Scene One 

(if you guys don't like this idea, that's cool, its just something to get us started coz im really eager and no one has started!! Hope you guys don't think im being a hog or nuffin... just eager!)

The sun was setting on another day... The DSLNet team were tired and grumpy from the long journey. Countless moans and complaints could be heard all around.

Quistara sat down carefully on a soft looking patch of grass and pulled out a Power Puff Girls lollypop from her top pocket.

"This is taking way way too long... Im so tired... I wonder where we are going..."

She looked towards the two leaders of the pilgramage. She didnt know them well.. actually she didn't know them at all... She thought that she had heard a girl refer to them as Mandy and Tony.. however that might not even be their real names.

As her eyes began to get heavy, Quistara began to wonder what made her come onto this pilgramage anyway... was it her love for adventure?... her need to leave her home town?... or that really hot looking guy over to the right of her?... She didn't know and she didnt care... she was on her way.

*** 

Athena stood a little apart from the main group, leaning against a tree.  She appeared to be dozing, but in reality she was scanning the group and also watching the surrounding woods for signs of danger.

She had joined the group after happening across Mandy's message.  This was a whole new experience for her; her work was best done alone.  But there was no harm in trying something new now and then.

Her eyes settled on Mandy now, as she tried to organise people into starting a fire and getting something to eat.  Was she even using the name Mandy, here?  Athena didn't know.

The girl she thought of as The Child (she had a longish name, something beginning with Q) was sucking a lollypop, but at least she wasn't taking part in the general grumbling.

Athena sighed - this was going to be a long night.

Athena was an ancient goddess in legend,' thought Alleura. At first she had hoped that the woman would turn out to be the one who had left the message at the inn, calling for adventurous souls to join on a quest that could be fraught with great peril, but promising great honor to all who might be chosen as companions.

'Of wisdom and justice, or was it something else?'  She couldn't remember for certain. Despite her interest in tales and legends she had a prodigiously poor memory.

Perhaps she had read so many tales and legends in her youth they all began to blur one into the other. Athena seemed to fit what little Alleura could recall of the ancient goddess, showing a strength and assurance that filtered through her long strides as she entered the clearing and announced her name, then waiting, a silent presence watching all of them. However it seemed obvious she was not the one who had called them all here.

She studied the others in the party, all mysterious strangers to her. After Athena had given her name, a young girl had named herself, then unconcernedly sat on the ground and begun eating candy, as though it did not matter to her if the others responded or not.

'Quistara' she had called herself. A strange name, to Alleura's ears, much like the girl herself. Was she part elvish? Her long hair obscured the tops of her ears, but there was a long slant to her eyes that spoke of at least part elven blood running in her veins. Whatever her skills she was probably not a swordfighter then.

Alleura's impatience grew, and she decided that fortune only favoured those who grasped it in both hands.

"My name is Alleura! I seek the one who left the message. I desire to know more about this quest."

She waited for one of those present to step forward.

***

Riley felt like she had been walking for hours.  She was heartbroken over the loss of her ship, The Eagle.  She figured she could somehow manage to repair it, but from the looks of this place, she didn't see how she could get ahold of the resources she needed.  Ah well...she thought.  Might as well make the best of this place.

Being "grounded," or stuck on the mainland was hard for anyone who had been raised in Cielobar, where life centered around flying and the stars.  Still, as Riley looked up at the sky, she had to admit, the view from down here was rather breathtaking.

After walking for a while, she spotted a group of people and ran toward them.  "Hey!" she shouted, hoping to get their attention.  A young woman left the group and walked over to greet her.  Riley was surprised to see someone who looked exactly like her cousin, Mandy.  "What are you doing here?" she asked, breathlessly.  "You don't know how nice it is to see a familiar face!"

'Mandy' smiled and gestured that she join the group.  She hadn't said anything, though, which was odd because Mandy loved to talk.  When they got within 10 meters of the group, Mandy disappeared, but not before whispering the words, All the pieces are falling into place...

Riley looked around in wonder.  Actually, she was wondering if she had hit her head a little too hard in the crash. 

She approached the group and muttered shyly, "Um, hello."

"Where did the other girl go?" one of the travelers asked, referring to Mandy.  "And who are you?  What'd you do with her?"

"I don't know," Riley held up her hands in surrender.  "She just disappeared.  It was odd.  She whispered that all the pieces were falling into place, whatever that means, and simply vanished.  I swear I did nothing to her."

"You don't look like you're from here," the traveler said suspiciously, eyeing Riley's garb.

"I'm not.  I'm from up there," she pointed to the sky.  "Cielobar, the sky city.  My name's Riley."

***

Athena, along with the rest of the group, had watched with stunned fascination as Mandy vanished before their eyes.  Now there was a heated debate going on between some of the other members of the group, with the others standing around looking on.  Athena stood apart as usual, pondering what Mandy had said; 'All the pieces are falling into place'...  What could that mean?

She was brought out of her reverie when someone cried, 'Let's ask the Owl-lady!'

She jerked her head up, looking at the speaker through narrowed eyes.  'Why ask me?' she enquired of 'The Child'.

'Well, owls are symbols of wisdom, aren't they?  And Athena was the goddess of wisdom - so I thought you might be able to help,' the girl said brightly, emphasising her words with thrusts of her lollipop.

Athena realised she had underestimated the girl, assuming that youth equalled ignorance.  'What you say is true,' she replied.  'Well, then - what would you like my advice on?'

Quistara smiled and said, 'We were debating where we should go next?'

'I don't know about the rest of you,' Athena said, 'but I joined this group in response to a message Mandy left in the ether - a kind of message in a bottle.  The message said that she was looking for adventurers to undertake a quest to Deguerro.  Perhaps if we go there, we will find more about this quest?

'Does anyone know where Deguerro is?'

Mandy's 'message in the ether' is of course the link she posted in her lj!  And I hope you don't mind me using the name 'Deguerro' - we could stick to it being a library hidden in a mountain, or make it a town or something.  Anyway, our party have to get there, yet!

***

Quistara eyed newcomer Riley carefully. This person seemed to have a good soul from first impression, however just by looking, there was no way to tell for sure.

"Deguerro......That wasnt put in my note. Mine was specific. It was kind of like 'Mandy' KNEW I would say yes" Quistara pondered out loud. As she continued, she turned to face Athena. "i've heard of that name Deguerro before... in a riddle..now let me think"

Athena waited patiently for Quistara's mind to tick over... as did the rest of the group who had began to listen in to the conversation.

"I remember now" Quistara suddenly spoke up as she rumaged through her leather back pack. "It was an inscription on the back page of a book I recieved when I was younger. The poem's title was Deguerro. My grandmother gave it to me before she passed away...." she finished her sentance with a smile as she pulled out the book she was looking for. She read the poem aloud.

"It might not be white
but it will be bright.
The sun might not shine
but this place you will find.

Don't walk East
Don't walk West
Just keep heading North
And you'll do your best.

A band a travellers
will complete this task.
The reward will be great
what it is-you must not ask

Through greens of thick
Browns of deep...

Deguerro"

***

Riley took the book from Quistara and looked at the poem.  She reread the first stanza aloud.

It might not be white
but it will be bright.
The sun might not shine
but this place you will find.

She paused and looked at the others.  "Are you meaning to tell me that we were all put together for the specific reason of finding this place, Deguerro?  Alright, so we find that place.  What then?  What'll be waiting for us there?"

"I'm not sure," Athena said, "But shouldn't we simply head there?  I know something is drawing me there and the way things look, I'm sure it'll all fall into place as we go."

"I suppose," Riley sighed and handed the book back to Quistara.  It looked like she was going to be stuck on the planet a little longer than she had originally thought.  But at the same time, the prospect of an adventure was rather exciting to her.  Still, she couldn't help but think of the one she left behind...Monohan.  Was he missing her now?  Was he worried about her?

