied knuckles were still balled at the sides of her dress as she stood still for more than a minute. Choto remembered this well.

She was very brave. He wished he was brave like her.

The Fyrie shook his head as he propped himself up, blood caked around his cheeks as Alana leaned over to unbind his beak. "This is Magus Litmus' wire, those--!" Alana said angrily. "Are you okay?"

Choto blinked and tested his wings. Nothing was broken. He nodded.

"I've never met a Fyrie before," the girl smiled to him, grasping his shoulders to help him stand up. "I'll make sure Nils and his gang never bothers you again. My name is Alana. What's your name?"

His eyes watered in reply.

"...You can't talk?"

He dipped his beak before he shook his head.

"It's okay if you can't talk. It's okay."

It's okay, Choto remembered that voice. Her voice, telling him that it was okay. There weren't many who ever told him that. After that moment they became fast friends. Choto wrote to her a lot, mostly in person since he couldn't speak as hard as he tried. But then, after a handful of years after that life-changing incident, they parted on their respective paths to pursue their vocations under the religious guidance of St. Prodis.

Back at the present moment, he reached to his shoulder and grasped the Biomancer's insignia there. If it wasn't for Alana, he wouldn't even be a Biomancer, which used to only be a human's trade. Times have certainly changed.

"I sometimes wonder what you think about, lad," his caretaker folded his arms again, staring afar as the Ecclesia finally passed overhead, its bow twisting in a turn to land. "Whatever you're thinking, I just want you to know that I want to make you happy. That's all I want to do. I spoke with Han the Elder an hour ago. He says it's alright if we stay in the Citadel for a few more days if we wanted to. Heck, if even offered if we could stay here forever, but I said no. Would you get a load of that?" the man smiled and turned to look at Choto. The edges of the Fyrie's beak perked into a smile and he jumped out of his chair. "Oh-ho! You really like the sound of that, don't you? Okay, a few more days, then. Paint all you like. Don't worry about this old hack, I have plenty to do myself."

Brighter now, Choto closed his paint box, loosened the easel, and laid his painting against the wall. A few more days! He could see Alana if he really tried. But questions and worry also penetrated his heart. How many years has it been since he last saw her? Would she still be the same, even if she was the premiere emissary of the royal family and a famous Magus in the Aremitical Order? Would she still be nice to him? He shook his head. The last three letters he wrote to her received no replies. They were all returned. He prayed something wasn't wrong. If anything was wrong...

Before the two friends departed the scene, a second pair of close friends arrived: Nyrus and Draous. The arrivals were quiet, but Choto and his caretaker each went into a mental uproar of surprise and respect, standing at attention and bowing their heads as the other two began to pass.

That robe--Runemaster and Biomancer, Choto thought as his cheeks went hot with nervousness. Someone very important with the Emperor. Not a human. But I have never seen him before?

Nyrus kept his head averted from the formally still pair. Just as the Emperor and the Runemaster were about to pass by, the Emperor's head suddenly whipped towards the Fyrie's caretaker. In a brisk stride he called, "Shocked you, didn't I! Did you think I'd pass someone the likes of you?"

Choto lifted his eyes, noticing that both men were patting their shoulders in a guffaw. The Biomancers in each pair were equally surprised and stood silent.

"Well, you do look a little busy, don't you!" Choto's companion laughed heartily. Then Draous stepped forward.

"General Henri Sesius, I presume?" the elf bowed his head, crossing his arms behind his robe. "The great man who put an end to that sordid affair 15 years ago."

"Oh-ho, I don't know about that!" the caretaker stroked his beard as he stood next to Nyrus. "Just call me Henri. You must be an old friend of the Emperor's, I take it?"

"I am simply Draous," the Runemaster's tone grated as he bowed. "Representing the Aremitical Order. I knew the Emperor ever since he was a child."

"A great mentor of mine," Nyrus added.

"A pleasure to meet you Draous," Henri bowed back to Draous, placing a hand inside his coat's pocket. "Seems you progressivists have been hard at work."

"There has been enough to do. Hmm. And who is this by you, General?" Draous bent his head towards Choto, whom all the while had kept himself unspoken and his head low.

"Him!" Henri casually rested an arm along Choto's shoulder. "My companion. He is my own good representative of the Biomancers. Choto is his name."

"That I can tell. I am curious. Whom did you study under? Are you an apothecary?"

Nyrus cleared his throat at Draous. "Forgive me for barging in, mentor. Choto is mute."

"Oh? He can't speak?" Choto didn't flinch, he was used to this routine, though the piercing eyes of Draous troubled him. The Emperor, meanwhile, sensed an uncomforting edge with the Runemaster's voice.

"Yes. He is Henri's charge and a good friend. Now, if you will excuse us both, Henri, the Runemaster and I need to finish some business. We'll have our stories later."

"As you say, your highness!" Henri bowed briskly. "Don't worry about Choto and I, we're just sightseeing. Come visit me in the Citadel whenever you want. Just ask Nestor, he knows where we're staying."

Nyrus nodded back as he and the Runemaster strode away, rounding another corner until they entered torch lit confines.

"That Fyrie Biomancer," Draous squeezed his lips.

"What about him?"

"He shouldn't be a Biomancer by most accounts. I barely sense any potential within him. If it were within my power, I would politely expel him. His call in life is elsewhere."

"You think so? The General had pushed hard to get him a good education. And rumor has it that he can etch runes faster than anyone in Aldebaran," Nyrus piped in, opening a door to a small study in which the nobleman invited Draous inside. "Then again, I'm not a Biomancer, so I should probably trust your judgment more."

"Mm, that may be. I see that the loss of Choto's voice only compounds his shackles of inability, and isn't the lock to his bonds. Even if he is excellent with drawing runes, which is the only aspect of the Tetra I know he is able to use, they are only good for beautification or elaborate ritual. As a Runemaster I am accustomed to such things. But please, your highness, ignore my rudeness. I shouldn't let my irritations invade what is otherwise pleasant conversation."

---

When the stars appeared later that evening, Nyrus closed a door behind himself as he and Draous parted their ways. He stood alone in a great hall. He bowed his head in deep thought, locking his jaw as his heart throbbed. He squeezed a brown piece of paper in his pocket. He recalled the conversation they both had one more time:

Listen closely your highness, Draous had begun. _I know you fear the Black One. The one who will come to destroy you and your country. The destroyer of Destiny. This is someone we must stop at all costs. You have just told me that you have been seeing him in visions. He is a deceiver, you must not trust what he tells you. So. He has finally come to this world and is near. My young friend, you must act quickly in whatever choice you make. I know you have the strength to succeed.

There is a secret amongst the Runemasters which we have been keeping for generations, a secret I have recently uncovered. You must share this secret with no one. Its implications are that profound.

There was once a faintly abstract idea with my extinct people. They were descendents of the Ancients. In our language the word of this concept means "dreamer." To the Biomancers the word is_

Cavitas_. What is the_ Cavitas_, you ask? It is a little difficult to explain. There is a great power, a great mind, a great essence above that of men. And above the pantheon of gods in this world. And perhaps even above the god of all gods, the God St. Prodis spoke of. The_ Cavitas is the source of our entire universe, the greatest of all forces. However, it is also much more than that, because as a force it does meddle with the affairs of gods and men. Perhaps my people's meaning of the Cavitas was correct in some way.

Now, you ask, just how has the Cavitas _interfered with worldly affairs? Long ago, as philosophers and researchers have so passionately told, the Ancients were a perfect race living in harmony in this paradise land: men and gods, gods and men. Great men. They were the keepers of the lost artifacts known as the Cavitas Stones. Legend has it these stones were birthed from the "dreamer" itself. How so, and with what intention? No one can say. It is one of many divine mysteries. But, with the possession of any of these stones, one could have almost any wish or desire granted. For all we know from this vital fact, the stones eventually destroyed the Ancients' civilization, and caused the gods to do epic battles with one another until one faction of the Ancients became many factions. Much suffering and sadness altered an age of light into an age of darkness. And then, most of the gods' avatars disappeared, including the Cavitas Stones.

But I have found one of the Cavitas Stones. It is in a nameless shrine of the Ancients which appears to have no entrance. But I know a way inside. It is by Padmir Lake across the nearest forest to the north. Take this map and notes. If you decide to embark on a quest, go there in secret, and in secret you may find a way to alter your destiny. Find one of the Cavitas Stones and bring it to me. We will further discuss what to do with the stone and I will unlock its power for you. Although the Black One is a god and therefore cannot be destroyed by a single wish, you can create a wish strong enough to counter him, a wish with the potential to destroy him._

You have been my friend ever since I knew you at an early age. I know I can trust you to make the right decision. And I hope you can trust me to keep this our secret. Wishes are no easy matter, this requires more than one mind. Let me know what you choose. I would travel with you immediately but I must go for now. With the prospect of turbulent times I'm a little restless with work, you see. Farewell, and sleep well your highness.

Nyrus slowly walked down the hall, closing his eyes in exhaustion as he attempted to take in all that he had heard. One of the most closely guarded secrets of Prodis was handed to him on a silver platter. And a stone to grant wishes? Of course, in his selfishness, he had wishes he personally wanted for himself. He almost laughed at the fact that he thought of those first. But he was also the lead administrator of this empire. He could not let his people or their future down. He had to sacrifice himself for the good of everyone, like any good monarchy. And it wasn't just Aldebaran the Black One threatened, but the entire civilized world as he understood it.

Draous pretends I even have a choice, the Emperor thought. But I know he'll know what choice I'll make. The Black One is out to destroy me. But what if Draous cannot be trusted?

Nyrus severely doubted this, considering all of those memories with the serious but benevolent Draous. He was a good Runemaster, a great Biomancer by all that Nyrus knew. Regardless of what Draous was planning, the Emperor knew he had to act quickly.

The Citadel was very large and very old, so as he ran down a few halls the Emperor wasn't surprised to find them empty. It was rare that he was alone, however, so he ironically cherished these few moments. He found a servant closing a door down another hall.

"Elinda! It's you," the servant bounded to Nyrus upon noticing his urgency. "Go, find Nestor, wake him up if need be. Tell him I must see him in my study at once."

"Yes, your highness," the lady nodded as she shuffled down the hall.

It wasn't long until the Emperor, while sitting near his desk and reading his new map, heard Nestor enter his private study.

"Ah, Nestor. Okay. I need you--sit here, please," the servant turned his head about in a little confusion as Nyrus spoke quickly. "Write a proclamation for the Court. Tell them I'm taking a journey, starting tomorrow. A journey," he paused, "of relaxation."

Nestor nodded quietly, gathering a quill and ink to transcribe what Nyrus was saying.

"I'll be gone a few days."

"Your highness," Nestor adjusted his spectacles. "Do you know exactly how long you will be departed?"

"I don't know exactly. Like I said, a few days, make up a suitable number. But I'll be back in time for my birthday. Also say that."

"Anything else you wish to add, your highness?"

"No. Get that sent to the Court this morning, posthaste."

"Yes, your highness."

"And another thing."

"Yes your highness?"

"I'm leaving tonight, but don't write that down. Wake up the stableman and ready my horse. Gather a suitable number of rations and water for me. Three days minimum. Also, gather a cloak and some clothes from the servant's quarters. Yours if you have to. I'll need something normal to wear."

"That is your request, your highness?" Nestor stood, folding embroidered paper in his hands.

"One final thing."

"Yes--"

"I'm going alone. And you must not tell what has transpired to anyone."

"But Emperor--!" the old servant crouched back into his seat, gazing directly at Nyrus with concern.

"I'll need my sword."

Nestor sighed, but then smiled peculiarly after a moment. "I knew this day would come, when you would truly become a man. There is no sense in arguing, you are like your father, and I'm familiar with his convictions. I will do anything you ask with whatever you choose. I will bring your sword now."

Before his servant left, Nyrus lifted his nose from his map. "Nestor...thank you."

"You take a great risk for us all. God be with you."

Nyrus shook his head, his breath shaky. I can't believe I'm doing this, he thought. And I'll be alone. As he pondered the steps of his journey he gathered a few items from his study. He pulled an aged, decorated pistol from out of its case. Storing some shot and powder for the device, he began to clean the barrel of the gun just as the double doors slammed open.

In strode a wild figure. "Nyrus!"

"Alana!" the Emperor's eyes popped open upon seeing his sister.

"Alright buster," she romped her feet until she planted both hands at the edge of Nyrus' desk, the two siblings staring face to face. Her hair was long and braided, and an elegant, blue robe covered her tall and delicate shape. Her whimsical clothing did much to accentuate her smug but serious expression. "You know why I'm here."

The nobleman hmph'ed and smirked back, burrowing a cleaning tube down his gun. "Going to tell me how I'm so bad at ruling again?"

"Bingo. Because, apparently, you probably didn't even open that letter I sent you last week. Did you."

"I did."

"Then explain to me why you transferred that garrison from the Abbey to the northlands while letting someone other than you give me a pish posh reply?"

"I'm busy. And it's Hibernia Town. Their bridge broke because of a flood, and someone needs to go there to fix it. Half the Court went berserk over it because of this trade pact--"

"I know, that's what I read, but think! What about my Abbey, what do you think about the bandits along the nearest highway, who by the way still haven't gone away?"

Nyrus turned around to grab another tool. "Not enough men. The Dragoons are smaller. You're a big girl sis, you and your group of magic-mongerers can take care of yourselves for a little while."

"Oh, so now I'm--" Alana paused, blinking as she stepped around the desk, bringing herself within arm's reach of Nyrus. "Well, I guess I am a big girl now, aren't I."

"You're here for another reason." After the brother said this, he found himself hugged by his sister's arms.

"Happy birthday, dear brother," Alana quieted, rubbing Nyrus on the back.

"Not for another week," he patted her in return, placing his weapon on the table. With a mutual laugh he then leant back in his chair, offering his sister to sit nearby as he patted his knees. "Okay, sis, tell me more about how I'm the worst ruler ever."

"Wellllll," she tapped her nose, her blue eyes glancing upward after she sat. "Let's just say you're doing a good job at getting the right kind of people to hate you, and the right kind of people to love you."

"That's put pretty wisely, I thought you'd actually say something wittier. Was your trip safe?"

"Mm, it was special, the Ecclesia has a heart of its own. So, what're you doing up this late with that old thing? Can't sleep?"

Nyrus felt his blood sink to his feet. He then sighed and reached over to gently clutch his sister's hands. "I'm going on a journey tonight. I have to go alone. But, I love you very much...I need you to keep a secret, just you and me." With unsteady words the Emperor then explained most of what Draous had shared with him, as well as reminding her of the prophesy of the Black One the oracles had told awhile ago, but which most people had shaken off. There wasn't a pause once Nyrus finished.

"By God, this is preposterous!"

"I don't know what to think of it myself, the fact that these stones can give wishes--"

"No, it isn't that. I have been in the Circle of Magi for some time now. And yet, none of the Aremitical Order know of the Cavitas or the Cavitas Stones. Logically, if what Draous says is true, this is a secret some insider group knows."

"Alana, this is important to me. Do you think Draous is right about all of this?"

"I don't know, I'm fond of him personally, when he used to be around. You'd expect that being such a celebrated Runemaster he would be closer with the Aremitical Order. But he doesn't use his prestige to get anywhere, so I don't know enough about him."

"Hm," Nyrus closed his eyes briefly. "I'm worried about what the oracles proclaimed about what might happen to me. To everyone. It has you and others worried too, I know. I don't think I have any choice but to do what Draous says. What do you think I should do?"

"That's an easy question. Let me come with you, of course! All my people know I'm on a trip, so a disappearing act is welcome for me." Alana keenly giggled.

"What? No!" Nyrus got up as the clever Magus stood defiantly at the same time. She strode towards the exit of the study.

"I'm with you pea brain, whether you like it or not! You shared with me what you said was supposed to be a secret. So now I'm smitten, I'm glued!" she winked. "So get ready and hurry up. We'll get this stone, you and I. Then we'll decide whether Draous should see it first or not, one step at a time."

And then the door was shut before he could protest. That was typical of her. He was left alone with the steady ticks of the grandfather clock. "One step at a time," Nyrus whispered, reaching for his gun and holstering it beneath his vest.

The Emperor received his sword, said farewell to a bedazzled Nestor, and dressed appropriately for the occasion. Joining his aptly prepared sister in the hall, the two strode towards the stables until a surprise bumped into them from around the corner.

