by L. Itram and Ben Yackley Main * Story * Setting * Cast * Illustrations * About * Comment

Chapter 15: Metamorphosis (Posted on 4/11/03 )

Luen was in an uncommonly good mood as he slid up the narrow back stairs of the Verguston inn. Nothing like a pre-dawn swim in honest-to-goodness running water, he thought to himself, even if I did have to go halfway around the town perimeter to find a decent stream. But it certainly beat the meager sponge baths he had to make do with in Grandegear and on that horrid boat ride. He quietly eased open the door and slipped inside so as not to wake Viola.

To his surprise, she was fully dressed and kneeling in the middle of the floor in front of a large box. "Luen, get a towel," she said without turning around.

"How did you know it was me?" he asked, closing the door.

"I could hear ye drippin' on the rug."

"Yeah, right..." Luen grabbed a blanket to wrap around his shoulders. "You're not packing already, are you?"

Viola got to her feet. "Nae, 'twas just a box o' things Na -- Margaret dropped off while ye were swimmin'. Nothing o' importance."

"Really?" He leaned past her and caught the lid as she was about to close it. "In that case you won't mind if I take a look."

"Indeed I do mind!" she snapped, elbowing him in the ribs and simultaneously slamming the chest shut as he pulled back his arms to defend himself. She spun around and sat firmly on its lid. "Don't ye have somethin' better ta do?"

"Nope. Where's everyone else?"

"Kai took Kinto t' the temple on Lower Hazel Street fer their mornin' service."

"A Samselite church? In Verguston?"

"We're not in the backwoods o' Aezo anymore, Luen. Verguston is a large city."

"Yeah, I know that..." said Luen, who didn't but also didn't want any more bruised ribs. "But somehow I'd pictured sunworshippers conducting their ceremonies out in huge fields, not in the middle of narrow streets."

"I believe they're indoors, actually."

"Blessings o' tha mornin', sirs."

"And on yourself the same," responded Kai.

"Er...." added Kinto helpfully from behind his friend, trying very hard not to look like he was hiding from the brightly-garbed priestesses standing on the sidewalk. The group Kai had approached wore bright orange robes trimmed in gold, while the others milling about were dressed in somber black with multicolored trim.

"He's new to this," explained Kai.

"He'll certainly fit in," responded the short doorkeeper with a grin, gesturing at her own orange robes. "He's the right color already."

"Actually, we're both from out of town," added Kai before Kinto could respond.

"Welcome, then. Just follow tha stairs up ta tha top storey."

Kinto trailed after Kai. "So what's th'difference between th'orange and th'black robes?"

"Huh? Oh, I think those were Numerists. The guidebook said they shared the building with the Samselites."

"They must really not like you guys if they putcha in th'attic."

"Actually, they sublet tha buildin' from us," said a voice behind him. Kinto looked over his shoulder to find a young Levendish woman in a brilliant orange dress - another priestess, apparently, this one taller than the one who had greeted them outside. "Don't dawdle on tha stairs, lad, or we'll both miss tha service," she said with a grin. As they obediently resumed the climb, she explained. "They're too dark fer our purposes and we didna need tha extra storage space. T'was only right ta share."

"I don't get it. If y'got first pick, why didn'cha choose th'ground floor?"

"You'll see," said Kai, who had already reached the main entrance at the top of the stairs. "Uh, you're not coming with us, Miss?"

The woman had stopped at the landing just below. "I need ta prepare first. If ye have more questions after, jus' ask fer Donna."

The interior of the main room was warm and cozy, paneled in dark polished wood with brass ornamentation and lit by candles set into the walls. Wood benches upholstered in tasteful brown fabric faced the eastern wall, which was dominated by an enormous circular picture-window with a tiny raised stage in front of it. Looking out across the tops of the surrounding buildings, Kinto finally realized just why the Samselites had wanted the top floor.

"Clever, huh?" said Kai, following his gaze after they had found seats. "Probably the best way to get a view of the sunrise from the middle of the city. We had a place like this back home, but we always held the holy day services in the fields outside."