"Alright, so we're supposed to head north," she raised her head and looked over to where the sun was beginning to rise and pointed where due north was.  Up ahead, a rather ominous looking forest loomed in front of them.  She began to wish she had some sort of weapon with her as she wasn't particularly skilled with magic.  Monohan had made such fun of her.  Every attempt, it seemed, had resulted in something less than correct.

The other traveler, Alleura, spoke up for the first time since Riley had joined the group.  "Then what are you waiting for?"  She took a few steps forward and the others fell in line.

***

Alleura shouldered her axe as she ventured into the depths beneath the trees. The scent of growth, old lichen and a dim mustiness from the very age of the place assaulted her nostrils.

This forest was far more ancient than the woods surrounding her home. The trunks of the trees that grew here were of such girth that a small army could hide behind one. Here and there fallen trees lay across their path and they had scramble up and over them to pass, or occasionally under the logs where the gap was wide enough.

The ground cover was thick with ferns, and trailing vines with flowers the colour of wine and berries of scarlet hue.

Sunlight filtered from far above, casting a greenish underwater glow over their faces as they paused for a break, and Athena stood nearby, uncapping her water bottle to drink.

"I can't help wondering...why would a sky-person concern themselves with such an 'earthly' pursuit as this?"

Athena raised her brows questioningly, looking towards Riley who stood on the far side of the clearing with the girl, Quistara, nearby.

"The aviators don't care what happens down here," Alleura continued. "safe in their clouds, they know nothing of the struggles we face every day, with the loss of livestock to the Skerg menace. Our people suffer, while they feast on plenty and laugh at our misfortunes."

"They aren't responsible for the Skerg. Our problems started before Ceilobar was built."

Alleura nodded. "I know, but still, they only come to ground when they want something, never to help us out when we need them."

"If the Council of Elders ever agreed to a proposal to seek aid I'm sure Ceilobar would consider it. You know that their pride won't allow them to seek aid, not as long as Thardogan holds sway over the Elder's counsels."

"True, all true." Alleura replied. "But I don't know if I trust her, all the same."

"Her interest is a mystery, like this quest, but I'm sure we will find out eventually."

Alleura had to be content with those wise words from her companion, but she vowed she would keep an eye on the aviator. Which was why when they continued and had to climb over yet another obstacle in their path she saw Riley turn to crawl under the rotting log, her hand on its mossy green surface, then disappear completely from view, as if vanished.

She ran back, looked beneath the log, and found only a gaping hole, its edges raw loam, where the sky woman must have fallen.

"Riley!"

***

"Then what are you waiting for?"  spoke Allura to the group. As if it were an order, the group slowly set off on their way.

Watching Reily stand up, Quistara felt something something familiar about the woman, however what it was, she didnt know. She slowly strode over to Reily, wondering why she was feeling so comfortable. She came to a stop infront of Reily and boldly held out her hand.

"Well I guess I'll introduce myself properly to you" she paused to smile. "I'm Quistara"

Reily smiled slightly unsure, but then gave her hand for a shake. "Well, you already know, but I'm Reily" Quistara gave a little giggle. "Well we dont want to be left behind"

"You're right!" smiled Quistara. And so they followed the group.

As the group made it through what seemed to be acres of forest, they suddenly came upon a sunny clearing. Reily leant against a giant tree trunk, so Quistara took the moment to sit on the ground and to pull out yet another lollypop. She studied Reily's face while she sucked contently. She could already sense the unease in the womans presense and her body language showed it.

"Are you OK?" Quistara asked.
"Why aren't you like them?" Reily asked, disregarding the young girl's question.
"Huh?" was the puzzled reply she recieved.
"Look at them all, i know what they are saying about me, thinking about me. They all have outcasted me, even though most wouldn't admit it. But you... you have no Malice, no hatred towards me and where I come from. Why do you accept me?"
"You have done nothing to me, why should I hate you?" Quistara  said thoughfully. "I don't believe in shunning someone because of their past, their bloodlines or any reason like that, what matters to me is the present. There's no point in dwelling"

Reily was about to reply to the young girls wisdom, but was interrupted by a female voice.

"We move on! Don't fall behind!" Shouted Allura as she continued walking.

Quistara and Reily stayed close for the journey, chatting quietly to each other. They came across a log, covering their path.
"I'll go first" said Reily. Quistara smiled as a reply the way she usually did and let Reily ahead of her. As she began to climb under, Quistara saw all the events in slow motion. She tried to save the woman, but it was impossible.

"Reily!" she screamed as the woman disappeared out of sight

***

Riley fell a few meters and landed on the soft ground with an "oompff."  She stood up and accidentally bumped her head on the low hanging ceiling.  She looked overhead where light was trickling in through the hole she fell in.  She saw Quistara's face, full of concern.  "I'm ok!" she shouted and then turned around to see what this place was.  It was dark.  She tried to remember the light spell that Monohan had attempted to teach her a few weeks ago.

She waved her hands around and muttered a few words and all she got was a spark and a cloud of smoke.  "Ugh!" she said, frustrated with her inability to use magic with skill.  And then she suddenly gasped when she caught a glimpse of something.

"What's down there?" Alleura called.

"Yeah, like you'd believe me anyway," she mumbled under her breath.  Her voice louder, she called out, "I'm not sure.  It looks like the ruins of a city!"

"Deguerro?" Athena asked.

"I don't think so," Riley said.  "You guys should come take a look!"  She looked overhead and couldn't see Quistara looking in anymore.  Where'd she go?  She could tell the others didn't trust her.  Would they simply abandon her?  How would she get out if they did?

"Guys?"

***

"You're not seriously considering to go down there, are you?" she said a quiet voice.

Everyone (with the exception of the woman in the hole) turned at the sound to look at her. "Why?" asked the tall woman, who seemed to be the nominal leader of the group.

"It's dangerous," she said simply, flipping her braided hair over her shoulder.

"Our friend is in there," the elvish-looking one insisted. "We're not leaving her!" The reactions from the other members of the party didn't seem to reflect her words.

"Then I'd suggest you pull her out and head away. You shouldn't be here."

The tall woman -- a forest-ranger, she was sure of it -- shook her head. "Then why are you here, child?"

She shrugged. "I have business here," she said loftily. "I was summoned."

A voice came wafting up from the hole. "Mandy sent you, didn't she?"

Startled, she glanced at the group. "What do you know of Mandy?"

"Only what you know," came the answer from the copper-haired woman. She was quiet for a moment, studying her with an unnervingly sharp gaze. "Who are you?"

"My name is ... is Ayna."

"Just Ayna?"

"Just Ayna."  She averted her eyes and turned away from the woman's gaze and walked towards the hole. "Do you want me to cast a Float or do you want to jump in there?"

The party members looked at each other, waiting for an answer.

***

Alleura studied the hole in the ground, not sure if it had given way accidentally or if it was a trap set for the unwary traveller.

While she did so Athena weighed in with Quistara. "Riley says there is something down there. I think we should see what it is."

"It could be a trap, you know."

"We'll just have to be careful, then." Athena replied.

"Alright, I'll go first." Quistara declared, and she shimmied backwards into the hole, dropping quickly out of sight.

Alleura smirked to herself as she rummaged in her pack, drawing out a thin but sturdy rope. If they were all as impulsive as the young woman they'd find themselves underground with no way of getting back out again.

She looped the rope over the fallen tree trunk and fastened the loop securely, then lowered the end into the hole. "Ready?"

Athena nodded and descended, leaving Ayna and Alleura. Alleura deferred to the newcomer, waiting impatiently for her to follow the others but instead the other girl jumped up onto the log and settled herself there. "I think I might wait here for a while."

Alleura's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "If you think I'm going down there and leaving you with the opportunity to take the rope..."