"Henri!" Nyrus blurted as he clutched his sister to stop. Sesius the General was perked, ready for laughter.

"Oh-ho! Out for a stroll for fresh air, your highness? Enjoying the moon, maybe?" the ripened man gazed closely at the worn cloaks of the royal siblings. Henri had an ivory, rifle-shaped instrument lain across the back of his neck, which he patted there with casual fervor.

"Why yes, we are," Alana smiled. "Praise God, it's so nice to see you Henri." The older man bowed his head to Alana in response.

"I would say it's wonderful to see you two together again, my lady."

"I'm sorry, Henri, but we'll be going now--"

"Not so fast, your highness!" the General grinned as he lowered his rifle. His mouth opened to say more, but he stopped as something interrupted all of them. Hearing faint shuffles echoing down the firelight of the hallway, all three turned to see a flustered, robed Fyrie lugging a clanging backpack between his arms. The poor creature couldn't reach them, he eased the clunky backpack down and pressed his chest against it. He rested breathlessly a good number of strides away.

"Very nice, my Choto! Thank you, you--no, just leave that right there, it won't do your painter hands any good to carry that anymore!"

"What are you doing," Nyrus frowned, thinking of what might happen next.

The bewildered pair followed Henri as he approached his backpack to hoist it up. "I just happened to bump into Nestor. I doubt he was stealing your sword, your highness."

"Henri, you can't come with us. We'll be safe, you and Choto should go back to your quarters," Nyrus edged forward as he gripped the end of his rapier's hilt.

"Oh?" Henri foomed. "And how am I supposed to spend my retirement? Die of old age?"

As the two men began to quietly argue in the once-still hallway, Choto and Alana made eye contact for an instant. The gryphon opened his beak and shut it, turning his head to avert his gaze as he folded his robe's sleeves over his belly.

She sees me! the Fyrie beamed on the inside, but then hesitated. I don't know what to say. Does she recognize me? Oh, look, she--!

"Is that a real anima rifle?" Alana barged in between the Emperor and the General. Henri then turned on his hip as he lifted the device he was holding in his hands to present it. It had a trigger like a normal rifle, but down its barrel were adorned metal coils and an inserted gem here and there. There was no hammer to cock or any indication as to how to make the supposed gun function.

"Oh-ho, one of the few, I might add!" the old man boasted, finding one of his better interests stroked by the question.

"Fascinating. I've only read about them in stories about the Ancients. It transforms the Ethera of the user into an energy bolt. It takes special training to do that. They're so rare that my colleagues have yet the inclination to actually take one apart to see how it works."

"I suppose I wasn't once a captain of the Dragoons for nothing, my lady."

She didn't say anything to me, Choto moped and lowered his head. She doesn't care for me as she once did...

"That's good and all, but. You're both not to come with us, that's final. Go home," Nyrus commanded.

Henri's eyes glinted as he reshouldered his rifle. "Alright, fine by that, highness. If it's running away you're thinking about, I suppose you can do it without one of the best guides around."

"Well--"

"I suppose it's also fine if your father were to somehow overhear how you really disappeared--"

"I--"

"Come, Choto, I suppose we'll have to ready our beds and stay where it's never cold or uncomfy." The gryphon nodded subserviently, though he arched his ear-tufts with discontent.

Nyrus breathed. "Fine, you both can come. But it'll have to be our secret. Nobody else must know." That made Choto's ears flare up.

"Then it's settled!" Henri bellowed merrily, to the point that his following words were whispered to compensate for his outburst. "Your highness, you remind me so much of your father that I'm beginning to think I'm a fortune teller. Now, let's get to the stables before anyone asks what we're doing."

"You don't even care to know the reason why we're, well, going?" Nyrus pointed at himself and at Alana as all four began to walk down the hall.

"You'll tell me when we get a fire set up sometime. We'll have our stories, our walks, maybe our runs, if that's what you're really doing, running." Henri adjusted the straps of his backpack, positioning his rifle parallel to it. He then looked at Nyrus. "Hey. Are you two really leaving so secretly that we can't even have a campfire?"

The brother and sister looked at each other again, not entirely sure how to respond. They had never traveled like this in their entire lives, and at that moment they realized that they might be getting themselves involved in something dangerously remarkable. As the four wandered down the halls, the passing servants and other individuals cast curious glances, but none stopped them with any questions. Later, as the travelers made their way towards the rear gate of the Citadel, Choto ruffled the grass behind the other three as he pointed his beak towards the stars with dreamy thoughts, occasionally stealing a glance over Alana's shoulder.

---

The night on one side of the world only brings day to the other. It was day beneath this horizon. As Kevin stirred awake in Ahmed's home, he mumbled to himself something he was accustomed to saying: "No sign of Nyrus. Again." He looked to see Asakai humbly sitting at the long table like he usually did, a book or two (which was a rarity in the village) opened on the table as he wrote with a quill. Apparently, some of the gifts given to Kevin were good for reading and writing, and this the philosopher used well for his purposes. He wasn't entirely sure what Asakai wrote. He could speak Aldebaran but he couldn't read it.

Asakai kept his nose uncomfortably near some of the pages he read, Kevin noticed. He probably wasn't good at reading small print.

All the while the black dragon god discovered many small but curious qualities about Inuoese culture, such as the fact that they didn't have a real knack for naming places. To them, the whole world was one place enough. In order to distinguish the village from other places, though, they gave the village and the wilds surrounding it the quasi-name of "Homestead."

Kevin was inquisitive about everything in this new world but, overall, he just wanted to be left alone in the woods. While at the same time he became familiar with his own powers as a dragon, he also became aware of the powers he lacked. For example, when a cow was sick people would beseech him to do something about it. Having no miraculous ability to heal anything (which he couldn't bring out of himself when he tried), he had to spontaneously create complex, encouraging excuses to complex, discouraging questions. He felt like he was beginning to talk like Ahmed or even his own eccentric father back in the Otherworld. It was an unsolvable equation: the more irrational Kevin's explanations were, the more irrational were the cases he couldn't solve. What's more was that the telepathic empathy he had for "his people" was still some phenomena he had yet to get used to. So much private anxiety intermixed with relief from everyone, like alternating waves of ice and lava, burdened him like chains when he was near others.

The transition from day to night--from tending to the village to personal freedom--felt like work, like going to high school all over again.

Things were generally uneventful as nearly a week went by. That is, if one would exclude the consistent nightly play Kevin had so eagerly planned for himself. A morning routine arose as well: every time Kevin saw Ahmed, he requested for Befana's presence, but Ahmed gave the same answer: "Now isn't the time." Each passing day became hotter until a heat wave arrived, driving the villagers into their homes. But being partly reptile, as the dragon Kevin would discover, had its quirks.

"I lovvvvve hot," the black, bulging mass of Kevin rumbled one afternoon. He was on his back, wings outspread. He made sure not to make himself too big when he transformed as of late, even though he secretly wished to experiment with how big he could truly become since he could control his size to a degree. It was a more suitable and more engaging to be smaller when dealing with the "mortals." He could probably be barely stuffed in a garage with the current size he had.

Simply relaxing, he ignored the tingle of his wing-limbs falling asleep from laying belly-up for so long. The fatly packed muscles of his arms were curled around his sides towards the peak of his chest, his sharp nails brushing his pecs like spider legs. Bits of his pitch black scales refracted the light here and there with an oily coating of stray colors, ranging anywhere from green to blue-purple to yellow-orange.

"I think," Asakai huffed as he approached, "it has become more than painfully obvious that you like being a dragon." The red garb reached the dragon at an angle, finding a comfortable spot beside some unharmed brush. A hat was over his head and his robe was ajar from the heat. The two were alone on a hill around the outskirts of Homestead.

"I'm a gooood dragon," Kevin kept his eyes closed while he moaned childishly, smirking on his snout as he swirled his mane over the tall, comforting grass. There was a brief pause in which he then snapped his eyes open, thumping the end of his tail on the ground to covertly chastise himself: Why the fuck did you say that?

The dragon's company didn't say anything, though it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Asakai was a little disturbed at what he heard. Kevin expected him to say something, but he didn't.

They both relaxed for awhile.

"Kaaaaai." Kevin broke the silence, lazily licking his nose. He had become accustomed to calling Asakai by a shorter name, Kai. This was something his friend also preferred.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering what you think about...why I'm here."

"Some definitive explanation for why you've come to this world as an all-powerful, oversized lizard god?"

The dragon snickered and snorted, not saying anything back. Kai was really on point.

"Well. Maybe that's why you're here," Kai's eyes flickered as he glanced afar, his hat warmed from the sun overhead.

Kevin turned his neck, jabbing a horn into the ground as he growled questioningly.

"I mean," the philosopher continued, "you're here to figure out the 'why you're here' as best as you can, just like us mortals. If there really is a reason as to why you're here, then logically you should examine the results of this reason to discover what the reason is."

"Huh," Kevin made noise in his throat. He paused in order to finally soak in his friend's meaning. "Kinda like Algebra."

"What was that?" Kai asked. Oops, Kevin thought. The dragon believed he had mastered his accidental bouts of English.

"Nothing. Well, thanks for your philosophy, but. I really want to know why I was brought here. You know? Well, what you say lets me find out if I'm here for a good reason or a bad reason. But it isn't really the 'why' I'm looking for. Either I was about to die or...I died, before I came to this world. And now I'm here."

"Ah, what the blazes, of course you want to know that. But you know I can't console you," the man crossed his legs, lifting up a bit of cloth to wipe his eyes. "We live in a very irrational world. Rainstorms come and destroy crops. Disease strikes. Predators kill. Wars are fought. Hmph, people and especially the Biomancers have come to believe they can attempt to conquer the wild, the irrational. The nature of things. They have succeeded marginally, of course. With magic, with technology. But everything's all irrational, too irrational."

"The Biomancers? Who're they?" the dragon curled the end of his tail into a ball, playing with it as they conversed. He enjoyed the long, intellectual explanations Kai could give, even if it dealt with faraway places like Aldebaran.

"Hmm, them. Their group is called the Arimetical Order, one of many sects in the clergy of St. Prodis. They're a very interesting bunch. Traditionalists are suspicious and sour around them, but they deal. St. Prodis, you see, doesn't outwardly scorn the pagans. Rather, he...how to put it...he sort of embraced other's traditions under the onset of his own "correct" one. It takes a little dogma to explain, but, the Biomancers are a group of balance. Magic and science, logic and faith, the study of ancient magic traditionalism--the paganism part, the traditionalists would say--and upholding St. Prodis' teachings. They dabble in everything with systematic precision. Needless to say, they've been the most influential and fascinating bunch amongst the clergy, despite their order being the youngest in the Circle of the Magi."

"Magic is pretty common in Aldebaran?"

"Not exactly. But how do so many follow St. Prodis? Because 'Magic' is the proof that a greater force exists, conservatively speaking. Everyone knows about magic and the body's spiritual Ethera that powers it. We Aldebarans experience magic in one form or another at least once in our lifetimes."

"Rrrrrrr, I see. Ethera," Kevin nodded. He stopped to think if it was because of this 'Ethera' that allowed him to have god-like powers. "Were you ever apart of the clergy?"

"Not to my memory, no. And curse me if I ever was, I'm not a pure man. Now where was I," Kai swatted at a fly near his arm.

"How the world is so irrational?" the black dragon decided that his wings were getting a way too pinched as they starved for circulation. With a steady lurch he drew himself to his side, ensuring that his wings didn't kick up too much earth as he collapsed on his abs, tensing his chest as he turned his neck to watch Kai with yellow eyes. One of his claws swiped at his mane, clearing out the clumps of grass and leaves stuck in it.

"Ah yes. How everything is so blurry. Those old logicians like Obenago, Renaultus, and whoever else, the list goes on. Their philosophy is a little aged for our times. I say everything happens for a reason, I say everything happens with a design, yes. That is what some of them say, too. But, unlike them, I say that there is absolutely no way we can understand the Design, or control it by any means. The Design is completely irrational. It is beyond the edge of human thought or reason. It is a language we cannot read, an animal we cannot tame," Kai turned to look into Kevin's eyes with a cunning beam. "Yes, untamable, like you."

Kevin flexed his muscles after being acknowledged.

"So, to conclude my meaning of the Design: a complete, absolute, unsolvable mystery," Kai folded his hands behind his neck after scooting himself forward, deciding that it was a good time to rest his hat over his face while lain back beneath the meager shade of the brush.

"So," the dragon growled for a moment, "We just leave it at that, and don't do anything about it?"

"No, no, then philosophy would be a bastard child, it would neglect everyone's education. We have to keep trying no matter what. After all, what better do we have to do other than sow crops and kill each other?" Kai lifted up the brim of his hat with a finger. "And besides, I think it's best to embrace the existence of the mystery and attempt to find ways to better cope with the irrationality in the world. Just accept the facts, move on. Right, friend?"

"Yeah," Kevin growled, dipping his neck to gaze at the bustling Homestead afar. A gust of wind erupted right then, stirring the haze of treetops into a noisy, leafy dance. The dragon enjoyed how the air changed the hot to cold, and then back to hot again. He enjoyed how it attempted to sneak beneath the cracks of his scales to cool him in tiny little pockets.

Kai lifted his hat once the wind passed by. "I had this strange dream last night."

"Oh?" the dragon lifted his tail attentively.

"Yes...I've had it for more than one night, actually. Albeit a little different each time." There was an uncomfortable pause as more wind passed by.

"So, do you want to tell me about it?"

Kai continued to say nothing for awhile. He adjusted his hat on his head as he sat up. "I'm trying hard to remember all of it. There are some parts which I can touch with my fingers, but can't quite grab onto. Let's see what I can remember:

"I'm...in this very dark place, but from the draft I can tell it's big, like a temple or great hall. I'm very sure it's a temple. The place is old, likely abandoned ages ago. There are cracks everywhere and it's moist, and in it are these large pillars. But I can't see much more than that.

"Now, I'm walking in this temple, minding my own business. I feel very much at home, as if I've belonged there all my life. Then I step on this puddle. I look down and I see this little salamander squirming in the puddle. The salamander's probably as big as my finger, but what's funny is that the salamander is just swimming there, looking right up at me without showing any fear.

"Puzzled, I start talking to it in jest, and before I know it the salamander talks back to me. Now this is a pleasant surprise! He explains to me how he's been left all alone and that he doesn't like the place he's in at all. He says he's lonely and wants to go home. So, I offer to help him. But then I say something that makes the salamander angry, I don't remember what. I begin to feel scared, and that's when the dream turns into a nightmare.

"The salamander glares at me with burning eyes and I'm hypnotized by them, and before I realize it, the salamander is growing bigger. Bigger and bigger the salamander grew, until it isn't a salamander anymore, it's a monster of evil. It had these claws, sharp teeth, and this huge snout. He was massive! I begin to run away into the darkness as fast as I can. I was afraid he was going to eat me.

"The monster kept growing, and with a loud roar flame bursts from his maw. When I turn around and look, fire springs up all around me, hungrily consuming everything in a great inferno. The fire spreads as pillars collapse. I had to stop him, he was destroying everything! So, I run up to the salamander and beg him to stop. I yell at him and wave my arms, I do everything to try to get his attention, but nothing helps. Then I finally get to see what's all around me from the light of the fires. Sadly, I can't tell what anything is anymore, because everything is turning into smoldering lumps. And...after all of this happens, the beast looks down at me, roars, and before I can get away, he takes me into his jaws and swallows me whole.

"That's when I wake up."

"Some dream," Kevin's eyes became wet as his stomach sank. Something smelled fishy. "What do you think the dream means?"

"I don't know, but maybe I'm having it because I'm guilty about...all that I've done. And I am guilty, for destroying so much." Kai lowered his chin remorsefully. "But, the only thing I can do is live on and move on, and help the people in this village. It's the least I can do to make up for my sins, to beat the enchantress."

"Yeah. And you're right, because lately you've gotten better," Kevin wriggled his nose, squinting his eyes as he said nothing more. He then beamed toothily as he spied a rock, one that was small but strong enough for his demonstration. He snatched it with one of his claws, raising it as he addressed Kai. "Hurrr. If any of your irrationality comes our way, this is what it'll get!" He then squeezed his thick, dark digits around the rock, allowing it to crumble from the flexed recesses of his palm.