"It's kinda smaller than I expected," Kinto responded, watching the other sunworshippers quietly file in. Belatedly realizing his comment might be taken the wrong way, he added, "For such a big city, I mean."

"Samselism isn't exactly a local faith. Heck, it's pretty thinly scattered even on Ertset."

Kinto started to ask what the other people on Ertset used for religion, but Kai shushed him. "The prelude is starting."

The three priestesses they had seen downstairs walked quietly down the side aisles, extinguishing the candles until the only source of light was the faint predawn sky. Each held a different-sized horn tucked under her left arm, loosely wrapped in a gold scarf. They took up positions on the stage, one to either side of the window and the third in the middle. Kinto braced himself for a royal fanfare to the returning sun, but instead the priestesses folded their scarves and placed them on the stage, then sat down cross-legged on them and began to play a slow hymn.

The sky lightened until eventually the sun peeked over Verguston's skyline, illuminating the robes and instruments of the musicians, the faces of the listeners and the wood and brass of the room itself. The music accompanied the growing light but never tried to overwhelm it; despite the general newness of the situation Kinto felt that it was far from a bad way to wake up in the morning.

The music died away once the sun was fully above the horizon and the priestesses silently gathered up their instruments and stepped to one side of the stage, making room for an older woman who had been standing unnoticed in the back of the church until this point. She was similarly dressed in orange, with gold trim around the edges and long flowing sleeves. The emblem of the Samselite church - a six-spoked sun wheel - was embroidered in the center. She looked out at the assembled crowd, smiled, and began to speak.

While the Samselites welcomed the sun in the middle of Verguston, it was receiving a slightly different greeting on the outskirts of the city. Had it been paying a little more attention, however, it would have realized that the skinny blonde Levendish boy with the sword strapped to his back was not in fact talking to it but to someone quite different.

"My Mentor said I was to meet someone here!" explained Zeph, once he had gotten over the shock of seeing the semi-transparent figure in front of him. "But it can't be you!"

"Alas, no. I am here only to show you the way, Zeph. You have taken on my name and my quest; my part in this story is no more."

"Be not afraid, Sir Thomas," exclaimed Zeph. "I will complete the mission you have entrusted to me! Just as soon as I get my hands on him, I'll --"

The shade held up a hand. "Haste was nearly my downfall; do not let it be yours. You are not yet ready to face the Lord of Shadows. Nearly, but not yet. Your Mentor, who was once mine, will give you the final pieces you need and the companion to help you along the way."

Zeph pouted. "But why do I have to wait?! Can't you just tell me how you did it? I know I'm strong enough!"

A passing family leading a cart into the city gave the swordsman, apparently talking to the thin air, an odd look and herded their children away from him. Zeph and the ghost ignored them.

"I could, if you wished to end up a restless shade like myself. I did not defeat the Lord of Shadows, I merely sealed him away for a thousand years. It was enough for a time, but I knew such peace would not last. My spirit has haunted the walls of Verguston throughout these many centuries, waiting for the man who could complete the task I had only begun."

"Ohhhhh, I get it! In order to get rid of him for good, I need to be even stronger than you were! I mean, are! I mean --"

"I understand your meaning, young Zeph. And you are correct. You will need the strength and the tools and the companions to defeat our common foe. All of these await you within the walls of yonder town."

"But Sir Thomas...?"

"Yes, young Zeph?"

"Most of yonder town is outside the walls!"

The ghost turned around. "Ah. Right. Much has changed since I died. You hid your conveyance well, I trust?"

"Of course! Now, let's see what's waiting for me here..."

Zeph stepped into the darkened anteroom and peered about. "Uh...hello? Anyone here?"

The door swung silently shut behind him.

Zeph spun around, sword unsheathed and ready to face the unknown menace. After a moment, he thought to try the knob; the door was still unlocked. Satisfied that he had an escape route, he turned around to re-examine his surroundings. The anteroom was completely dark save for a dim light shining out of a doorway behind the stairs. Zeph followed it and stepped into a large and gloomy chamber.

"Mister Goldenedge," said a voice from the shadows, "I was told to expect you."