"How dare you!" Ayna shouted, stung by the accusation. She raised her staff menacingly, but Alleura did not show any fear at the sight, her own axe at the ready.

"I dare because I don't even know you, let alone trust you. If you stay here, so will I. To guard the rope." Ayna lowered her staff but still looked disgusted by her companion's lack of trust.

"Alright, I'll go down there too. It's not as if I can't float us out if someone *else* takes the rope while we're all in there."

"Fine. As long as you use your magic for *all* of us."

Ayna nodded and ignored the rope entirely, jumping swiftly into the darkness below. 'Great, just great' Alleura thought. 'I've alienated yet another of my fellow journeyers. But how can I trust these strangers?'

Determined to try to give the others the benefit of the doubt from now on she also descended, to find Ayna crouched below, the others no longer in sight.

"Which way did they go?" she asked, but Ayna shook her head.

"I don't know. They were gone before I got down here."

***

At the bottom of the shaft, Athena found Quistara and Riley staring down at the tumbled walls and pillars of a vast city.  Riley had managed to get her light spell under control, and had sent a small glowing globe out over the cavern.  It's small light gleamed eerily on ancient stone.

It quickly completed it's circuit and returned to Riley's hand.

'Let's get a closer look!' cried Quistara.

'Shouldn't we wait for the others?' asked Riley, looking up at the hole.  Alleura and Ayna's voices drifted down; they appeared to be in the midst of a heated debate.

'No,' said Athena decisively.  'We'll go on a little way ahead.  If they follow us down, they'll easily catch up - and if they don't we won't have wasted our time waiting for them.'

The other two nodded, and the three women set out to explore.

***

Three were those who chose to go onward. Through slippery floors and walls of jagged rock they moved with relative ease. Water immutably dripped from above, wetting their garments until they were quite tenaciously attached to their skin. Two voices jousted from a distance. Far too earsplitting, big mistake.

“Freeze!”

A voice startled them from the shadowy maw. Shards of broken pottery crunched from the weight of countless feet in a sprint. Not a substantial distance away, a large ray of trespassing light sliced through the dark and into the face of the one who had hair like the sea. Another followed then another, then another still until they could hardly see their way forward from the blazing beams. Beams of light that hung below the black barrels of firearms. They could however see clearly the banner that hung above them. The scarlet tear. Methusdeimian.

“We come in the name of our emperor Cercyon de Cyrthuie. Identify yourselves or be forever a part of this underground ruin.” 

***

"What did I tell you, it was a trap..." Quistara sighed as he raised her hands in the air.

"Well...even I can make a mistake once in a while..." Athena replied as she too surrendered to the forces of Methusdeim.

Riley merely remained silent as he gave in to the soldier’s orders.

One of the men came forward with his weapon of destruction and barked out the question again. "I say again, what are your names? Or can you not understand?"

This time Riley spoke up, a little overwhelmed by the impatience of the loudmouth soldier. "I am Riley, and these are my comrades, Athena and Quistara..."

"State your business here, and be quick about it..."

"We seek the lost city of Deguerro, can you tell us if it's around here?" Athena responded to the pushy general.

The general whispered to the soldier next to him in secret. Their captives could only look on and ponder their intentions.

The commander returned to the three, "We've decided it is best if you come with us, don't try to escape or you will be punished to the extreme..."

"I guess we don't have any choice," Quistara frowned as a soldier came up from behind her and tied her hands together. Riley and Athena got the same treatment as well.

The general stated an additional order. "Take the prisoners back to our camp on the other side of the cave, I’m going to have a look around…” the general said as he acknowledged the salute of his army.

“I’d stay put if I were you…” came a dark voice that echoed throughout the carven sending chills to the army.

“Sir, theirs someone else in here…” implicated a rifleman.

The general didn’t have time to reply as a single dart came from out of nowhere and struck the same soilder who had told him of the suspicion.

“Ready your arms, men!” commanded the general as a wave of panic ensued within the battalions.

Another dart came out from the same direction and struck another man sending him down to the floor.

“Sir!” roared a soilder, “We can’t attack something we can’t see!”

From within a secret hole, the figure appeared in full view of the army. “Is that better for you?” he said.

The army could only look in horror as they looked at the full-armored knight as he held out his arms with multiple dart claws attached to each.

“Fire you fools!!” hollered the general as a wave of bullets commenced towards the single superpower.

A smirk appeared on the man’s face as he retaliated with a wave of his own, only with dart claws of ice. The spears literally shattered the wave of bullets instantly. The soldiers could only look on in horror as the man prepared his next assault.

The sliver-haired titan’s eye burned red as he brought out his blade. “I think it’s time to give my ‘Iscala' a good workout, don’t you boys agree?” he taunted as he flew at them with blazing speed and sliced their weapons in one swing before they could even blink.

“RETREAT!” barked the commander as he and his army ran down the dark cavern until their footsteps could not be heard.

The figure put his blade back into it’s home and turned his attention to the squirming captives. “Are you ok?” he asked as the red jewel on his hand cut thier bonds. “I’m Dragonis Firali.”

***

Athena placed her hands on her hips and scowled at the newcomer. 

'What in the name of all the gods do you think you're playing at?' she asked, her voice icy calm.

The other three blinked at her in surprise.

'But, he just saved us from...' began Quistara, but Athena cut her off short.

'They were taking us into the city!  There might have been somebody there who could help us in our search for Deguerro!'

'None of the guards had even heard of Deguerro,' Riley pointed out.

'But their emporer might,' said Athena despondently.

The young knight who had come to their rescue stood watching this debate, nervously shuffling his feet.  Athena looked at him and laughed suddenly.

'Dragonis Firali, we all thank you for your gallant rescue,' she said, bowing low.  'We are on a quest of sorts, though none of us knows where we are going or what we are looking for.  Our only clue is the name of 'Deguerro' which we take to be some sort of city.

'We have other companions who are still above ground... and indeed two of them are approaching now,' she continued as Alleura and Ayna hurried up.

'There you are!' exclaimed Alleura.  'We were afraid something had happened to you!'

'It nearly did, but Dragonis here saved us,' said Quistara pointedly.

'I am afraid, ladies, that you all have the advantage over me,' said Dragonis, eyeing the five well-armed women in front of him.  Perhaps they weren't as helpless as he had assumed.

The companions all took his point and quickly introduced themselves.  They agreed that it might be useful to enter the city, but that they should first plan how to do so.  So that they were not so exposed, they made their way to the side tunnel from which Dragonis had emerged.  After a couple of twists it opened out into a kind of room.  Here Riley summoned another globe of light which they were confident would not show in the main chamber.  And here they laid their plans.

***

"You know, I think they're hiding something in there.  Something special," Riley decided. 

"You think so?" Athena raised one eyebrow.

"They have to be.  I mean, why else would Methusdeimian be down in a place like this?"  She furrowed her brow.  "It all seems pretty suspicious, if you ask me."

"All this coming from a sky-dweller," Alleura quipped.

Riley frowned and turned to face Alleura.  "Just what is your problem?  What have I done to cause you to have such distrust in me?  Did I have a choice in where I was born?  In where I grew up?"

"Riley," Quistara reached a hand out to calm her new friend.

"No!" Riley protested.  "I want to know."  Alleura didn't answer, but merely regarded the young pilot with a level gaze.

"That's not important right now," Athena said.  "We're all in an unfamiliar place and we don't know exactly where we're going or what we're doing.  Arguing will get us nowhere.  Now, I think you're on to something.  It is odd that a whole legion of soldiers would be down here."

Dragonis was watching the group of women with a smile on his face.  This was certainly going to be interesting, to say the least.  "Well, I propose that we circle around a little and try to find a gap in the city walls.  I noticed that there were some places where the walls had crumbled a bit.  If we can spot one that's not being guarded, we can easily slip in.  Perhaps it'd be best if we extinguished that first," he nodded towards the small ball of light.