Kai raised his hat for a peep, laughed, and lowered his hat back down.

"Yes...you're a good dragon," he said.

---

The first two days of their journey felt too convenient for Nyrus. So far all the pieces of his plan were falling into place. But what about the oracles, what about his death to come? To prevent himself from considering the dreadful fate that lay in store for him, he attempted to strike conversation as often as he could after their first day on horseback. The first day of their travels was painfully quiet for the most part. The Emperor explained to his followers that they had to not catch any attention and to ride as quickly as possible. Finally away from the locals, Nyrus and Henri gesticulated amongst themselves nearly nonstop, with the boisterous laughs of the older man signaling the beginning and end of each topic. Alana's steed clopped slowly right behind them, with Choto taking the rear. The Magus' detached air unnerved the stricken Fyrie to no end.

But, fortunately for him, Choto's thoughts would merrily wander or he would come up with little mental games. For example, beneath his robe he would shift his tail back and forth over the saddlebags to the rhythm of the hoof clops, like it was an earthworm. He would count each flop and, in different ways, attempt to measure the distance that they were going. But this kept him occupied only for an hour or so. What truly aroused his interest were his surroundings: the high pitch of the bugs, the sway of flowers dotting the rocky trail, the mist of green summer vegetation. The hot of the midday was disadvantageous to his kind, however. Consequently, he stuck out his tongue over his beak to pant instinctively. But, overall, he felt full satisfaction. He couldn't help but also eavesdrop on Nyrus to judge the person whom he was least acquainted to.

Nyrus. Very informal to the caretaker, Choto mentally noted.

Henri guided the entire party on the best path to Padmir Lake, shortening their traveling time by a few hours as well as keeping them away from unwanted traffic. Nyrus wouldn't have to use his map until the very end of the journey. All four of them had mixed thoughts on their trip after Nyrus finally explained the mission he gave himself on Draous' advice. Yet they still shared the same amiable loyalty to their young Emperor.

"Please, everyone. Call me Nyrus," he said to them one night. So they all called him Nyrus with an enthusiastic sense of relief, and this made the heavy-hearted leader much happier. He was supported by real friends and felt real trust.

All was well when they set up camp on the final night of their journey.

It was a shrouded and moonless night. The campfire formed a single star in this tiny universe of the forest deep. The natural resonance of the crickets comforted all, especially the four horses. Choto wandered off privately to give his wings a good stretch with multiple flaps. He ensured that he exercised them well as was the Fyrie custom. When he returned to the campfire he held a long, straight stick with many edges and smaller branches clinging to it. He sat opposite to the Henri and Nyrus pair, who spoke in separated whispers about various affairs in politics and the private life. Alana was leaning against a tree that was cleared of brush all around, her eyes closed meditatively. Choto made his own corner a couple of paces from Alana, doing his best to keep himself occupied so as not to look at her. As it had happened the night before, all would eventually bed while Nyrus and Henri alternated the watch. But the watch was done very much at ease since Henri knew they were in a friendly area.

The gryphon pulled out his rugged knife and started to shave off the stick he found. His tail twitched now and then as the fire popped. He didn't exactly need a walking stick since they were on horseback, but at least it gave him something to do since there were no books. And he couldn't sleep well, either, with Alana always present.

Then it happened. In a graceful movement, the Magus' eyes shot open and she crept towards Choto while watching the other two men talk. Choto pinched the lower tip of his beak against the roof of his mouth in uneasy anticipation.

"Hey," she blew through her lips. What a melodious voice! The Fyrie felt like her bright eyes were staring right through him, too. He avoided looking at them when he nodded back.

"...They read most of my correspondence. My attendants. I couldn't have taken the risk with your letters, so...I'm sorry."

Choto's eyes widened with hope. After all these years. He looked down at the loose, sandy ground with a smirk, pondering what to write for his reply, but his thoughts were broken by a little laugh from her.

"You know, I envy you," she smiled as she whispered. "Ever since I was promoted, as was my birthright, nothing has ever been easy like it used to be. Like how it is with you. I get too many letters and jobs to do, I have to get others to do it all. So, I told one assistant to return whatever you wrote."

The gryphon gestured back, revealing both confusion and curiosity. Sometimes he didn't need to write to express himself to her, she had become so used to being around him.

"I was thinking about my duty as a Magus, Choto. At the time, I felt I couldn't let anything get in the way of my duty. But now, it's been so long. I've worried about you. You've changed. I wanted to talk to you after this journey was over, but, I can't wait any longer."

Choto poked one of his fingers into the sandy earth, shifting it around in a frantic attempt to communicate through writing. He felt like exploding, he had so much to say, so much to explain...

Alana gently squeezed the wrist of her old friend's writing hand, making him stop. "You have such great beauty, Choto. Beauty and brilliance and talent--you haven't been appreciated enough. I now have the influence. I can help you, you can become a great and respected Biomancer. I can send you to places where you deserve to belong, where everyone can appreciate your beauty. In Escalia, in the four corners of Aldebaran, everywhere. By the grace of God," her whisper hissed momentarily, "you don't have to wander alone anymore. You'll be in the company of genuine friends."

There was quiet. Even the steady conversation between Nyrus and Henri halted for a handful of seconds at this point. As his eyes shifted towards the two men Choto noted that they weren't interested in what Alana and he were saying to one another, which was good. The Magus took notice of Choto's awkward expression.

"You love him, don't you?" Choto turned his beak back to Alana at her question. "Henri."

Choto nodded.

"He's special. Like a father to everyone," Alana drew her arms back to rest on her wrists. "Don't worry, I'll make sure he can come, too. But perhaps he won't be able to. If then...all children have to leave their father eventually. He isn't getting any younger."

The two old friends didn't exchange much more after that. Choto knew that he could have a future shaped by Alana, who was the only person in the entire universe who made his heart ache when she was near, or even far. But, for now, it was just the four of them. The present moment gave him no concern for the future, he was enjoying their trip too much. Well, except there was one concern. He drew in the sand the shape of a stick figure and right next to that figure the clumped shape of a rock. He bobbed his head in Nyrus' direction. Alana immediately understood and laughed. Her laugh distracted Choto from the fact that one of her fingers had wandered toward one of the edges of his wings, plucking the tip of a feather without a thought.

"He's my brother, I trust him. And if he doesn't do the right thing, I'll teach that blockhead a little lesson. But we do have to keep that stone a secret. I do know someone in the Circle of the Magi whom we can trust. I don't trust Draous enough to let him have the stone first. If I've learned anything, the easy path is never really easy, and Draous makes it seem too easy."

Later the conversation between all of them calmed, with Alana finally speaking to the other men in bits and pieces. In unison the four laid down their bedrolls as Nyrus volunteered to take the first watch. Choto was finally able to breathe softly. He felt the warm, invisible embrace of a friend's love and he was finally able to sleep soundly with its comfort.

But something woke him afterward.

The first thing he became aware of was Alana's face. She had a finger over her lips. The Fyrie lifted his head, his eyes burning as he stared straight at the fire over her shoulder, which was still burning thanks to a little care but was weaker due to the handful of hours that had gone by. Alana was crouched next to Choto, with Nyrus and Henri standing shoulder to shoulder opposite to them with their backs facing them. The click of Nyrus cocking his loaded pistol sent a shiver down Choto's spine as he stood up, his recently furnished walking stick gripped firmly in hand. The horses were especially nervous, each of them turning their heads and lifting up their hooves. If they decided to bolt, nothing could stop them.

"Ho...stand in a circle, lads," the General squeezed his cheeks as he spoke with a serious calm. He pressed the butt of his anima gun against his side, ready to lift it and take aim. "We're surrounded."

"How many," Nyrus said. All four backed up towards the fire with their royal leader turning his head around. Nyrus' statement was ironic because he was the one who actually sensed the presences that were there with his Linesight during his watch. Red sparks occasionally zipped here and there in his vision, which he instinctively interpreted through his training: many dangers, all around. Unfortunately, his senses felt foggy for a reason he couldn't explain, which made him too uncomfortable. Moments after he discovered the dangerous shadows, however, the intruders made their man-shaped figures a little clearer in the dark as they steadily approached the fire. Alana's hands were tucked over her belly in a prayerful position as she attempted to remain composed. Choto quivered as he attempted to discern whether some shapes he saw were his eyes playing tricks on him or not.

"I'd say maybe ten or so. These are no ordinary bandits," Henri finally replied. "They look like pretty big men. Why they're just standing there like that, beats me."

"I think I roused you all before they wanted to strike. They don't want unnecessary losses perhaps," Nyrus whispered towards Henri. With a slow ring he unsheathed his rapier, the eagle's hilt glossed like the sun from the firelight. The Emperor then nodded to his sister. "You ready to start?"

It only took an affirming smile for Alana to respond. With nimble fingers she placed her hands over the fire as if to warm them. With a few mysterious words and a quick lift of her arms, she let off a spell which made Henri jump in surprise, but the other three knew what to expect.

An ethereal flare shot up towards the roof of the trees from the fire. As a result the campfire was snuffed out, but a magical, powerful beam of light illuminated the entire section of the forest with an orangish-yellow glow. It remained hovering in the air as Nyrus yelled: "Identify yourselves!"

The light revealed all. Tall men stood at hunched attention in a semicircle around the party. Their smoky robes and hoods hid all features save the very picture of their fearsomeness. One stepped away from the semicircle in front of the Emperor, lingering at the edge of the clearing's enclosure.

"I am a hand of Death," a dark, seemingly inhuman voice rumbled. Nyrus flushed but, expecting trouble moments before, he was doing well to discipline himself so far.

"Who do you serve!" Nyrus called back.

"Who do you think I serve, Emperor?" Those words made Nyrus shift on his feet. His immediate fear was that they were servants of the Black One, an enemy whose influence was unknown to him until now.

None could see the exact countenance that was underneath the speaker's hood, although Choto's keener senses picked up an alien smell and what he swore was a tiny twinkle of red. An eye? The Fyrie meekly shuffled forward. A shape in the hood, a square jaw. That voice. He scrunched his wings towards himself and curled his tail between his legs. No, it can't be! he thought.

"It's fortunate that I'm more refined than my brothers," the evil speaker continued. "So, I will let them have the enjoyment of the kill. Let all of you have a peaceful afterlife with your god," he said with a brief, maniacal laugh. "Really, what I do is nothing personal."

Nyrus took no time to react. He raised his pistol to fire. Henri was also ready. Alana remained still while Choto edged closer to her, raising his stick awkwardly. Growlish roars filled the air as half of the assailants swarmed the waylaid travelers in a few split seconds.

"Monsters!!" Nyrus cried. Unfortunately, his first shot was wasted in a smoky cloud. His arm was swiped by one of the attackers as each of them moved at inexorable speeds. The one who bumped into him ignored him and roughly zipped past, veering straight to Henri's back, who was barely a couple of footsteps away.

"You think!" barked Henri. His superior marksmanship and swiftness allowed him to slow down a couple of those that began the charge. With blue-green bolts of light he fired his anima gun as if it were a normal rifle, and he discharged each shot with its ominous, crackling shrieks. Each quick expulsion of energy required instinctive concentration, drawing strength from his hands and shaping it to the size of a marble inside of the gun. The weapon could fatally drain an unpracticed user, but the General was a keen soldier with plenty of fury to expel.

Just as Henri turned his head toward the Emperor, he did not see Nyrus; instead, rows of very sharp teeth and bulk-covering rags leapt right at him. The Emperor was flung away from his peripheral vision. Henri began to turn his rifle but his trained instincts knew it was too late.

Simultaneously, Alana and Choto stepped away from the fire as an equal number of enemies assaulted them, though they appeared to attack with some hesitancy. Alana knew why, she was about to show them how she would handle them. But Choto felt helpless, his legs buckling underneath as he made eye contact with one of the monster's eyes--red, glowing eyes, just like the evil speaker's. Features covered and barely seen. Shrouds of Death from the night. But the young Biomancer snapped at attention once he heard Alana whispering. He knew what had to be done next: he ducked.

Alana crossed her fingers as the air around her popped with unbridled tendrils of etheric energy. The words of power she whispered were some only a Magus like her could know. Going through the motions of magic wasn't difficult in this situation. Rather, it was her focus: any misguided energy could kill her friends or the horses. But she knew her targets, and fanning out her hands she knowingly awaited the screams of her enemies that would follow.

Spears of icicles materialized in the air, a cool breeze swirling around their proximity as they spun for a second before launching. The result was simple but brutal: two of the three monsters that charged at them were flung back as they were impaled, while the third was scratched severely but kept its ground. Choto crouched up and shook his head. The small field of ice Alana burst out had crunched the wood and caked the sand with steaming cold. In these scant few seconds Choto finally regained his senses. He balled his fists, his beady eyes glaring at Alana as he boiled on the inside. He had to be brave. He knew just what to do. Standing up and stepping away from Alana as she prepared her next spell for the oncoming monstrosities, Choto jabbed his stick into the ground and spun around three-sixty, drawing a perfect circle.

No! he thought quickly. Using one won't be fast enough. Have to try harder. With complete concentration at the task at hand he managed to find a morphed stick that wasn't as long as his walking stick, but it would do. Limping to one side, he then curled the tips of both of his sticks into the grainy soil on either side, drawing around himself uniform, symmetrical shapes in swirled patterns. He paid attention to both movements with incredible precision. Now if only he could finish this on time...

Meanwhile, Henri stumbled back as the monster before him took a swing, barely missing him and his gun. But before he could bring his firearm to bear the beast threw a haymaker straight to his chest. The General's eyes widened--he knew this was going to hurt. A lot. He slid along the ground while hearing a rib crack and his teeth snap shut. He also heard the Emperor calling to him but the clamor covered whatever was said.

Nyrus raised his sword and sprung behind the growling monster that attacked his friend. The thing was very single-minded, he noticed. Not only that, he was finally able to make out the beast's features as it lurched right on top of Henri, pinning the smaller man with its claws. Red claws. Long, yellowed nails tipped the monster's flared fingers, and he noticed that the creature's torn hood was flown back to reveal its face. He knew Henri had a good look at it from the General's expression. Whatever it was, it had curved, white horns on its forehead, animalistic ears, and ragged hair.

His eyes narrowing, Nyrus clenched his rapier more firmly. He had to act immediately or else Henri would be eaten alive. In a moment of both action and concentration lasting less than the snap of a finger, his Linesight revealed the joints and other vital areas of the beast with colored blotches--areas where, if he struck correctly, could do more than just disable it. With a loud cry he thrust his rapier multiple times in fanning flashes, landing a flurry of blows underneath the creature's robe. His final jab was made at an unseen area at the base of the creature's neck. With a gurgled roar the monster slumped over not dying, but completely dead in an instant. Henri grunted as he attempted to shove the monster away from himself, blood dabbing his beard as he bared his teeth in distress.

"Look out!!" Nyrus heard his sister's warning. He barely had time to flip himself around when he heard a roar and then a doggish shriek from his rear. Alana had waved her hand like parting a curtain, causing an icy mist to fall from a few feet above to stun the ambushing creature. Creasing this opportunity, Nyrus ducked and with lightning fast drive landed his rapier home, downing another monster. He reeled his blade back to readiness.

At the same time, and in the duration of just a couple of minutes, Choto drew and drew ambidextrously on the ground, employing carefully memorized shapes on the sand as his creation grew larger and more ornate. This, of course, gave Alana a new job to do. It took her a little too long to realize the significance of her fellow Biomancer's ace-in-the-hole, but once she found out her determination strengthened. She winced in disappointment, however, as one of the horses bolted free from its holding amidst the chaos. The three remaining horses turned their heads and bucked up fearfully from the battle. Unfortunately, one of the monsters growled and took after the runaway horse with its arms outspread. One enemy subtracted, one sorry fate added.

With Henri incapacitated and his companions surrounded by the other half of the surviving monsters, the situation appeared hopeless. At least one of them would die for sure. Choto dropped his attention to his work and glanced around. Many monstrous faces. Horns. Teeth. Hunger. This chilled his back--ready, now! Raising his makeshift staff, spreading his wings, and uttering not a single word, he impaled it into the center of his newly created rune. After a breathtaking moment nothing happened, but then reddish lines of energy filled the etched shapes of the drawn symbol. In a dazzling event a burst of light stopped the fighting with roars of agony and flailing limbs. The slain body atop of Henri was catapulted into the air by some mysterious, magical force caused by Choto's contraption. A second later the sounds of battle quieted into uneasy victory. The only noise left in the clearing was the hoarse panting from all four of them.