Under other circumstances, Zeph would have leapt into action. assuming that anyone who knew his name in this city must be a minion of the Lord of Shadows. At the moment, however, he was too distracted by what was in the center of the room to worry about the periphery. A young and admittedly exotic-looking maiden lay on the long table that stretched across the room. She looked to be part Levendish in ancestry, with long pointed ears and hair and fur of a soft green like new leaves. As Zeph approached the slab, he saw that her hands and feet were far larger than natural, covered in lighter fur, and slightly darker markings framed her closed eyes. He reached out to touch her cheek.

"I wouldn't do that, if I were you."

Zeph pulled his hand back and glared across the table at the old man. "Who is she and what enchantment keeps her thus?"

"First tell me your full name."

"You know my name! I am Zeph Goldenedge, bearer of the sword of Sir Thomas Goldenedge!" He unsheathed the blade in demonstration.

"I see..." said the old man uncertainly. "Please put that away, I believe you. And you are not a moment too soon." He limped to a small desk in the darkest corner of the room and opened a drawer. "I was told to give this to you. It will explain all."

Zeph took the small disk and looked at it curiously, as an image formed in its surface: a hooded figure with a long white beard. "Zeph, you have made it."

"Yes, Mentor, I am here! And I've spoken with the ghost of Thomas Goldenedge himself! And who is this strange woman?"

"The green woman was once a sorceress of great power. But she dared to disobey the Lord of Shadows and her memory was obliterated in the conflict. She has no knowledge of her spells or even her name."

"But she's still alive?"

"Yes, it is only through the most fortuitous luck that we were able to sneak her away before the Lord of Shadows could complete his punishment."

Zeph's brow furrowed. "Luck? It must have been fate!"

"Fate ... Yes, fate works in strange ways. Perhaps it was her destiny to lose so that she might help you to succeed. But she is not yet safe. Even now, the dark minions are conspiring to descend on this place and reclaim her. You must protect her - and trust no one!"

"I will guard her with my life!"

"You both must journey to Redstone Island; the Lord of Shadows plots to halt construction of the ocean bridge, ruining the symbol of the peace with Ertset we have sought for centuries, and crossing in the wake of ruin to spread darkness, despair, and chaos into the hearts of the hard-working Ertseti. This may be your best chance to stop him for good!"

"I'll be there by tonight!"

"No! Do not use the flying ship, Zeph!"

"But it got me here from Kyria in no time!"

"You are too close to the center of darkness. Speed is necessary, but stealth more so. You must journey by land -- yes, what is it now?" asked the old man, prompted by a blank look from Zeph.

"How do I journey by land to an island?"

"I was getting to that ... young Zeph. You will use the bridge across the channel which connects the island to the far shore of Levend. The doctor will provide you with a map before you leave."

"Oh, I already have a map!"

The hooded figure went on as if Zeph had said nothing. "...Take the woman with you; if you can aid her in rediscovering what little magic she still possesses, she will be an invaluable companion. Farewell, Zeph. Your destiny awaits." The image faded away.

"I suppose that explains everything," said the old doctor. "She will need to stay here overnight, of course."

"What is her name?"

He shrugged. "I'm afraid none of us know. Perhaps you can give her a new one."

Zeph nodded. A new name for a new life; it seemed fitting. "Will she be awake in the morning?"

"Yes. Now that you have arrived, I can safely prepare the antidote which will restore her to consciousness. Until then there is nothing you can do for her."

Zeph nodded again. "Please hurry! Time is of the essence!" As an afterthought, he added, "And I cannot afford to let anything happen to her! If she's really the key to defeating the Lord of Shadows, she is incredibly important!"

With that, he swept out of the room. The doctor shook his head, watching the young man leave. "You don't know the half of it..." he muttered to himself.

"I wonder if Kai's gotten himself a convert," said Luen to Viola as they strolled toward Lower Hazel Street.

"I dunna think tha Samselites work that way, Luen. They're more interested in good deeds than recruitin'. Be thankful fer what ye have sort o' thing."