***

“Hurry! Out of this place!”

The general only paused a moment before he started sprinting anew. What was left of his armed legions scampered about behind him tongues wagging from exhaustion.

“I think we lost him!”

“Hurrah!” was the cry from the craven troops of Methusdeim, more than happy to be shamefully alive than honorably dead. They rested on each other’s shoulders, sharing the foulness of their breaths and the whisky from their flasks, each telling a slightly different tale of that truculent man-beast from the ruin. Too much enthralled by their merriment, they failed to behold a tall man in the darkness, torn between laughter and ennui.

“So these are the proud soldiers of Methusdeim, queen of the north! The Emperor won’t like this, oh no he won’t.” So said the man in a deep voice.

The men ceased their jollity. “Who are you to speak of us I such a manner? Come out where we can see you, hound!”

“With pleasure!” declared the stranger. He soon became visible to the quaking crowd. His hair was long, combed, and black as a moonless night. Of his clothes, nothing was quite discernable except that he wore the long black robe like those of northern barons. Thick studded belts lined his arms and his shoes looked like polished leather. On his robe the scarlet tear. Methusdeimian no question. But behind it designs of the Emperor’s own spear. Not a sight regularly seen. He was a bigger, more regal, and more handsome individual than any in his cowering audience.

“Wh-who are you to speak of us l-like that? Can’t you recognize my rank?” stuttered the general, the knowledge of his allegiance the only thing that kept him from running back where he came.

“Your rank, old man?” laughed the stranger. “I am beyond military rank. My comrades and me answer directly to Emperor de Cyrthuie and to him alone. We are the Gorthein, champions of Methusdeim. I bow solely to the Northern Crown, not to rusting four stars. I was sent here to watch over you, clandestinely he hoped but bah, the emperor has far too much faith in you. More than I could ever stomach.”

“Gorthein?” wondered the general indignantly and aloud. “I thought you were—“

“What?” Asked the man with a proud smirk. “Dead? Extinct? Stuff of legends? Oh no, we’re much more real than you’d like to think we are. We turned the tide of every battle ever won. You were just too busy retreating to notice. And they let you have all this technology,” he said with a scowl as he studied their gear. “Now, tell me what you were running from.”

Almost half the men were on their knees. “He was a demon,” said some. “A bat that flies in the dark,” came the others. “A horrific monster of a man with red eyes and a huge sword,” finished the old General who was now on his knees as well from the mere memory of him.

“Why?” the stranger grunted, unsheathing from his back a massive sword about five feet in length. “Am I any less imposing?” Some of the men squealed in terror. “I thought so.”

“Come,” he then said as he faced the darkness where the troops emerged. “Let us go back to him. Don’t even try to abscond. Ligurinth and I will deliver him and his women to Alarann. They know of Deguerreo and should be useful. Up!”

***

The group decided to split up in order to find an entrance into the city.  They made sure they kept at least one other person in their party in view, however, for safety's sake.

Riley ran her hand along the wall in front of her.  She traced the large cracks with her finger, hoping to find a weak spot in the rock that she could push through.  She glanced to her right and left every few minutes, making sure she could still see her companions on either side of her, several meters away.  They didn't appear to be having much luck either.  Though it was evident the city was under seige at some point in time, the walls held firm.

"Surely, the front gate can't be the only entrance into this city," she mused.  There had to be another route, otherwise the inhabitants in the city were extremely vulnerable.  She smiled to herself as she thought, "Perhaps that's why this city is merely a ruin, no longer inhabited."  She wondered what could have caused it's destruction.  But what was more, she wondered what kind of person could live down in a place like this, so musty and cold?  How could they stand never to see the sun or stars?

She heard a noise from behind her, to the right.  Instinctively, she crouched to the ground defensively and looked around, straining her eyes, ready to either flee or fight at any moment...

***

The loose rocks underneath his feet gave way, pitching him forward.  He managed to tuck himself and roll to avoid serious injury, but his momentum deposited him in a very awkward position near the feet of one of those people he'd been tailing.

Sprawled out on his belly he tilted his head up and looked into the face of one of their number; the one dressed like one of the sky-dwellers.  She was tensed in a defensive combat stance, and didn't look to be in a pleasant mood.

"Who are you?" she immediately demanded.

If she had any of the gadgets the sky-dwellers were infamous for devising, he wouldn't last long if he provoked her at all.  He raised his hands as much as he could from his position.

"Neh a part of Methusdeim's goon squad, I cen promise yeh that!"  he said.  "Yeh mind if I right mehself here?  Laying on teh ground like this is neh too comfie.  I ehn't gonna pull a weapon on yeh or nothin'.  Whey, some of meh best friends is sky dwellers."

He smiled weakly.

"All right, get up," she said.

He raised himself, still keeping his hands high and visible in the likely event she didn't still trust him.

"I was tailin' those soldiers because they're lookin' fer Deguerro," he explained, "but when they ren into you guys I started followin yeh and yer friends.  I put merr faith in a sky dweller end her friends to know where they're goin' then a bunch of dem soldiers any day."

"You're searching for Deguerro?" she asked.

"Who isn't, eh?" he quipped.  "Been lookin' fer it fer years.  Jes like Methusdiem in that respect, I guess.  At first I was searchin' for teh gold, but...heh, fergettin' meh manners.  Meh name's Hackblaev Preston, but yeh can call me Hack.  What' yers?"

"Riley," she answered.

"Privelege to meet yeh!" he said, extending his hand.  "Yeh trust meh enough to let meh put my hands down like this?"

Riley nodded.

"Thanks to yeh," Hack said, dropping his arms and keeping his hand extended.  They exchanged a tentative shake.

"As I was sayin', at first I was jest looking fer the gold.  Yeh know, there's legend of a huge lost treasure vault in Deguerro, some great old king of the Deguerrians er a priest er a hero er somethin' like that, who cares where it comes from es long as its there waitin' fer us, right?  But lately, I've changed meh priorities eh bit.  Mind yeh, I'm stiill keen on locatin' teh gold, but Emperor Cercyon's stepped up his search in the last year er so.  I figure he's pretty close.  End I know what he's lookin' fer, too."

"And that would be?" Riley asked.

Hack cleared his throat.  "The Eye of Jestinh-Baelee.*  Yeh heard of the Eye of Jestinh-Baelee, ain't yeh, up there in Cielobar?"

"That's just a silly myth," Riley replied.

Hack shook his head.  "Afeared not, lass.  The Eye is jest as real as yeh or me are, and if a man Methusdiem gets its hands on that, ain't no place in the world that'll be safe from 'em.  Not even Cielobar.  With the Eye of Jestinh-Baelee, they'll be out to conquer all their old lends; and merr than that.  Meh Hochland found that out the hard wey."

Before Hack could elaborate, their conversation was interrupted by the excited shout of one of the others.

"I found a way in!"

***

The Eye.  That's the goal of one hundred twenty two years. The sparkling ring of his finger was the inspiration. All the power he commanded, one eluded him. The power of life over death. Perhaps then...he could live again.

Magelin stepped quietly through the forest. Darknyte, the only companion he could trust was perched on his shoulder. His mythical Nightshade staff was currently his walking stick. The hooded cloak in his possession masked his features completely. Only random chirps and screeches from his friend kept the breaking the silence.
"I know. Calm yourself." A finger calmly nuzzled under the dragon's tiny maw. "They have followed us for two days now. The fools don't know should they attack or run." A hidden smile formed.  "On top of that, Methusdeim's dogs think they can kill me. That's a insult to your kind..." Then whispered lowly. "...And mine."