"Henri!" Alana sputtered, dashing and kneeling next to the wounded General with worry. Henri grunted in return and began to crouch up, pressing his rifle into the ground with one hand.

"Ugh, no. I'm fine, it's nothing, I'm--ooog!" he said in pain, bending forward as he clutched his wounded side. He parted his longcoat there in an attempt to open up his shirt.

Nyrus stared at Henri upon Alana's immediate examination. But the Emperor's interest immediately changed. His head spun as he looked at Choto, whose beak was pointed downward in extreme exhaustion. An ornate, circular drawing about an armspan thick surrounded the gryphon's sandals. Nyrus noticed that a reddish magical bubble, several meters in diameter, surrounded the four of them and the three stunned horses that remained. A faint, reddish outline also ominously covered the Fyrie.

"That was amazing! Choto, by God, you've saved us all!" Nyrus gave praise as he leaned to wipe his rapier on some nearby grass to clean off the blood.

Alana turned her head. Innately she knew that Henri was mostly fine, and that it wouldn't take too long to tend to him with a healing spell she knew. To prepare for it and strengthen the spell, though, she pulled out a vial of salve from one of her pouches. Chemicals for practical use were also a Biomancer's specialty. In reply to Nyrus she said, "Yes, he did. He has done what no biomancer has done before: etch a Sorinus rune in barely a couple of minutes. It's a symbol that repels--"

"Demons!" Henri swallowed, unable to contain himself as he dragged himself backward. He leaned against the base of a tree. "Those were not men. They had horns and fangs."

"Of course not. They are monsters. Rare, but monsters exist," Nyrus bowed his head. Spots of blood covered his vest and cloak.

"What? I've traveled into every adjacent country. Seen every shore. Examined every sky. I've seen Fyries, Minotaurs, every manner of creature. But I've never seen anything--like--them!" the General spat, shaking his head.

"You're about to go into shock, breathe slowly and don't talk," Alana said soothingly. She placed her hands along the General's upper belly. He wouldn't complain anymore after her spell was complete.

"Shock? My lady, I've seen...nevermind," Henri coughed.

"I don't like this at all," the nobleman muttered as he sheathed his sword with a clang. Choto finally lifted his head and gave his wings a flap or two, glancing over his arms to see if anything was wrong with himself.

"Yeah, none of us do," Alana sighed.

"No. What I mean was that I was also attacked." Nyrus' reply stopped the Magus' breath. Henri hummed knowingly in agreement before saying, "Ho! That's a true observation, and surprising, too. Their leader knows you're the Emperor. And yet their leader said we were all going to die. Kind of a peculiar judgment, isn't it?"

"Maybe they didn't want Nyrus dead and just the rest of us. But I doubt they wanted to capture him for ransom or else they would completely leave him alone. Maybe they wanted to incapacitate him. In any case, they either want information with what we're doing or all of us gone," Alana said. She rose to her feet after she rubbed Henri's shoulder. The old man blinked and grunted as he stood, patting his hand over what used to be bruised and broken ribs. "Thank you, thank you, Lady Alana! I remember once you were not a Magus, but now." He stopped. Feeling like a million platinum bars as he stared at her, he quickly wandered towards the horses to tend to them.

"It doesn't matter," Nyrus continued. "I don't want to think of what they want to do with me or with you. Now we have no choice, especially if they are servants of the Black One. We need to get to the shrine as fast as we can. We have to be the first ones there because they will follow us. We will finish our first leg of the journey this night. Looks like we won't be having sleep for awhile," Nyrus clutched his cloak against his side, looking around to make sure everything was on hand for everyone. "Choto's aura kind of spell will follow us around, right?"

"Mm-hmm," his sister smiled for the first time since the encounter. She flicked a gaze at Choto, an expression that was unmistakably filled with pride for him.

"Alright, let's get moving!" Nyrus ordered.

"Oh-ho! That goes without saying," the General mounted his horse, "Choto my friend, just hang on a little longer, we're all doing this one together!" The Fyrie didn't seem to pay much attention to these encouraging words, though. He dropped his walking stick and tucked his claws into his robe's sleeves. His horse was missing and undeniably dead. This made his eyes water. He loved that animal because of how gentle he was to him. He knew he would ride with Alana and her horse. But having a chance at being closer to Alana gave him no repose over the death of his horse. He paid no more attention to the holy glow he gave off nor felt any pride with his lifesaving achievement. In fact, he wanted nothing more but to fall asleep again. He closed his eyes to doze off very, very briefly.

A face entered his black, swirly vision, shattering the peace. Those red eyes, horns, and teeth. That chiseled jaw. His eyes shot open and he shuddered. He had forgotten! He scurried towards Alana in such a panic that it unsettled the entire group.

"Choto! What's wrong?" she raised her voice while watching him wave his hands. The Fyrie shuddered, unsure of how to get his desperate idea across. Pointing towards his beak, he then crouched down to draw into the soil with a finger.

An uneasy minute passed until Alana finally deciphered his message. "He says he thinks their leader is a Biomancer named Nils Grysen." Both Nyrus and Henri looked at each other. They didn't recognize the name. Alana briefly explained who he was after all of them mounted: "I don't know if it really is him, but I remember Nils had a real mean streak," her eyes flickered at Choto with empathy. "We used to go to school together. Choto, myself, and the young Master Grysen. He was an average man with a slightly keen mind. Then he became a Biomancer. I haven't heard much of him since. But Nils a monster? That thing didn't sound like him. Choto might be imagining things."

By holding tightly onto Alana's waist, Choto's safeguarding glow had no trouble following their gallop. His magic spell actually assisted in lighting their way, dimly revealing the path to them as they got closer to Padmir Lake.

All four adventurers hoped that the demons weren't pursuing them too closely.

---

Kevin would rub his arms and pace around every time he thought about rock music. Or instrumental music. Or any kind of music from his world. He also couldn't help but listen to the music in his head or hum some tunes to make it more meaningful, or even mutter broken phrases of lyrics he didn't quite memorize. The music he used to enjoy was what he missed the most. It almost irked him more than that incident on the airplane.

Because of his weird feelings that consistently churned internally, he sometimes swore he was dreaming, that everything was blurry and that he was going crazy. Sure, being a dragon was more fun than anything else in the entire universe, but seeing Asakai mope every now and then about his past crimes as a monster scared Kevin. Might he succumb to doing the same things? When Kevin was a dragon he was able to think of certain...things easier. But not when he was a more reasonable human. As a result, his anxiety stretched him like a rubber band. He couldn't unstretch.

Now was the time of the midday sun. Kevin just wanted to listen to his recollected music. But an entourage of Homestead dwellers trailed behind the humanized dragon god. Kevin nodded frequently and made his best attempts to listen to what everyone had to say. A couple of people, surprisingly excluding their head honcho Ahmed, considered themselves the eldest intellectuals of the village. They definitely had plenty to say to Kevin, and the thoughts Kevin could read from them stood out from the others in an aggravating way. They beseeched him to do something that currently plagued every inhabitant of their home.

"Our fields are dry, and the sun does not wane. Kevin, you have told us you have power over the rains. We humbly request your blessing from your avatar's might in this world."

In response he motioned agreeably and did his best to console them. The issue of the rains made the villagers inconsolable, however, since Kevin hadn't been able to summon the rains as much as he had tried for the past couple of days. Needless to say, this greatly disturbed him. Back on the mount when he first encountered Ahmed he felt he was the most powerful god in the universe. Now Kevin had the thought that he may have told big fat lies.

The talking continued, and he would not remember what caused him to break, but Kevin snapped. After stopping and turning to the column that followed him, he ground his teeth together. "Leave me alone," he said plainly.

Everyone paused, but the two intellectuals were the first to give inquiry. Kevin's instinctive empathy picked up the nervousness of the entire group. This made him very pissed off. He knew his eyes turned glowingly reptilian, and his voice was terrible when he repeated himself: "I said leave me alone!!" Everyone stepped back but before anyone could do anything Kevin romped away. No one followed him. He marched between a few huts towards the edge of the village. He didn't know where to go, but he didn't care. A little spark of denial from his behavior made him angrier as well, and by this point he was standing behind the furthest hut. He felt like turning into the monster he really was and smashing everything to rubble.

"I'm fucking--...God, why??" Growling to himself, he grasped a nearby pole and crunched it with a morphed hand of long nails. His fangs pinched his lips as he huffed and glared at the ground. As he lifted his gaze, though, the blaze within him cooled.

A little girl was sitting on the ground not so far away, staring right at Kevin with a dumbfounded look. Earlier she was turning a raggy doll in her hands, but seeing the fuming dragon god rounding the corner and curse in a foreign language turned her into a statue with an agape mouth. Kevin's eyes returned to normal as he looked around, feeling embarrassed. He swallowed and let his arms dangle down.

He approached her slowly, taking a good look at her face until he crouched right in front of her. He knew who she was. Reaching into a pouch he carried on his belt, he pulled out a smaller bag which kinked with glass marbles. "I think this is yours."

She finally shifted and looked back at him pleadingly, though Kevin could not read what she was thinking at first. But he knew she longed for the marbles. Grabbing the bag, she then stood up and smiled at him.

"Come!" she rang, stepping away with her doll and marbles.

"Um, you want me to follow?" he pointed at himself and blinked.

"Come!...Come-come!" she beckoned, slowly leading a confused Kevin away from the homes. He looked back quickly and saw that still no one followed him. Seeing this as an opportunity to really be left alone, he followed the little girl as she pranced up hills which Kevin hadn't explored much. A lot of trees blocked the way, but there was a small trail he had never seen before. Seeing the girl wander into that, he followed as sticks poked him all over. The child ahead of him had no trouble maneuvering through all of that, and so the two walked for quite some time, the dragon listening to her hum most of the way. He smelled smoke when they arrived at a wooden house that was cleverly tucked inside a clearing of the woods. A muffled cry came from it, and this caught his attention. Was that the voice of an old woman?

"Obana nay-y-y-y, obana nay-o-o-o-o-o!" Kevin's ears tuned into these words which he found unfamiliar. Their pronounciation varied but mostly remained the same in tempo. Was it some mantra?

Seeing the sanctuary before them and hearing the chanting, the girl spread her arms out and yelled with excitement, running in a beeline until she opened the door and wandered inside. Seeing the door left open, Kevin methodically stepped up and stopped at the entrance. As he got closer he heard that wavy woman's voice call out in Inouese: "Ohhhh! Delightful, it's you!" There was a pause before the strange mantra restarted as if nothing had happened. Each word became louder as their source bounded closer to Kevin: "Obana nay-y-y-y, keh-o-o-o-o!"

He turned his head in an attempt to get a look inside the multi-roomed home. "Hello--?" He was barely able to finish his greeting when he heard a "Yah!" from that same voice. Simultaneously the door slammed right in front of his nose before he caught sight of the person behind it. His eyes were like an owl's when that happened.

"Um. Okay," he looked around the porch area in confusion. A moment of footsteps and a repetition of the hymn later, though, and the door opened speedily. This obliging behavior stunned him even more than the earlier door slam.

"Welcome!" beamed a wrinkled face that gazed up at him from a neck's length below. This elderly woman's smile was so energetic and convivial that wrinkled grooves lined her amber eyes. Gray hair dabbed her head which was balled in a knot not far from the back of it. Her coffee-colored garb was incredibly vibrant and robe-like, with dyed triangles of various colors lining her sleeves and sides. But this appearance wasn't the only thing that overwhelmed Kevin, but also the warm, sweet aroma of some sort of bread the lady held on a wooden slab.

She didn't even give him time to say anything back. "Come in, come in! I've just finished with the sweetbreads. It has been awhile since there has been a guest here, oh," she paused as she turned around. "Yes, yes, over there, the next room. Find a seat! I'll wash your feet."

"You'll wha'? No, wait." Kevin thumped the wooden floor with his boots as he moved inside, but the woman had already dashed into an adjacent room. She continued her call: "Obana..."

Looking around, he noticed sewn cloth tapestries with various shapes hanging on the walls. Though the place appeared to be well ventilated, a sharp hint of smoke still pervaded his sense of smell. He didn't know where the girl he followed went, but he wasn't interested in finding her. He stepped into what he thought was the living room and leaned back in a wooden chair. He didn't have to wait long when the elderly woman returned with a wooden bowl in her hands.

"Oh! You haven't taken off your shoes? Here, let me do that for you."

"No, no, I'm fine, really..."

The woman crawled on all fours in front of Kevin, placing her bowl full of sloshing water right beside herself. With nagging civility she managed to get each of the boots off, and without any hesitation she grasped a bare sole and began to rub it soothingly with a pair of thumbs. Kevin sucked in his breath.

"Oh, stop that, you'll get used to it," she said in a wavy voice, clutching the other foot of her guest with continual loving care. But then she paused after some more rubbing. "Oh, foolish me, so many steps at a time! Forgive me, I'll be right back," she bowed her head once, then got up, and then bowed her head twice, and after that Kevin lost count of how many times she bowed her head before she left.

And again it wasn't long until she returned, her vitality stunning for a woman her age, Kevin thought. She wasn't singing anymore. She carried another bowl in. This time it was filled with hunks of the sweetbread. "Oh dear, normally I wouldn't do this so quickly, but they're best when they're hot! You better have one now, if you want one, oh."

"No, I'm sorry, I'm alright. But, thank you," he flushed with his response. Without any protest she placed the second bowl nearby, coils of steam rising from the fresh bread, and like a snake she was near her belly again, paying attention to Kevin's feet with hospitality the dragon had never experienced. He stared at the bowl of bread, meanwhile. He hadn't eaten in days, and by now a normal person would have been dead, and yet still he hadn't had to eat. But he swallowed and stared at the food.

"Hmm, you don't walk on these often," the woman said as her bony fingers worked on his feet again. "You like your other ones more." Kevin's embarrassment returned. In his mind's eye the imagination of himself as a black dragon with his clawed feet being caressed by this woman flickered for an instant. His immediate instinct after this was to use his power to drop a ladle into this woman's pool of thoughts to find out what she was thinking. Just as he did that he hit what he could only describe as a strange, mental barrier, as if he had dunked his entire brain in tar. Yet, unlike real tar, there was this compassionate, relaxing feeling along with it, and moments later Kevin's forehead tingled. He laughed a little, unable to find words for awhile.

"You're Befana, aren't you? I can't..."

"You really are as forgiving as I've heard, my lord," she interrupted. "Yes, that's my name, it's an old name, once a great title. But I'm really just a simple old woman, don't mind me, Lord Kevin."

"Um, those words you were saying earlier. What were they?"

"Ohh, just an old saying..." she stopped as the girl Kevin had followed pranced into the room, halting like some nutcracker soldier behind the old woman. Befana turned around and dipped her head. "There you are again, my little one! Here, have some, they don't give good luck when they're cold." Befana brought the bowl of sweetbread in front of the girl. She snagged a piece of the food before dashing out of the room with her doll.

Befana sighed dreamily. "She's a little sprite of a girl. Unruly sometimes, I spoil her so. I always have to make a deal with her to do anything, oh...those glass beads! The only way I could let her give them to you was to let her know that she would get them back soon enough. And look at her go with them," the oracle finally turned back around, her amber eyes piercing into Kevin's own eyes. "Now she'll believe anything I say, and she'll be more thankful to me than you, the actual individual who gave her those beads back. Now doesn't that steal the pie."

"How?" Kevin almost stuttered. "How did you know all of that beforehand, er, if you don't mind my asking."

Befana huffed as she stood and waddled towards the other side of the room to fetch a pair of woven sandals. "Even it has you amazed, my lord. It also has me amazed, sometimes. I'm nobody special. I'm nothing more than an instrument, Lord Kevin." She then returned and slipped each sandal underneath his feet. Kevin thought they fitted perfectly. "I'm not one to enjoy playing with people's minds, but I will say this. You may be surprised to know that I don't understand you as much as you don't understand me. Sometimes it isn't that we cannot see things. Rather, it is that we cannot understand how we understand in seeing things. You have to think further than you normally think to understand where I'm coming from, and I have to do the same when I act as an instrument, too."