Suddenly, a figure sprinted out of a side alley and turned in their direction, then stopped short. "...Hey, it's you!"

The two mages exchanged glances.

"Wait, you're the kid from Glyphic Mountain... right?" asked Luen.

"I thought he was treasure huntin' on Aezo," responded Viola.

"Treasure hunting?" scoffed Zeph. "I'm no treasure hunter! I'm here to fulfill my destiny, aided by the strength of my ancestor and the power of the Green Sorceress!"

"I see..." said Luen, trying to figure out the best escape route before the heavily-armed teenager completely lost his wits.

"Green Sorceress?" repeated Viola in bewilderment.

"Yes, that maiden who was nearly destroyed by my enemy and now lies in enchanted sleep in the laboratory of the good doctor just yonder."

"But there are no doctors in this part o' the city ..." A name floated out of the depths of Viola's memory. "Unless ... ye mean an elderly man with a limp an' a whispery voice?"

"The very same!" Zeph squinted at her. "Are you a friend of his?"

"Viola, what are you talking about?"

"An' this maiden, ye said she was green?" Viola thought for a second. "And... white? With long ears?"

"Yes, the very same!"

"Viola...." Luen had a suspicion he knew what she was getting at and he didn't like it at all. "Are you saying...?"

"Clorin!" she snapped at him and sprinted down the alley.

Luen shouted curses and slithered after her.

"Clorin?" Zeph repeated, confusion evident upon his features. He peered back down the alleyway and gradually put two and two together. "Oh no, they're after her! Wait for me, Clorin!"

AS the pair of mages burst through the door, Luen slid over to the table and glanced at its occupant. Green, long ears, long arms, big hands. "It has to be her! ...You!" he shouted at the doctor, glaring hotly. "Are you the one responsible for this?"

"Excuse --"

"Do you know what the penalty is for aiding a known criminal? Well, neither do I, but we're going to find out real soon."

"We'll need proof, Luen." Viola brushed him aside and started to search the woman's pockets. "This is a lady's job."

"Er, right. I'll take care of the accomplice." He launched himself at the alchemist, who was hurrying out of the room as fast as he could limp. "No you don't!" Luen caught the older man in a headlock and wrapped his tail around an ankle.

"Be gentle." Viola glared at him. "He's an old man, ye know."

"Halt, foul minions of evil!" The door slammed a second time as Zeph burst in, sword drawn. "Lay a hand on that maiden and your lives are forfeit."

Viola stepped away from the unconscious woman, her eyes darting around the room.

"You don't understand," said Luen. "We're the good guys here! Viola, help me out."

"If someone would be so kind as to help me..." croaked the doctor.

"Her luggage!" exclaimed Viola, pouncing on it. "It must be in here. We'll give you proof, Zeph. Remember that Shard on Glyphic Mountain?"

Zeph frowned. "That one would've been mine if you hadn't gotten there first!"

"I'll help you all right," growled Luen. "As soon as you tell me what you're doing with this woman."

"Ye-es," said Viola hesitantly. "That one."

"Don't try to bribe me!" hollered Zeph.

"She was brought..." explained the doctor.

"I wasnae --" Viola started to say.

"I don't need it anymore!" interrupted the swordsman. "I have another!"

Luen stopped interrogating the doctor and exchanged glances with Viola. If Zeph could be persuaded to give his shard up, they wouldn't need to worry about Auli anymore.

"No," said Viola after a moment.

"Now it's personal," agreed Luen.

"Yes!" exclaimed Zeph, attempting to latch on to their conversation. "It's a personal fight between myself and the Lord of Shadows. And she is the key!"

"Key? She stole our shard," shouted Luen. "Not to mention killing someone!"

"What she may have done under his power is irrelevant!"

"Under his power...?"

"The situation is rather complicated..." said a strained voice under Luen's arm.

"So explain! Now!"

"Unhand that man!"

"Zeph, if ye'll give us a moment we can prove--"

"If you'd be so kind as to unhand me?"

None of them heard the door quietly open.

"JUST WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!?!?"

The four froze and looked at the short birdlike silhouette in the doorway.