Up ahead he saw his path had two figures standing next to seemingly a hole in the ground. "Interesting twist don't you agree Darknyte?" Before the tiny dragon could answer, A arrow breezed just by his head landing in the ground two paces ahead of him. "I guess they made their minds up." In his mind Magelin cursed the Gods for putting those two further ahead in his way. Part of him just wanted to put the advancing soldiers on their hands and go onward toward where the information he stole told him to head. However, the other half of him. The truest part of his being. The one who made the promise he now lives by. Would not allow him.

"HALT!" Slowly, turning in the direction of the voice. Then taking the hood off his cloak. "For your crimes..." The leader of the four soldiers spoke. "Your king or emperor, whatever he is certainly is foolish to send just four troops after Me."  There was a chill in his voice.

"You dare mock him?"  Magelin smiled hearing the reply. Moving a small strand of crimson hair from his face. "Not to mention send four who are completely afraid of their target. You deserve to die." He glanced to his compaion who was now just as serious as he was.  Before sizing up the situation Two archers, one on each side of him. While the leader and the other soldier were swordsmen. 

"You mock us too? Kill him!" Barked the commander. Darknyte flew off Magelin's shoulder, speeding directly to the archer to his right. While Magelin ran toward the soldier and archer to his left.
He quickly heard the cries of the other archer Darknyte may be small but those claws are just as sharp as his larger brethen are.  Magelin tossed in mid-stride his staff. Striking the archer dead center before he had to chance to fire a arrow. It hit the now paralyzed archer so hard it bounced back into his hand. Just in time as a sword came for his neck. He didn't have to give up the advantage. The Staff and sword collided. Magelin looked directly at the soldier. His soul less looking eyes showed no fear as the one sided battle continued. The sounds of the conflict reaching both the ears and eyes of the two around the hole.

***

Athena searched the wall in a perfunctory way.  The stones were all solid and the mortar was in fairly good condition considering its apparent age.  There might well be openings in some parts of the wall, but the part she was looking at was depressingly solid.

She glanced to her left, checking that Riley was still in sight, and caught her breath.  A man was moving down the slope behind the Skydweller, but Riley was completely unaware of him.  Athena was still unsure how she felt about the other woman, but she didn't want to see her come to any harm.  She opened her mouth to shout a warning, when the man lost his footing and rolled the rest of the way down. 

Riley took up a defensive position as soon as she heard the man slip and was far more prepared than he was by the time he reached her.  Athena watched their conversation, the man miming his harmlessness, and Riley responding warily.  She couldn't hear any words, but their voices drifted to her.  Something about the man's tugged at her memory.

She stepped forward, straining to hear what they were saying and caught the word 'Deguerro', but before she could join them one of the others called out, 'I found a way in!'

***

Great Minds think alike. ^.^ But what threw me off was someone's comment that the others above ground wandered off. In fact were you that said it. I figured the group didn't want that to happen.)

Magelin kept parrying now two swords in front of him. He heard the taunting chirp of his dragon friend. "Not funny at all Darknyte." They were slowly backing him towards the hole, which he kept one eye on. while those other people were no longer there. Must have went underground. But from the slight sensation he got from them. "I wonder if I'm already at the first..." 

A slash just breezed by his head. Making him put his attention back onto the two swordsmen. Already spells were already running into his mind. A century of knowledge. Going in perfect tune with his Staff. His foot reached the edge of the pit into the underground. "I had enough. The commander and his lackey charged at the same time. "Flames of wickedness ignite."  Magelin calmly spoke. A wall of flames rose up directly at his feet. then traveled outward. "Darknyte let us go." He turned and jumped inside the pit. " Darknyte screeched before flying past the incinerated guards and land while descending into the ground.

Magelin already was waiting with his hood back on, with the Nightshade staff glowing in light blue light. Giving the crescent moon tip the impression of lunar light. Once Darknyte took his usual position on the shoulder. Magelin took began to walk forward. "If I'm right. This wouldn't be Deguerro. But something needed to enter there should be." Darknyte immediately asked a question. "Yes, quite a few people down here. Including more of the dogs."

Darknyte continued on more quietly now as the descended onto a path that neither felt was traveled on at all.
"What was that?" Magelin asked. Darknyte repeated his comment. "Yes, I know the poem. But my life and this journey are only for one person. You know that my friend. I will get The Eye and if anyone stands in my way."  He didn't finish the comment and kept walking down the twisting passageways without incident. Their two-way conversation continued.

"Do I remember this place? Sadly I do. But nothing can be done for this place now. It's a adventurer's dream. But we can rebuild once the eye is mine." They stood at the western base of the underground city. "Quiet and be still, we must hide." Their surroundings gave little to work with so a spell had to be used. The glow died as they stood next to the entrance of their path. Their forms quickly blended in with the with the wall. Their hopes were that none were extremely proficient in the mystical arts.

Just in time too since he saw two polar opposite folks step towards the wall. One was a woman with silverish-blue hair and alluring blue eyes. Magelin sensed she was one of the white arts.  "Just like..." He forced the thought out of his mind seeing the giant man next to her. "Actually imposing, Would strike fear in lesser men upon gazing. Unlike calm, serene stature of the lady. He felt a powerful inner strength in him. Just like Darknyte.  It was then the lady spoke up. "I found a way in!" Others quickly came to their spot.

Magelin once again cursed his bad luck. Ever since he got that mysterious note a week ago from someone name Mandy, it seemed to go straight in a downward spiral.

***

The ears of Dragonis Firali perked up upon hearing about an opening to the believed ruin of the once great city of Deguerro. An inner instinct alerted him of the fact that they may not be alone.

He readied his blade “Iscala” as he walked over to the opening in the wall along with his comrades.

”Careful girls…I sense we are not alone in this rotting tomb…” Dragonis advised as he slowing strolled though the ruins.

“Girls?!” snarled Athena to the young knight, her slight temper showing, “I’ll have you know…”

But Dragonis disregarded her words as he ran his gloves along the rough texture of the wall. He took a scent of the foundations and revealed his puzzled eyes.

“I sense…a battle…took place here…” he spoke to the others, “one of great destruction and chaos…could it have possibly been the last days of this civilization?”

”You can tell that by just looking at a wall?” asked Riley as she put her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry…that wasn’t right for me to ask…”

Dragonis smiled. “I…do not fully understand my powers, nor do I know if they speak the truth…”

Without warning, a slight hue of light shined behind Riley as he cried out in pain from the surging energy.

“Riley!” Dragonis shouted, as he raced over to her side, while at the same time, catching a glimpse of a stranger…

***

Athena kept her temper with some effort.  Normally so calm and in control, the uncertainties and difficulties that surrounded them were taking their toll.

She was still lost in her thoughts when the stranger appeared from nowhere, right behind Riley and catching her with a trail of energy.  Riley cried out in pain and fell to the ground.  Draconis hurried to shield her from the stranger, his sword drawn, but he had no time to check on her condition.  Athena, however, was standing closest and knealt down by the Skydweller's side.

'I'll take care of her Draconis,' she said quietly.

Draconis nodded to show his understanding and focussed on the stranger.  Athena found that Riley was not seriously injured, just stunned, and peered around the swordsman's legs at the newcomer.  The man was tall and slender, with long reddish hair and strangely black eyes.  He was dressed in long black and silver robes and carried a curious staff.  On his shoulder was perched what she first thought was a parrot - until it scratched itself enthusiastically with a hind leg and she realised it was a very small dragon.  It turned its head and looked her right in the eye.  She had an overwhelming sense of intelligence, but forced herself to concentrate on the conversation going on between the two men.

'How do we know you mean us no harm?' demanded Draconis, his drawn sword raised in readiness for attack or defence.

'Yes!' joined in Quistara, flipping her silvery hair over one shoulder.  'You sneak up on us and appear out of thin air, and we're supposed to believe you don't want to hurt us?!  You've already hurt Riley!'