"You keep your trade a secret even in 'deep' talk, so that's why you're the oracle," Kevin said while licking his lips at the bread. She nodded.

"Well, that's easily part of it. But as you can already tell, I keep no secrets, and yet I do. Yet, this is a wonderfully stimulating way to make conversation, isn't it?"

Around this time, Kevin wasn't being the best of listeners and cared less about his composure. Before he knew it, his fingers nabbed some of Befana's bread and he started chewing. There was no buttery taste to the bread but it had this favorable hint of sweetness in the warm, gooey texture he took into his mouth. Befana laughed as he opened his mouth in an attempt to cool the hot bread. He had underestimated its temperature.

"They've told me in a few good compliments, oh, that my bread was 'so delicious that even the gods would eat it.' I suppose you're a little proof to that now."

Kevin laughed some, too. "It's good, no, really. I haven't eaten--"

"Of course you haven't," she reinforced him with her interruption. "Your ways are far beyond us mortals. I was just thinking that you would like a little different treatment, oh." Kevin touched his lips as he swallowed the rest of what he took. She then continued, "I think you're here because my house says you're ready to be here. That's what all of this is about, don't you say?"

"Huh?" he blinked and placed his hands on his lap in an attempt to act more polite.

"...Hospitality," she elaborated and smiled back at him. From that, Kevin knew he could feel at home here for just a little longer. He had a lot of questions to ask.

---

The orange sun snuck rays between the rows of ancient pillars, both broken and unbroken, next to the mercury sheen of the quivering waters. Padmir Lake. It was at this sight that Nyrus and his three friends at last slowed their gallop with an edgy sense of relief. The Emperor smudged some blood from a small cut on his cheek as he dismounted. He stared at his fingers and remembered the number of twigs that poked at his face every so often from their quick ride.

While everyone else was determined and concerned with the near future during their ride, Choto was nearly in a trance from both his rune and from an alien apathy he could not completely understand. His eyes were angled upwards since he attempted to keep his beak from poking Alana's back during the jostling trip. Despite not having to look at him, Alana noticed his apathy and grew concerned. "Choto, listen to me. When we walk forward, we walk backward. That's what life is, nothing else." At the time he could barely process her words, but her voice still made him feel much better.

But now the ride was finally over. "This has to be the ruined shrine Draous spoke of," Alana said as she secured a small book of hers in a pouch. She passed her horse to Henri after Choto slid off of it. "Show me your map Nyrus. I'll try and make this easy for all of us."

"Yeah," Nyrus breathed as he tugged his horse to walk alongside himself. All four made a slow approach to the flora-conquered skeleton of the ruins. Old and nearly indiscernible carvings were heavily eroded on the large stones. Reaching the middle of the structure of pillars, Nyrus turned to Alana and handed her the rolled up map and notes.

"I only do this because you say I'm the pea brain," he smirked. Alana nodded back with a wink and unrolled the scroll to get to work. The rest of them, meanwhile, recuperated as Henri led the horses to the lake for a drink. Choto, with his arms folded together, enjoyed the breeze fluffing his feathers as he stared at the water's blueness. Some trees lining the lake covered the spectacular view, but there was a nice sized shore adjacent to the shrine.

It wasn't long until Alana was onto something. With her brother watching her, she crouched on the overgrown ground they stood on. She began to part some dirt with her hand.

"Stand back," she waved an arm at Nyrus. He nodded as he got further away from Alana. Silence followed, but in the blink of an eye the Emperor squinted as a burst of gold filled his vision. When he opened his eyes he was amazed to see the dirt and weeds they were standing on had been cleared in a circle. Within this circle was a stone floor with etched spirals and various other shapes that were the Ancients' work.

"Hm, all too easy," Alana beamed at Nyrus. "Now, I know you read all of the notes, but what the notes misname is right where we stand. Where we stand isn't the actual shrine. This is only just the entrance."

"You mean, could this thing be a portal to somewhere else? It doesn't look like a real door," he stepped forward to stand near Alana. Choto turned his attention away from the lake and Henri returned with the Fyrie at the same time. Now all of them stood on the stone pattern.

"If it still functions," the Magus replied. "I've used a couple that the Fyries use. They work on the same principle. All I need to do now is activate it with a password Draous wrote down for us. But I'll only do that once we're ready," Alana then stopped, gazing right at Choto. "And after Choto does something."

The gryphon appeared puzzled at first, but then his green feathers stood up just as he remembered. Nodding rapidly, he stood off of the circle and picked up a stone. He started to caress it as if it were precious. Of course, this made the other two men wonder what he was doing, but then tossing the stone aside Alana gave an explanation.

"Okay, he's done. He's placed the charge of his Sorinus rune on that stone so the protective field will remain here. Of course, we ourselves won't be protected inside, but it's obvious that protecting the entrance would be a better course."

"Yes," Nyrus sniffed. "Well, I'm all set to go. What about you all?"

Shouldering his rifle, the General flashed a toothy grin through his beard, his free hand patting Choto on the shoulder. "With my charge here and with you two, I'm always prepared, highness." Choto looked at his caretaker and nodded.

"Then I want to suggest to you all not to close your eyes. These portals can sometimes be real fun," Alana giggled. "Now for me to charge the portal." Both Henri and Nyrus looked at each other.

Gathering her thoughts, the Magus started to chant with a slow whisper, her gaze averted to the ground. "Au da ne." With the password said, she then spread out each of her arms in a straight line; veins of glowing, mystical power spreading through the nooks of the seal on which they stood. The other three turned their heads in all directions as they watched the air crackle with electricity around them. With an unusual whooshing sound, all four felt their weight sink to their feet as they were transported without moving. Soon the entire backdrop of the lake disappeared as lances of multicolored energy flowed all around them. Then it was over. When Alana stopped speaking their surroundings were complete darkness, with the spirally glow of the portal being their only light.

"I think I feel queasy sis," Nyrus shook his head. "But other than that, it was dazzling. Where are we now?"

"Somewhere else, perhaps another plane of existence. I can't exactly say," said Alana. After regaining their bearings they found a different sort of light.

The nobleman looked into the darkness ahead, noticing two parallel lines of illumination in the dark. These lines of greenish light appeared to be columns of ancient symbols which moved slowly towards the opposite end of the place. Nyrus felt himself bumping against Choto's wing. He wanted to ask for Alana's light but just then she flared up an ethereal floating ball like last time, causing everyone to squint.

Everyone stepped off the portal onto a new stone floor. The stone floor spanned a hallway that was just wider than the four of them shoulder to shoulder. It just occurred to Nyrus how chilly and damp the place was. Hiding his arms beneath his cloak, he stopped to stare at the array of glowing symbols along one wall.

"Isn't this fascinating? A shrine of the Ancients!" Alana looked all around. "I'm not the best in translating the writings of the Ancients, but a find like this is beyond incredible! Remind me to send an expedition here when all of this is over."

"Of course," Nyrus said while examining the glowing symbols. He noticed that the stone wall began next to the stone floor, but where the floating symbols began and where they ended there was nothing but obscure black. Even some stones lined an area just before the ceiling began, creating a gap for the symbols. This meant there was a band of black, surrounded by the symbols, which lined each wall of the hallway. This made him curious. Unsheathing his sword and causing the other three to look at him, Nyrus plunged his rapier into the nothingness behind the symbols.

"Nyrus, no! What're you doing!" Alana stepped over, but by the time she stood next to him he had pulled out his rapier. Wet, clear trickles lined the sword and dripped on the floor. Nyrus touched and felt the cold on his blade.

"So this is what nothingness is like," he muttered. "Water."

"My God. We must be at the bottom of the lake," Alana turned and looked at Choto, whose glittering eyes were simply observing.

How did they build this underwater, thought Choto.

"Lads," Henri stepped in between the siblings, "I know this is very incredible to you, but this is not a time for dilly-dally. Your highness, may I suggest we get going." Upon this advice the Emperor sheathed his sword and started walking with a nod.

All four proceeded deeper into the shrine. It wasn't long until the beams of Alana's light source hit a door. Made of stone, the door had cleanly carved symbols on it similar to the ones floating on either side of them.

"Oh-ho, no clue to open this thing. Not surprising," Henri laughed.

"What do you think it says?" Nyrus asked Alana.

"Well, as I said my dear brother," Alana was already touching the door with her fingers as she spoke, "I'm not so good at reading this sort of thing. But if I remember correctly back to the basics of my training, most of these shapes indicate a ward. I know Choto would agree."

"A magical ward? By the Ancients?"

"Uh-huh."

"Do you think we'll trigger a trap because of it?" Nyrus swallowed.

"I don't know. Wards are sometimes created to prevent certain individuals from intruding; as in, intruding at all. So if you've already come to a conclusion from what I'm saying, we're already surrounded by the very ward on this door. It lines this hallway. I think we'll be fine since it has let us pass," she breathed as her fingers continually groped at some of the door's grooves. "With the password from the notes we'll get to the stone. Oh, here we go. Au da ne!"

Deep blue energy flowed into the cracks that formed the symbols as if they, too, were veins. Alana had discovered certain indentations to put her fingers in, and from there her words caused the door to spout dust and grind as it gradually rose up. All of the adventurers stood back in astonishment at what they saw beyond the door.

The hallway led to a single room and nothing else. The room was a circular, with a spacious dome looming overhead carved from solid stone. The dark band with the ancient symbols continued along the entire wall, surrounding the place in its eerie gloom. The entire room was empty save for a pillar pedestal on which rested a purple crystal.

"Well, bless my eyes for once," Henri whistled.

"So here it is, hidden here for an age. The most powerful artifact in the entire world," Nyrus stepped forward. "The Cavitas Stone."

"Careful, brother," Alana walked and stood on Nyrus' left, one of her hands lain on his arm. "We must approach this carefully." He nodded in agreement as he drew nearer and nearer to the stone.

A stone that grants wishes, Choto thought with teary amazement. He stared straight at the Cavitas Stone. The stone was small, like the head of a spear, with two points on one end and one elongated point on the other. The stone was laid there horizontally. It silently shone from the light of the wall symbols floating around it.

It's as if it has been sleeping this whole time, the Fyrie wondered some more in his head. Shuffling on a sideways approach to the pillar, Choto pondered the stone, the thoughts of what his innermost wish might be passing through his mind. But he knew that it was the Emperor who had to pick up the stone. And he did.

"It's light," Nyrus laughed nervously as he lifted it with his glove. He turned the stone around before lowering it into an empty pouch. "It has a little white dust on it, otherwise it's flawless."

"We did it!" Alana proclaimed as she pranced over to Choto to fetch him. "Now we--"

Her words were overcome by a loud shriek that echoed throughout the chamber. Twirling around, Nyrus lifted his pouch in terror as a glow as bright as the sun shone through the hide. Before he could react, serpentine beams of violet energy emitted from the hidden crystal. Though the bag remained whole, the lights pierced the bag as if it were nothing. Fanning in all directions, they swirled around the room at blinding speed like sharks. What were they? Alana drew close to Choto as a few rays of the light barely missed them. But there was one veering around.

Alana! Choto's eyes widened. Without thinking he shoved himself in front of his fellow Biomancer as one of the mysterious beams struck him in the chest, causing both himself and Alana to fly back further into the dome. At the same time the floating symbols along the walls reacted with the chaotic energy, causing static sparks to appear as the ancient writing flickered in and out of existence. When the writing finally disappeared a torrent of water flew forth in its wake from all directions, washing across the floor of the room and knocking over the central pillar.

"Alana!!"

The other two found themselves yearning to help their friends, but the threatening beams of light made it difficult for them to move forward. The Biomancers were slumped on the floor one on top of the other, their robes pillowing up as water washed over them.

Turning his head back, Henri noticed the large stone door was beginning to fall at a steady rate.

After slinging his rifle behind his shoulder, he snagged the Emperor with his arms. "Yagghhhh!!" The General charged towards the door and dived with Nyrus just before it shut with a crunch. Nyrus was thrashing at his grip, struggling to move. He yanked at his cloak to remove the end of the fabric stuck under the door after he got away from Henri.

Having lost Alana's light, Nyrus experienced only the darkness again, save for the rows of the glowing symbols in the hall.

"No! NO!!" he thrust himself against the hunk of rock that nearly crushed them. He felt water around his boots as it creeped from under the door. "Henri, try to open the door! We have to do something!"

The General looked around and hissed through his teeth. Now the symbols in the entire hall were flickering in and out.

"Your highness, we need to get out of here!" Henri snagged him around the armpits in an attempt to drag him.

"She's going to die! My sister is trapped in there!" he yelled and protested with another struggle.

"AND SO IS MY CHARGE!" Henri roared back. "Come on you fool, we'll be swimming with the fish in a moment!" Stumbling at first, each of them went at a full sprint towards the other end of the hall. The light of the portal they had used was faint but still present.

"Don't look back! Don't even think!" Henri hollered. At the same time the sound of rushing water filled their ears. Each of them hoped that the symbols on either side of themselves would hold out just long enough. Their gear clinking with every stride, the sounds of their boots changed from thumping the floor to splatting water.

Almost there, the portal's swirl...!

"Au da ne!! "

His heart begging to tear of out his chest, the next thing Nyrus knew was being blinded by the sunlight on the surface. The teleportation made him so nauseous that he retched while gasping for air, his knees and hands on the stone of the portal. Henri held his knees while bending his back over to pant with him.

"We made it...Don't get so dumb on me, highness! It's my duty to protect you. Your life is more important than any of us other three."

The nobleman's eyes widened with protesting anger. Yet he knew Henri was undisputedly right. "Damn! We have no time. There is one thing we can try. It's a long shot, but," he stopped. Fumbling around his pouch he pulled out the purple crystal with his fingers, his brow furrowed with worry as he looked it over.

"Let me remind you, lad, this thing tried to kill us. You have any clue as to how to use it?" Henri asked while using his rifle to prop himself up.

"I don't know. The notes didn't say. I--" Nyrus stopped talking as flashes of light pinged in his vision. It was his Linesight. "Henri, someone is coming."

"Hopefully not the demons!"

"Hopefully not."

Nyrus slid the Cavitas Stone back into its hiding place. Both of them stood tall as they looked around and listened. The only things that bombarded their senses were the sheepish water swirls of the lake, the wind, and a little birdsong. No one was in sight or in hearing.

"There," Henri whispered as he unslung and readied his rifle. Now the peace was disturbed. They heard the gallop of a horse that would approach within the minute. Being out in the wide open, each of them had no time to hide from the unknown rider.

A horse dappled with an ivory coat emerged from the path into the forest. A tall and graceful figure adorned in the sheets of a white robe rode upon it. Nyrus' jaw nearly dropped as he examined the unhooded, familiar purple visage of an old friend.

"Draous! Draous, it's him," Nyrus ran forward and stopped a little before the horse. The Runemaster immediately dismounted, his eyes flashing back and forth at the two adventurers in curious dismay.

"Your highness! And General Sesius. I am fortunate to have finally caught up," he said with a whistling breath. His hand patted his horse's neck as he stepped away from his steed, his head bowing to the Emperor at the same time. "Did something happen? You look ill."

"My sister, and Choto!" Nyrus sputtered his reply while pointing an arm backwards. He told a portion of their journey into the shrine, though hastily spoken. As he talked, he noticed Draous' lips winch. Henri, meanwhile, rested the barrel of his rifle over one of his arms as he listened from a few paces away.

"This is beyond horrific, your highness. Forgive me when I say that you should have waited for me or told me your plans before taking this journey! Such a calamity could have been prevented if I were present," the Runemaster's eyes darted over Nyrus' shoulder to glance at Henri's wary expression. "But no matter, what has been done is done. At least it was good for me to find out that you went missing. And you both are still alive. The Cavitas Stone, your highness, you still have it?"

Nyrus swallowed and looked back at Henri before nodding to Draous. "Yes, I still have it." Slowly reaching into one of his pouches, he began sliding out the crystal.

"How do we know we can trust you, Runemaster!" Henri called out. Nyrus froze. At the same time, Draous shifted in his stance, denoting some urgency.

"There is no way for you to know that I can be trusted, General. And your highness. But allow me to say this, as a confidant of the Emperor for many years: your sister and your friend are likely already dead. Drowned. But from an age-old incantation I know, I can unlock the power of this stone so it only bonds with Nyrus' will. He can wish them to safety, if he desires. But we have no more time. This is a choice only his highness can make," his white eyes then regarded Nyrus' face. "You have to choose now."