"Kinto..." said Viola nervously.

"My travelling companion!" exclaimed Zeph. Kinto flinched. "I must warn you, your so-called friends are actually in the service of the Lord of Shadows! But together we --"

"Shut up! Luen, put down that old man before y'break his neck!"

Luen let go of the doctor, who massaged his neck and attempted to straighten his jacket. Zeph sheathed his sword and Viola stopped looking through the luggage and stood up. Kai loomed quietly in the background.

"Now," said Kinto. "C'n someone tell me what's goin' on here?"

"The Lord of Shadows --" "-- helping her escape --" "-- Instilled with Clorin --" "-- tried to kill me!"

"Kai?"

"Not a clue."

They tried again.

"Make him confess --" "-- untrustworthy fiends!" "-- find tha Shard --" "-- an innocent woman --"

Eventually the situation was explained to everyone's satisfaction.

"I still don't get it," said Kai.

"Do we have to --"

"No, wait, listen. You..." Kai pointed at Luen, "claim that's Auli gone Instilled."

"But y'can't find th'Shard?" added Kinto.

Viola shook her head. "T'wasn't on her person or in tha luggage."

"And you," continued Kai, pointing at Zeph, "say she's --"

"-- a sorceress most cruelly stripped of her power by --"

"The Lord of Shadows, right."

"Which sounds crazy," added Kinto. "'Specially comin' from that guy --"

"Hey!"

"-- 'cept th'old guy backs him up."

"Excuse me?"

"Well, y'do, right?"

"I've told you all I know. She was brought to me to care for. I am a doctor, after all."

"An' th'woman looks nothin' like Auli," Kinto concluded.

"Because she was Instilled!" Viola argued. "Ye saw what I used ta look like."

"So what don't you understand, Kai?" asked Luen.

"Why you went running in here in the first place," said Kai simply.

"Eh, ye see ..."

"... well, we were sure...."

Zeph shrugged. "I followed them!"

Kai looked at Kinto.

"Don' ask me, I say they're all crazy."

"Sorry about that," said Zeph, as the group of assorted adventurers exited the doctor's chambers. "I thought you were evil! But I guess it was all just a silly misunderstanding, right?"

Luen gave Zeph a nod and a perfunctory grin. "Yeah. Right."

"So now what do we do?" asked Kinto.

"I can't leave until tomorrow!" said Zeph.

"I was askin' them."

"We know she came to this neighborhood," Kai pointed out.

"Right," Luen nodded. "I say we split up, then. I'm going to ask around and see if I can pick up the trail."

"By yer self?"

"One person is less threatening than a whole crowd. You're welcome to do your own investigating, just do it on your own."

"You'd have more luck with a Verguston native along," Kai pointed out.

"Leave him be, Kai. I wouldna want ta work wit' tha likes o' him in any case. He can do his sleuthin' alone an' good luck ta him!"

"Some of us don't depend on luck," retorted Luen.

Kai quailed. "I'll ... go catch up on my cataloguing, then."

"I'll come with ya," said Kinto. "Need t'study, anyway."

"We'll meet back at tha inn tonight, then," said Viola as the two of them left.

"Sounds good to me." Luen departed in another direction.

Viola was silent for a moment, then turned to leave -- and discovered she was not alone.

"... and what are ye still doin' here?"

"Where are you going?" asked Zeph.

She shrugged. "Dunno. Ta be honest, this part o' town has few good memories fer me. Luen can have his investigation."

"Okay, we'll go somewhere else!"

"We...?"

"You don't want to go wandering about by yourself!" said Zeph gallantly. "Evil is abroad today!"

Viola started to respond that she was perfectly capable of handling any Evil that was stupid enough to tangle with her and would happily demonstrate a few techniques on Zeph himself, but common sense cut in. This is a person of dubious sanity wielding a very large, very sharp piece of metal. The last thing you want is for him to decide you're 'evil abroad'.

"Why thank ye, I could use some company," she responded sweetly, if completely dishonestly. It was easier than trying to get rid of him, she decided. Plus, there is something decidedly odd about the "sorceress" story. Why didn't the doctor simply admit that the woman had been Instilled? "Shall we go, then?"