'The Skydweller will recover quickly,' the man stated, his voice oddly flat.  'I too seek Dequerro.  Within this city lies an object that will help us all in our quest.  You need me, because I know exactly where it is.  I need one of you... to aid me in its recovery.'

The pause was only slight, but Quistara caught it.  '"Aid" you?  In what way, exactly?  And why only one of us?  It sounds to me as though we're all walking straight into another trap.'

'He speaks the truth,' said Athena, her calm voice carrying to everyone's ears.

'How do you...' Quistara began, turning on the older woman, her face showing signs of anger and distrust.

Athena held up a hand to silence her.  'I'm not quite sure what he does want from us, but I do know he won't hurt us.  I have a gift for detecting truth - and its lack - and there's truth in his voice and his words.  He's certainly right about Riley,' she said with a smile, helping the other woman to her feet.

A palpable ripple of relief passed around the group at this, and they turned back to the stranger with slightly friendlier eyes.  But Draconis held on to his sword.

'Now, Sir,' said Athena, her eyes grey and serious.  'What exactly do you want from us?

***

Magelin kept his hands on Nightshade. The one that was stunned ran into the tip of the staff. But never before did it cause such a reaction on someone. It gave off his location. Forcing him to drop the invisibility spell. "If I wanted to attack all of you I would got to you one by one." He looked next to at his companion. Receiving a mild glare. Yet, another interesting development."

"You didn't answer our question. What exactly do you want from us?" Athena again questioned with a little more anger in her tone.

"You put your trust in strangers too easily." He retorted instantly. Slowly examining his situation he had seen he was easily outnumbered again. Another pattern that formed since he got Mandy's letter. "However, I seek the Tear of Wisdom. It's required entering Deguerro. But it's more personal for me... I'll lead you to where it is." He began to walk inside the ruins. Unknowing and partially uncaring if the group followed him.

"And it comes full circle, Darknyte." The mysterious figure said standing in the middle of the palace's main hall.
His eyes blinked then refocused. For it then his past was replaying before him.

****************************

"Magelin wait!." A voice came behind his shoulder. A petite woman came running up to him. Her gold dress swaying back and forth in the breeze of the palace's main hall matching both color and motion as her hair. "Yes, Miri?" Magelin wasn't the same. His jade eyes vibrantly shone in the sunlight.  The robes were the colors of a high wizard. Crimson with traces of blue streaks in them. 

"Shall we race to Gaia's Peak on Dragon back today?" Miri was on her tiptoes to give him a tiny kiss. "Not this day my love. The King has learned we soon might be attacked by a foreign kingdom. He wants every available body able to be ready at a moments notice."

"Then I'll help!" Miri confidentially said. "Miri...I don't want you to. I don't want you to be hurt. You do have the Nightshade staff and are a Divine Sorceress. But I can't bare the thought of not holding you again." 
Miri's eyes turned midnight black instantly. "I'm not a child Magelin Krystalis!" Magelin looked into the soulless eyes. The product of wielding the Nightshade staff.  "I love you and I would not what to do if you wasn't here. We have our marriage in three days..."

Three days later in the exact spot...

"NO! Miri! Wake up! This can't be true! It's a bad dream!" Magelin held the cold hand of Miri with one hand and holding with the other his side. A slew of arrows was in her chest. Where as a single arrow penetrated both cloth and flesh of his.  "Why?" He shook in pent up fury. The Nightshade Staff was lying next to her. "All this for a myth..." The pain, both physical and emotional tormented his body. "Miri." He shook his head. First taking the ring on Miri's finger. Then taking up the Nightshade staff. "I make a new vow this day love. My heart will run cold for eternity till I can feel your heart beating with mine again. No matter what it takes, I shall feel your heart again..." Magelin whispered.

The staff glowed with a reddish hue. "Mortal, you know what you seek is near impossible. But I feel your determination. You shall become the my new owner." 
"Thank you Darknyte...I'll make you and Miri proud.." He buried Miri right there in the still flamed throne room with help from the Nightshade staff. His robes altered to black and silver, his eyes losing the vibrant life they had to pitch black. The wound of his was already on the mend.

*******************************************

The others came in and looked at the mage, seemingly lost in his mind. "Well where is this tear?" Quistara asked snapping him out the daze. Magelin pointed to the far end wall. "There among the blackened stones." An unfazed bronze disc, large as a wagon wheel rested. On the surface of the disc, there was a pattern of the four major elements on it. Raising his staff, mist suddenly flowed from the moon tracing along the floor twisting and turning till it reached the wall.

"Almost forgotten the way. What I want is simple since you are still alive. Keep the guards busy till I get it out of the wall." Magelin took a few steps on the small misty path. "Guards? What guards?" The large man named Dragonis questioned. The hold on his sword still told Magelin didn't have his trust.

"Guards of the fallen kingdom..." Was the whispered reply as he went down the path towards the Tear. With every calm step, Out of the ground several empty suits of armor rose around the others. different dragon designs etched into both the front and back.
Everything faded out of his hearing. Even Darknyte' soft chirping. So close again yet so far. He gazed down at the ground before the wall of the tear. It pained him more and more for him to return here. But it had to be done

***

"Guards of the fallen kingdom..." The tone used warned Quistara to be prepared. She held tight to her Crystal Heart, prepared for what may come. She quickly cast a light cure spell on Riley just to be sure she would be able to fight if needed. Riley gave her a thankful nod. Being a white mage, she had little offensive magic, so she quickly cast protect on the group of adventurers and haste aswell, giving them an almost unfair advantage in the battle that was about to launch.

Quistara watched the way Alleura and Athena fought in awe. They definately were skilled. Glancing around, there was no immediate danger. She felt slightly left out of the battle. If she attacked, she wouldn't do much help, so Quistara decided to hang at the back and heal any status effects or use a cure spell when needed.

She looked towards Anya who was dealing with a different looking guard. He had a slightly glowing blue aura around him. Quistara assumed he could either be the master of the guards.. or maybe he had special abilities. As the guard held his hand in a specific way, Quistara knew what that blue was.

"Guys!!! The Blue one knows magic!!!" she yelled. Anya, being "quite adept at magic" (haha sorry just love quoting!) was not out of her league. Even so, Quistara told herself to not forget about that guard.  She quickly scanned the area again. Everyone seemed to be doing fine. She felt unneeded, until she saw that Anya had been inflicted with a venom-like poison. She cast esuna(? is it??) and Anya continued on with "Bluey"
Quistara saw he was readying up another magic attack, so she cast reflect on Anya and just in time... the firaga was reflected back and cause no obvious harm at all.

"Maybe they are flame resistant???"

***

After Quistara's incantation in that bizarre language that Hack knew had to be the Magic Tongue (because he didn't comprehend a single word of it) everything seemed to slow down around him while he moved as normal.

One of the suits of armor lumbered towards him with a broadsword clutched in its vacant gauntlets.  It swiped at his head in a slowed down stroke, as though it were an instructor deliberately slowing down to demonstrate a technique to a student.

"Jes' laike ol' Parsifal used to," he reminisced, easily evading the clumsy swing.  The "guard" remained off balance for what would've been only a second of real time, but in the magically-enhandced state Hack was in, it felt like five.  Plenty enough time to aim a particular blow at the "hand" of the armor suit, and test a theory.

On the downswing, his lightweight sword sniped through the air deftly and pricked the apparition squarely where the gauntlet met the forearm guard, where they would've been affixed to each other on the right arm of a normal, living knight.  On his upswing, he nicked the left gauntlet.

The gauntlets fell harmlessly to the floor, causing the empty suit of armor to drop its heavy broadsword to the ground.  It was now effectively disarmed.

"Haw!  Yer neh so tough!" Hack pronounced with a satisfied smirk on his face.