"And the Black One?" the Emperor asked.

"I will advise a plan. An unorthodox strategy to battle an unorthodox enemy. You will become a new creature," the Runemaster lifted up his chin. "But that is another plan for later discussion. There is no time for questions..."

"Now," Draous extended a hand, "Give me the stone."

Pulling it out until the sun made it sparkle like a gem, Nyrus gave a good look at the Cavitas Stone as he turned it around with three fingers. "This is the flip of the coin, then."

"Dismal circumstances warrant greater risks," Draous whispered in a serious plea. "Know that I am the Emperor's servant."

Nyrus' hand shook as he nodded. It felt like an entire age for him as he handed over the stone. Picking up the stone from his hand, Draous wheezed as he scrutinized the artifact with intense focus.

"You are right, your highness. This is the flip of the coin."

---

Befana laughed as she and the dragon god continued their steady conversation inside her home. "Ahmed, the lead elder? Oh, I say he's both the best man and the worst man in the village. I respect him for that."

"I'm not completely sure what you mean," Kevin said as he held a cup of hot tea in each of his hands. Both of them were enjoying the hot, natural drink which was just another taste of her specialties.

"You see, Lord Kevin, the people of Homestead are the secondary descendents of a people who were once great. Now they are nomads. Oh, actually, in the case of those living in Homestead, these are no nomads. Their days of wandering have come to an end as they have finally settled down. But there are those near the neighboring villages who still have wanderlust. Many remember the old ways but have forgotten the significance of these old ways. And that is who Ahmed is. Oh, he is well versed in the old ways and the gods, yes. But the significance to him is a secret."

"So he depends on you," Kevin took a sip as the steam of the tea buffeted his cheeks. "He depends on you because you know the significance, right?"

"Perhaps, oh," Befana batted a hand away. "All of this is nothing."

The two didn't speak for about a minute. During their conversation, Kevin struggled hard to find some creative way to ask advice from the oracle about his situation with the village's rain problem and with Asakai. He couldn't think of any surefire approach, so he gave his inquiry a shot anyway, and an honest one at that.

"Befana. Lady Befana. I want to say that the gift of the box of beads was kind of both you and the young lady to do. They," Kevin paused, "helped me remember something. Your hospitality has also been incredibly generous. But, I was also wondering if I could ask you some advice, if this does not trouble you."

"Oh, nothing would please me more than help our Lord Kevin," the oracle smiled. "But, before you ask me your questions, can I ask you some?"

"Go ahead."

"What did the beads help you remember?"

Her question was a dart that hit the bullseye. Kevin gulped and tried to hide any sign of nervousness. "They helped me remember something important."

"And that is?..."

Kevin's eyes shifted to look above Befana's head as he recalled the crashing plane. "I remember that people are important. That's all."

"I see. Fascinating," Befana reached over to pour herself some more tea. "Forgive me my lord, oh, I fantasize and calculate far too much, this little old body of mine is much too small for my curiosity. I can tell something is bothering you. Now wouldn't you say you're a young god?"

As usual, he didn't see where the oracle was going, but he nodded back. "I'm pretty sure I fit the description, yes."

"Do you know completely what you can and cannot do, from your experiences?"

"No, not completely."

"Do your know your limits?"

"No."

"Ah," Befana exclaimed as she placed her cup of tea on a small, nearby table. "Yes, that is precisely the problem. Always with the young ones. Mortal and immortal, it doesn't matter, the young never know the entire extent of their limits. This makes them dangerous, because they will either make others suffer for it openly, or themselves suffer for it privately, or in the worst of cases, both. You proclaimed that you were a god of strength, of lightning, and of fertility. You know the limits of your abilities. But do you know the limits of your behaviors? Your mind?"

Kevin gave off a little, nervous laugh. "No, there are many things I don't know yet, oracle. But I would like to know my limits."

She smirked. "Oh, oh, of course. Then remember two things as you explore your limits. In this case, remember that experiences are the fruit from the tree. Seek out as many experiences as you can find. And always know what is important to you. Are the people important to you, Lord Kevin?"

When Befana asked this very question, the dragon god clenched his fingers for a moment and closed his eyes. He was overtaken by a deeper emotion. He saw flashbacks of starlit skies and deep, guttural growls; flashbacks of the muscular, red eastern dragon Asakai, of his wily expressions and conversations; flashbacks of his personal pleasuring, of flexing muscles, of gnashing sharp teeth, of pure power. He was a dragon. A huge, strong dragon, blacker than the night. He wasn't a puny human anymore, he was a god, the most powerful and unstoppable creature in this world.

These flashbacks got him to think about what he said to the oracle earlier. He finally realized something he didn't see within himself earlier that day: is it the people who are important? Or the dragon? Which one?

What is really important to me? he wondered. And how will I choose? What about my personal pledge? I want to interfere, and yet I probably shouldn't. I want to be selfish, but I mustn't be.

His thoughts didn't last long and he opened his eyes. Despite being honest with her thus far, his fear forced him to lie rather than say that he didn't know what was important to him.

"Yes, I try to make the people important. After all, I'm a god. I'm here for a reason."

"It comforts me to hear that, my lord. Know that if you understand what is truly important to you, you will understand your limits, even overcome them. Oh! Forgive me for digressing so much, but has all this helped some of your concerns, my lord?"

Kevin gave a satisfactory nod. "Yes, it has quelled some of my concerns. But there is one final worry on my mind. It's about a friend of mine," he stopped talking as he wondered just what to call Kai next. "It's about another god, Lord Asakai."

"Ah, him. The god who is fire incarnate. I respect him, even like him--I give my sympathy to Lord Asakai and his suffering. You consoling him over the Enchantress' will is an extraordinary blessing. It's a sad affair that the Enchantress is, well," she sighed, "who she is."

"You know the Enchantress?"

"I used to know this goddess being, yes, and I will tell you what I know about her if you wish." Befana leaned back into her chair. "She isn't one to be trifled. Other gods in the region will not confront her, and for what I think are for good reasons."

There are other gods like me nearby! Kevin took a note in his head. "Do you know where she is? I need to know. I need to stop her before she forces Asakai to do anymore harm."

Noticeably taking in a deep breath, the old woman clenched the arms of her chair as she stood up. She waddled towards a nearby shutter that gave a sunlit view of the outside forest. "Oh...you have been the most inviting guest I have ever had, Lord Kevin," her smile seemed fainter when she looked back at him from where she stood. The god then stood up when he saw her eyes glitter wetly with worry.

"I think it is time that I show you the door, Lord Kevin, for it is getting late and we both know the village needs you." At this suggestion and giving no reply, Kevin walked with her towards the front porch. The oracle folded her long sleeves behind her back.

"There is something you must know about Lord Asakai," she continued. "He does not completely know what he is, whereas you and I know completely, or almost completely, what we are. He has more than lost memories. He has locked up memories. He has done something more horrendous than any of the abominable things he has done, and he does not remember this thing. And in his own eyes, it is the most unforgivable thing he can imagine," she shook her cheeks grimly. "Lord Kevin, if you wish to help your friend, please heed me. You must make sure he never finds out this most horrible thing he has done. For if he does," she stopped at the edge of the doorway where both of them now stood, "it will destroy him."

---

Choto understood he was dead. Because of this, he felt the peaceful tiredness of death. It numbed and consoled his fears. He could look in all directions with fuller clarity, including inward, without anymore fear, without denying that something nerve-wrackingly fragile existed inside of himself. He created a metaphor for this fragile presence he found.

Memories. And so many of them! On a canvas, the biggest one of all. A canvas of memories. A canvas I have painted on for many years. A canvas that does not know it is a canvas. A canvas where the paint can be covered or washed away. A canvas where it can be blank again in an instant. Blank as it is now. My most precious painting, and yet nothing on it that I want to look at...

"It's okay..." he heard Alana speak from within his vertigo of reflection.

Except her.

"You have such great beauty, Choto."

No...

"Beauty and brilliance and talent--"

Not like you.

"Listen to me."

Why couldn't I protect you?

"When we walk forward, we walk backward."

Why am I so weak?

"That's what life is, nothing else."

I don't understand.

"Walk forward."

"I've worried about you."

I never wanted to make you unhappy.

"Walk backward."

"I couldn't have taken the risk with your letters."

You never read what I found the courage to say, with a voice I never had.

"So...I'm sorry."

"Walk forward."

It's all gone now. All that I wrote for you. Gone.

"Walk backward."

'To Dearest Alana, are you like the safeguarding ship in the dangerous sea, or the wild sea itself, ready to smite the wicked?'

'I've been practicing very hard. It would be my greatest honor if I were to paint your portrait. Our friendship means there is no charge.'

'It's been so long since we have met, and I do not know if you are receiving my letters. But you, my greatest friend, I will always think about.'

"I was thinking about my duty!"

You wouldn't have liked all that I had written to you anyway. You have more important things to worry about.

"My duty."

"You love him, don't you?"

The caretaker...?

"We walk forward."

"Henri."

"You love him, don't you?"

"We walk backward."

Alana, where is everyone? Nyrus? Caretaker? You? I need to find you. I need to be strong...

"Such great beauty--"

I was too afraid to show you my true feelings. I've missed you so much. I'd sing the Ka'tah Melody from endless moon to the next to summon you. I'd sing only for you, if I could.

"Choto!"

But I've been afraid.

"Choto, listen to me."

I think I finally understand now.

"When we walk forward..."

I know what I must do.

"...we walk backward."

I'll find my voice for you.

"That's what life is."

I'm not going to be afraid anymore. Nothing else matters except you.

"Nothing else."

I will find you and protect you!

Choto's eyes shot open. An empowering warmth surrounded him and penetrated him. But it was dark everywhere. His ears rang and swished from some alien pressure. And this feeling of a blob around him. What was it? He realized he was suspended somewhere, but he was afraid to take in a breath. His clothes felt heavy and yet they floated, and the feathers on his wings fanned out into...

Water! he thought. The whoosh of himself swirling around in the water came along with the pressure in his ears. It was murky, and now it was cold since the strange warmth he had was being absorbed by it. Memories of the dome, the energy beams, and the trap entered his head. He was at the bottom of Padmir Lake. Perhaps he wasn't dead after all. At least, not yet.

The painful itch of the need for air entered his lungs. Which way is up? his mind ached with panic. Whirling around in the water, he gazed in all directions as he struggled to keep himself calm so he wouldn't drown. But then there it was! Flickers of light, though small and wavy, loomed afar like a placid horizon. That must be the surface! he concluded as he attempted to swim towards it. Though the supposed disappearance of the dome was a small relief of hope, his chest was now burning.

I must make it, I must find her, he thought as he lurched ever higher to the surface. The light grew brighter and brighter, soon showing the appearance of clouds and a blue sky, but soon his whole body felt desperately tingly as the fire in his lungs spread. Black blotches began to appear in the panorama of his vision, slowly closing in on either side.

No, he thought as exhaustion ensnared him. Bubbles erupted from his beak as his body quaked from trauma, the life in him quickly drained.

He started to sink as he reached up with a claw.

So close...I...can't.

But in that little speck of light that was left in his faint vision, he saw a pair of wings spread as a humanoid shape entered his sight. Who was it? It had wings like his own. Is it an angel? he wondered with the last ounce of mental energy he had. Immediately after this thought a great force tugged him around his wrist. A powerful wave of water shoved against his face as he swiftly rose to the light, higher and higher until he was gasping on the surface of the lake, water frothing from his beak as he coughed and thrashed.

Instinctively, he knew he was safe in the first few seconds he had made it, but his vision was completely black, filled with stars and spots from lack of oxygen. He knew he was with someone on the surface, but he had no idea who. No matter, there were the wings that weren't his own that came to him! The angel. He was saved.

Taking in another heavy breath, before Choto lost consciousness he felt his throat vibrate into existence a sound he had never heard before: "A-la-na..."

---

"Tell me," Draous said in a humming tone as he turned the stone over in his hand. He began to pace sideways in relation to Nyrus. "Have you ever felt what it's like to have only half a soul for a few hundred years?"

The stone began to glow with a gentle hum, emitting a bright purple on and off like a slow heart beat. "Eghh," Draous closed his eyes as he groaned. When he heard this, Nyrus' hand gripped his sword's hilt faster than a scorpion sting. Henri also raised his rifle. As Draous held the stone, the Emperor noticed his mentor's nails were making cricking sounds as they lengthened into sharper tips. The bones in the Runemaster's body made a few pops.

"He's fed us poison, curse the scoundrel!" Henri snarled with contempt. "I've a clear shot, highness!"

"Draous...bu--...why?" Nyrus shook his head as his heart sank below his feet. The thought of Draous betraying him was difficult to think of. But now...

The elf's pearl eyes shot open as he looked over Nyrus one more time. His smirk revealed unusually long canines. "So now you see me. There are only two ways out of this for you two. The easy way, or the hard way."

The nobleman drew his sword and fumed at the traitor. "You! You're the Black One!"

At this outcry the white horse standing nearby bucked up and hurried into the forest. Draous paid no mind to this. He let loose an eerie guffaw, his voice grinding as it became more baritone, more unearthly. The stone continued to glow in and out all the while. "Me, the Black One? Perhaps. Yes, that entire prophesy was a hoax. You don't think I prepared all of this without some leverage? I'll just let this out in the open, plain and simple: you were set up ever since you were born. I hope our relationship won't get too spoiled by the truth. But wait until you hear my proposition."

Then the visions I saw! Nyrus' mind echoed. Of him, of that Kevin. Why them? He must have been telling the truth. And the stone. The mission. All of it was set up!

Without thinking anymore, he cried out and thrust his rapier towards Draous' hand, which held the Cavitas Stone. "What about my friends!!" The Runemaster attempted to dodge the jab. He did avoid getting injured but the stone was knocked out of his grasp. It chinked and whirled into the air. Meanwhile, the General understood his highness' attack, and trusting his own marksmanship he charged his gun and let off two quick shots from his anima rifle. The bolts should have instant, death-dealing contact.

Suddenly, a line-intersected sphere of glowing power erupted out of thin air around Draous as he held up his arms. Amidst some more of his amused laughter, the bolts of energy struck the field and disappeared as if nothing had happened. Squares, triangles, and odd ornamentation were strewn all over the sphere as arcane symbols, drawn intricately anywhere from a thin as a quill to as thick as a finger. The color of the holographic magic changed anywhere from orange marks to red shades with its shapes.

A warden buffer! the bewailed swordsman quickly thought. In anger he reached in to draw his pistol from out of his vest to fire it, but just as he was about to take aim the barrier around Draous vanished. The elf's next move was to dart forward with surprising agility. With a quick swipe of his hand, he knocked the pistol out of Nyrus' grip, ducked underneath another blow of the Emperor's sword, and then gnashed his sharp nails across his front. Nyrus stumbled backward and repositioned his rapier as his chest stung. Streaks of color flashed across his vision as his Linesight went temporarily berserk.

"Nyrus!!" he heard Henri call to him. The General kept his rifle steady, but Draous' magical surprise and his demonstrated unpredictability made Henri hesitate to fire.

A warden buffer, Nyrus turned the concept in his mind as he shook his head. This is no good, if only I was a little faster at shooting him! The warden buffer is an ability few Biomancers master. With just a single thought he can create a protective barrier around himself for nearly an indefinite length of time. There are two kinds of warden buffers. One kind protects against any physical harm, like my gun or my sword. The other protects against Ethera or magic attacks, like Henri's rifle. He can only use one of these types at any given time. Not both.

Nyrus' eyes narrowed at his new enemy as he deepened his concentration.

He can use his magic to wipe us out if he wants us to. But as long as he keeps that field up, he can't move easily or use any Tetra attacks. I'll need to buy us time. My sword needs to be more accurate so he feels he can't dodge it. Then he'll use the opposite barrier. I hope Henri hits him just right!

Like a beast, Draous opened his mouth and sported his fangs as they cracked into a longer length. "Ahh, the strength, it feels good to be free again!" he hissed. "But listen to me, Nyrus. You should know by now that not everything is as it appears. I can help both you and your imperiled friends. You are also welcome addition to my plan. All you must do is swear your allegiance to me, and you'll have more satisfaction than you've ever dreamed of!"