"Where?"

"Do ye know of any good pubs north o' Spruce?" If she was going to spend any time with Zeph, she'd need a tall drink first.

Auli dreamt.

I run through the forest, dodging and weaving to throw off pursuit. What exactly is pursuing me, I cannot remember, but I'm not about to stop and find out.

The woods around Verguston weren't this lush and overgrown last night. Wait, this is Aezo, that's right. And those darn mages are behind me because they want their Shard back! No, that can't be it; in Aezo I was the hunter, not the prey. This must be Levend, then, it just looks different in broad daylight. Is it daylight? When I look up, I see the sky between the tops of the mushrooms. Bright and cloudless. What a beautiful green. Is sky green? I can't remember. But it must be because it is. This is Levend, so of course the sky is different. The Aezites say each of the races is associated with a color, so it makes sense that the sky is green here, just like it was orange in Almanaque. But it was blue in Almanaque and out on the plains, too. I remember now. I wonder what color the sky over Vadha is, then?

It doesn't matter. I must keep running. I do keep running, dodging around the twenty-foot tall mushrooms that sprouted overnight. It must have rained last night, yes, that explains everything. Mushrooms after the rain. If I can find Almanaque I can lose them; nobody knows the city as well as I do. I run until I find Almanaque, but I never do. Broad ferns reach out their fronds like tentacles, trying to snag my legs. I run past them, hoping that they will catch the hunter instead.

The hunter is gaining. I can run forever, but I'm not fast enough.

It catches me.

I feel its jaws gripping around my wrist, but I don't look back. If I look back then it will get me for certain. I try to pull away but it doesn't let go. It pulls back stop get away it's gone! It's gone and so is my left arm. I try to feel my shoulder but something has caught my right wrist. Why doesn't it just kill me quickly? Because it is very quick, before I can move my other arm is gone. My shoulders hurt but my fingers are numb. At least I can't feel them being eaten and swallowed. But what do I do now? I can't go back with no arms! But they can't arrest me with no arms; they won't be able to put on the handcuffs. If only my shoulders would stop hurting.

I can't stay here, I need to find the place.

The forest will heal me, I just need to find the right place. This I know. I start running again, but this time I am not running away. It's nearby, I just need to keep going. Someone is leading me to the right place.

I stagger past the mushrooms again and reach the pool. It's green and opaque, just like the sky, but so small I could stretch my arms across it if I still had arms. A tree is on the opposite side of the pool; its roots sink into the water, feeding the pool with its sap.

I kneel to drink.

A creature appears from behind the tree. It's beautiful, like a cross between a rabbit and a racing dog, all green and white like springtime. It balances on enormous white feet, one large hand leaning against the side of the trunk.

"What are you?"

Its ears twitch but it does not answer. Its eyes are large and translucent, outlined with fine angular stripes of a darker green.

"Did you lead me here?"

It nods at the pool, motioning that I should drink first. I do so.

The pain disappears. So does everything else. The world is green, all green, nothing more.

I flex my fingers as the world returns. Then I see my hands. They are large and covered in fine white fur. When I stand, they nearly touch the ground. My arms feel longer too, and the ground is further away. I kneel down and wait for the ripples to clear so I can see what else has changed. Someone stares back at me. She is green and white, like springtime, with long ears and fine angular stripes around her eyes.

I look back at the rabbit, but it is gone.

I have been healed, but I am changed. The forest has given me its power and now I must use it.

I wake up.

She opened her eyes and stared, bewildered, at the machine above her head. She remembered lying down, scared. She remembered the device glowing until everything turned green. But was that before or after she was chased through the forest?

She swung her legs over the side of the table and buried her face in her hands. "Ugh, now what?"

Something wasn't right.

She examined her fingers, then the backs of her hands. "That's right ... the rabbit thing ... First things first, though. Where's that doctor? Or better yet, where's his kitchen?" She hopped off the table and carefully opened the door, clumsy with the suddenly-tiny knob. The anteroom was dark but a quick peek out the front door revealed that it was late at night. Satisfied, she slipped back into the lab and gathered up her luggage, which looked as though it had been tossed around while she was asleep. "I'll need to have a word with him about that."