He turned his attention to the rest of the fray to assess how his new companions were faring.  Bolstered by his surprisingly easy success in neutralizing the one "guard of the fallen kingdom" he was brimming with confidence and eager to demonstrate his skill again should any of the others need his immediate aid.

He heard the distinct sound of rattling metal behind him.  He spun around instantly, in time to see the detatched gauntlets floating through mid air and reattaching themselves to the rest of the suit, which then picked up its heavy sword.  Hack gaped in disbelief and his cockiness hastily dissipated.

"Bloody 'ell!" he shouted.  "Neh bleedin' waigh!  How d'yeh keep these things down, eh?"

Still having the great speed advantage over the guards, Hack stole a quick glance at how the others were faring.  He caught a glimpse of one of the women whose name he didn't yet know sending a large ball of fire at one of the knights (the one emanating a blue aura) with no adverse affect on it whatsoever.  The woman with the axe did little more than put unsightly dents in the breastplate of her target; while clearly the aggressor and keeping her mark on the defensive, she didn't appear to be inflicting much damage.

The other man, who he thought he heard one of the others call "Dragonis" fought off one easily with a sword.  The new guy, on the other hand, seemed to ignore the peril and chaos around him.

The un-disarmed guard lumbered up and attacked Hack again, thrusting its sword in Hack's direction but stabbing only air.  "Hefta thank thet girl with teh fast magic laighter!  Too fast fer yeh, ol' rusty knickers!" he shouted at the knight as its momentum carried it past Hack and left him open to be kicked down the slop and tumble to the ground below (where most of the others were fighting) in a busted heap.  It bounced apart into several pieces, but Hack now realized that would only temporarily disable it.

Taking a moment to catch his breath, he turned his attention back to the ominous newcomer who seemed to know a suspicious ammount of information about this place, whatever it was, and yet seemed to be doing so little to help out.

"Ey!  You!  Dragon boy!  Yeh genna make yehself useful er yeh jes' gonna stand around en' stare at nethin' while weh fight to teh deth o'er here?" he lectured.  The shout didn't seem to register with the mysterious man with the dragon.

Seeing the knight gather itself back together -- literally -- Hack abandoned his thoughts on the newcomer and rushed down the incline and into the full heat of the fray...

 
***

An undead guard came charging at Dragonis with amazing speed as the titan looked on with wary eyes. With a quick smirk and his hands extended, he caught the guard by the breastplate and flipped him over back, where just milliseconds later came the deafening thud of the armor against the stone floor.

“You may be fast…but you are blind as a bat…” taunted Dragonis as he, without hesitation, drove his sword into the minion’s black heart, ending his life once again.

Meanwhile, off in another part of the cavern, Rily, Athena and Alleura were taking down a group of guards all at once each with the weapon of their choice. “This has been quite the day…” Rily grinned as she pummeled another undead minion.

“Indeed…quite the workout I’ve been getting,” Alleura agreed as she mulched an oncoming soldier with her axe.

”Hey, save me one or two, eh?” chuckled Athena as she targeted two of the guards from quite the disatance with her hunter’s bow. “Yes!” she cheered.

It wasn’t long before ten minutes pasted, but it seemed like hours, and the Guards of the Fallen Kingdom just kept on coming without showing any sign of departure.

The Iscala-wielding swordsman called out to the others, “The one whom is friend to the Nightshade staff, is he finished yet?” Suddenly with a roar of stone and a stunning display of light, Dragonis received his answer.

”It’s open!” Quistara chirped as she ran over to where Magelin was as he began to wipe the sweat from his brow. The others soon followed towards the now open area of wall.

“Everyone, behold… the ruined city of Deguerro…”

“Oh…god…” said Ayna in a tone of amazement as she shook her long bangs from within her eyes.

“Jest a bigo pile of rubble now eh folks?” portrayed Hack as he began to touch the walls of the ancient landmark.

Magelin stood motionless as the memories of the place flooded back into his mind. Memories of hatred, regret and sorrow.

“Watch your step…” he merely said.

***

She started to wonder whether any of this was wise.

She watched as the treasure hunter -- Hack Preston, she reminded herself, she really had to start to think of them by their names -- studying the walls, and the mysterious newcomer wielding the staff. There was something about the man that chilled her, though she couldn't pinpoint a definite reason. Perhaps it was his staff with the crescent moon. Firali had called him a 'friend of the Nightshade staff' ....

It couldn't really be the Nightshade could it? she wondered. It was a century-old legend, nothing more. But even legends were based in truth, so the mage wielding it would be ....

No. Of course not. She was letting her imagination run wild again.

"Ayna?" She started at Riley's voice. The sky-dweller was looking at her with some concern. "Is there something wrong?"

She shook her head. "No, nothing's wrong. It's just that ..."

"Yes?"

She shifted her attention from Riley to the mage. "You are searching for the Tear of Wisdom?"

He turned to face her, black eyes flat. "Yes, that was what I said."

She hesitated. "How do you it's here? These ruins have been here for over a hundred years, and no one's ever found anything."

"How do you know that?"

"Why didn't you say anything before?" Both Dragonis and Athena spoke at the same time, and Quistara nodded, agreeing with them.

"You wouldn't have believed me anyway," Ayna muttered, and Alleura shook her head ruefully. "I already told you that it was dangerous."

"It would probably much more dangerous if you don't start to share everything you know," Alleura said. She sounded more amused than threatening. "We've had more than our usual share of surprises, don't you think?"

She shifted her feet. Too much was at risk to share what she knew. Too much was at risk of not sharing, too, but it wasn't her privilege to divulge what she had been taught. If it was just her, Ayna would've been more free with her knowledge, but Andreya had always said she was too trusting. Maybe she was right -- Ayna knew her sister wouldn't have jumped into a hole just because she had felt stupid arguing with a complete stranger.

Blast that oath of silence, she thought irritably. Now how am I supposed to keep my promises to both Mandy and Andreya?

The others were looking at her with varying degrees of suspicion and expectance. Ayna glanced away from all of them, and she watched as the red-haired mage started towards the blackened stones, paying no heed to their conversation. It does seem like he knows where he's going, she thought uneasily.

Ayna gestured at him. "We shouldn't let him go alone."

Dragonis rolled his eyes. "What, you don't trust him to take care of himself?"

"I just don't trust him," she said softly.

Preston started to laugh. "Ain't the only one. Ain't that many of 'em --" he gestured to her companions "-- are trustin' yeh either!"

No one had ever spoke to her like that before; it might as well had been a slap to her cheek. She glared at him. "I ain't thinkin' that yer accent's real either!" she hissed, the odd inflection making the words stumble over her tongue. She stomped away, pretending not to notice her fellow travellers looking at each other and Hack Preston scratching at his beard thoughtfully.

"I think she knows something we don't," Riley observed.

"You can say that again," Alleura said dryly

***

The travelers were uncertain of what to do next.  They were supposed to find the city, Daguerreo.  Riley had some doubts that this was truly the place, but supposing it was, what next?  Riley made her way to what looked to be an old alleyway and knelt down.  She rifled through her satchel, hoping to find a working comm unit.  Not much had survived the wreck and her satchel had been crushed.  She felt around in the bag and pulled a round gadget.  She pressed a button on it and waited...nothing.

She let out a breath in frustration and shook her head.  She wondered if anyone in Cielobar was wondering what had happened to her?  She wondered how she had gotten herself into this mess.  She wondered if she'd ever see him again.

She thought of the ones she had met up with, especially the newcomers.  Well, at least it appeared that they were even less trusted than she was.  That was a nice change.

She threw the broken comm unit back in her satchel and began to walk through the ruins, taking in all the sights around her.  She stopped suddenly when she spotted a familiar symbol etched into one of the stone walls. 

The Berolon

She had always assumed it was a myth that the adults in Cielobar had made up to make their children behave.  Legend had it that at night, a giant beast that was half-serpent, half-lion, would emerge from the sky and seek out it's prey, naughty boys and girls who refused to go to sleep.