Nyrus signaled to Henri by nodding to him before turning his attention back to Draous. He should know my strategy, the swordsman thought. After that he gave his verbal response: "You know my answer! YAGHH!!"

Focusing his Ethera towards his Linesight as he stepped forward, the Emperor stared at both the foreground and background of his opponent with dispassionate observation. A grid of ghostly tints appeared just then. He now knew where and how to strike!

Second guess this, he mused. He dug his boots into the dirt as he used his elbow to begin a sideways swing. But with a flick of his wrist he halted midway and began a jab instead, moving forward until he was in range. Draous, of course, started to evade his blow, but Nyrus knew where he would go. He knew the foul Runemaster would attempt to keep himself in alignment with both Nyrus and Henri so the General might misfire and hit the wrong person. Just as the monster made his move, Nyrus recovered out of his swing as quick as he could, and with a personal charge of his own Ethera he attempted to stab Draous at lightning speeds. With an incalculable blur he thrusted at multiple points around where Draous might move. His enemy had no choice but to activate another warden buffer.

Blue and green! The other kind! Nyrus thought as he felt his sword impact the protective sphere. When the tip of his sword impacted the field it painfully jolted his bones. In a split second he altered the concentration of his personal Ethera from his arms to his legs. Disengaging, he quickly dove and made a barrel roll to one side. Do it now! he screamed in his head.

The old Dragoon let loose another couple of bolts. They screeched to their target, but just before impact the barrier around Draous changed into a sharp orange color. His shots were blocked.

"Shindeh, no effect!" Henri swore.

"You're thinking I might be too slow. A grave mistake," Draous' voice rasped with its deeper tone. "The easy path is still open for you, Nyrus. All you need to do is listen."

Quickly standing up, Nyrus noticed the traitor's purple face was squarer and less graceful, and he swore he noticed two odd bumps on either side of his brow. He's beginning to like one of those monsters from earlier, Nyrus thought. Could there be a connection?

"I don't do deals with monsters," said Nyrus. "You steal a stone that isn't yours for your own purposes and you disgrace my House. I thought you were my friend. You won't live for what you've done!"

Draous chuckled as he made a slow walk towards Nyrus. The field around him disappeared while Nyrus held his sword up. The Emperor stepped away to keep his distance.

"You don't know, do you? About the wards in the shrine. Think! The stone is mine, it is me-who-I-really-am! Mine, which was unrightfully taken from me so long ago! Know this. I was the one who leapt from the shadows, who sprung the trap, who fostered this opportunity. As I said it was all planned. Perhaps you're thinking that you might defeat me more easily if your sister and that meddling bird were here. And that is a little true, which is why my fool for a Warmaster attempted to dispatch them, and why I knew I would be ready for them specifically when they entered the shrine. Yet even if they were here you could not stop me. But, consider the possibilities of the powers I have. Powers you could use to your advantage! And all you must do is kneel. Know that my true identity is Maladur, and I. Am. A GOD!"

With that pronouncement made, the demonic creature spread out his arms as his lips moved in a whispered, devilish litany.

He's going to cast! Nyrus thought. I'm going to have to do it!

"Henri!" he then cried. "Fight like you live!!"

"Huh?" the General's eyes shot open at the cryptic language. He watched as the nobleman initiated more of his melee on the one now known as Maladur.

'Fight like you live?' Like what we talked about? The poor lad has gone entirely crazy! Henri thought as he kneeled and placed the butt of his rifle on the ground. My next move will hit the both of them! But this Maladur needs to be stopped before that damnable stone makes him too strong. His highness better have a plan for this one.

Quickly running his hand down the barrel of his rifle, Henri wrapping a pair of fingers around one of the gems attached to the weapon. Loosening it until it came off, he then held the emerald rock up to inspect it before shoving it into the end of his gun. The stone fit perfectly at the tip of the barrel since it was designed for that purpose. He then snapped up his rifle and took aim.

Nyrus, meanwhile, was plentifully busy in reactivating and maintaining Maladur's warden buffer, which in turn interrupted the spell he attempted to cast.

Linesight, don't fail my blood! he internally prayed. Do it Henri, just do it!

Staring down his gun, Henri focused to fire directly at the Emperor's back. Maladur was standing at the opposite side. Sword strikes and magical flashes sprung all around the edges of his vision from where he stared, but he kept his concentration for the riskiest shot he's ever had in his career. He rubbed grit into the ground with a boot.

His knees wobbled as he directed a large amount of his Ethera into the barrel of the gun. No bolt was immediately emitted. Instead, like a cap on a bottle, the gem contained his energy as it fueled up the barrel with its power. His fingers turned white as he desperately held his gun as it shook and hummed with a high pitch. This shot was going to be powerful.

Forgive me, Emperor! he squinted.

He yelled as the kickback of his weapon finally hit. In a dazzling burst the gem refracted a beam of energy larger than the barrel of his weapon. Its green light--like the gem--extended in a straight line heading right for Nyrus. The amount of energy expelled was so great that the entire lake cracked with an echo.

His Linesight nearly blinding him with a flash of red, Nyrus knew it was time. The chance of himself surviving his next attack was slim, but he didn't care anymore. Alana. Choto. His friends back home, his grave mistake. Nothing mattered anymore.

I am the sword, and the wind is my hand! he thought as he leapt into the air. His Ethera was pushed to its limit to get him up high enough. Maladur down below knew what was coming, and in reaction his warden buffer changed color as the massive ray struck his barrier with a deafening clash. Nyrus had completely dodged his friend's attack.

No! Henri thought as he started to sink on a knee. It didn't work!

Nyrus' next action was so quick that he didn't even have time to think about it. When he jumped into the air he began to flip himself over until he was nearly upside down. With a final ounce of his energy he allowed his Ethera to interact with gravity itself. His sword ready, in a blink of an eye he dove from up above to down below, defying natural law right until he was entering the rear of Maladur's protective sphere.

Nyrus stopped breathing while he was mesmerized with what he was doing. Feeling automated, his hand gripped Maladur by the hood while his sword arm arced downward near his head. The tip of his rapier made contact with the back of the demon's robe.

He drove it in.

When Henri's knee finally touched the ground, Nyrus flopped straight onto his back with a painful thump. Maladur fell with him as the blade shot through. The length of the rapier was soaked in blood as the monster lay impaled directly on top of the Emperor, stabbed straight through the heart. Maladur uttered a loud hiss with an agape mouth before turning limp.

The General's figure shook and as he stared in complete surprise, both bodies unmoving for a few prolonged seconds. "Nyrus! Your Highness!" he hastily pulled himself up with his rifle and jogged towards his companion. "Oh-ho! Is that what I think it was? What your father dubbed the Eagle Strike? I can't believe it!"

Groaning and blood-soaked, Nyrus drew his sword out of the monster's chest with a few tugs. Wobbly and unable to stand, Henri helped him up.

"There is nothing to believe anymore," the nobleman sighed. He stared over Maladur's lifeless body with droopy eyes. "We've wasted enough time. We have to find that stone and give it a try. But if the Cavitas Stone really is Maladur, or has some connection with him, then we need to get it away from here as quickly as possible."

"I'm completely with you on that, highness," he paused as he, too, regarded the traitor laying there. "I can't believe it was him. After all these years as an advisor."

"He was more than that to me..."

Henri motioned with his gun while changing the subject. "I think it's over here." Ensuring Nyrus could stand on his own, he got himself busy to remove the gem he had previously attached on the end of his rifle's barrel. At the same time, the Emperor was quick to get on his knees while putting down his sword, his gloves shuffling through some leaves near some brush until he found the stone.

"This is it," he motioned for Henri to come over. He turned his neck to look back at Maladur's corpse, which was only a few paces away. He closed his eyes after sighing again.

No sleep, I've drained myself, I can't think. What would my father do if he were here? he pondered while scooping up the Cavitas Stone with a glove. It was still perfectly intact, its purple giving off white glints due to the sunlight.

Maybe all I must do is think of a little wish, just make a little wish, and then it works, he thought wearily. All I can do is have hope...

"Your highness, don't let their deaths get to you," Henri said softly. "Both your sister and Choto were precious to me, too. And I cared for my charge just as much as you cared for your sister."

"Y--...yes." Nyrus said nothing more as he gripped the stone hard in despairing anger. For the first time his eyes watered with sadness as images of the shrine and the flooding water entered his mind's eye. Maladur may be dead, either physically or completely, but his damage was already irrevocable.

He opened his eyes as an idea at last entered his head. "I wi--"

His words were stopped as the stone simmered and vibrated in his hand. He reacted by gripping the stone more firmly, but by some invisible force the stone began to move by itself! Crying out, he felt his arm yanked across the air behind himself, and soon he was being dragged along the dirt with himself holding on tightly, the crystal lifting his arm up as it floated.

"Highness!" Henri sprung into action, but his hand missed grabbing Nyrus' leg. Looking ahead, Henri watched as the stone carried him straight for Maladur's body.

It was moving.

Unable to hold on any longer, Nyrus slumped to the ground as the crystal flew out of his hand, its piercing light dashing at Maladur until it sparked and entered through his robe as if it were nothing. The stone disappeared. Looking up, Nyrus saw that his enemy was alive once again, his purple hands groping at the leaves as he crouched atop his knees.

Before holding his gun in readiness, Henri bent over and snatched his friend's blade. It made a couple of clinks on the earth as he tossed it over to its rightful wielder. The Emperor was quick to flip his body over to snatch the sword as he attempted to stand up.

Maladur's face flipped up and presented empty eyes, but his brow bared nothing but pure anger. Spreading his jaws open he released an inhuman, guttural croak, his back hunching and cracking on its own accord. The stone was transforming him, causing his arms and legs to extend and his claws to thicken. Nyrus watched in horror as sharp horns protruded from the demon's skull, the creature's forehead sloping forward with his maw to create a brutish face. Seeing him lift himself up slowly, he also saw his arms widen and his robe tighten as he grew bigger, a few mounds of tightly packed muscle noticeable as it created tears in the fabric. His sandals burst to bits as his feet grew too large for them as well, sharp nails digging into the dirt in the process.

"It isn't very easy to kill a god, now is it, Nyrus?" the monster asked as his fattened throat expanded his collar to the breaking point. Now a couple of feet higher than before and his robe overstretched, he had the visage of a real purple-skinned demon. "I'm glad I did a little playacting instead of finishing this so quickly. You've proven to me just how powerful of a human you really are. Your last move was so resourceful, so graceful! It's too bad you're difficult to convince."

Extending his sword forward in a fighting stance, Nyrus again stabbed Maladur, except this time it was in the belly. A shiver ran down the Emperor's back when he realized that his opponent's skin was much tougher than a moment before. His sword pierced only a portion of the way through. Even worse was the fact that there was no warden buffer.

Taking advantage of the closer range, Henri tilted up his gun to aim for Maladur's head as his eyes darted between Nyrus and the demon with fear.

The old mentor chortled, a heavyset hand clasping around Nyrus' arm in a way that the Emperor couldn't dodge it. Instead of yanking out the sword, though, the god actually drew the arm towards himself.

The sword murmured the gross sound of flesh as it slid deeper into Maladur. "I can see it in your eyes. There are no more plans. No more hope. There is no way you can defeat me." Nyrus couldn't avert his eyes from the demon's pudgy lips. He noticed that the big monster had more than a couple of fangs for sharp teeth now.

"Nyrus! Run! Get out of the way!" Henri begged.

"I will ask you one final time. Join me," Maladur's voice grinded. Yearning to sob, Nyrus pinched his eyes to a close. Dizziness overpowered his concentration. His fingers rattled within the eagle hilt of his sword as he turned his head left and right.

I can feel it. This is it. I'm going to die, almost like the prophesy. But I must try anyway. I must always try, Nyrus concluded in his mind. Eventually regaining the courage to fight again, he gathered the strength to draw out his sword from his enemy.

The blade did slide out some but the demon easily realized his intention. His other claw swung over and snagged Nyrus by the neck. Gagging and reaching up in a struggle, Nyrus was helpless as he was lifted off of the ground. With a growl Maladur bared his teeth as he gripped the sword that was in him.

Damnation! Can't get a shot off now! Henri shifted on his stance. And if I do anything stupid, the lad is done for!

"I understand and respect your choice, my dear Nyrus," Maladur rumbled as he tilted his head with dark delight. The swordsman was feebly kicking his legs against the demon, but he was running out of time as his cheeks were turning reddish-blue.

The monster's expression turned menacing as he roared at Nyrus' face. As this happened, the claw gripping the rapier's hilt tugged sideways, proceeding to break the Emperor's sword in half, leaving some of the sharp blade in his gut. With the hilt dinking uselessly aside, the god glared straight into Nyrus' eyes.

"But no matter what choice you make, I win."

Crack.

Henri's eyes filled with tears of disbelief. "No!"

Dangling like a doll, Nyrus was tossed aside as Maladur foomed a triumphant guffaw.

"NO!!"

The wind picked up just then. The Emperor's hair fluttered from it. Laying prone on the ground with the leaves as his bed and his cloak as a blanket, Nyrus didn't move anymore.

"You god damn bastard!" Henri screamed as fury unrivaled by any he's mustered in battle filled him. Bright beams flew forth in rapid succession from his gun as he fired again and again and again. "You abomination, you god damn killed him you god damn snake!" Spouting swear after swear the General saw Maladur's warden buffer reappear, but he didn't care anymore. The field pinged and shrieked with each impact of his bolts.

"You killed the poor lad!" Spittle flung over his beard as he fearlessly approached the demon with a few footsteps. He fired some more. "I'll make you and your sorry mother pay! You--"

The aged soldier continued to shout in anger, but for the demon it was only more amusement. The monster stuck out his broad chest and stood there, arms at his sides, as Henri ceased firing and started to charge at him with a very loud yell. Switching his hands over his gun so he held it by the barrel, he intended to swing the butt of his rifle to hit the beast, making no thought at the futility of his attempt.

Just before impact, Maladur clenched one of his claws as smoky worms of black energy flowed around his fingers. With his other claw he prevented Henri's blow. He gripped the middle of the rifle just as it struck him, completely stopping Henri on his tracks. Before the aged Dragoon could react, the demon snarled and gave his free arm a curved swing, socking the General straight on the belly with a bone-breaking collision.

The force was so overwhelming that he was launched off of the ground, all four of his limbs yanking in front of him as he flew through the air. When he landed a considerable distance away his back struck a tree. The shock of it cracked his teeth shut and forced him to slump to the ground with no shred of hope left.

"Mmph," the demon smirked with satisfaction as he tossed Henri's anima rifle to the side. Churning his throat, he held either side of his robe and fluffed it forward as if he were a dignitary, even though his clothing was squeezed obscenely tight against himself. He raised one of his arms and watched one of his enlarged biceps rip through his robe. "Just what I always wanted. Again."

Maladur turned his attention to the swoon Emperor with a bright gleam in his emotionless eyes. Thumping the dirt with heftier footsteps than he had before, his rump shoved against the back of his robe as a serpent-like length curled and came to life there. Gradually, the length thickened and dropped down between his legs until a sharp, violet spade peeped underneath the hem of the robe that dragged around his knees. It was a tail befitting a real demon.

He now stood over the motionless Nyrus. "There is one plan I do have for you, my old student, which there is no avoiding. You will become a new creature, reborn!" He licked one of his fangs with an overstretched tongue. Reaching down and holding him by the back of his cloak and vest, he brought up the human toward his chest as trails of drool dotted his bottom lip.

Meanwhile, Henri had not completely lost consciousness. His skull pounded in agony as he turned his head back and forth. When he coughed unbearable pain flowed through his chest, causing him to moan as he slowly opened his eyes. He flopped his hands drunkenly in a vain attempt to get up. For some reason, his back felt unusually wet.

His vision finally adjusting, he stared in complete shock as he witnessed Maladur sinking his teeth into Nyrus' neck. Some blood trickled down from the bite, but it wasn't long until the monster dropped the body and gave off an appeased roar. The creature then turned around to walk directly into the forest.

Raising a shaking hand in a vain attempt to reach out, Henri attempted to get up but a jolt of pain struck him so forcefully that he howled. It was as if there was a hook in his back! Trembling, he reached back with a few fingers, touched his coat, and drew his fingertips in front of his eyes. They were dabbed in blood. He finally realized what shape he was in.