A note fluttered to the floor. After a couple of attempts, she picked it up and read it: There is a cauldron of venison stew on the fire, and a few biscuits left over besides. Help yourself - you will be quite hungry when you awaken. Rest, for your strength will take some time to recover.

She grinned. "Okay, doc. I forgive you for snooping through my stuff. Now where's this dinner?"

"It was great running into you all again!" exclaimed Zeph as the six travelers stood around awkwardly in the main hall of the inn the following morning.

"Even if you did try to kill us," added Luen with a smirk.

"It was a mistake, I know that now! It's not your fault you were deceived by the powers of darkness!"

"Eh, aye. Powers o' darkness, right," Viola forced a smile and elbowed Luen in the ribs.

"And that was quite a game of Morriston Draughts, Viola! We oughta do that again sometime!"

Viola snorted derisively. She and Zeph had played the game over mugs of mead at the public house. It worked well as a distraction - Zeph was too busy announcing his moves and capturing Viola's pawns with dramatic flourishes to go on for very long about himself or his destiny - but as an opponent, he was somewhat lacking in strategy. "So ye're off ta confront yer destiny, then?"

"That's right; the final showdown!"

"You sound awfully cheerful for someone who's going into a life-or-death battle," commented Kai.

"The dangers are great!" agreed Zeph, "But Clorin and I shall prevail over evil!"

"Clorin?!"

Zeph looked at the row of blank faces. "Uh...yes? Nobody knows her real name, so I gave her a new one!"

"A new name for a new life," agreed the sorceress quietly.

"Right! And you guys thought she was a clorin and it's a pretty name! What does it mean?"

"Nothing," said Luen quickly. "It's just a name. A girl's name. That's all."

"We thought she was Auli," explained Viola. "But t'was an honest mistake."

"Auli..." whispered the sorceress.

Zeph shook his head. "I like Clorin better; it sounds green! I'm sorry you can't come with us, but good luck!"

"Good luck," echoed his companion, then turned to Zeph. "We'll miss our ride."

"Look at it this way," said Kinto as the two world-savers walked down the street and off to their Destiny. "We won't be runnin' int' them again so it don't matter what her name is."

"I still came up with it first," grumbled Luen.

"They do make a cute couple, though," commented Kai as Clorin gently wrapped her large fingers around Zeph's upper arm and said something too soft to make out. "Don't they, Viola?"

"We can go anywhere you want!" responded the swordsman, beaming down at his companion. "But my name's not Pico, its Zeph!"

There was a moment of stunned silence and then -- "Quick, grab them!" shouted Kinto.

"Get off me, Kinto!" growled Luen. "That damn fool thief Instilled herself with my Clorin!"

"Unhand me, Kai! Ye know she's the one we've been huntin' for!"

"Because she lost her memory?" asked Kai, keeping a tight grip on her upper wrists.

"Because she knows Pico," explained Kinto. "But yer fergettin' somethin' important here, you two."

"And just what is that, if ye'll be so kind?"

"Kai knows."

"It's blond and crazy and carries a sword," explained Kai. He let go. "That's Auli, but we can't just barge in and grab her. Zeph is crazy enough that there's no telling what he'd think if we tried to take away his new friend."

Viola massaged her wrists. "So what do ye propose we do, then? Just let them go? Stop sitting on Luen, Kinto. He's nae about ta go anywhere now."

"So I'm doin' all th'thinking now?" smirked Kinto. "Well we c'n start by not doin' things th' Zeph way."

"He wanted companions," said Luen, poking gently at his bruised tail.

"Right, so let's give 'im some. 'Cmon!"

"Aye. Just remember ta mention 'fate', 'destiny', and tha Lord o' Shadows."

And so, our four heroes sprinted off into the sunrise, hot on the trail of Destiny. Granted, it was not their destiny per se, but they would worry about that little matter when they caught up to it.