There was no question that the symbol she now beheld was the Berolon.  But that was supposed to be a tale native to Cielobar.  Her mind began to whirl.  The fact that she was seeing it now could mean one of two things.  Either her ancestors were actually from this underground city (which she found extremely ironic - two extremes, from under the land to above the clouds) or the Berolon was not simply a Cielobar legend.  She pulled out a tablet from her satchel and quickly traced the symbol onto the paper, so she could ponder it more.

"Riley?"

She looked up after hearing her name.  Athena was approaching her.  "What are you doing?"

"Oh, just looking around," Riley answered vaguely and ran to join the young woman

***

Athena walked up to Riley, but her gaze was fixed on the symbol on the wall.  Without taking her eyes of the serpentine carving, she said, 'I wanted a word with you away from the others.'

'What do you want to say?' asked Riley, warily.

'I just wondered what you thought was really going on here?  What brought all of us together like this?  What are we really looking for?'

Riley shrugged.  'I'm as much in the dark as you are,' she replied.  'All I know is that Mandy brought us together to find Deguerro.  But what is so important about Deguerro is anybody's guess.'

Athena sighed with frustration and turned to face the Skydweller.  'Yeah, that's about where I'm up to, as well.'  She paused for a moment and then continued, 'Do you think this is Deguerro?'

'It might be - but how would we know?'

'Perhaps this is a clue?' suggested Athena, pointing at the carving on the wall.

'I doubt that,' said Riley with a smile.  'That's just a creature from a children's story.'

'A children's story?  No, it isn't!  This thing is real, very real.  What I don't understand is why it's depicted here.'

'Have you seen a real Berolon?' exclaimed Riley.

'Seen one, killed one, took the jewel in it's stomach,' Athena answered, holding out her pendant for inspection.

Riley's mouth dropped open in surprise as she stared at the slightly built woman in front of her.  'Those things are supposed to be huge!' she gasped eventually.

'But they're too quick to take to the air,' Athena responded, patting her bow.

A smile of understanding spread across Riley's face, but was quickly replaced by a confused frown.  'It still doesn't tell us what the connection is with this place!' she fumed.

As they both gazed at the image etched deeply into the stone, they heard the sound of approaching footsteps.  'Perhaps I can shed some light on that,' came a voice from behind them

***

Dragonis didn't need to turn around to feel the presence of the stranger, he could feel it in his soul. His calm and focused figure merely turned around like it was no big deal, only to discover a terror like no other.

His brilliantly-bright red eyes began to flare up again as he reached for his blade "Iscala".

The stranger merely looked on with delight towards the master swordsmen.

"What? You wish to fight me?" the figure bellowed as he licked his lips in anticipation.

He briefly turned his focused on the other members and eyed them seductively. "What might these beautiful damsels be doing in a rotting hell like this, it just makes no sense!" A light laughter ensued shortly thereafter.

"Another cocky male...this is so typical..." snorted Athena as he readied her bow.

"My, my, you all wish to take me on, but you don't even know if I'm a friend or a foe." the figure reponded.

"Then start making some sense...if you wish to live!" Dragonis roared sending the figure backwards just a mere foot.

"Touchy...aren't we?"

***

“I’m hungry!” one of the soldiers exclaimed, in a voice almost too loud for comfort. “I’m thirsty!” cried another. “Can I go to the bathroom?”

“Shut up!” the Gorthein managed, the first words he uttered in nearly an hour. It was extremely fortunate that they were beholding the unusually belligerent party from a distance or else they would have surely been detected. “But I really need to go!” whimpered the lousy private, his face a portrait of discomfort. He was met with the sternest glare he had ever seen in his life. “Ah, uh, please?”

“What, you think we’re in a mall or something?” Urantho snapped “You think one of those cute little signs with white restroom stick figures will sprout from the walls ‘oh so suddenly’? Are you even slightly aware of our present situation? Do you even realize that you’re in the damned army? Do it in some corner… do it quickly… and… quietly!”

“Oh!” Urantho blurted out in disgust. “To think our very own taxpayers give a portion of their meager earnings to equip such…such…morons! What a waste of sweat and blood! How harrowing! These are the men to destroy all malefactors and threats to the motherland? No! I refuse to believe that I sing the same national anthem as these… buffoons! Oh! It’s too much. An insult to the throne of Methusdeim!” 

“Uh sir,” a very unsettled corporal said as he tapped Urantho on his shoulder, breaking the rave. “Just do it behind that rock, soldier, nobody is looking,” replied the very fluttered Gorthein as he clenched his fist in supreme besetment. “That’s not exactly what this is about, sir,” the corporal stated with a hint of something in his voice. “I think they’ve found Deguerreo.”

“What?” He somehow expected this to be much longer. The corporal stood tall. “Shall we capture them, sir?” “No,” the Gorthein said from between his teeth. “Sir, but you said…”

“Forget what I said!” he nearly screamed. After recovering his intellect from the depths of petulance, he figured that if he hoped to progress in this mission he would have to do things himself.  “Listen,” he grabbed the fearful corporal by the chin. “I don’t know a lot about this Deguerreo but I do know that this looks far too small to be it. I’m moving in and regardless of what happens, do not open fire. That’s an order! Observe from a comfortable distance.”

He cautiously made his way towards two exceedingly beautiful women as they looked upon what appeared to be a Berolon on the wall. He had to try something. “Perhaps I can shed some light on that,”

What ensued was the usual aggressive reaction he had come to expect from most of the group members. "Then start making some sense...if you wish to live!" a man with a huge sword finally snorted.

“Touchy...aren't we? Hmm, I suppose that’s what you’re going to stab me with if I don’t," he said casually, addressing Dragonis like he was a small child hungry for attention. “Interesting, very, yes. For a moment there you almost had me worried.”

“I’m warning you! I’ll…” he prepared the massive Iscala for a strike.”

“Oh I have one too!” he replied as he stroked the still sheathed Ligurinth. “This macho talk is getting old fast. Whatever it is you’re planning, I really don’t recommend it. Listen, tiger…”

“It’s Dragonis! You piece of…”

“My apologies! OK ‘Dragonis’, watch your temper now. If you’re planning to skewer me where I stand, I don’t really think that’s such a great idea. I’ve beaten things with crown jewels larger, hairier and wrinklier than your head so I suggest you calm down... That’s better!” He turned to face the ladies and winked. “I’m so sorry for that stupid line. I should have known better. I must apologize, I was following you a bit from the forest. My name is Urantho Risan de Avese. Quite a mouthful, I know. Please, Risan would be much better!”

He didn’t know what to say and from the looks on their faces neither did his new ‘friends’. He thought long and hard.

“Where was I before I was so rudely interrupted? Oh yes!” he started, smirking at Dragonis who looked like his ears would emit steam any time now. “Yes, I believe I can help you look for that Deguerreo I was hearing so much about. The Berolon was first used in art about ten centuries ago to signify….”

Now if he hadn’t forgotten about that Methusdeimian emblem on the back of his robe…. 

***

With stern eyes, Dragonis watched the figure as he revealed an ancient tale to the group. His mind began to dwindle off into another world, another time, another place.

Why did this man look so familar to him? Perhaps it was the way in which he was addressed by him, like some some pathetic pilgrum.

His mood swung again as he let off a deep glare into one of the solders' eyes, a mere death wish by chance.

The more he pondered the current situation, the more he could smell something fishy. He knew he would have to keep both eyes open at all times and one false move could cost him his life.

Again, his attention turned to the knowledgeable male figure, he continued to dabble on with his fantasy stories, of course, he didn't believe one bit of it...

Suddenly, his eyes lit up as he took one look at the symbol pattern along the man's cloak.

"Methusdeimian..."

To Be Continued...

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