Impaled by a small, sharp lump on a tree next to the lake, the General looked towards the sky for a final time before he went into a trance induced by extreme weakness.

---

Choto awoke to the sight of a net of leaves fluttered by the wind up above. His vision foggy at first, he clambered to sit up with his claws on either side of himself. Blinking a few times, he then realized that the leaves were apart of a tree he was laying under. Just ahead of him, not so far away, was the awe inspiring view of Padmir Lake. Looking down at himself, he shivered some as the wind fluffed against his robe. His brown clothes nearly black from soaking up so much water, the fabric stuck heavily to his fur. He took some fresh breeze into his nostrils but he jumped when he heard footsteps. An unfamiliar face dipped down and floated in front of him.

The face was a bulbous, raptorial beak, or more accurately, the beak of a large bird. It was a Fyrie, another Fyrie! He hadn't seen another one in a long time. Remaining silent, Choto's eyes were transfixed with the gentle blue of the stranger's eyes. In actuality, this being was the pure epitome of blue, having blue feathers spotted in various shades like the clear sky. Dotted grays of cobalt and darker tints of sapphire fur also covered the bird. To top it off, the newcomer gryphon was adorned in a blue robe that seemed oddly familiar. Choto's eyes wandered down the clothing. The Fyrie was definitely a she since a healthful bosom protruded against her robe. He bashfully didn't want to look there long. Her figure was curved gracefully from how she crouched. The way she fanned out her wings made her seem divine to him, too.

"Choto," she spoke. His eyes shot up to her face as he absorbed the musical tune of her voice. "Choto, it's me."

The meek Biomancer shook his head skeptically, and at the same time he pulled himself away from her while flapping his wings. The back of his robe raked the leaves and the grass until he bumped his back against the nearby tree.

Is she? Is she who I think she is? Choto's mind swiveled. He shook his head again, sucking another breath into his lungs. His throat tightened as he made an effort to do something that is instinctive to a normal person: "A-la-na?"

The supposed Magus lifted her head, a firm smile forming on both sides of her beak. "You can talk!"

Choto continued to turn his head left and right. "Al-laa-na?"

"Yes, it's me," she said as she approached by crawling on the ground.

"Ala-na?" As Choto spoke, he observed with fascination how his voice had a mellow, masculine tone to it, intermixed with a whistle from his beak with every word he made.

"It's alright, it's fine, I'm fine."

"Alana--"

"I've been this way a little while, I don't know what happened." Able to kneel beside Choto again, each of her bird-like claws gripped his shoulders in an attempt to comfort him.

"Alana. How?" Choto asked while looking about.

"I honestly don't know. We were inside the dome of the water shrine when it happened. The rays of the stone did it I think, but," she paused while slowly releasing her friend. "But you stood in front of one of them. You tried to protect me, but, I think the light hit me anyway. It hit both of us."

Choto bowed his head. "But youuu, you-r, you're human!"

"Not anymore, apparently," she sighed as she stood up. As she turned around, Choto watched her flit her wings as her own soaked clothes made a slapping noise from her movement. He was a little shocked to see multiple tears in the robe, especially around the back, to accommodate her wings and what seemed to be a taller figure than she used to have. "You've been unconscious for a little while. It's given me some time to think and to accept who I am now. We'll have to worry about my situation later."

Standing up to walk alongside her, he noticed a protruding boulder which had a few items lain out to dry in the sun. Alana stepped over to pick up a couple of small books and a pouch.

"What really irks me is that my salve kit is completely ruined, as well as most of what's in my books. But now that you're awake, we have to go quickly."

Choto paused for a moment as he hugged himself, shivering some from the wind. "Why?"

"Just when we were getting out of the water, I heard an explosion. Look over there," she pointed at one side of the lake. Choto noticed a couple of stone pillars covered by a row of trees against the water line. Despite his attempts to peer closely around that area, he saw no movement.

"Ru-ins," Choto nodded.

"I'm not sure what to worry about more, the explosion I heard or the fact that Henri and my brother think we're dead. The good news is that we're not on the opposite side of the lake. Let's head back to the shrine."

With that said, both gryphons began their trek against the shore of the lake. As they stepped over dead branches and waded their way through the brush, Choto was walking behind Alana as she took the lead. He watched as she reached up to stroke her beak every so often. Feeling sympathetic, Choto wondered how long it would take for Alana to get used to being a Fyrie. According to the magical practices Prodis taught, the sort of transformation Alana underwent was practically impossible. How it occurred was beyond him.

But what about what I thought back in the shrine, before the stone attacked us? he wondered. No, that couldn't have done it.

He also found it incredibly odd how so much of Alana's hide and feathers were blue, since a normal Fyrie tended to wear tropical colors. Yet this last thought was overshadowed by the yearning in his heart he remembered having when he had nearly drowned. Thank God, he thought. Alana is here, and I'm with her, I can speak to her. That's all that matters.

And she was my angel.

Eventually, both of them spotted a sideways view towards the entrance of the shrine, with several broken pillars poking up through the trees. Approaching quietly, Alana suddenly stopped and held out an arm for Choto to not move.

Both of them looked around and listened. Dipping his beak down, Choto came to terms with a strange smell he hadn't experienced before. It didn't taste good, and the smell was faint, but a Fyrie's sense of smell was better than a human's.

"Do you smell that?" Alana asked. He nodded back at her when she continued. "I think the horses are missing. Come on!" Motioning for him to follow, each of them entered a jog as they approached the ruins. Their spirits were drained from what they saw at the shrine's entrance.

"No one's here," Alana turned her beak about to glance at the stones of the portal. Choto, meanwhile, began to walk away from the cleared stones to leaves covered by a strange substance. He knelt over them and shivered.

"Bu--bluh. Blood!" he sputtered. This is what the smell is! he then thought. The Magus scrambled over to peep over Choto's shoulder at the mess, but then something else caught her eye.

"Look," she whispered with a note of dread. Creeping past him, she slowly leaned herself down to pick up an ornamented, white barrel.

"It's Henri's gun."

Both of the birds' heads shot up at the sound of a soft groan. Standing up, they then spotted Henri hunched over against a tree away from the pillars. His face was bruised and white as a ghost, and his arms were curled and still. The two of them dashed over as Alana piped up worryingly. She dropped Henri's gun once they reached him.

"Henri, oh God no, God no--"

"Who...?" the General said dizzyingly, his eyes half shut from sleepiness.

"Henri!" Choto chirped. The two Fyries knelt on either side of their wounded friend. His eyes watering, Choto stared at his caretaker's face as the other Biomancer inspected him.

"Oh my, no, he's lost so much blood," she said as she pressed her fingers against his back. "The tree's stuck him! It's not far in, but..."

"Choto...is that you?" Henri turned his head to his charge. "Who's your new lady friend?"

"Alana," he replied to him, his fingers groping at the old man's jacket in despair.

"Ho...what?" Henri coughed and gawked in discomfort, blood dabbing his lips. "I must be going crazy. You can actually...talk, and the lady of the House is a bluebird!"

"Shh-shh-shhh, be quiet," Alana commanded in desperation. Inspecting the General's wound, she realized that removing him from the tree might bring him too close to death. But if the General was stuck in the tree, she couldn't even complete the most basic of healing spells. The outlook was grim. Making an attempt anyway, she pressed her fingers against the General's back, concentrating on moving some of her inner Ethera into him to keep him alive. "Yes, it's me, Henri. Just don't talk. The stone did something to me, that's all you need to know...Shindeh! If only my kit wasn't broken!"

"Who did this?" Choto inquired, struggling with each word as his face drew nearer to Henri. The old soldier reached up and gripped his charge by the crest of his robe.

"I'm...so sorry," Henri whispered. "I have failed. Nyrus is...he is...dead."

Alana froze, and though she didn't notice herself doing it, the tufts of her ears flattened as true sadness finally overtook her. "How? Henri, what happened!"

"Draous came. Betrayed us both," he coughed again. "He's...a demon called Maladur. Took the stone. He...bit Nyrus. But Nyrus was dead!" A pair of tears crawled down the General's cheeks. "I did everything I could. But the poor lad...gone."

"There might be a chance that he's still alive," Alana whispered with a shiver, a few thoughts swirling in her head. Among them was the swelling anger and horrified astonishment of Draous' betrayal, and the another thought was an ironically hopeful kind of fear. If he was bitten, she thought, but stopped to speak.

"Henri, don't talk anymore."

But the General turned his attention to his charge one more time. "Choto...I know you hate long goodbyes, but there is something I must tell you. But before I go...It...it's about the war 15 years ago. It's about...you."

All three of them were very familiar with the war 15 years ago, the last war under Han the Elder's rule. But none were as well versed in the history of it than Henri.

15 years ago, one of the noble houses from the north, House Miran, challenged the divine right of Aldebaran's custodian house, House Pydia. House Miran's ruler, known commonly as the Mirandola, engaged in a power struggle against Aldebaran in a brief but brutal conflict. Miran conscripts and Aldebaran royals clashed at a few strategic locations, devastating the northern border towns. The doors of the war were closed when the Fyries involved themselves in the latter half of the war, thanks to the reported diplomatic relations General Henri Sesius had established and the keen political intelligence he had.

"When the war started," Henri began his story. "The...Fyries had no idea what was happening at first. Nowadays, all skyships from Escalia...stay with them. They don't allow any of them to fly any other flag but their own. But back then, they did allow it...here is what happened because of that.

"General Oughus Rea, that traitor. I was Captain under his command. We had...three Escalia warbirds in...our possession. He had a horrible plan. Took mercenaries, without us knowing it, and put them in uniform...and secretly he let them board these ships with the rest of us. With these ships under Aldebaran banner...he lay siege with the ships to one of the border towns.

"His excuse was that the," Henri entered a coughing fit, but he raised a hand to let his two friends leave him alone. "The Miran rebels were all in that town. But when my ship disembarked what I saw was terrible. Little survivors...it was...a Fyrie settlement!

"I was ordered to exterminate who was left. The women...and the children. I refused but when...us...loyal to the Emperor, when we figured out those were not soldiers but those bastard mercenaries under our command, when none could listen, I had...to give it."

Tears trickled down to his beard as he shook his head. "I gave the order."

"But there was a little Fyrie child...a child with such big eyes," he then looked at Choto, "I saw him sitting there, just watching it all happen. He...was in a bush, in a big bush. He didn't make any noise so no one saw him. So I took him into my arms and fled.

"It was a miracle... Rea killed anyone who opposed him...but I was never caught. I went by land and water...foot and horse...I ran, and I ran. I knew Rea's plans. He was a traitor, he defected to House Miran. But before he did, he wanted to let Aldebaran attack innocent Fyries and lay the blame on our Emperor. And with the Escalians on the side of the Mirandola, Miran would undoubtedly win the war.

"But I stopped them!" Henri's eyes went alit. He even made an attempt to sit upward despite his wound. "The Emperor found out everything when I told him. The ploy was stopped and the war to win the peace was finally won.

"Choto, I've cared for you ever since...I...wanted to share you what happened since you lost your memory...but I wanted you to be happy. My sin back then was...unforgivable...I don't care if God himself...doesn't forgive me, all I want is for you to for...for...give......"

"Henri!!" Alana wailed. The other two watched as his neck limped to one side, his chin resting on his chest as his eyes remained opened, their lids stained heavily with tears. His chest released a concluding sigh of relief.

Sobbing with the whistles a Fyrie would make, Alana pressed her beak against Henri's coat, while Choto sat there speechless, his head shivering at all he had listened to. He didn't know to cry, for some reason he didn't feel sad, even though this was one of the only two people he cared about the most. Instead, his heart began to race, and he clenched his fingers against his palms.

Draous...Mirandola...Maladur...evil...murderers!!

He knew what he had to do next. It was risky, but time was slipping through his hands. Gently pushing Alana to the side, he pulled out the knife from his belt and raised it.

"Ch-Choto, what are you doing??" Alana bawked and sniffed. She backed up as her companion placed the knife behind Henri's back and made a sawing motion.

Cutting off the wood that was stuck in his caretaker's back, Choto felt Henri sink further into his arms. Using all of the strength he could muster while spreading his wings, he dragged him away from the wooden trunk, leaving behind a dried waterfall of blood on the tree. Placing the body on its back, the Biomancer then crawled on all fours to a small clearing littered with leaves and weeds. He began to scoop them up and toss them away to reveal the brown dirt below.

"Go!" he nodded to Alana.

She shook her head in doubt. "It's too late, we can't save him! Are you trying what I think you are...?"

"Go, j-just GO!" he pointed at the deceased body. Finally obeying, with a groan she started dragging Henri into the circle Choto had cleared. At the same time, Choto was already using a stick to begin drawing shapes within the circle he made. With hasty swipes and turns he worked diligently. In his other claw he raised a second small stick.

"Daw!" he cawed. Alana hesitated but then snatched the stick. She began to copy some of Choto's shapes after laying Henri's arms over his chest and propping his legs in a straight line.

Of course, Choto had meant to say 'draw,' but in this situation he didn't care how his new voice came out.

---

The great, black dragon once again sat on his favorite hill overlooking the village below. His massive form, even bigger than the largest house in Homestead, cast a large shadow on the trees underneath. The evening cast its droopy eye over the countryside as the sun flared with its orange. On most evenings like this, Kevin would be stirring with excitement with the expectancy of his nocturnal playtime activities. But on this evening, for the first time, he wasn't anticipating any of that.

The sky was cloudless.

"For once," he growled to himself, "it feels good to be...empty." But still it won't goddamn rain, he added mentally with disdain.

He thought back on the oracle's words, his experiences with Asakai, and his stay in the village. He also thought of the first night he was a dragon.

Thinking the people are important isn't going to change that I lied to them, he sighed heavily, his nails stirring up the dirt he sat upon. But what happened that first night with the lightning? There has got to be some connection! If only I could figure this out.

He shut his eyes and listened to his surroundings. In a more meditative state, he decided to try a different approach without thinking much about it. He envisioned the wind picking up and buffeted against his scales. He pinched his eyes further shut in frustration when nothing happened at first. But some breeze fluffed against his scales.

Just another coincidence.

He sighed again, his heart throbbing with disappointment. Anger crept into his feelings once again, destroying the placid emptiness which had soothed him earlier. It flowed through his limbs and filled him up, almost to the point of shaking. Cricking the end of his tail against the ground, he clenched his teeth. And without any thought to even do it, he roared.

His roar smothered out any other sound as it resounded throughout the area. Prolonged, its power awakened and disturbed everyone in the village, and every forest creature, and even the ground directly underneath himself--which shook. In the single note of his roar the nuances of rage, sadness, apathy and desire all intermixed, and once the roar ended, there was a clap of thunder close by to answer his "call."

Opening his eyes in complete disbelief, the dragon felt water dab his nose as small droplets fell from a gray and cloudy sky. As if reality itself had been altered, the clear and sunny blue overhead had been completely replaced with broiling clouds and echoing thunderclaps. He shook his head and beamed a little, his wings fluttering with excited amazement. "Wow!"

It happened so fast! What did I do! he thought as he continued to smile, the rain turning into invigorating sheets a second later. I think, I think in that moment, without words, without feeling, in the roar, I think I believed.

Without words.

Taking time to process what he just did, he then realized that he had passed his first test, or a test of many tests. He passed something. Soon it would be the time when he would leave the village as a more mature god to cure Kai of his affliction. And with that done, he knew he would have many experiences to propagate what he felt had to be important to his heart.

To be continued...

_K's Notes: Wow! It's been about 4 months since I wrote part I. I hope you all can forgive me for the wait. Also, I hope you can forgive me for the macro/smutty goodness not seen in this part. Part III will have this, I promise! And if you can already guess with the different creatures presented, there will be interesting situations later on. ^_^ I consider this series to be sort of a "RPG" with a bunch of different characters, backgrounds, and events. I hope this series will have a lot of yiff, a lot of plot, and most importantly, a little something for everyone!

I'd like to thank the following people who helped me edit this part and/or give me insight to help me write part II: Roke Tanuki, Draq, CtrlAltDel123, Eldoran, DeathRose52, and (maybe) others. All of your contributions have helped me write out a story that's hopefully easier and more fun to read._

Now the stage is set for Shades of a Dream Revolution! Get ready to find out some more! Keep it thick and stay tuned for part III of SDR: "The Great Library."